SEND Advocacy Blog

A Request for Change is a formal mechanism used within the SEND Tribunal process that allows either party to amend the issues under appeal. Understanding when and how to use one can be important for parents who find that the scope of their appeal needs to shift after proceedings have begun. This post explains the process clearly and what to expect.

If you are pursuing an EHC Plan content appeal at the SEND Tribunal, you will quickly become familiar with the working document. It is a live, editable version of your child's EHC Plan that both you and the local authority use to identify areas of agreement and disagreement throughout the appeal process. Getting to grips with how it works is essential for anyone navigating this stage.

An invisible disability is a condition that has a substantial effect on a person's daily life but is not outwardly visible to others. For children with SEND, this often means their needs are misunderstood, minimised or overlooked entirely. This post helps parents understand the term, why recognition matters and how to advocate for a child whose needs are not always easy for others to see.

Special Educational Provision refers to the educational support that is additional to, or different from, what is normally available to children of the same age in a mainstream setting. Understanding exactly what counts as SEP is important for parents, because it determines what a local authority is legally required to secure for your child through an EHC Plan.

Special Educational Needs is the term used in England to describe a learning difficulty or disability that requires additional or different educational support compared to children of the same age. Knowing exactly what SEN means, and what it does not mean, helps parents understand their child's rights and navigate the system with more confidence.

Exam season can be a particularly stressful time for students with SEND, and the support available to them is not always as visible or straightforward as it should be. Whether it is extra time, rest breaks or a separate room, knowing what to ask for and how to ask for it can make a real difference to how a young person performs.

Judicial Alternative Dispute Resolution, known as JADR, is a process offered by the SEND Tribunal where a judge facilitates a structured discussion between parents and the local authority in an effort to reach agreement before a full hearing takes place. It is worth understanding what it involves, when it might be offered and whether it is right for your case.

Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that affects a person's ability to understand and work with numbers. Often described as the maths equivalent of dyslexia, it is more than just struggling with arithmetic. For children with SEND, dyscalculia can affect everyday tasks, confidence and academic progress. This post helps parents understand what it looks like and what support is available.

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Condition, is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference that affects how a person experiences and interacts with the world around them. It is not an illness and it is not something to be fixed. Understanding autism properly helps parents advocate more effectively for their child and work with schools to put the right support in place from an early stage.

Neurodiversity is a term used to describe the natural variation in how human brains work and process information. It encompasses conditions including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and more. Rather than viewing these differences as deficits, the neurodiversity movement recognises them as part of normal human variation. Understanding this concept helps parents and educators approach SEND from a more positive and informed perspective.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control and activity levels. It presents differently in different children and is often misunderstood as naughtiness or lack of effort. For parents navigating the SEND system, understanding ADHD properly is a crucial first step towards getting the right diagnosis, support and provision in place.

A blog post on Auditory Processing Disorder ("APD") for parents/carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities ("SEND").

A blog post on Post 16 education for parents/carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities ("SEND")

A blog post about ceasing an Education Health and Care Plan ("EHC Plan") for parents and carers of children and young people with SEND.

A blog post on Disability Living Allowance ("DLA") for parents/carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities ("SEND").

A blog post on reasonable adjustments for parents/carers of children & young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities ("SEND")

A blog post on disability discrimination law for parents/carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities ("SEND")

A blog on social care assessments for parents/carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities ("SEND")

A blog post on working with experts in the context of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities ("SEND") appeals

A blog post about appealing against the decision of a local authority not to issue an EHC Plan.