Supporting Parents Through Every Stage of Your Child’s SEND Journey
Navigating the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system can feel overwhelming. Understanding Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), Extended Learning Plans (ELPs) and Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) often involves complex processes, meetings and decisions that can be difficult to manage without specialist support.
At SEN Specialists, we work alongside parents to ensure children and young people receive the educational support they need to thrive. Our team of SEND professionals and Learning Design Specialists provides clear guidance, independent expertise and personalised recommendations that put your child at the centre of every decision.
Whether your child is just beginning to receive additional support, requires a more structured learning plan, or is applying for or reviewing an EHCP, we are here to help.
How SEN Specialists Provide EHCP Support for Parents?
Every child learns differently, and every family’s circumstances are unique. Our role is to help you understand your options, advocate for your child and work collaboratively with schools and professionals to achieve positive educational outcomes.
We can help you with: understanding your child’s learning needs, reviewing existing support plans, preparing for school meetings, developing personalised learning recommendations, gathering evidence, understanding the EHCP process, preparing for annual reviews, and identifying reasonable adjustments.
Individual Learning Plans (ILPs)
An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) sets out the support a child receives within school to help them achieve their educational goals.
A well-designed ILP should identify current strengths, areas requiring additional support, short-term learning targets, teaching strategies, interventions, review dates, and success measures.
At SEN Specialists, we help parents understand whether an ILP is meeting their child’s needs and provide independent recommendations where improvements may be required. Our Learning Design Specialists contribute strategies to help schools create more personalised and inclusive learning experiences.
Extended Learning Plans (ELPs)
Some schools use Extended Learning Plans (ELPs) to provide more detailed planning for learners who require additional educational support.
Although terminology may vary between schools and local authorities, ELPs often include longer-term educational goals, personalised learning approaches, differentiated teaching strategies, wellbeing considerations, and communication support.
We work with parents to review ELPs and ensure they reflect the child’s individual strengths, aspirations, and educational needs.
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document for children and young people with significant special educational needs who require support beyond what is ordinarily available within mainstream education. It brings together education, health and social care provision into a coordinated plan.
Our team supports parents throughout every stage of the EHCP journey. We can help with: understanding whether an EHCP assessment is appropriate, reviewing educational evidence, identifying gaps in provision, preparing for meetings, supporting annual reviews, and developing personalised learning strategies.
Learning Design Specialists: A Different Approach
At SEN Specialists, our Learning Design Specialists bring an additional layer of expertise to educational planning. Rather than focusing solely on documentation, they focus on how children actually learn.
They develop personalised recommendations that take account of learning preferences, communication styles, executive functioning, sensory needs, motivation, and emotional well being. This ensures that educational plans are practical, achievable and centred on your child’s strengths.
Working in Partnership with Families
Parents know their children better than anyone else. We value your insights and work collaboratively to ensure your child’s voice, interests and aspirations are reflected in every stage of educational planning. Our approach is supportive, transparent and focused on finding positive solutions.
Why Families Choose SEN Specialists?
Families work with us because we offer independent educational expertise, personalised recommendations, neurodiversity-affirming practice, experienced SEND professionals, Learning Design Specialists, practical guidance, and collaborative school relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does my child need an EHCP to receive support?
A: No. Many children receive additional support through school-based provision, including Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) or Extended Learning Plans (ELPs).
Q: Can you review my child’s existing learning plan?
A: Yes. We can review ILPs, ELPs, and EHCP documentation and provide independent recommendations.
Q: Will you work with my child’s school?
A: Yes. We believe the best outcomes are achieved through collaborative working with families, schools and other professionals.
Q: What makes SEN Specialists different?
A: Our combination of SEND expertise and Learning Design Specialists enables us to create practical, personalised educational recommendations that are tailored to each learner.
Contact SEN Specialists
If you’re looking for guidance with an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), Extended Learning Plan (ELP) or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), our team is here to support you. Contact SEN Specialists today to discuss how we can support your child’s educational journey.