Form SEND4B UK: Young Person Disability Claim Guide

What this document is

SEND4B is the specific claim form for a young person aged over compulsory school age who believes they have been discriminated against by a school because of their disability. Compulsory school age ends on the last Friday of June in the academic year a young person turns 16, so this form is typically used by those aged roughly 16 and above who remain in a school setting, for example a sixth form.

The Equality Act 2010 prohibits schools from treating disabled pupils less favourably, from failing to make reasonable adjustments, and from discrimination arising from disability. Where a young person believes one of these has happened, SEND4B is the route to ask the Tribunal to make a finding and order the school to put things right.

The Tribunal cannot award financial compensation in these claims, but it can order a range of other remedies such as an apology, staff training, changes to policy, or reinstatement after an exclusion. The form must generally be submitted within six months of the act complained of, although late claims can be accepted in some circumstances.

How to use this document

1. Check that SEND4B is the right form. SEND4B is used by the young person themselves, where they are over compulsory school age and claiming disability discrimination by a school in England. If the claim is being brought by a parent for a younger child, a different form applies. If the claim concerns special educational needs provision rather than discrimination, the appeal route is also different.
2. Gather the information and evidence you will need. Before starting, collect the school's full name and address, key dates, names of staff involved, copies of any correspondence, and any medical evidence, EHC plan, or diagnostic reports that confirm the disability. Having this to hand makes completing sections 4, 5 and 6 much easier and helps you present a coherent account of what happened.
3. Complete each section carefully. Work through the thirteen sections in order, giving your personal details, identifying the school, stating the date of the discrimination, explaining what happened, describing your disability and its effects, and setting out what you want the Tribunal to order. Be specific and factual, and use the continuation section if you need more space.
4. Address timing and late claims. Claims should usually be submitted within six months of the incident. If you are outside that window, section 7 asks you to explain why the Tribunal should still hear the claim. Reasons such as illness, a delayed diagnosis, or waiting on a school's internal process can be relevant, but the Tribunal decides case by case.
5. Submit the form with supporting documents. Send the completed form together with the documents listed in section 9 to the SEND Tribunal. Keep a full copy of everything you submit. The Tribunal will then acknowledge the claim, notify the school, and set a timetable. The school has an opportunity to respond before any hearing is listed.

Common questions