New SEND Tribunal Bundle Rules: What Parents Need to Know — And Why It Matters

New SEND Tribunal Bundle Rules: What Parents Need to Know — And Why It Matters

Navigating the SEND Tribunal process can be stressful, overwhelming, and deeply personal — especially for parents and carers advocating for the right support through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Now, with newly issued rules about how tribunal bundles must be prepared for the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability), the process has become even more complex.

While the aim of these changes is to streamline hearings and focus on the most relevant evidence, they introduce new barriers that could make things harder — not easier — for families.

Here’s what you need to know, and why it matters:

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What’s Changing?

Under the new Practice Direction, tribunal bundles must now comply with strict page limits and formatting rules:

The core evidence bundle is limited to 100 pages.

The EHCP and its appendices must not exceed 150 pages.

Working documents are capped at 25 pages.

Expert reports are limited to 15 pages with a 2-page executive summary.

Witness statements can be no longer than 10 pages.

In addition, bundles must be submitted by tight deadlines — and non-compliance could mean your case is delayed, struck out, or you may be barred from participating.

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What Are the Downsides for Parents?

While efficiency sounds good in theory, the reality for many families is far more challenging. These new rules may disproportionately impact parents who are already juggling advocacy with work, caring responsibilities, and emotional strain.

1. Risk of Key Evidence Being Excluded

EHCP cases are often complex, involving nuanced medical, educational, and therapeutic evidence. Limiting what can be submitted may mean leaving out important assessments, school correspondence, or historical records that help tell your child’s full story.

2. A Heavier Administrative Burden

Parents (especially those without legal support) are now expected to curate, edit, paginate, and organize documents to meet precise standards. This adds hours of work and requires confidence with legal formatting and decision-making about what to include or cut.

3. Greater Risk of Technical Mistakes

With new deadlines and strict limits, it’s easy to fall foul of the rules. Missing a deadline, using the wrong format, or submitting a bundle that’s too long could result in your case being delayed — or even thrown out.

4. An Uneven Playing Field

Local authorities usually have legal teams and administrative staff managing tribunal bundles. Most parents don’t. This change risks widening the gap between families and the system meant to support them.

5. Oversimplification of Complex Needs

Children and young people with SEND don’t fit into tidy boxes. A 15-page summary often can't capture the full picture of their needs and what support would be most effective. These limits risk silencing the detail that makes your child’s case unique.

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What Can Parents Do?

Be proactive: Start gathering evidence early, and work with someone who understands the new rules if possible.

Prioritise quality over quantity: Choose the most powerful, relevant pieces of evidence — and make sure they’re clearly explained.

Ask for permission: If you need to go over the limits, you can ask the tribunal for permission, especially where the evidence is critical.

Seek support: Consider working with a SEND advocate, parent group, or legal service familiar with the new rules.

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These changes are a reminder that navigating the SEND system requires not only passion and persistence but also precision. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the new rules or unsure where to begin, we’re here to help you make sense of the process and build a strong, clear case for your child’s future.

You shouldn’t have to fight alone — and you don’t have to. Please do remember we offer FTT support, your welcome to email details of your case to help@independentsendehcp.co.uk

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