Hello! I’m Lucy, mum to Lizzie and Louis.

I created SEND Matters to help guide and empower people, just like me, through the murky minefield that is SEND, and to overcome some of the barriers that local authorities put in place when trying to access support for our SEND children and young people.

Utilising my lived and professional experience, and IPSEA SEND law advanced training levels 1-3), SEND Law is my specialism, complimenting my passion and drive for justice.

I’m not affiliated with any local authority or SENDIASS.

As the chair of the local parent carer forum for two years I worked at a strategic level on several projects developing services and influencing local practice. Although most of my SEND Matters work is advocacy, consultancy and giving free advice on our SEND Matters Facebook group, I have also campaigned to make changes to the childcare element of Universal Credit and was involved in campaigning to change the legislation (successfully!) on free school meals - to include all those children in the UK whose parents and carers quality for free school meals but the children are unable to attend school.

My story

After a prolonged period of school absence, Louis (aged 10 at the time) was diagnosed with autism. Struggling with acute anxiety, sensory processing difficulties and OCD he was unable to attend school. 
He was left without any education for almost 12 months and was eventually provided with alternative education whilst the Local Authority conducted a (diabolical) EHCP needs assessment.

After the dreadful assessment, the local authority sent me a unspecified, unquantified and basically unlawful EHCP. I decided to appeal the plan, disputing that Louis’ needs could be met in a mainstream school and most of the plan’s contents. I won my case with the judge granting Louis a place at an independent special school.

Sadly the school did not provide the therapeutic intervention via outreach which they lied about being able to provide in the tribunal hearing. Louis was still unable to attend a school.

Louis was left for another 12 months without any education whilst the school continued to take the funding for his place from the LA. I appealed the EHCP again, disputing that the school, nor or any school at this point, could meet Louis’ needs.

I won my case with the judge granting Louis a bespoke package of education with a personalised curriculum, enrichment activities and numerous therapeutic interventions. The judge also ordered that Louis receives a budget from Social Care to support him with accessing community offerings and activities.

Louis was the first child in our city to receive a bespoke ‘EOTAS’ package of education and support.

I have home educated my younger daughter, Lizzie since the age of 7. After Lizzie began to struggle with the school environment, I didn’t fancy ‘round 2’ so decided that I will give her an education that meets her needs, that’s driven by autonomy, creativity and opportunities.

Lucy Collins - Founder and Director, SEND Matters CIC.