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School complaints hub

Start here if you need to act quickly. This hub links the complaint builder, templates, and the full guide on escalation, safeguarding, and Section 19 support.

A quiet table with paperwork after a difficult school meeting. A folder and notes sit under soft light.
This is usually where complaints start. After a meeting that did not feel right. After promises that were not kept. This hub helps you move from emotion to structure.
Legal information only — not legal advice
This page shares general UK-focused information and practical steps. If you need advice on your exact situation, speak to a qualified professional. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999.

🆕 What changed in May 2026

Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2025 — Royal Assent 20 May 2026

This Act is now law. It introduces changes that directly affect school complaints:

  • Suspension and exclusion duties strengthened — headteachers and governors must now give more explicit consideration to whether SEN has been properly identified and met before suspending or excluding. A suspension where SEN needs are unmet is significantly harder to justify under the new framework
  • Children Not in School register — local authorities must maintain a register of home-educated children. This does not change SEND rights or EHCP duties, but increases LA visibility of children outside school
  • Corporate parenting duties strengthened — looked-after children with SEN must have needs properly considered across both their EHCP and Personal Education Plan

The core complaint framework — school complaints procedure, governors, LGO, Secretary of State — is unchanged. The new Act adds to what you can argue in an exclusion challenge, not a new complaints route.

Suspensions involving unmet SEN — your position is stronger now

Data published in 2025–26 confirmed that pupils with SEN support are suspended at more than three times the rate of pupils without SEN. Pupils with EHCPs are suspended at more than six times the rate. If your child has been suspended and their SEN needs were not being met, the new Act gives you stronger grounds to challenge the decision and ask what assessment of SEN was carried out before the suspension was issued.

Ask in writing: was SEN taken into account before this suspension was issued, who made that assessment, and what evidence did they rely on?

Quick actions

Generate a complaint letter fast

Use the builder to create a structured Stage 1 or Stage 2 complaint with headings and clear requests.

Open complaint builder

Safeguarding concern

If the concern involves harm, serious risk, neglect, or staff conduct, use the safeguarding steps and escalate if the response is not good enough.

Safeguarding steps

Out of school or reduced timetable

Section 19 can apply where a child cannot access suitable education. Use this route to push the local authority to act.

Section 19 steps

Suspension or exclusion challenge

Challenging an exclusion or suspension where SEN was not properly considered. Use the template and know your deadlines.

Exclusion challenge

Recording meetings

The basics of recording meetings for accuracy and how to store evidence safely.

Recording law

EHCP complaint

Missed timescales, weak Section F, wrong school named, or plan not being delivered. Use our EHCP guide.

EHCP rights guide

Full resources

Complete legal guide

Escalation ladder, complaint stages, safeguarding routes, Section 19 overview, and ready-to-use templates.

Open the complete guide

Templates only

Copy and paste letters for Stage 1, Stage 2, safeguarding, exclusion, and Section 19.

Open templates

SEND Law Hub

The full SEND Code of Practice in plain English, updated June 2026 with Children's Wellbeing Act changes.

SEND Law Hub

EHCP guide

What councils don't tell you, how to gather evidence, what to do when refused, and how to win appeals.

EHCP guide

Escalation at a glance

Stage 1

Headteacher. Must respond within 10 school days. Get everything in writing.

Stage 2

Governing body panel. Must hear within 20 school days of request. You can attend.

Stage 3

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO). Use after exhausting school process.

Exclusion

Governing body review within 15 school days. If upheld, Independent Review Panel (IRP) within 15 school days. Deadlines are strict.

Safeguarding

Designated Safeguarding Lead → headteacher → governing body → LA LADO (for staff conduct) → Ofsted.

Section 19

Write to LA directly. Must provide suitable education if child cannot attend. Put it in writing and cite the Education Act 1996.

Simple rule If it is urgent — start with safeguarding or Section 19. If it is an exclusion — check deadlines immediately and act within them. If it is not urgent — use the builder, then follow the formal complaint stages. Keep everything in writing. Save evidence. Set deadlines. Follow up in writing after every conversation.

This hub is maintained by Awareverse

Built from real-world advocacy and accountability work. Last updated June 2026.