Complain about a SEND service

Talk to your provider

We take complaints and concerns very seriously. To resolve a problem quickly you should start by talking to your education provider. Talk to them if:

• you have had a bad experience 
• there have been ongoing problems 
• the service was not what you'd hoped it to be

You should raise your concern early on and speak with the person in charge. This could be the manager, head teacher or key worker of the service or school. You can then discuss how to resolve, or improve the problem. This is the quickest way to get your voice heard.

My problem is still unresolved 

Dorset Council has its own formal complaints process. If you still have a problem, you can get support from:

• the Dorset Parent Carer Council (DPCC)
• the SEN and Disability Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)
• a professional who is working with your family

Support around EHCPs and assessments

If your complaint is about your education health and care plan (EHCP) or assessment, there's a range of support available:

• during an EHC assessment
• during the review for an EHCP
• if you have had issues whilst transferring from a statement to an EHCP

You should first talk to your local Education and Early Help (SEND) Team to resolve any issues. If you're still not happy, make a complaint.

For general and legal advice, talk to:

• SENDIASS: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service offers information, advice and support for parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This service is free, impartial and confidential

See also disagreement resolution and mediation help.

I can't fix the problem and want to complain

If you have tried talking to the service and you haven't found a solution, you can make a complaint. This will allow you to start the process of resolving the problem in a more official way.

There are different procedures for different services:

Other education complaints

All non-school education provider should have their own complaints process. This could be a college or early years provider. If you still cannot resolve the problem, you can complain to the organisation that inspects them such as Ofsted.

Non-council service complaints

If the service is not run by the council, they will have their own complaints procedure. You will need to contact them to make a complaint.