About Us
Hi!
I created SEND Allies to provide the advocacy and support that I wish I had when starting my SEND parenting journey. My unique set of experiences and skills are perfectly combined in SEND Allies, which is my passion as well as my work.
My SEND Story
I felt totally lost when I first noticed my eldest struggled with so much sensory input, was very sensitive to the environments we were in, and didn’t seem to understand other toddlers. Like many parents, I started to do my own reading and found out about lots of new terms like hyperacusis, sensory integration, and autism. A health visitor confirmed his quirks as potentially needing assessment when he was three years old.
This kickstarted a learning process that I had not been prepared for – after all we aren’t born SEND parents. Certainly in the earlier years I felt quite isolated because my social circle didn’t include other SEND families (SOOO much has changed!). I have realised that my urge to understand what was happening for my children is likely underpinned by my own autism. My sense of justice, my drive to ensure that my children have access to their legal entitlements, and my professional yet terrier-like approach to all of this is likely also connected to my traits too.
I decided to formalise my learning at the beginning of 2023 – I started doing the IPSEA SEND law certificates, completing all three levels. I realised just how much of the content I already knew and had used either for myself or in supporting other parents informally. It was a lovely neurodivergent friend of mine who pointed out that not all parents go away and read policies (not to mention the list writing and document comparisons) to ensure they are fully equipped before meetings – that was a revelation to me!
SEND Allies was created so that I could use my passion to enable and empower other families to access suitable education.
My Background
I wasn’t quite sure what to do in life after completing my degree in Contemporary Dance, so I took a nine week temping job at an international financial services company whilst I thought about it. I was offered a permanent role in the operations team, which then developed into several years in IT Project Management, followed by a move to Internal Audit. Over a decade after that first temp job, I was now the Senior Auditor for the European division, managing projects and team members across the continent.
I took a career break and gained another degree, this time in Nutritional Medicine. Now with a young family to work around, I became Clerk to the Governors in several local primary schools, worked strategically with the LA as the Chair of the Bracknell Parent Carer Forum and completed my diploma in School Business Management. I also began my journey as a SEND parent around this time. It became clear to me that the system was not always easy to navigate, and that my experience as a parent, alongside my knowledge of the education sector and auditor’s eye for details, gave me valuable insight and skills.
I formed SEND Allies which combines the very best of my professional expertise and personal experiences. I work with SEND companies providing case coordination, business development and business operations services. For families and carers I provide advocacy and support services to ensure their child/young person with SEND accesses the right education, health and care support. This is provided via online courses, group sessions, meetings with professionals including schools and local authorities, and 1-1 work with individuals.
What qualifies me to support parents, carers and SEND businesses?
Enhanced DBS Check
IPSEA SEND law training
Diploma in School Business Management
Qualified Clerk to Governors
Parent of SEND children
SEND Allies took the emotions out of our mediation and made sure the appropriate legal terminology was used. It felt like myself and my husband could actually manage and breathe with the entire thing!
Lucy, Bracknell
“Let me help you navigate the SEND system”
A Positive Outcome
My children have EHCPs and are now receiving alternative provision, which was a hard fight to access. However, finding suitable school placements remains a challenge, which echoes the experiences of so many SEND families. I continue to advocate for the right support and remain focused on meeting my children’s needs.
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