What percentage of EHC needs assessment requests does Isle of Wight refuse?

Isle of Wight's refusal rate was not separately published in the latest Department for Education release.

How long do I have to appeal an EHCP refusal from Isle of Wight?

Two months from the date of the decision letter, or one month from the date of the mediation certificate, whichever is later.

EHCP refused by Isle of Wight? Your appeal rights explained

A refusal to assess is not the end of the process — it is the point at which your appeal rights begin.

Isle of Wight's refusal figures were not separately published in the latest DfE release. The process and deadlines below still apply in full.

The number that matters most: across England, the overwhelming majority of SEND Tribunal appeals that reach a hearing are decided in the parents' favour. Councils rarely win. Refusal at the council stage tells you very little about the strength of your case.

What you can appeal

Refusal to carry out an EHC needs assessment — the most common refusal, and the one these figures cover.
Refusal to issue an EHC plan after an assessment was carried out.
The content of a plan — sections B (needs), F (provision) and I (placement).
A decision to cease a plan, or the outcome of an annual review.

The steps, in order

Get the decision in writing from Isle of Wight, with the reasons and the date.
Request mediation information — you must contact a mediation adviser before appealing most decisions. They issue a certificate; you do not have to attend mediation itself to get it.
Lodge the appeal within two months of the decision letter, or one month from the mediation certificate — whichever is later.
Set out your grounds against the legal tests the Tribunal actually applies, with evidence attached.

Deadline: two months from the decision letter (or one month from the mediation certificate, if that is later). Missing it usually means starting the whole request again.

The legal test for an assessment refusal

A council must carry out an EHC needs assessment if the child may have special educational needs and may need provision through an EHC plan. That is a deliberately low threshold — "may", not "does". Refusals often apply a higher bar than the law allows, for example requiring evidence that support has already failed for a set period, or that a child is a certain number of years behind. Those are policy positions, not legal tests.

Build my SEND appeal pack — £11.99

Guided questions turn your refusal letter into a structured grounds statement for the SEND35 appeal form, with an evidence checklist and your deadlines.

Questions parents ask

Does a high refusal rate mean Isle of Wight is wrong?

Not on its own — but it is context. What matters for your case is whether the legal test was applied correctly to your child.

Do I need a solicitor?

No. The SEND Tribunal is designed for parents to use without representation, and most appeals are brought by parents themselves. Free specialist advice is available from IPSEA and SENDIASS.

Can appealing make things worse?

No. The council cannot withdraw existing support because you appealed, and the Tribunal cannot order less than what is already in place.

This page is general information about the SEND appeals process, not legal advice, and does not guarantee any outcome. Appeals Desk is independent and not connected to Isle of Wight. Free specialist advice is available from IPSEA (ipsea.org.uk) and your local SENDIASS service.

Other councils

Compare EHCP refusal rates across all 153 councils →