The law is very clear, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are entitled to an education that is suited to them.  Every local authority is under a statutory duty to help SEND children achieve their best possible educational outcomes. 

 

Unfortunately, this isn't always the case.  Every day, children around the country are struggling in education, some children not attending school at all. Parents' views are too often ignored and families are at crisis point.  

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This is where I step in.  

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I primarily offer advice and representation to families in the following areas:

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- advising parents as to whether they should apply for an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

- advising parents on the support a child should receive in a mainstream school, without an EHCP in place.

- advising on EHCP content and whether its terms are specific and enforceable.

- representing parents at mediation following a local authority's decision not to assess/not to grant an EHCP.

- appealing a local authority's decision not to undertake an EHC needs assessment on a child in the first tier tribunal.

- appealing a local authority's decision not to award an EHCP in the first tier tribunal.

- appealing the content of an EHCP in the first tier tribunal.

- securing personal budgets.

- dealing with transport issues.

- dealing with disability discrimination claims against schools.

- making formal complaints to local authorities and/or to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsmen.

- making applications for judicial review (whereby the court decides on the lawfulness of a local authority decision).

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I have strong relationships with professionals in the SEND field, including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists, diagnostic professionals and charities who can offer support to families as well as reports to evidence a child's SEND needs.  My many years' experience in litigation enables me to establish quickly what is needed as evidence in order to secure the best possible educational outcome for a child.

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Every child is different and likewise, so is every family.  As such, I offer varying levels of support.  For example, I am happy to support and advise in the background of a parents' fight against a local authority decision but am also happy to handle a matter entirely, taking the weight off of families.  I will tailor my fees to the level of service I am instructed to provide. 

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If you would like to know more about how I can help, please use the link below to contact me.  

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