Free sessions to help families navigate the SEND system

Northumbria University's award-winning Student Law Office is launching SEND Decoded, a series of free information sessions to help parents and carers understand their rights when seeking the correct support for their child. 

The sessions are aimed at parents and carers exploring support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), whether they are just starting out or already mid-process. It will give a clear, accessible overview of key areas of SEND law and practical guidance on what to expect when navigating the system. 

The sessions build on the Student Law Office's SEND casework, which began last year. Under the supervision of qualified solicitors, students work directly with families on some of the most difficult stages of the process, including Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessment requests, decisions to refuse an assessment, refusals to issue an EHCP, and EHCP reviews. 

One parent who worked with the Student Law Office as part of the SEND casework pilot last year said: “The journey of getting provisions for a child with complex needs is very lonely. In my first appointment I sat and cried – a mixture of relief to have support and frustration at how hard the journey had been. The SLO’s advice led to the local authority issuing an apology and giving my child the school they needed. This is life changing for us.”

Another client who took part in the project last year added: “What struck me most was how approachable all the students were. No jargon, no feeling my questions were too basic. They just listened, properly, and that meant a great deal. The students are exactly the kind of people the legal profession needs more of.” 

It was student Alicia Higginbottom’s personal experience that prompted her to choose to take part in the SEND pilot scheme. She said: “My mum never had the support that the SLO is able to provide, so because of this I felt as though I could connect with the clients and I made a constant effort to want to change their situation for them in a way I always wanted for my family. When we received the email that the Local Authority had agreed to make changes for our client, it was a sense of relief for the client that everything they had worked for was all worthwhile, and it made me really emotional because all we wanted was the best for our client. I think that is a feeling I will always remember.”

For the students involved, delivering SEND Decoded offers valuable real-world experience in public legal education and client communication, reflecting Northumbria's wider commitment to experiential learning and giving students the chance to make a genuine difference in their community while they study.

Student Ellie Wilkinson also took part in the SEND pilot scheme last year and said: “This was an amazing opportunity and experience. On a personal level, my empathy skills grew. When hearing the clients' challenges, you realise although you are there to give advice, you are also there for support. Sometimes, this is the first time a parent has had someone listen to the challenges their child is facing and the first time they feel heard.” 

The first SEND Decoded sessions take place in November, with the same content delivered twice to widen access: 

Wednesday 18 November, 12.30pm – on campus at Northumbria University 

Thursday 19 November, 12.30pm – online on Teams, for those unable to attend in person 

The sessions are delivered by Student Law Office students, with all materials prepared, reviewed and approved by specialist SEND lawyers, who will also attend each session. The sessions are informational only; individual legal advice cannot be given. 

Kerry Drabble, Clinical Supervising Lawyer at the Student Law Office, said: “In our pilot year, our SEND firms in the Student Law Office supported multiple families through the SEND process, allowing our students to engage in meaningful work and, importantly, helping families achieve positive outcomes for their children. 

"That impact is clear, but our capacity means we can only reach a small fraction of the families who need support across our region. Nationally, 29,000 appeals were registered with the SEND Tribunal in 2025/26, the highest number on record. Behind each of these figures is a family navigating a complex process, and we know that many do so without support.Locally, the picture reflects the national trend. There is rising demand for support, increasing complexity of need, and limited resources placing pressure on local authorities and families alike. That is why we have created SEND Decoded, to help more local families understand their rights and clarify the steps involved in obtaining the right support for their children." 

The sessions build on the success of EduCourt, the Student Law Office's long-running family law information sessions delivered in partnership with HM Courts and Tribunals Service. 

Anyone wishing to attend a SEND Decoded session, or to receive updates about future sessions, can email SEND.Decoded@northumbria.ac.uk. More information is available at northumbria.ac.uk/send-decoded. 

Anyone looking for more bespoke advice about SEN support for their child can file an enquiry with the Student Law Office. 

Since 2005, Northumbria's multi award-winning Student Law Office has managed more than 10,000 enquiries, represented more than 3,000 clients with real legal problems and secured over £1.7 million on their behalf.