RECOMMENDATIONS:

"Jeannette has worked with Eaton Square School for several years bringing a wealth of experience in S.E.N.D. and Safeguarding to both staff and parents. She has been involved with all age groups within the school, from Nursery to Year 8, guiding and supporting whenever needed; her advice has been invaluable."

Headmaster, Eaton Square School, London.

"Jeannette has been such a big help to us in securing an EHCP for our daughter and also, ultimately, enabling us to access local authority funding for her place at a specialist school, which would not have been possible without her expert help. Jeannette is a marvellous person – sensitive to the individual needs of each child - kind, caring and compassionate, but also an absolute expert in her field with a wealth of knowledge and experience in accessing the specialist help young people with SEND so desperately need. She is a true professional, able to explain with clarity and navigate the often confusing and complex world of SEND to parents such as ourselves, who would be completely lost without her invaluable guidance. She is also a terrific lady with a great sense of humour, and despite the seriousness of the work she does - and the often stressful/emotional circumstances associated with accessing help for young people - we very much enjoyed working with her and now consider her a good friend of the family. We cannot recommend her highly enough."

Mrs S.L., Hastings in East Sussex (Parent)

NEXT STEPS

I welcome your enquiries, thoughts, comments or personal contact requests. Clearly, each pupil's case and needs are different: hourly or daily rates are available for E.H.C.P. applications. Telephone 0777 614 8787 for details.

As Parent Advocate at SEND Tribunal appeals for EHC Plans - a representative and supportive role - providing consultations, liaising with schools and therapists, advising and providing expert support as an independent SEND consultant, I offer a bespoke and confidential service at an hourly rate of £88. My role is to offer an experienced, independent consultancy service.

When working with Parents for an EHCP application, it is first key to gather all background information, to review and note all existing specialist reports and any other available documents; this can take around three to four hours and makes it possible to then offer pertinent advice for next steps (approx.£350 - £400). Of course, each case varies. 

The timeframe for the full process of EHC Plan applications is set to take 20 weeks, as a national requirement. In reality this can take much longer, if local authorities refuse to assess a child - or refuse to issue an EHCP - or if mediation is undertaken, for instance, and if a SENDIST appeal becomes necessary.

As each child's case is so different - with specialist reports often being vital - total costs vary hugely, but often 15 consultancy hours (including the reviewing, noting and using of expert reports, school visits, telephone calls and more) are needed for complex EHC Plan applications to be finalised, and a chosen school placement secured. This can take much longer (40 hours or so), if it is necessary to submit an appeal, due to the local authority refusing to assess or refusing to provide an EHCP (after assessing). It might be less time- consuming, depending upon evidence and individual circumstances.

This EHCP process varies from child to child, eg. if observations or visits are necessary; or if a specialist school placement is needed; or if an appeal to SEND Tribunal is required. Often meetings with local authorities and liaison with various independent experts  -such as a clinical psychologist or occupational therapist- are a key part of the evidence gathering and EHCP process. 

Once my service is engaged, each family is provided with a Letter of Engagement, for clarity and confidence.

Support for schools is also offered: sometimes this is in creating an EHCP application or in SEN Training for staff.

Please feel welcome to use the form below to get in touch. A brief outline of requirements is helpful so that useful dialogue in person, by telephone or email may follow.