SEND Advocacy Services
FunctionAbility provides SEND advocacy and practical guidance for families navigating education and the SEND system. From difficulties accessing support in school and school avoidance through to EHCPs, EOTAS and Tribunal, we help families understand their options, communicate their concerns and identify the right next steps.
Support That Works For You
Support In School
You don’t need to wait until an EHCP is being considered to ask for support. Many children and young people can have their needs identified and supported within their school or education setting, but understanding what support is available and how to access it can feel overwhelming.
We work with families to understand their child’s needs, explore the support already in place and identify practical next steps. We can help you prepare for meetings, communicate concerns with the school and understand the SEND support process.
Support may include:
Reviewing current school support and relevant documents
Helping families understand the graduated approach and SEND Support
Preparing for meetings with SENCOs, teachers and other professionals
Identifying reasonable adjustments and additional support that may be appropriate
Helping families communicate concerns clearly and constructively
Attend meetings and communicate directly with schools
Reviewing support plans, targets and provision
Considering whether further assessment or an EHC Needs Assessment may be appropriate
Our aim is to help families feel informed, prepared and confident when working with education settings, while keeping the child or young person’s needs at the centre of discussions.
School Avoidance & EBSA Support
When a child or young person is struggling to attend school, it can be difficult for families to know what to do next. Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) can develop for many reasons, and focusing on attendance alone may not address the difficulties or unmet needs behind it.
We support families to better understand what may be contributing to school avoidance, communicate with education settings and identify appropriate next steps. Where appropriate, we can also use screening tools to help capture the child or young person’s own views and experiences, ensuring their voice is included when considering their needs and support.
Support may include:
Exploring the factors contributing to difficulties with school attendance
Using screening tools to capture the child or young person’s views and experiences
Reviewing existing school support, plans and professional evidence
Preparing for meetings with schools, SENCOs and other professionals
Exploring reasonable adjustments and appropriate support
Helping families communicate concerns and advocate for their child
Considering whether further assessment or an EHC Needs Assessment may be appropriate
Helping families understand their options when attendance has significantly reduced or stopped
Our aim is to help families understand what may be making school difficult, ensure the child or young person’s voice is heard and develop a clearer plan for moving forward.
Initial Case Review
When the SEND system feels complex or unclear, our Initial Case Review helps bring focus and direction. We take time to understand your child’s circumstances, review the information you have, and identify what steps are most appropriate next.
This service is designed to help you make informed decisions, whether you are at an early stage or facing challenges partway through the process. You will receive clear guidance, practical recommendations, and a structured plan to support your next actions.
Support doesn’t have to feel overwhelming — this review is about giving you clarity, confidence, and a solid starting point.
EHC Needs Assessment Request
Many families seek support only after an EHC Needs Assessment request has been refused, often wishing they had received guidance earlier in the process. If preparing a request feels daunting or unclear, we can support you from the outset, helping you understand what is required and how to present your case clearly and effectively.
We can help you review existing evidence, identify where further information may be helpful and clearly demonstrate your child or young person’s needs and the support they require.
Support may include:
Reviewing reports, school records and existing evidence
Helping you understand the EHC Needs Assessment process
Identifying relevant information to support your request
Helping structure and prepare your application
Ensuring the child or young person’s needs and circumstances are clearly represented
Guidance on next steps following the Local Authority’s decision
Our aim is to reduce stress, build confidence and ensure your request is clear, structured and evidence-led.
Draft EHCP Review
When a draft EHC plan is issued, careful review is essential. This review focuses on checking that your child’s needs are accurately reflected and that the proposed provision is clear, enforceable, and aligned with professional evidence.
We examine whether outcomes are specific and measurable, provision is clearly detailed and quantified, and that recommendations from all contributing professionals have been appropriately included. The aim is to ensure the plan is robust, lawful, and ready to be finalised.
Support may include:
Reviewing Sections B, F and I
Checking that identified needs are accurately described
Reviewing whether provision is specific and quantified
Comparing the EHCP against professional recommendations
Identifying missing or unclear provision
Helping families prepare their response to the draft plan
Tribunal Support
Preparing for a SEND Tribunal requires clear thinking, strong evidence, and a solid understanding of the legal framework. This service provides a structured review of your case, identifying key issues, assessing the evidence available, and highlighting any gaps that may need to be addressed.
We support you to organise your documents, understand the focus of the appeal, and approach the process in a clear and informed way. Whether you are at an early stage or preparing for a hearing, this review is designed to help you move forward with confidence and purpose.
EOTAS Coordination
Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) can provide a more individualised approach to education when a school or college setting is not appropriate for a child or young person’s needs. However, understanding what should be provided and bringing different professionals and services together can feel complicated for families.
We can support families to understand their EOTAS provision and help coordinate the different elements of an agreed package, keeping the child or young person’s needs, outcomes and voice at the centre.
Support may include:
Helping families understand EOTAS and the agreed provision
Coordinating with education, therapy and other professionals
Supporting communication between families, providers and the Local Authority
Helping organise and review education and therapeutic provision
Identifying gaps or concerns within an existing package
Supporting preparation for reviews and professional meetings
Helping ensure provision remains appropriate as needs and circumstances change
Our aim is to make EOTAS feel more joined-up and manageable, helping families navigate the practical side of coordinating provision while ensuring support remains focused on the individual.
Meet Nikki
Hi, I'm Nikki. I was a qualified teacher that changed career when the needs of my own children with special educational needs required my full attention. Through this journey, I experienced first-hand the challenges families face and the critical importance of effective advocacy. This led me to complete all levels of the IPSEA SEND Law training and formally move into SEND advocacy.
I bring both professional experience and lived understanding to my work, supporting parents and carers to understand their rights, feel confident in the process, and secure appropriate provision for their children.
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