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FAQs
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An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document that describes a child's special educational needs and the support they require. You may need an EHCP if your child has significant learning difficulties or disabilities that require more support than their school can provide through regular SEN support. An EHCP ensures your child receives the specific help they need to make progress.
By law, the EHCP assessment process should take no more than 20 weeks from the date of the request to the final plan being issued. This includes 6 weeks for the local authority to decide whether to assess, up to 12 weeks for the assessment itself, and 2 weeks to finalize the plan. However, delays can occur, and we can help you navigate the process and challenge unnecessary delays.
If the local authority refuses to assess your child or decides not to issue an EHCP after assessment, you have the right to appeal. You must first consider mediation (though you do not have to attend), and then you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal. We can support you through this process, helping to gather evidence and prepare your case.
Our pricing is transparent and flexible. Hourly consultations start from £35 per hour for general advice, with comprehensive EHCP support packages ranging from £250 to £600 depending on the level of support needed. We also offer meeting attendance, tribunal preparation, and representation services. Visit our Prices page for full details of all our packages and services.
No, you do not need a solicitor for a SEND Tribunal. The tribunal is designed to be accessible to parents without legal representation. However, having an experienced advocate can significantly improve your chances of success. We can help you prepare your case, organize evidence, and represent you at the hearing, ensuring your child's needs are properly presented.
While we are based in the West Midlands, we provide advocacy services to families across the United Kingdom. We can support you remotely for consultations and case preparation, and can travel for important meetings and tribunal hearings. SEND law applies across England, so we can help regardless of your location.
SEN Support is provided by schools for children with special educational needs that can be met with the school's own resources. An EHCP is a legal document for children with more complex needs who require additional support beyond what the school can provide. An EHCP is legally binding and must be reviewed annually, while SEN Support is managed by the school.
Prepare by gathering evidence of your child's progress, noting any concerns, and reviewing the current EHCP to see if it's meeting their needs. Write down questions you want to ask and outcomes you'd like to see. We offer Annual Review support services and have a free guide '20 Questions to Ask at Annual Review' available in our resources section.
Kate Dainty is a qualified teacher with over 17 years of experience in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. She holds an IPSEA Level 2 qualification in SEND Law and is a member of the Education Law Association. She has worked as a specialized SEND teacher and Deputy Head of Boarding, giving her both practical classroom experience and in-depth legal knowledge.
Yes, we offer meeting attendance services for annual reviews, assessment meetings, and school meetings. Our rates start from £35/hour for local meetings within 10 miles, with additional travel costs for meetings further afield. Having professional support at meetings can help ensure your voice is heard and your child's needs are properly discussed.
Yes, you can change advocates at any point during the EHCP or tribunal process. If you feel your current advocate is not the right fit, you have the right to seek alternative support. We can discuss taking over your case and will work to make the transition as smooth as possible, reviewing all existing documentation and picking up where your previous advocate left off.
If the tribunal decision does not go in your favor, you have several options. You can ask the tribunal to review their decision if you believe there was an error in law, or you can appeal to the Upper Tribunal with permission. Alternatively, you can gather additional evidence and make a fresh application. We can discuss your options and help you decide the best path forward based on your specific circumstances.
We understand that advocacy costs can be a concern for families. While we do not currently offer formal payment plans, we do offer flexible pricing with hourly rates starting at £35, allowing you to access support in smaller increments as needed. For larger packages, we're happy to discuss payment arrangements on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us to discuss your specific situation and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
If your child's needs change significantly during the EHCP process, you should inform the local authority as soon as possible. New evidence, assessments, or changed circumstances can be submitted at any stage. We can help you document these changes, gather additional evidence, and ensure the EHCP reflects your child's current needs rather than their needs at the start of the process.
You might benefit from advocacy support if you're finding the SEND system confusing, facing resistance from your local authority or school, preparing for a tribunal, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the process. Even if you feel confident navigating the system, an advocate can provide valuable expertise, help strengthen your case with proper evidence, and ensure all legal requirements are met. We offer initial consultations to help you determine what level of support would be most beneficial.