Spectrum SEN Services

27/08/2026

Whether you are a parent or a professional supporting families, long periods of stress, uncertainty or bad news can make it much harder to recognise and remember the positives and successes along the way

But this week is definitely one for celebrating.

Over the past couple of months, I have been supporting four families with SEND Tribunal appeals. In the last couple of weeks, we have had some amazing news: prior to the Tribunal dates, one family heard that the LA had decided to agree to the setting they were asking for, and two families who had been refused an EHC needs assessment had those decisions overturned.

It is such an important reminder not to give up. Even when a Tribunal hearing is only days away, things can still change.

Strategically gather evidence, empower yourself with knowledge, and build your support army.
Even if you are told by others that you will not win, apply for those EHC needs assessments, fight for the right setting or education package, and fight to get current plans up to date and relevant.

While we still have the chance to appeal, make the most of the opportunity.

For families going through these processes, the waiting, uncertainty and constant need to keep pushing can be exhausting. I am constantly saddened by the stress families have to go through just to get legally required support. This week, however, I am taking a moment to celebrate the wins.

And for the remaining family and any others that come my way, the fight continues. Yes you are thier best advocate but I will be right there with you. The LA had better be ready!

12/08/2026

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, life has been full on.
Sometimes we put an incredible amount of pressure on ourselves to do everything, achieve everything and be everything to everyone.

Running a busy company, supporting other people, being a parent to adult children with extra needs and managing my own ADHD, means I’ve had to work hard to learn that sometimes I need to prioritise myself too and just as importantly, not beat myself up when I do.

I’m learning to accept that reaching for perfection is often both unfair and unattainable, and actually, perfection isn’t needed to feel a sense of achievement.

We are human. We will have good days, bad days, productive days and days where simply getting through the day is enough. And that’s okay.

I think this is especially important when parenting children with additional needs. It can be incredibly hard not to look at other families and wonder if you should be doing more, achieving more or somehow managing it all better.
Social media can make it very easy to compare our reality with someone else’s carefully selected highlights. I’m trying to remind myself that I cant do it it all, and I'm here to remind you that neither do you.

Sometimes looking after yourself, lowering the expectations you’ve placed on yourself and simply getting through a difficult day is more than enough. ❤️

23/06/2026

EVENT PROMOTION
To all my local clients

An amazing young client of mine is organising an event to raise money for cancer research.
Porsha J is also a talented singer and will be performing on the day.

"I was inspired to organise the event due to my my nana’s diagnosis’s and it’s aim is for it to be a day where you can just live in the moment.
There will be live music, stalls, raffles, family fun and much more!"

More information can be found on social media:

There are some amazing prizes to be won so if you are looking for something

15/06/2026

UNDER 16s BAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

The government have announced a social media ban for under-16s likely to come into force Spring 2027. This announcement is likely to spark significant discussion in the months ahead. As a parent and proffesional, I can see how online spaces can be both a source of connection, knowledge, and regulation but also a source of risk.

Whatever our views on the policy, it creates an opportunity for important conversations ( both with adults and children) about digital and psychological wellbeing, online addiction, what motivates us, problem-solving, social opportunities, rule-breaking, sensory and emotional regulation and discussing around feelings.

Most importantly, we need to ensure that the voices and experiences of children and young people are heard and not dismissed - We have to remember the huge part the online world plays in their lives and this is all they have ever known.
Their panic will be real and understandable, and it's down to those that support them to navigate such a huge change. One thing i do know is It will not be the time for the ' in my day we never needed social media' type of conversation!

What are your thoughts on this news?

14/06/2026

☆Things in my office that just make sense☆

When supporting children and young people with diverse needs, you have to get creative so everyone can get the most out of their sessions and feel heard.

24/05/2026

☀️Heat safety reminder ☀️

Some medications can make it harder for the body to regulate temperature and stay hydrated in hot weather.

Equally, for many people with sensory processing difficulties, recognising the early signs of overheating or dehydration can also be more challenging due to an under-responsive interoceptive sense.

Proactive cooling and regular body check-ins are really important.

Helpful supports can include:
💧 Keep fluids up / munch on ice / ice lollies
🧊 Cooling towels/sheets, cooling sprays
🌳 Resting in cool or shaded spaces (even if it means sitting quietly on an i pad!)
☀️ Avoiding direct sun where possible
🧢 Wearing light, breathable clothing

I know the tips sound obvious, but many of the people I support have executive function challenges, meaning they find it hard to plan, prioritise, organise, initiate tasks, and sense time so remembering and thinking clearly when dysregulated can be tricky.

Note: I am not medically trained so always contact your prescriber for more advice

10/05/2026

'Im here if you need me'
'Just let me know what you need'
'You can talk to me anytime'
'Why didn't you just say?'
'Is everything OK?'
'Oh is that all, you don't need to worry about that'

These are things said all the time, people mean well.

However, in reality, it’s not always that simple. The response is often 'I’m fine' or often conversations are avoided altogether, not because support isn’t needed, but because finding the words, processing emotions, or trusting that someone will understand and not judge can be really difficult.

This quote from Carl Jung may resonate with many of you and those you care for. Masking and rejection sensitivity are real and can affect every aspect of someone's life.

Jung was a psychiatrist who believed emotional wellbeing comes from understanding and accepting who we truly are, rather than suppressing parts of ourselves to fit in.
Other early psychologists tended to focus more on our environment, our behaviour, or past experiences shaping how we think and feel. Jung, instead, placed more emphasis on inner meaning, identity, and becoming more whole as a person.

How to offer support

● Ask for their views and listen with an open, empathetic ear, not a judgemental one
●Accept their experiences as real for them, even if they are different from your own
●Don’t dismiss what they say or try to override it with reassurance
●Remember communication does not have to be just talking it can be leaving notes, texting, using pictures or other forms of expression
●Sometimes just listening, not aiming to fix is whats needed
●Be patient - processing time is needed
●Keep communication simple, don't ask too many questions
●Avoid correcting their reality
If someone says 't’s too loud,' don’t say 'no it isn’t'
If someone says 'I’m worried,' don’t respond with 'it will be fine', if they say 'my clothes are uncomfortable', they are!
Instead, acknowledge: 'thank you for sharing', 'that sounds hard,' 'when you are ready id like to hear more', or 'we can figure this out together'
●Lastly, and I know it can be hard but be mindful of tone and expression, as some neurodivergent people, especially if they have rejection sensitivity, will be hyper aware of anything that could come across as anger, frustration, or impatience or being perceived in a negative way

08/05/2026

Just a reminder that the consultation on the government’s SEND reforms white paper closes on 18 May 2026.

Many families and professionals have serious concerns about the proposed changes and what they could mean for children and young people with SEND. Please see my previous posts for more detail on why so many people are worried and tips on how to share concerns.

It’s really important that people respond. A lack of responses risks being interpreted as acceptance or support for the plans. Right now, it’s not about writing the perfect letter — it’s about the quantity of concerns and complaints being raised. Every single response helps show the scale of feeling and concern.

If you want to take action, you can:

• Respond to the consultation here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-first

• Contact your MP (find yours here):
https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

• Use IPSEA’s template letter to contact your MP:
https://www.ipsea.org.uk/news/ipsea-launches-template-letter-to-mps-on-send-reforms

Please take a few minutes to speak up before the consultation closes. These reforms will affect all children and young people not just those with SEND.

15/03/2026

♡Happy mothers day♡

A special shout-out to the all the mums and incredible women who have stepped into the role of mum.

Your patience, strength, and love make a difference every single day.

Your children may not always show love or appreciation in typical ways, but just know, they feel your care, your support, and the unconditional love you show them. You are their safe place, their guide, protector and advocate.

Even on the hardest days, you keep going. You are doing an amazing job. 💛

14/03/2026

SEND WHITE PAPER CONCERNS

As promised, I’ve now had a deeper dive into the White Paper regarding the proposed SEND reforms. I know I’m not the only one who has concerns.

I've detailed below how you can have your say, the main focus points, and tips for sending in your concerns. I am not a legal representative and do not proclaim to know everything about this, but what I have read is worrying me and I feel it is worth sharing.

☆SEND White Paper – What You Need to Know☆

The Government is consulting on SEND reforms. Deadline: 18th May 2026 , this is your chance to have your say!

Link to the proposals: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving

CONCERNS:

The concerns listed below are my personal concerns and those I will be adding to my letter of response. They also echo what I’ve heard most from families I support and other advocates. Your submission however, should reflect your own experiences and priorities.

● EHCPs:
EHCPs remain legally protected but will only be awarded to children with the most complex needs. The term 'complex' is not clearly defined, and even if awarded, support in an EHCP appears to be drawn from set packages rather than tailored to individual needs.

● Appeals:
If you need to appeal EHCP decisions, tribunals can only ask the local authority to reconsider a decision - they cannot enforce it, making it even harder to secure the support your child requires.

●ISPs (Individual Support Plans):
All children with SEND will have an ISP (similar to One Plans). These will follow a set framework, meaning support is recorded consistently across schools, this is a positive.

The support documented will be a two tiers;
Targeted support: Day-to-day help within the school, and Targeted Plus support: For pupils whose needs require additional input from health and education professionals such as via therapists or inclusion hubs.

⚠ Its Important to note however: Having an ISP does not guarantee access to hubs or proffesional input, moving up the tiers will be difficult, and there appears to be no tribunal appeal rights at either level, just the basic complaints procedures you can follow now if your childs needs are not being met. As EHCPs will be harder to get, this removes appeal rights of most children.

● SEND Hubs:
Money is being allocated to build hubs instead of specialist settings. Details on how these hubs will operate and what resources will be available are unclear. Many children currently struggle with mainstream environments due to sensory overwhelm, workload expectations, rigid policies, and limited flexibility in learning or demonstrating knowledge. A hub attached to a large school, especially if it is only used for interventions, feels insufficient to meet the range of varied needs children have.

● Gaps in Data:
There is little documented regarding support for children currently out of education, on EOTAS, those needing alternative provision, or for support post-16. So many areas of need have been missed or are unclear.

☆Tips for Making Your Voice and Views Clear☆

●Share your own experiences and highlight concerns about gaps in support.

●Highlight concerns regarding lack of accountability for schools and local authorities to provide effective and sufficient support, and also you and your childs limited appeal rights.

●Be specific: address each part of the proposed plan you are concerned about.

●Write to your MP as well as submitting through the consultation — include real-life examples.

●Question the ambiguity of the proposals. Who will decide on the level of support a child / young persons receives?, what training will they have to do this?, where will the bank of professionals such as EP's and other specialists come from etc

●Focus on what support your child needs and question how this plan would provide that.

●Remember: your response should reflect your child’s situation, not just general comments you have read.

☆How to Respond☆
By post: SEND White Paper Consultation, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BT
By email: [email protected]

⏰ Time is running out.
Even though the White Paper can feel overwhelming, this consultation is one of the few ways you can directly influence policy before it becomes law.

Nothing is changing immediately - but by submitting feedback, you help shape how these reforms are implemented.

DON'T GIVE UP, YOU HAVE FOUGHT SO HARD ALREADY.

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