Helping families get children and young people back into suitable full-time education

Helping families get children and young people back into suitable full-time education

Every child is entitled to receive a suitable education and support to reach their full potential regardless of their special educational needs or disabilities. It is my vision to ensure that parents and carers receive relevant support and advice to ensure that their child gets the appropriate education that they are legally entitled to.

With this in mind I aim to empower parents to know their legal rights and help navigate the complex world of special educational needs.

Holly Batten Holly Batten Holly Batten Holly Batten

About me

As a parent of a child with Special Educational Needs I am passionate about supporting parents, carers and young people in navigating the complex world of SEN and ensuring children and young people receive suitable full-time education.

I now act as a SEN Advisor providing advice and support to many families with regard to achieving the right SEN support and educational placement for their child, providing representation in negotiations with Local Authorities, EHCP content drafting and review, liaising with appropriate experts for assessment, advocating for parents in meetings with schools, and representing parents at the SEN Tribunal.

I have completed Level 3 of IPSEA’s online training, act as a volunteer for IPSEA, have many years’ experience helping families and have over 95% success rate with appeals to the SEN tribunal. In addition, I act as a representative on the day for parent prepared or legal aid cases.

Read one of my featured articles below:

Listen to a radio interview I did with Danny Pike from BBC Sussex:

My services

I offer a comprehensive range of services from advice so a parent/carer can act on their own behalf through to full case management and representation at Tribunal hearings. In addition to professional legal advice, I also offer emotional support to families at a challenging time.

Examples of the services that I offer are:

  • Application for an EHCP statutory needs assessment
  • Refusal to assess or issue an EHCP
  • Preparation and support at Annual Reviews
  • Attendance at meetings with Schools and Governing Bodies
  • Negotiations with Local Authority and support at mediation
  • EHCP content checking service
  • Full SEND Tribunal support and case management for EHCP content appeals including National Trial cases and disability discrimination claims.

Charges

For simplicity I charge a flat hourly rate. It is important to me to be accessible to as many families as possible regardless of income which is why my fees are considerably lower than other providers.

Services Services Services Services

Testimonials

Dear Holly

Thank you so much for swooping in and saving the day! After such a long time waiting, we are utterly delighted to finally get a placement for xxxx and you played a key role in that.

Please know that your input is thoroughly appreciated.”

Holly, I can’t thank you enough for your help and support through this process I couldn’t have done it without you, thank you so so much.”

I was very lucky to have the support of Holly Batten recently at my son’s Annual Review, after the provision had broken down.

Having Holly with me, gave me a great feeling of reassurance, knowing that there were difficult conversations to be had, but that I had someone to support me and “fight” our corner.

Holly’s knowledge of the SEN Law was exceptional and, she was able to step in where needed, where I lacked knowledge.

It was nice to be with someone who, understood exactly what it was like “to be in my shoes”. Holly has continued to keep in contact with me, asking for updates on our situation and further advice when needed.

I would wholeheartedly call on Holly in the future, should the need arise.”

Holly has been a constant source of knowledge and calm throughout the funding process with the local authority.

She has guided us through the complex maze of local authority bureaucracy Holly was exceptionally organised and that was demonstrated by ensuring that all documentation was produced in a timely manner well within the deadlines set by the local authority.

I felt confident that Holly knew the legal processes of dealing with the local authority in matters regarding the IEP and funding journey. It was a pleasure working with someone who communicated on a human level, I was never made to feel that I was lacking when I didn’t know something.

Holly was always there to guide and advice, and her passion for justice in children’s education shone through.

Thank you Holly!!!”

After years of my son being in and out of various schools I didn’t know where to turn when yet another school placement failed.

Mrs Batten has a great wealth of knowledge and together with her personal experiences; she understood my situation and helped me to decide on my best course of action. She has the families’ best interests at heart, which can be difficult to find in many professionals within the education system.

She also has extensive knowledge of the legal system to help you understand what you are entitled to and how best to try and achieve that.”


Contact me

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me:


Holly Batten

Holly Batten

Office hours
Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm

Telephone
07851 635056 or 01424 871057

Email
help@sendback.org.uk