Idox launches mediation & tribunal module to streamline SEND dispute resolution
Idox, a leading innovator in digital solutions for the public sector, is proud to announce the latest enhancement to its leading EHC Hub platform.
The platform is designed to transform the way families, schools, and local authorities navigate the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessment process. And this latest addition now adds support for mediation and tribunals.
The number of children and young people with EHCPs in England has surged to 638,700 as of January 2025, marking a 10.8% increase from the previous year.
This rise underscores the escalating pressures on education, health, and care services to meet the diverse needs of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Simultaneously, local authorities are grappling with significant financial challenges.
In 2024, across England, there were:
- 154,500 requests for an EHC needs assessment
- 105,300 EHC needs assessments were carried out
- 97,700 new plans were issued.
Local authorities proceeded to an assessment for around 68% of requests, the remainder were refused, withdrawn, or are still outstanding.
As the demand for SEND services continues to rise, Idox is dedicated to supporting families and professionals by providing tools that enhance efficiency, transparency, and collaboration.
Jamie Rowell
Head of Product and Strategy (Social Care) at Idox
Around 7% of assessments resulted in a decision not to issue a plan. And in the 2023/24 academic year 21,000 SEN appeals were registered, which is an increase of 55% on the previous year.
Around 59% of appeals related to plan content, while around 27% related to refusal to secure an assessment.
In 2024:
- 4,700 tribunals were related to the decision not to conduct an assessment.
- Of 10,500 mediations about refusal-to-assess, 1,500 went on to tribunal.
- Of 2,100 mediations related to a decision not to issue an EHC plan after assessment, 500 proceeded to tribunal.
- Of 1,900 mediations related to the content of a plan, 700 went to tribunal.
In total 11,000 outcomes were decided by tribunal and 99% were decided in favour of parents/young person.
Idox’s new Mediation & Tribunal Module offers a comprehensive, user-friendly interface that streamlines the EHCP appeals process for Local Authorities. Key features include:
- A Centralised Documentation Hub: Securely store and access all relevant documents, ensuring that families and professionals have a single point of reference.
- Real-Time Collaboration Tools: Facilitate seamless communication between families, schools, and local authorities, promoting transparency and reducing misunderstandings.
- Automated Workflow Management: Track the progress of appeals with automated reminders and status updates, ensuring timely actions are taken.
- Data-Driven Insights: Utilise analytics to identify trends, monitor outcomes, and inform decision-making processes.
The SEND Tribunal plays a crucial role in resolving disputes related to EHCPs and Idox’s new module aims to help local authority teams adhere to legal timelines and requirements, minimising the risk of procedural errors.
Jamie Rowell, Head of Product and Strategy (Social Care) at Idox said: “As the demand for SEND services continues to rise, Idox is dedicated to supporting families and professionals by providing tools that enhance efficiency, transparency, and collaboration.
“Requests for assessment are increasing year-on-year, there were 576,000 EHC plans in January 2024 and 638,700 plans in January 2025. And in the 2023/24 academic year SEND tribunals were up 55% on the previous year. These trends show both rising demand and rising legal challenge.
“This new module aims to support local authorities, so that efforts can be focused on children and young people.”
