SEND Advocacy: A guide for Parents

Written by Alice Marshment

Parenting a child or young person with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (“SEND”) comes with many challenges, and one of the most stressful is undoubtedly navigating the system of educational support. Parents and carers with no previous experience frequently find themselves thrown into the deep end of meetings, applications and appeals; effectively expected to become experts in SEND law, policy and practice so that they can secure the support that their child or young person needs.

Navigating the complex interlocking structures that make up the SEND system is often emotionally, financially and practically draining, and at times it can be completely overwhelming. This is something that I understand only too well from my own experience advocating for my eldest son, who is autistic and has ADHD. And I speak as someone with two law degrees and almost a decade working as a barrister.

It’s because I know just how challenging it can be to obtain the right support for SEND children and young people as well as just how transformational it can be; for families as well as the children and young people themselves, that I now work supporting parents and carers to navigate the SEND system with confidence, as a SEND advocate through my company SEND Advocacy.

What is a SEND Advocate?

A SEND Advocate is a professional who works with and on behalf of families to obtain educational support for children and young people with SEND. There is no specific training or qualifications required to be a SEND Advocate, and not all are legally trained.

A good SEND Advocate will possess substantial knowledge and understanding of the legal and practical aspects of the SEND system, meaning that you can confidently rely on their advice. If you are unsure of their experience, simply ask them. Of course, as a parent or carer, you know your child or young person best, and a good SEND Advocate will draw on your unparalleled expertise to work collaboratively with you, centring your voice and that of your child or young person.

Identifying your child’s needs: How a SEND Advocate can help

Many parents and carers struggle with knowing that something is not quite right, but are uncertain about where to begin. Often, attempts to get support have been rebuffed because a child or young person is considered to be doing fine at school or has difficulties that are not as bad as others. If this is you, don’t be dissuaded from continuing to seek out help.

I work with many families who were initially told that their child or young person didn’t require additional support, when this was patently not the case. I was told this about my own son, who, following my successful advocacy, has now been at an independent specialist school for the past 5 years.

What does a SEND Advocate do?

All SEND Advocates are different, and the services they provide will differ too, so it’s worth checking that they can offer exactly what you need. My company, SEND Advocacy, offers a wide range of personalised services, regardless of whether you are just starting your SEND journey or have been on it for some time. Common areas I support include:

EHCNA Request. Requesting an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (“EHCNA”) is the first step to obtaining an Education and Health Care Plan (“EHC Plan”). An EHC Plan is a legally binding document which outlines a student’s unique support needs, and, done properly, it can provide highly effective support. SEND Advocacy can help you draft a compelling request for you to send to your local authority, or draft one for you.

EHCNA Refusal to Assess Appeal. If the local authority does not agree to conduct an EHCNA, this does not mean a student doesn’t require additional support. Many children and young people (my own included) are initially refused assessments but then go on to successfully appeal against that refusal. SEND Advocacy can prepare all of the documents required for an appeal and provide legal, tactical and evidentiary advice.

EHCP Content Appeal. If, having obtained an EHC Plan, the content does not accurately reflect your child or young person’s needs or the provision required to meet those needs or names an unsuitable placement (or even no placement at all), SEND Advocacy can support you in an appeal. This might include providing advice, preparing documents, liaising with the tribunal and local authority on your behalf and representing you at the Final Hearing.

SEND Advocacy: Learning to do it yourself

I set up SEND Advocacy Academy – online courses for parents and carers in SEND law and practice – to equip parents and carers with the knowledge, skills, strategies, and confidence to become successful advocates in their own right. Find out more about SEND Advocacy Academy and sign up for the free SEND Advocacy newsletter (which regularly shares news, information and resources about all things SEND). SEND Advocacy is also on Facebook and Instagram.