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The SEND System Is Strained — But Parents Are Pushing Back and Making Change
Over the past few years, and especially in the current climate, families navigating the SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities) system have faced increasing hurdles — delays in assessments, refusals to assess, shrinking budgets, emotionally exhausted school staff, and local authorities that often appear to work to restrict rather than enable support. Many parents are feeling defeated before the process even begins. But here’s the truth: parents and carers are becoming
Rebekah Advocate
13 hours ago3 min read
✍️ Understanding Section F: Why Vague Wording Can Break an EHCP
If you’ve ever looked at your child’s EHCP and felt unsure what support they’re actually entitled to, you’re not alone. Many parents are shocked to learn that vague wording in Section F can completely undermine their child’s legal entitlement to provision. Section F isn’t just another box on a form — it’s the heart of the EHCP. It sets out exactly what special educational provision must be made for your child. And crucially, it is legally enforceable under Section 42 of the C
Rebekah Advocate
Nov 273 min read


10 Essential Questions Every Parent Should Ask!
10 Essential Questions Every Parent Should Ask About Their Child’s School Interventions Whether your child has an EHCP or not — you deserve clarity. If you’re parenting a neurodivergent child, you already know how confusing the world of “interventions,” “strategies,” and “programs” can feel. One teacher says they’re using a literacy intervention, another mentions a social-emotional program, the EHCP references something called targeted support… but no one tells you what any o
Rebekah Advocate
Nov 233 min read
The Well Being Series.
🌿 Calm & Connected Families The Hidden Burnout: What Parental Compassion Fatigue Looks Like Most parents of neurodivergent children carry a quiet kind of exhaustion — not from lack of love, but from loving so fiercely for so long. Day after day, you advocate, absorb emotions, plan ahead, and hold your family together through sensory storms, meltdowns, meetings, and uncertainty. You give comfort when your own reserves are running low. And one morning, you realise: you’re runn
Rebekah Advocate
Nov 222 min read
When an EHCP Isn’t Working: How to Request an Emergency Review
Sometimes, even after all the effort it takes to secure an EHCP, things still don’t go as planned. Maybe your child’s needs have changed. Maybe the provision isn’t being delivered. Or maybe the placement is simply not working. Whatever the reason, you don’t have to wait until the next annual review. You have the right to request an emergency (or early) review when a plan is no longer fit for purpose. --- ⚠️ Signs an EHCP Isn’t Working You might start noticing things like: You
Rebekah Advocate
Nov 202 min read
Well Being Series
🌿 Calm & Connected Families Simple Grounding Techniques for Overwhelmed Kids (and Parents) Some mornings start with calm — others start with chaos. You know those days: when socks feel wrong, breakfast smells too strong, or the sound of the school bag zip sends everything into overload. When children (and parents) reach that “I can’t do this” moment, grounding is often the first step back toward safety and calm. It’s not about fixing the feeling — it’s about helping the body
Rebekah Advocate
Nov 152 min read
Preparing for Your Ehcp: What Every parent Should Know!
Many parents I support find themselves heading into appeal after a long and exhausting journey — often even after mediation, where the Local Authority (LA) still fails to act lawfully. You are not alone in this. Sadly, this is a common experience, and it’s one that takes both emotional strength and practical preparation to face. 🕒 1. Know Your Appeal Rights and Timeframe The first step is understanding your right to appeal and the deadline for doing so. You usually have two
Rebekah Advocate
Nov 132 min read
Well Being Series
🌿 Calm & Connected Families Finding Steady Ground When Life Feels Unpredictable If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been holding a lot lately — juggling school meetings, appointments, home routines, and trying to keep everyone’s emotions steady (including your own). You’re not alone. Over the past two years, through my work supporting hundreds of families with EHCPs and education struggles, I’ve seen a common thread: families are exhausted, children are overwhelmed, a
Rebekah Advocate
Nov 82 min read
Because SEND Support is About More Than Paperwork
Over the last two years, Independent SEND EHCP Advisory has supported hundreds of families through some of the most complex and emotionally demanding journeys — navigating assessments, drafting robust EHCPs, and standing firm in the face of local authority delays and system fatigue. Each week, I’ve written about law, compliance, and practical steps to strengthen your child’s plan. But recently, through conversations with families, one theme has come through again and again: t
Rebekah Advocate
Nov 62 min read


Local Authorities Must Be Held to Account — Time for Reform in SEND
Introduction As a parent advocate and SEND specialist, I am constantly engaging with families whose experiences echo those described by Chris Coghlan MP in his recent article: the systematic failure of local authorities to uphold statutory rights under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice. Special Needs Jungle The article lays bare how children with SEND are being let down — through lawbreaking, gaslighting and lies — and how the scale of this iss
Rebekah Advocate
Oct 304 min read
Understanding School-Based Anxiety and Trauma: A Hidden Crisis for Neurodivergent Children
For many neurodivergent children and young people, school isn’t a safe or predictable place — it’s a daily source of fear, overwhelm, and emotional exhaustion. Families often describe mornings filled with distress, physical symptoms of anxiety, and heartbreaking pleas of “I can’t go.” This is not about defiance or laziness. It’s about school-based anxiety and trauma — a deeply misunderstood response to environments that simply don’t meet a child’s sensory, emotional, or devel
Rebekah Advocate
Oct 153 min read
Speech and Language Difficulties: What Parents Need to Know (and ask)
For many parents, one of the most frustrating parts of the SEND journey is navigating speech and language difficulties. It often feels like your child’s needs are misunderstood, ignored, or watered down in school. Reports arrive full of jargon, EHCPs can be vague, and parents are left wondering: Is my child really getting the right support? I want to share what I’ve learnt — both as a parent and through years of supporting other families — about what you should expect, what s
Rebekah Advocate
Oct 53 min read


🎉 Welcome to the All-New Independent SEND + EHCP Website!
I’m absolutely delighted to share that independentsendehcp.co.uk is now live, refreshed, and easier than ever to use. The site is now...
Rebekah Advocate
Oct 33 min read


Solving SEND? My Take on the Education Committee’s 48-Point Plan This week, Schools Week reported on the Education Committee’s new 48-point plan to fix the SEND system. On paper, it sounds ambitious.
Solving SEND? My Take on the Education Committee’s 48-Point Plan This week, Schools Week reported on the Education Committee’s new...
Rebekah Advocate
Sep 182 min read


Understanding EHCPs in the UK
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are essential documents designed to support children and young people with special educational...
Rebekah Advocate
Sep 94 min read


Understanding the Role of an Educational Consultant in Supporting Students with Special Needs
As educational systems evolve, the need for specialized support within the classroom has never been greater. Families of students with...
Rebekah Advocate
Jul 185 min read
🎓 The Last Week of Term: Where We’ve Been – and Where We Must Go Next
The Last Week of Term: Where We’ve Been – and Where We Must Go Next By Rebekah Herbert – Independent SEND Advisor...
Rebekah Advocate
Jul 183 min read


🌞 Summer’s Coming – Let’s Get Ready for Independence! 🌞
As the sunshine stretches longer and the school term winds down, it’s the perfect time to plant the seeds of independence and routine...
Rebekah Advocate
Jul 141 min read
What to Write in the Parent and Child Section of an EHCP Needs Assessment
What to Write in the Parent and Child Section of an EHCP Needs Assessment Request When requesting an Education, Health and Care Needs...
Rebekah Advocate
Jul 143 min read


Understanding the EHCP Process for Families
Navigating the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process can be daunting for many families. The EHCP is vital for children with...
Rebekah Advocate
Jul 84 min read
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