I will:

• Attend meetings at schools to support your child and help to explain their difficulties
• Write to the school on your behalf requesting information on the child and support offered.
• Correspond with the school to set out your concerns and any other information about your child.

If your child’s needs mean they are unable to attend school at any time I will:

• Ensure that the Local Authority are aware of your child’s absence.
• Ensure that the school are taking the relevant action to support you and correctly marking the register during the absence.
• Formally make a request to the Local Authority regarding an education for your child suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and to meet any SEN they may have as referred to in the Education Act 1996.

To support you to advocate for your child, I can attend:

• TAF meetings
• Mediation
• CIN meetings

I offer:

• Completion and submission of initial letters to the Local Authority. This can be:
  • A request for assessment
  • A request for reassessment following a change of circumstance
• Submit and advise on relevant documents to support the application
• Liaise with relevant persons on your behalf
• Keep you informed during the process of timeframes and duties of the LA
• Advise on professionals you may need to consider commissioning

If at any stage, the Authority refuse to assess your child, refuse to make an EHCP or you are not happy with the plan offered to you in relation to the content and/or the setting, I will:

• Advise further on the decision made and next steps.

If you choose to mediate, I will:

• Support you through the mediation process with information and if needed, a written report outlining why the decision may be incorrect or the plan does not contain the provision that it has been reported by professionals in relation to your child’s your child needs
• Attend meetings in person or via electronic attendance via teams/zoom if you choose to mediate with the Authority

If as a parent you choose to appeal the decision either following mediation or having declined mediation, I will:

• Complete the appeal documents and bundles to submit on your behalf
• Forward to the tribunal further supporting documents as they are received and, in any event, by the final evidence deadlines
• Liaise with the Authority on working documents prior to the tribunal (in the case of disagreement with EHCP content)
• Represent you at the tribunal hearing in person (or virtually if offered by SENDIST). I guarantee representation at all tribunals where requested.

Parents who wish for legal support:

• Some parents may choose to have legal representation at the tribunal hearing by a solicitor or counsel. I can complete a full case management service to the hearing and liaise with the solicitor or barrister for the final hearing.
• If you choose to employ the services of a Solicitor or Counsel through direct access to represent you at any time during the process, I will liaise with them as soon as I am notified. This will include sharing all paperwork completed to date and offering a full outline of the case in order for easy reference and to save overall legal costs for you.

At all stages of the process, I will put your child and your family at the heart of my work. I will work closely with you to ensure you understand all the information about your child so you can make an informed decision based on their individual needs. Each and every child is different and as a parent, you will know your own child best and what is right for them.

If you need to make a choice of which school your child will attend that can best meet their needs I will:

• Explore the various provisions on offer in your local area (mainstream and specialist provision if necessary) and forward the information to you
• Help you to look further afield if residential provision is being considered
• Offer information based upon professional reports that will be important in helping you understand how to make a decision that is right for your child.
• Offer advice on the information you need to share and the questions you should be asking schools when considering your options and making a decision on the right education for your child
• Prepare school choices documents to present to the Local Authority relating to child and parental choice, school based information from parental tours and a search of available information and Ofsted data/information relating this to your child’s needs

If parents choose to complete their own paperwork and applications, advice can be sought and offered at any stage of the process on an ad hoc basis. This will be costed at the time it takes to review the information and collate further advice which will be discussed with you and forwarded in a summary e-mail. If at any time you feel you will need more than advisory support, I will have an understanding of the case and will be able to take matters forward without additional costs of going over previously viewed paperwork.

I offer all services to families based in England

(Please note, refusal to make an assessment of need tribunals are now ‘paper based’ and decided upon the paperwork only in the majority of cases. If attendance is required in specific cases for refusal to assess, this will be guaranteed).

Please contact me to discuss your needs.