Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions
What is SEND Parents in Power?
SEND Parents in Power is a SEND advocacy and support service dedicated to helping families navigate the SEND system with confidence. Combining professional advocacy training, accredited qualifications, and ongoing professional development with a strong understanding of the challenges families face, we provide knowledgeable, practical, and compassionate support. We help parents and carers understand their rights, navigate EHCP processes, communicate effectively with schools and local authorities, and secure the support their children need to thrive.
What is the difference between a SEND advocate and a solicitor?
A SEND advocate cannot provide legal advice, but can help you understand your rights, navigate SEND processes, and make informed decisions. Using specialist SEND knowledge, accredited training, and practical experience, we provide guidance and support to help you understand SEND law and guidance, advocate effectively for your child, and feel confident in your next steps.
Do I need a diagnosis before seeking support?
No. A diagnosis is not required for a child to receive SEND support. Support should be based on your child's needs, not solely on a diagnosis.
Can you help with EHCP applications and reviews?
Yes. We can support families throughout the EHCP process, including requests for assessment, reviewing draft plans, annual reviews, and understanding next steps.
Do I need an advocate?
You may benefit from advocacy if you feel overwhelmed by the SEND process, are struggling to communicate with your child's school or local authority, or need support understanding your rights and options.
What services do you provide?
We support families with SEND advice, guidance and practical support throughout their journey. This includes help with EHCPs, including requests, reviewing and drafting paperwork, preparing for annual reviews, and support with appeals, mediation and disagreements.
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We also support families with school-related issues, including choosing the right school placement, preparing for meetings, understanding a child's support and ensuring their needs are being recognised.
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Alongside our advocacy services, we provide lots of free support for families, including general SEND guidance, Q&As, resources, coffee mornings and signposting to trusted organisations and services.
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We believe that sometimes families simply need someone to answer a question, explain their options or point them in the right direction. We're here to provide support in whatever way is most helpful, whether that's through free guidance, shared resources or more personalised support.
How much are your services?
The cost of our services depends on the level of support you need, the complexity of your situation and the amount of work involved. We’ll always have a conversation with you first, explain what support would be helpful, and provide clear information about costs before any work begins.
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We know that SEND support can feel overwhelming, and we understand that cost can be a barrier for many families. We keep our prices as low as possible and only charge for the time and work involved.
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We’re also committed to making support available to as many families as possible. We actively look for grants and funding opportunities that allow us to offer funded support, and any income generated through our social media platforms is placed into a dedicated fund to help create more free support opportunities for families.
Any funded places that become available will always be advertised through our website and social media channels.
Is your support confidential?
Yes, all cases and conversations are handled sensitively and confidentially.
Can you help with urgent issues?
We will always try to prioritise urgent concerns where possible.
Do I need an EHCP already to contact you?
No, you can contact us at any stage, even if you are just starting to explore support.
Do you offer face-to-face appointments?
This depends on location and availability. Most support is provided online or by phone, but face-to-face support may be possible if required.
Do you guarantee outcomes?
No, but we support you to access the right information and present your case clearly.
Is there any funding available for your services?
One of our key goals is to secure funding that will allow us to offer funded or subsidised support to families. Any income generated through our social media platforms is placed into a dedicated fund to help create more free support opportunities for families. We'll share any funding opportunities as soon as they become available.
Do you offer tribunal attendance?
If you would like us to attend the tribunal hearing with you, we can discuss this and provide a quote based on the support you need.
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However, our focus is always on making sure families receive the right support for their situation. We know that tribunal can feel daunting, but often the most important work happens before the hearing, making sure your evidence is strong, your paperwork is prepared and you feel confident in presenting your case.
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Where possible, we want to give parents the knowledge and confidence to advocate for their own children, rather than making families feel they need to pay for representation at every stage. If attendance is something that would genuinely benefit your situation, we’re happy to discuss how we can support you.