Our Support

We help parents, carers and young people better understand SEND processes, available support and possible next steps.

Support may include:

• Understanding the SEND support system and the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process.

• Understanding the purpose of an EHCP and the roles of schools, local authorities and other services.

• Preparing for conversations with schools, professionals and service providers.

• Understanding letters, reports and correspondence relating to a child's support.

• Identifying questions to ask, information to gather and appropriate sources of further advice.

We help families prepare for discussions and reviews so that their child's needs, views, progress and changing circumstances can be communicated clearly.

Support may include:

• Understanding the EHCP assessment and review process.

• Preparing for annual reviews and meetings about SEND support.

• Organising questions, concerns, supporting information and parental views.

• Helping families identify areas where an EHCP or support arrangements may no longer reflect a child's current needs.

• Guidance on communicating requested changes and understanding possible next steps.

• Signposting to appropriate specialist services where more detailed advice is needed.

Our focus is on helping families participate meaningfully in decisions, rather than making decisions on their behalf.

We support children, young people and families to understand literacy difficulties, explore possible learning needs and identify practical ways to support learning at home and in education.

Depending on individual needs and available resources, this may include:

• Exploring concerns about reading, spelling, writing and other literacy difficulties, including possible signs of dyslexia.

• Providing literacy screening, where appropriate, to help identify areas of difficulty and inform next steps.

• Advising on practical literacy activities, targeted interventions and home-learning resources, including programmes such as Wordshark.

• Helping parents understand how to raise concerns with schools and discuss appropriate support with teachers and SENCOs.

• Providing information about possible dyslexia, autism-related learning needs and communication differences.

• Signposting to specialist assessment, educational psychology services and other relevant support pathways where further investigation may be appropriate.

Our support focuses on early identification, educational guidance and practical strategies. Literacy screening does not provide a diagnosis of dyslexia or autism, and our service does not replace specialist diagnostic assessments or statutory SEND provision.

We support individuals and families to express their views, communicate their concerns and participate in decisions affecting them.

Depending on individual needs and available resources, this may include:

• Helping people prepare for meetings and appointments.

• Organising key points, questions and concerns.

• Supporting individuals to communicate their experiences and desired outcomes.

• Helping families prepare correspondence and understand responses from services.

• Providing practical support to navigate discussions, raise concerns and identify appropriate routes for further help.

• Signposting to independent, specialist or statutory advocacy services where appropriate.

Our advocacy is non-legal. We do not provide legal representation or replace statutory advocacy services.

We recognise that people can face barriers when information, communication or services are not accessible.

We aim to help individuals and families access information and identify practical ways to overcome these barriers.

Support may include:

• Helping people understand letters, forms and service information.

• Supporting people to identify and communicate accessibility needs.

• Providing guidance on navigating applications and accessing available assistance.

• Signposting to relevant disability, welfare, housing, health and social care support.

• Helping individuals explore appropriate communication support, accessible resources and digital assistance.

The type of practical assistance available will depend on the person's needs, the nature of the request and available resources..

We work towards improving understanding, accessibility and participation for people who experience barriers to support and services.

Our activities may include:

• Accessible information sessions and community workshops.

• SEND and family empowerment resources.

• Activities that help parents and carers understand processes and participate in decisions.

• Community consultation and opportunities for people to share their experiences.

• Collaboration with schools, community organisations, professionals and other partners.

• Projects that identify barriers, highlight unmet needs and inform more inclusive practice.

We welcome opportunities to work with communities and organisations to develop support that responds to people's experiences and priorities.

When people feel that their needs have not been understood or that support has not been appropriate, we can help them consider how to raise their concerns.

Support may include:

• Explaining general complaints processes and possible routes for raising concerns.

• Helping individuals organise the facts, questions and outcomes they wish to communicate.

• Guidance on preparing clear correspondence and keeping relevant records.

• Helping families identify the appropriate organisation or service to contact.

• Signposting to SEND advice services, independent complaints bodies, ombudsmen or specialist legal support where appropriate.

We provide general information and non-legal guidance. We do not act as solicitors or provide legal representation.