My Story

When my son was diagnosed with autism at three years old, I was scared and unsure about our future.

I didn't know much about autism then.

To support him, I educated myself about autism, took classes, and researched ways to help him with his challenges and fears. We tried different methods, some were wonderful (like the Rainbow Project in Salford) and some not so good (like ABA).

Despite having an EHCP, his first mainstream school struggled to support him. After a short time, I was told he couldnt stay at that school - they were not able meet his needs.

He was moved to a second school with an 'ASC resource provision' for SEND children. The quality of support and teaching was good at first, but standards went down when the provision's teacher went on long-term sick leave.

After a year, he transferred to a second primary school with an autism provision, but faced a similar situation with the (decent)teacher going on long term sick after a few months.

This led to a decline in teaching quality and understanding of children with additional needs within the school.

The school's SENDCO had a negative ‘can’t do’ attitude and my son became unhappy, frustrated and didn't want to go to school.

During my son's annual EHCP review, I asked for him to be moved to a specialist school, with my reasons supported by a thorough independent Speech and Language therapist's report.

The Local Authority rejected my request so I appealed with Lucy's help. The process took over a year and was tough, stressful, confusing and exhausting.

Despite challenges, we succeeded, and my son is now thriving in a wonderful school, supported with a robust and quantified EHCP.

It was during the appeal process I realised I was not alone.

From joining the countless SEND groups, support pages on Facebook and various online SEND organisations it was clear to me that there were thousands of parents and carers out there who felt injustice for their children, desperately want to fight the system but don’t know where to start, or just need some simple help or guidance through the murky world of SEND as they try and improve their children’s welfare and education.

Lucy and I have joined forces to help more people just like us, because SEND is a tough reality sometimes, and all we want is for our children to be safe and happy.

Although i’m mid way through my IPSEA SEND Law training, Lucy is the advocate and SEND Law expert.

Our ambition is to create a National SEND Matters means-tested advocacy service because invariably, the parents and carers that really need the help, are the ones that cannot afford the help.

Laura Graham - Director, SEND Matters CIC.