These are often the earliest legal steps in a family's SEND journey, and unlike some later stages of the process, I believe that many families are capable of completing them themselves with the right guidance.

That's exactly why I've developed free resources and affordable DIY toolkits to help parents understand both the legal framework and how to apply it to their own child's circumstances. After all, you're the expert on your child, and at this stage that knowledge is often your greatest strength.

However, I also recognise that for some families, particularly those already experiencing burnout, juggling multiple responsibilities, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the SEND system, preparing these documents can feel like one thing too many. When that's the case, I'm happy to take the lead.

EHC Needs Assessment Request – £500

A bespoke, evidence-led request designed to give your child or young person the strongest possible chance of securing an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (the first step to securing an EHCP.)

Before considering paid support, I'd encourage you to explore my free guidance and DIY resources, which explain both the legal framework and how to prepare your own request.

If you would prefer me to prepare the letter on your behalf, this service includes:

• A comprehensive review of your existing evidence.

• Identification of any significant evidential gaps and, where appropriate, guidance on obtaining additional evidence.

• A 90-minute consultation, during which I'll build a detailed understanding of your child through structured discussion and carefully targeted questions designed to draw out the information needed to satisfy the legal test.

• Drafting of a fully bespoke EHC needs assessment request, tailored to your child's individual circumstances.

• Legal arguments linked directly to the statutory test and supported by the available evidence.

(Where a case involves an unusually large volume of evidence requiring significant additional review time, this will always be discussed with you in advance. Wherever possible, I aim to keep any additional costs to a minimum and will always provide a transparent quote before undertaking any extra work.)

Section 19 Alternative Provision Letter –£250

Where a child is unable to access school because of illness, anxiety, autistic burnout, unmet SEND or other reasons, local authorities have a legal duty under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996 to arrange suitable full-time alternative education.

Before considering paid support, I'd encourage you to explore my free guidance and DIY resources, which explain both the legal framework and how to prepare your own request.

If you would prefer me to prepare the letter on your behalf, this service includes:

• Review of the relevant background information and supporting evidence.

• Consideration of your child's individual circumstances and current educational provision.

• A bespoke, evidence-based Section 19 representation tailored to your child's situation.

• Clear reference to the relevant legal duties and statutory guidance.

• Practical advice on the most appropriate next steps should the local authority fail to fulfil its obligations.

Combined EHC Needs Assessment Request & Section 19 Package –£650

Many children who require an EHC needs assessment are also unable to access school whilst waiting for support. Where both issues need addressing at the same time, these services can be combined into a single package.

Because there is often overlap in the evidence reviewed and the background information gathered, I'm able to offer this package at a reduced combined fee. This provides a joined-up approach to securing both an assessment of your child's needs and appropriate educational provision in the meantime.

Comprehensive EHCP Review & Redraft – £950

My most comprehensive and popular service.

An EHCP is only as effective as the words on the page. An EHCP only becomes meaningful when it accurately identifies every need and clearly specifies the provision required to meet those needs.

Unfortunately, many draft and even final EHCPs contain vague, incomplete or legally unenforceable wording. Left unchallenged, these weaknesses can significantly limit both the support a child or young person receives and the local authority's accountability for providing it.

Unlike many EHCP review services, this is not simply a review with comments or suggested amendments.

Instead, I produce a comprehensive SEND Tribunal-style Working Document, regardless of whether you're reviewing a draft EHCP, preparing for mediation or considering an appeal.

The Working Document contains a full redraft of sections B (needs), E (outcomes), F (provision) and I (placement) of the EHCP using tracked amendments, with every proposed change supported by the available evidence and, where appropriate, the relevant legal framework. This approach not only strengthens the EHCP itself but also creates a document that can continue to be used throughout negotiations with the local authority and, if necessary, within Tribunal proceedings.

By presenting proposed amendments in a format that local authorities and SEND Tribunals are already accustomed to working with, this approach can significantly increase the likelihood of reaching agreement before matters ever need to proceed to a full Tribunal hearing.

Where agreement can be reached earlier, families often avoid many months of unnecessary stress, uncertainty and legal proceedings. Perhaps more importantly, it means that a legally compliant EHCP - and therefore the enforceable provision your child is entitled to receive - can often be secured much sooner than if the case progresses all the way to a Tribunal hearing.

Where agreement isn't possible, you've already completed one of the most substantial pieces of work required for the appeal process. Rather than starting from scratch, the same Working Document can continue to be refined and developed throughout mediation and Tribunal proceedings, saving both time and duplication of work.

What's included

• Comprehensive review of your child's EHCP.

• Review of key supporting evidence.*

• Full redraft of Sections B, E, F and I using SEND Tribunal Working Document format.

• Evidence-based justification for every proposed amendment.

• Legal justification where appropriate.

• Neuroaffirmative, child-centred wording throughout.

• One complete Working Document.

• One round of minor parent-requested amendments, including clarification, small additions and wording refinements.

• Written guidance on the most appropriate next steps following completion.

*Where a case contains an unusually large volume of evidence requiring significant additional review time, this will always be discussed with you beforehand. Wherever possible, I aim to keep any additional costs to a minimum and will always provide a transparent quote before undertaking any additional work.

Why a Working Document?

Rather than simply identifying problems within the EHCP, a Working Document actively proposes the wording that should replace them.

Using tracked amendments makes it much easier for local authorities to review, consider and agree changes, while the accompanying evidence and legal justification explains exactly why each amendment has been requested.

This means the same document can often be used throughout discussions with the local authority, during mediation and, where necessary, as the foundation of the Tribunal Working Document, avoiding unnecessary duplication and ensuring that every stage of the process builds upon the work already completed.

Placement (Section I)

Many families approach me because they disagree with the educational placement named, or proposed, within Section I of the EHCP.

In practice, disputes about placement are determined by whether the EHCP accurately identifies a child or young person's needs (Section B), outcomes (Section E) and required provision (Section F). Strengthening these sections often provides the strongest evidential basis for demonstrating why a particular placement cannot meet those needs, or why an alternative placement, specialist provision or Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS) is required.

Where Section I forms part of your wider dispute, the review is structured to support that strategy from the outset.

Following the Review

Many local authorities will respond to the Working Document by agreeing some amendments, disputing others and proposing alternative wording.

Where you'd like ongoing support, I can review the local authority's response, advise on the remaining areas of disagreement and, where appropriate, prepare an updated Working Document to continue negotiations or support mediation and Tribunal proceedings.

This ongoing work is charged separately according to the complexity of the response and the amount of further drafting required.

Strategic Complaint Support – From £350

When a local authority fails to meet its legal duties, a well-prepared complaint can be an important tool for securing change, resolving disputes and building a clear evidential record.

Whilst complaints don't replace mediation or Tribunal proceedings where these are required, they can often help address unlawful practice, challenge poor decision-making and strengthen your position should further action become necessary.

Because every complaint is different, support is tailored to the issues involved and the stage you've reached.

Support may include:

• Review of the relevant correspondence, evidence and chronology.

• Identification of potential breaches of statutory duties, guidance and legal obligations.

• Strategic advice on whether a complaint is likely to be the most appropriate route.

• Drafting of Stage 1 complaints.

• Review of the local authority's complaint response.

• Drafting of Stage 2 escalation complaints where appropriate.

• Advice on whether further escalation to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) or other legal routes may be appropriate.

• Ongoing strategic advice where complaints form part of a wider SEND dispute.

Transparent Pricing

Complaints are usually charged on a fixed-fee basis according to their complexity.

• Stage 1 Complaint – From £350

• Stage 2 Escalation – From £150

Where a complaint forms part of wider support, such as an EHCP Review & Redraft, mediation, Tribunal preparation or another package, I will always take account of work already completed when preparing your quote. This means you're never paying twice for the same work, and the overall cost is often lower than purchasing each service separately.

Many complaints don't fit neatly into a single category, so if you're unsure whether a complaint is the right next step, I'd encourage you to book a free 15-minute enquiry call. We can discuss your circumstances together and decide on the most appropriate strategy before any work begins.

Strategic Review Advocacy Package – £600 (online) | £650 (in person*)

Support before, during and after your child's statutory EHCP review meeting.

Whether you're attending an annual review, an emergency review or a phase transfer review, these meetings can have a significant impact on the future direction of your child's EHCP. They provide an important opportunity to secure meaningful amendments, ensure concerns are properly recorded and strengthen the evidential position for any future negotiations, mediation or Tribunal proceedings if agreement cannot be reached.

This package is designed to help you make the most of that opportunity.

Before the meeting

• Focused review of the EHCP, concentrated on the issues most relevant to the upcoming review.

• Review of the reports and evidence submitted as part of the review process.

• Preparation of strategic prompts and questions to help ensure key issues are explored during the meeting.

• Advice on the priorities and objectives for the review.

During the meeting

• Attendance at the review meeting (online or in person).

• Independent strategic advocacy throughout the discussion.

• Targeted questioning to help ensure needs, outcomes, provision and current difficulties are explored accurately and thoroughly.

• Support to keep discussions focused on evidence and the legal purpose of the review.

• Independent note-taking throughout.

After the meeting

• A written independent summary of the key discussions and agreed actions.

• Circulation of the summary to the local authority and meeting attendees (usually within one week).

• Clear advice on the next steps, including whether further action may be appropriate depending on the outcome of the review.

Short Notice Reviews

I understand that review meetings are not always arranged with plenty of notice. Where preparation time is necessarily limited, a reduced fixed fee may sometimes be available by agreement, depending on the circumstances.

*In-person meetings are currently available across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. Please get in touch if you're based further afield, as I may still be able to help depending on location and availability.

Bespoke Strategic Support

Every SEND dispute is different. Some families simply need advice on whether mediation is likely to be worthwhile. Others need support preparing appeal paperwork, responding to local authority evidence, attending mediation or representing them throughout Tribunal proceedings.

Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all package, I provide bespoke support tailored to the stage you've reached and the level of assistance you need.

Where possible, my aim is always to resolve disputes at the earliest appropriate stage. In many cases, well-prepared evidence, strong legal arguments and constructive negotiation can lead to meaningful agreement without the need for a full Tribunal hearing. However, where an appeal becomes necessary, I will work with you to ensure your case is thoroughly prepared and strategically presented.

Support may include:

• Strategic advice on whether mediation or appeal is likely to be the most appropriate next step.

• Review of the strengths and weaknesses of your case.

• Advice on appeal strategy and evidential priorities.

• Preparation for mediation, including reviewing the local authority's position and discussing realistic outcomes.

• Attendance at mediation meetings (online or in person).

• Drafting and reviewing Tribunal paperwork, including grounds of appeal, responses, position statements and other supporting documents.

• Review of local authority evidence and advice on responding to disputed issues.

• Ongoing strategic support throughout the appeal process.

• Attendance at SEND Tribunal hearings, where appropriate.

Transparent, Bespoke Pricing

Because every case differs in complexity, Mediation and Tribunal support is quoted individually rather than using a fixed package price.

Before any work begins, I'll discuss your circumstances, explain the options available and provide a clear, transparent quote based on the level of support you're looking for. Where only limited support is needed, I'll always say so - my aim is to provide the right level of help for your family, not to sell you services you don't need.

Where you've already worked with me on another aspect of your case, such as an EHCP Review & Redraft, Annual Review or complaint, I'll always take account of any overlap in work already completed when preparing your quote. This often means I can offer a reduced overall cost, as much of the groundwork has already been done.

Tailored Support for Complex SEND Cases

Not every family's journey fits neatly into a single package.

Many of the families I work with are navigating multiple issues at once - for example, challenging the contents of an EHCP whilst also pursuing Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS), making complaints about unlawful local authority decisions, preparing for mediation or considering Tribunal proceedings.

In reality, these situations rarely require just one service. Instead, they require a joined-up strategy that considers the bigger picture and ensures that every piece of work supports the next stage of the process.

That's where bespoke support comes in.

Rather than expecting you to decide which individual services you need, I'll take the time to understand your circumstances before recommending the approach I believe is most likely to achieve the best outcome for your child or young person.

Bespoke support might combine any of the services offered throughout this website, including:

• EHCP Review & Redraft

• EHC Needs Assessment requests

• Section 19 support

• Local Authority complaints

• Annual, emergency or phase transfer review support

• Mediation preparation and attendance

• Tribunal preparation and representation

• Strategic advice throughout your case

Tailored Packages & Transparent Pricing

Where multiple services are required, I don't simply add together the full cost of each package.

Instead, I create a bespoke package that reflects the work actually involved, taking account of any overlap between services and any work that's already been completed. This means you'll never be charged twice for the same piece of work, and the overall cost is usually lower than purchasing each service separately.

Before any work begins, I'll discuss your circumstances, explain the options available and provide a clear, transparent quote with no obligation to proceed.

My aim is always to recommend the level of support that's genuinely needed, not to sell you services you don't!