Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Advocacy, South East

06/02/2025

This is exactly what I am concerned about and mentioned in a recent post…

This government’s push for more inclusion in mainstream settings suggests that the needs of special schools will be overlooked again, warns this trust leader

28/01/2025

Since the government announced a £740 million spend, I have been thinking about what this means in practice.
The intention of the cash injection is reported to, ‘pave the way for more pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to achieve and thrive in mainstream schools.’
Whilst being fully supportive of inclusion, I wonder how realistic this is. Specialist units within mainstream settings have been in place for years and while they can meet the needs of some pupils, for others the mainstream school environment is a barrier too overwhelming to manage.
Don’t get me wrong, I would love to see fully inclusive schools where pupils with SEND are integrated, accepted and have their needs properly met. I’m just not sure that with an education system that is already struggling, that this is achievable or appropriate.
I would love to hear others’ thoughts on this. Please feel free to comment!

Major reforms to SEND system kicked off with £740 million capital investment to create more specialist places in mainstream schools

23/01/2025

Are you a parent/carer of a child with SEND? Do you believe that your child’s needs are such that he/she requires an EHCP? Are you struggling to navigate the EHCP process?

If so, please get in touch. I have a wealth of experience and expert knowledge, and I offer a free, confidential telephone consultation to discuss your needs.

Feel free to message me on FB, or email me at sendase@outlook.com
Alternatively, give me a call/message on 07308 444882.

08/01/2025

Wishing all my clients, followers and friends a very (if slightly belated) new year! I hope you weren’t, like me, struck down by illness over the festive period 😳🤞
As we start the new term and all that it entails, I hope that returning to school or college is as painless as possible.
Please feel free to get in touch for any advice/information, I am always here to help. 07308 444882 or email sendase@outlook.com

12/12/2024

Wonderful to receive this feedback! Another example of working together with the schools and the local authority to collectively find a solution. I could not be happier for A and her family ☺️

13/10/2024

Another lovely comment made by a client. The work has spanned several months from start to finish (with some setbacks along the way) but the outcome is more than worth it.

J now has his EHCP in place, and will be appropriately supported now and in the future. So very happy for him and his lovely family!👍☺️

“Thank you for all your help getting us here. I’m so pleased we’ve been able to do this for J and you will always be who I come back to in the future if in need of further advice regarding annual reviews, etc. Thank you so much.”

30/08/2024

Wonderful feedback from a client today. It was a pleasure and honour to work with the family and I could not be happier with the outcome for their daughter👍🥰

“We cannot thank you enough for all of your tireless efforts on H’s behalf. You not only worked beyond your hours, but also had to work with a family that are suffering badly with mental health and a parent with their own Autism and so sometimes unable to respond to you in a timely manner. Your patience, your calm but persistent attitude was so reassuring. We never had to chase you for results, you were consistently the first one to get in touch to see if we had had any response from the local authorities.
So on behalf of my son and daughter in law and of course the one and only H, thank you, thank you so very much.”

08/08/2024

Another amazing result for a client today, and she is a wee one - not even in Reception yet!

Services provided:
Emails/telephone calls to the local authority to establish progress of the EHCNA request submitted by the nursery school.
Telephone meeting/phone calls with head teacher of prospective primary school.
Thorough review/edit of Draft EHCP once received.

Result is that the child will be starting Reception in September at the school best placed to meet her needs, with a robust EHCP in place.

Could not be happier for her and the family 😌

01/08/2024

Fantastic outcome today for one of my clients!

After a long, hard slog, the local authority has agreed to both the EHCP content and placement! It just goes to show that working with - rather than against - the LA, pays dividends.

Massive thanks to one in particular at SENAT for going the extra mile, and to all involved for putting the child’s needs at the forefront.

Great result!👍😃😃

25/07/2024

Finally, a report that doesn’t beat around the bush.
Time will tell however as to whether the new government can live up to its promises.
Interesting times ahead…

Local authorities said they are facing a financial ‘cliff edge’ driven by a sharp increase in demand for pupil support.

20/06/2024

Helen Cockburn

One mother said she had waited for a place for months while her son was 'trapped' at home.

20/06/2024

This is sadly the reality that many parents are facing. I know that county councils are working so hard to manage this and are doing their best to create additional spaces at all stages of education, but when will the government take necessary action?

In the meantime, staff in mainstream schools are struggling to manage the needs of children who should be in a special school setting. This is detrimental to the staff, other children with SEND who TAs simply do not have the time to support, and the child for whom the setting is blatantly wrong 😡

One mother said she had waited for a place for months while her son was 'trapped' at home.