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Now seems like a good time for a re-up on an old @SpcialNdsJungle post - getting good-quality help with SEND dispute resolution & appeals - https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/getting-help-with-ehcps-be-careful-out-there/
Why does this matter? Because many long-standing, dependable, high-quality sources of help are stretched thin, and here's why: the number of live appeals in the SENDIST system has gone up by 2.5x to 3x over the last 5 years
As a parent, it's certainly possible to manage SEND disputes & appeals by yourself - particularly if the quality of existing evidence is high. But it's hard, particularly if you're short on time, energy & confidence to learn - & the system saps us of these resources
There are now a lot of SEND advocates out there: specialist lawyers, grizzled veteran parents, charity officers, IASS services, & have-a-go heroes on Facebook.
Many genuinely know their stuff. Some have narrow, but deep experience of appeals. Others are, frankly, a gamble
Many genuinely know their stuff. Some have narrow, but deep experience of appeals. Others are, frankly, a gamble
There's no simple relationship between cost & quality here.
It's still possible to get high-quality support at little-to-no cost - but it's very, very hard to come by these days
And there's little shortage of high-quality specialist legal help - but it usually costs
It's still possible to get high-quality support at little-to-no cost - but it's very, very hard to come by these days
And there's little shortage of high-quality specialist legal help - but it usually costs
At the same time, free legal support can be poor support: pro bono City lawyers with no knowledge of SEND can get outmanoeuvred by wily LA legal teams
And sometimes, expensive support can be shit support - with unregulated have-a-go SEND advocates a real problem here
And sometimes, expensive support can be shit support - with unregulated have-a-go SEND advocates a real problem here
I'm not going to advocate any one type of support here: it all depends on your case, your evidence, your mental & financial resources, & your child's SEND.
But here are a few things to think about:
But here are a few things to think about:
First, do your research: how long has the advocate been working in the field of SEND? Has the advocate published anything online, via a website, blog, or via social media? If so, does what they say make sense?
Second, verify what you've found out: can you corroborate the advocate's track record? Do they publish on anything other than their own website? If they get quoted by media, are they quoted for their expertise, or just for a colourful clickbait quote? And obvs, ask other parents
Third - ask the advocate what experience they have with your child's particular SEND. Some of the key knowledge you need to handle a deafness-related dispute will be different to an ASD-related dispute. A weak advocate might only have niche experience, & flounder outside it
Fourth - if you pay, make sure you know what you're getting, what triggers payment, & what you've all agreed to financially. Check whether your advocate has liability insurance. Solicitors & barristers are regulated with a professional code of ethics: advocates, not always
Fifth - if it's a team you're signed up with, make sure you know exactly will be doing the work. Principal solicitor, or trainee? Experienced advocate, or new parent brought in to cope with demand? Charity veteran, or Piers from Magic Circle M&A who'll be gone in weeks?
Sixth - try to work out what drives your advocate. Money is not necessarily a bad answer. If you think your advocate is in it to exact revenge on a particular LA, to fulfil a white knight fantasy, or to cultivate a reputation in the sector, then run for the fucking hills
Seventh - look at how your advocate conducts themselves, offline & online. Are they sober, professional, and outcome-oriented? Do they keep their temper in check? How do they handle challenge, criticism, and new or unexpected information? Their response will tell you much
Finally - can you get on with this person? You'll probably be working together for months, with ups & downs.
Can you see yourself getting on with this person for that long? Months can feel like years in the hands of a drama llama, or an ineffectual twanger...
Can you see yourself getting on with this person for that long? Months can feel like years in the hands of a drama llama, or an ineffectual twanger...
You know it
