Academies’ Dispute Resolution Service

KIDS, under contract by the Department for Education, provides an inclusion and mediation service to academies nationwide for children and young people who have Special Educational Needs.

The two services are:

Stage One – Initial consultation
To provide independent advice to academy principals to help them make an informed decision. Stage One consultants can also facilitate discussions between the academy and the local authority to help resolve any disagreements by exploring all options (eg what reasonable steps might be taken in order to meet the child’s needs in a way that is compatible with the efficient education of other children at the academy).

Stage Two – Dispute Mediation Service
To provide an entirely voluntary and confidential Dispute Mediation Service for academy principals. To explore all options and help build better long-term relationships by encouraging all parties to work together to reach a resolution.

Opening times: Monday to Friday 09.00 to 17.00
How to be referred: Academies can self-refer by completing a referral form.

Address: 49 Mecklenburgh Square, London, WC1N 2NY
Phone: 020 7837 2900
Email: academy@kids.org.uk
Phone at regional office: 0207 520 0405

This service is run by KIDS London