Rachel Scales

Rachel is a highly experienced education law solicitor with a focus on Special Educational Needs (SEN) and public law challenges. She represents parents, carers, and young people in appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability), and also advises and acts in Judicial Review proceedings against local authorities and public bodies.

Rachel is an experienced Tribunal advocate and clients appreciate her sensible, solution-focussed approach. She has worked on a wide range of education cases and uses her breadth of understanding to help families achieve the best result for their children.

Rachel began her career in a commercial firm, specialising in regulatory work, but then became fascinated by education law whilst volunteering for a leading charity in the area. She went on to work for a market leading firm in education before moving to Scott Moncrieff.

Areas of Expertise:

SEN Tribunal appeals (EHCP contents, refusals to assess/issue, placements, and ceasing plans)

Appeals for residential school or college places

Disability discrimination claims against schools

Judicial Reviews against Local Authorities (including delays to the EHC process, failures to implement EHC Plans and failure to provide suitable education)

Appeals and challenges relating to school admissions

General advice on Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)

Recent Work Includes:

Securing a residential college placement for a young person with complex needs

Using judicial review proceedings to compel a Local Authority to find a suitable school for a child out of education

Securing specialist secondary school placements for children who were awarded mainstream placements on phase transfer

Successfully negotiating with a Local Authority to secure suitable provision whilst a child was out of school

Securing a bespoke EOTAS package for a child with school refusal.