Missed Opportunities: What Can Be Learnt from EPs' Experiences at SEN Tribunals?

This article explores the experiences of eight Educational Psychologists (EPs) in the UK who acted as expert witnesses at Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunals (SENDIST) hearings in the last 12 months on behalf of their employing Local Authority (LA). A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with all eight EPs indicated two super-ordinate themes related to process and professional role. This included challenges with the quality of instructions, information sharing and a failure of mediation. An overarching theme suggested a sense of dissonance related to EPs' perceived professional role as co-constructors of solutions, and the demands placed upon them by the adversarial appeals process. This paper explores possible ways in which to refocus the EP role in tribunals in order to support LAs to manage the appeals process more effectively. Furthermore, it is suggested that Educational Psychology Services should consider developing a formal commissioned role with LAs that positions mediation at the heart of EP tribunal work.