SEND4A Form UK: Disability Claim by Parents
We're not a law firm — we help you find the right legal support. For advice on your situation, speak to a legal adviser or find a solicitor.
Part ofUK Court & Tribunal Forms
If you believe your child has been treated unfairly by their school because of a disability, the SEND4A is the form you use to bring that concern before the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability). It is the starting point for a parent who wants the Tribunal to examine whether the school has fallen short of its duties under the Equality Act 2010.
The form looks long at first glance, but each section is really just asking you to set out what happened, who was involved, and what you would like the Tribunal to do about it. On this page I'll walk through what the SEND4A covers, when it applies, and the practical things to think about before you send it in.
If you want to talk through your situation with an experienced legal adviser before committing to anything, you can book a call using the button on this page.
What this document is
The SEND4A is the claim form used by a parent (or someone with parental responsibility) who wants to bring a disability discrimination claim against a school on behalf of a child who is still of compulsory school age. It is used where the complaint falls within the disability provisions that now sit within the Equality Act 2010, which replaced and extended the earlier Special Educational Needs and Disability Act regime.
Typical issues include a child being excluded from a trip, given a fixed-term exclusion, treated less favourably because of something connected to their disability, or a school failing to make reasonable adjustments. The form is submitted to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND), which sits in the HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
You need to complete every section for the claim to be accepted, and the Tribunal expects supporting documents where they are available. There is normally a six-month window from the date of the act you are complaining about, so timing matters.
How to use this document
- Check the claim is one the Tribunal can hear. The SEND4A is for disability discrimination claims against schools concerning children still of compulsory school age. Before filling anything in, make sure your complaint is about disability (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) rather than purely about special educational needs provision, which follows a separate route.
- Gather the details and evidence first. Collect the child's personal details, the school's details, dates of the incidents, any correspondence with the school, medical or educational reports confirming the disability, and records of any adjustments you asked for. Having these to hand makes completing the form far quicker and produces a stronger, clearer claim.
- Complete every section of the SEND4A. Work through the form in order: your details, your child's details, any representative, the school concerned, the date and nature of the alleged discrimination, information about the disability and its day-to-day impact, and the order you want the Tribunal to make. Incomplete forms are often returned, so leave nothing blank.
- Explain any delay if you are outside the time limit. Claims should usually be brought within six months of the act complained of. If more time has passed, you need to set out clearly why, and the Tribunal will decide whether to accept the late claim. Be honest and specific about what caused the delay.
- Sign, date and submit to the Tribunal. Once you have checked the form, attached your supporting documents and listed them, sign and date it. Send it to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND) in line with the current submission instructions on gov.uk. Keep a full copy of everything you send for your own records.
Common questions
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £149.
Common questions
Q Who can use the SEND4A form?
The form is for a parent or someone with parental responsibility for a child who is still of compulsory school age. It is used to bring a disability discrimination claim against the school the child attends, or was attending at the relevant time. Young people over compulsory school age usually need to bring their own claim using a different route, so check which form fits before starting.
Q What counts as disability discrimination by a school?
In broad terms, it covers being treated less favourably because of disability, being disadvantaged by something arising from a disability, and the school failing to make reasonable adjustments. Examples can include exclusions, being kept out of trips or clubs, sanctions linked to disability-related behaviour, or a lack of support that a non-disabled child would not need. The Tribunal looks at the facts you describe.
Q Is there a time limit for bringing the claim?
Yes. Claims should generally be lodged within six months of the act you are complaining about. If more than one incident is involved, the clock usually runs from the most recent one. The Tribunal can sometimes accept a late claim if you explain the delay and it considers it just and equitable to do so, but this is never guaranteed.
Q Do I need a solicitor to complete the SEND4A?
No. Many parents complete and submit the form themselves. You can appoint a representative if you want to, and the form has a section for their details. If you are unsure whether your situation has the makings of a claim, or what to prioritise in your description of events, a call with an experienced legal adviser can help you think it through based on what you describe.
Q What orders can the Tribunal make if I win?
The Tribunal cannot award financial compensation for this kind of claim. It can order the school to take steps to put things right, such as training for staff, changes to policies, a written apology, or specific actions for your child. On the form you are asked what you would like ordered, so think carefully about practical remedies that would actually help your child.
Q Does submitting the form affect my child's place at the school?
Bringing a claim is a legal right, and schools are not supposed to treat a child less favourably because their parent has used it. In practice, many parents understandably worry about the relationship with the school. It is worth thinking about how you want to handle communication with staff during the process, and whether a representative should be the main point of contact.
Q Is there a fee to submit a SEND4A?
There is currently no fee to bring a claim to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND). You should always check gov.uk for the latest position before submitting, as procedures can change. Any costs you incur tend to be for your own representation, expert reports, or travel to a hearing if one is held in person rather than remotely.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £149.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · HMCTSFirst-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) on gov.ukgov.uk
- Guidance · HMCTSMake a claim to a special educational needs tribunalgov.uk
- LegislationEquality Act 2010legislation.gov.uk
Legal helpline
Unsure whether your situation is a claim?
Disability discrimination claims against schools hinge on specific facts, dates and what the school did or failed to do. An experienced legal adviser can help you think through your specific situation on the phone, based on what you describe, before you commit to filling in the SEND4A.
- Plain-English answers to your specific questions about the SEND4A
- Practical perspective on the events you describe and what they may amount to
- Help thinking through the time limit and what to include in your claim
- Clarity on what the Tribunal can and cannot order if you succeed
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.