Hold My Hand

Draft letter to ask the LA to not use AI for your child’s EHCP

Subject: AI processing of my child’s data, withdrawal of consent, objection, and erasure request Dear Data Protection Officer, I am the parent of [child’s full name], date of birth [DD Month YYYY], and I have parental responsibility. This letter exercises rights under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 regarding the use of […]

How to write your Costed EOTAS proposal

Costed EOTAS If your child is unable to attend school due to trauma, anxiety, autistic burnout, or other complex needs, and the Local Authority (LA) has agreed to provide Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS), you may be asked to submit a costed EOTAS package. This guide will help you understand what a costed package […]

Understanding the Educational Psychologist Visit in England: A Guide for Parents

Introduction When your child is undergoing an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment in England, one of the critical components is the visit from an Educational Psychologist. This encounter is pivotal in determining the specific needs of your child and shaping the support they receive. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore what to expect […]

Checking your EHCP Draft in Leeds

Before you read further have a look at this https://www.ipsea.org.uk/what-to-do-when-you-receive-your-draft-ehc-plan The draft is received when all the professional input that was requested during the assessment phase has been received and the Case Work Officer (CWO) has taken the input and compiled it into an EHCP Draft. When you receive the EHCP you'll also receive copy […]

Creating least path of resistance for your EHCP

TLDR – Summary Introduction We do so many things that in retrospect we could have done better or in a different way. It's difficult to pick the best way forward when you are making the journey for the first time. Each person is different. What works for one may not work for others. I have […]

Parental statement at tribunal

The initial statement As stressful as the tribunal is, it is also very procedural. It normally starts with the Judge introducing herself/himself and then layout the ground rules for the tribunal. Regardless of if you are being represented or representing yourself at the tribunal, after the introductions, you'll be given a chance to speak and […]

How to do a Freedom of Information request

First of all a note: Freedom of information request also known as FOI is not the same as subject access request, also known as SAR They are two completely different things. The Freedom of Information Act covers any recorded information (data) that is held by a public authority in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and […]

Subject access request to Local Authority

First of all a note: Freedom of information request also known as FOI is not the same as subject access request, also known as SAR They are two completely different thigs. The right of access, or subject access request, also known as SAR is a right under GDPR law. Right of access permits you to request […]

Reasonable adjustments in schools

What are reasonable Adjustments Some people or organisations like employers, shops, local authorities and schools must take positive steps to remove the barriers you face because of your disability. This is to ensure you receive the same services, as far as this is possible, as someone who's not disabled. The Equality Act 2010 calls this […]

Resolve issues with SENSAP

How to get issues resolved with SENSAP Guide from a parent – Anonymous – shared with permission So SENSAP:::: We all know that they are at crisis point and that's why it's so important to follow the proper complaints procedures so things are audited and scrutinised properly. I've seen lots of "email this person" posts […]

Professionals and fitness to practice

HCPC is a body (Health and care professionals council) that registers professionals in this field. You may have seen that your EP or Speech therapist, for example, have an HCPC number in their reports. This is their HCPC registration number and allows them to practice in a certain field. To practice in these fields, the […]

STARS

STARS (Specialist Training in Autism and Raising Standards) is a Local government paid department. According to them: STARS are a team of autism specialists who offer advice and training to mainstream settings. We work in early years settings, primary schools and secondary schools. We are committed to raising expectation and achievement for all children with […]

EOTAS Provisions

This is a list of provisions that have been paid by Leeds LA in the past as part of EOTAS either directly or agreed via a personal budget. Data source is either the provision, or via parents/guardians Provision Link Location The talking house (SALT) https://www.thetalkinghouse.co.uk/ Boston Spa Chatter Bug (SALT) https://chatter-bug.com/ Killingbeck Leeds Bilbrough Country […]

Leeds Education SEND Personal Budget Policy

Who’s who at Leeds Education

These contacts are publicly available and this do not breech anyone's privacy. Correct as off June 2022 Name Title Contact Salim Tariq Director of Children and Families Shaheen Myres Deputy Director Learning Val Waite Head of Service forLearning Inclusion Ben Allchin Statutory assessment and provision lead

Occupational Therapist List

Name Firm Location Contact Kids in Sync Barnet https://www.kidsinsync.com/ Juniper Tree Therapy Leeds https://www.junipertreetherapy.com/ Bryher Hill Helping Kids Shine Wales https://helpingkidsshine.co.uk Jenny Stephenson Butterflies Occupational Therapist Leeds https://butterfliesot.com/ Jessica CPPS York https://www.cpps.co.uk/ Hannah Potential OT Market Rasen https://www.potentialot.co.uk/ Therapy in Praxis Harrogate/Knaresborough http://therapyinpraxis.uk/ Debbie Divell Sensory UK UK wide via Zoom Location not mentioned https://sensoryuk.com/about […]

Nursery to primary school placement appeal

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. These do not constitute legal advice. Please consult qualified legal professional for legal advice. From https://www.gov.uk/schools-admissions/appealing-a-schools-decisionAppeals for infant classes You need to go through the same process if you’re appealing a decision about an infant class. In reception, year 1 and year 2, the class size is limited to […]

List of Speech and Language Therapists for EHCP

I have collected this list from Facebook groups. I have no association with any of these below and these are in no order of preference. Name Firm Contact/Website Myra Pontac myrapontac.slt@gmail.com Libby Hill Small Talk http://www.libbyhillspeechtherapist.co.uk/ Chris Wade South Wales Speech Therapy https://southwalesspeechtherapy.co.uk/ Juanita Hurley juanitahurley1@hotmail.co.uk Various The Talking House , Weatherby https://www.thetalkinghouse.co.uk/

List of SEND EHCP Solicitors

Please note, solicitors are not same as advocates, they are much more expensive, but also deal with bigger issues like failure of LA etc or taking on bigger cases like going to 2nd Tier Tribunal. However if you have access to legal aid you may be able to use solicitor service via Legal Aid. Here […]

List of SEND EHCP Advocates

Here is a list of SEN Advocates that I have collected from Facebook recommendation. I have no association with any of these listed below. I have however used Sean for our appeal and have shared my review here Name Firm Website Sean Bowers *review available SEN Action https://www.senaction.co.uk/ Fiona advocacyandmediation https://www.advocacyandmediation.co.uk Rochelle Victoria https://www.ehcpconsultancy.co.uk The […]

List of Independent EPs for EHCP (updated 02/11/2024)

Here is a list of educational psychologist that I have gathered over some time. Hope you find it helpful Educational psychologist Some names I have picked up from Facebook groups Name Location Firm Contact David Soars Wirral https://dspsychology.co.uk/ Dr Sarah Modi https://www.mosaicpsychology.co.uk/ Jonathan Middleton Cheshire http://middletonpsychology.co.uk/ David Urani probably no longer working Ruth Waterhouse http://www.stepspsychology.co.uk/ourpeople.php […]

Some selected EHCP QnA

So this post is about the Q/A we see a lot of times being asked by parents. Hope you find it helpful Been turned down for assessment for EHC. The letter stated they felt my child may have SEN but that they don’t think my child requires support over and above what’s in school. Is […]

All about starting an EHCP in Leeds

This article is based on parents personal experience. This is not legal advice. Just advice from one parent to another parent, in hope you find it helpful. Also this is particularly relevant for parents in Leeds. LA Local Authority (i.e Leeds in this article) SENSAP SEN Statutory Assessment Provision (a department within Education Leeds that […]