What government statistics on SEND Tribunal appeals actually measure, and what they don't.
SEND Tribunal statistics are published each year by the Department for Education, tracking how many appeals are registered, resolved, and decided. They describe outcomes across a large number of cases, not the likelihood of success in any individual appeal.
They track registrations, resolutions, and outcomes at a national level, published annually by the Department for Education.
With those limits in mind, official Ministry of Justice tribunal statistics for the 2024/25 period show 99% of decided appeals were resolved in favour of the family bringing the appeal. Around 25,000 appeals were registered in that period, an 18% increase on the year before.
Numbers like these can be reassuring, but they can't tell you what will happen in your specific case. SEND Assistant helps you understand where your own appeal actually stands, based on your own facts, not a national average. Try SEND Assistant free.
Does a high success rate mean my appeal will likely succeed?
Not necessarily, these are aggregate figures across many different cases and circumstances.
Why do most appeals not reach a decision at all?
Many are resolved earlier, through mediation or the local authority reconsidering its position.
Where are these statistics published?
By the Department for Education, alongside HM Courts and Tribunals Service data.
Do the statistics break down by type of appeal?
Some breakdowns exist by appeal category, though not always at a granular level.
Are these figures specific to England?
Yes, the SEND Tribunal system described here applies to England.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Access to Justice is not a law firm and cannot represent you.