Expert guidance and advocacy for children with special educational needs and disabilities
No diagnosis? No problem. I’ll help you submit a strong EHCP needs request — and support you through mediation if it’s refused.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or confused trying to secure the right support for a child with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)? You’re not alone — and you’re in the right place.
At EHCP Solutions, I specialise in helping parents, carers, and professionals understand and navigate the EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) process with clarity and confidence.
While it’s possible to make a request on your own, the process can be confusing, lengthy, and emotionally draining. Let me support you every step of the way.
My name is Robyn Stevenson, and I am a mother of three, including a child with special
educational needs and disabilities (SEND). I am also a qualified Primary School
Teacher with a First-Class degree in Health and Community Studies. Having spent over
15 years working within the education system, I have seen first-hand the challenges
schools face in supporting children with SEND. However, it was the birth of my own
child with additional needs in 2019 that truly reshaped my journey and passion.
Navigating the complex world of SEND support has been a deeply personal and often
overwhelming experience. From attending countless appointments to filling out endless paperwork and advocating for my child’s rights, I have gained invaluable first-hand experience with the Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) process. I understand the frustration, the setbacks, and the feeling of fighting a system that often seems stacked against families. Thankfully, my own child now has an EHCP in place, and this
journey has inspired me to help others who are facing the same struggles.
I firmly believe that every child deserves access to a quality education, the opportunity
to thrive, and the chance to become a lifelong learner. Unfortunately, without the right support—particularly a legally binding EHCP—many children with SEND are at risk of being left behind. With funding and provisions constantly changing, securing the right
support can feel like an uphill battle. My goal is to use my knowledge, experience, and
empathy to guide and support families through this process.
I am a SEND Support Specialist, committed to empowering parents and carers, offering
practical guidance, emotional support, and encouragement at every step. No one
should have to navigate this journey alone, and I am here to ensure that every child
gets the education and opportunities they deserve.
EHCP Solutions offers personalised, compassionate, and expert guidance through the EHCP process — ensuring no family feels lost or overwhelmed.
Years of experience navigating EHCP and DLA applications, including mediation support — so you don’t have to face the process alone.
Clear, compelling wording that strengthens your EHCP or DLA submission and highlights your child’s unique needs.
I listen. I support. I explain everything in plain language so you feel confident every step of the way.
No hidden costs or surprises. You’ll know exactly what’s included with every service.
Clear explanations and honest answers, without jargon or confusion.
I help craft clear, compelling requests that reflect your child’s needs and maximise chances of support.
Personalised, compassionate support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
EHCP Solutions has supported me to apply for DLA on behalf of my 6 year old son who
we suspect is autistic.
Robyn is incredibly knowledgeable and professional as well as being warm,
approachable and friendly.
For us this felt like a huge deal, we were unsure if we should apply as we are yet to get
an official diagnosis but Robyn put us at ease, she answered every question we had,
she couldn’t do more. I felt able to share everything with her and trusted her completely.
Would definitely recommend EHCP Solutions.
Parent
Parent
Parent
I would highly recommend Robyn, she did an amazing job with my son’s EHCP request.
All I had to do was give Robyn all my information about my son and his appointments
etc. Robyn wrote a draft of the EHCP request, sent me a copy, then we met again for
the final amendments. Once I was happy with it, the request was sent. Robyn was so
helpful and this took a huge weight off my shoulders. I can’t thank her enough.
Parent
Robyn worked for me as a class teacher, she was always committed and highly
organised. She never faulted to put the children and their individual needs to the
forefront of her planning. Robyn was an outstanding practitioner and children loved
being in her class for the fun learning they received.
Headteacher
Special Educational Needs (SEN) refer to a learning difficulty or disability that requires a child to receive additional or different support in order to reach their full potential. This support, called Special Educational Provision (SEP), goes beyond what is typically offered to other children of the same age.
A child with SEN might:
Struggle more than peers with learning
Have a disability that makes it harder to access school resources or equipment
The aim of SEP is to help these children fully participate in education and achieve success through tailored support suited to their unique needs.
An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) is a legally binding document for children and young people aged 0–25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It outlines:
The individual's education, health, and social care needs
The support required from the Local Authority
The expected outcomes of that support
An EHCP is designed for those who need more support than what is typically available in a standard school setting.
No — a formal diagnosis is not required to apply for an EHCP. The process is based on need, not diagnosis. If your child has significant difficulties in education that require more support than the school can offer, you can request an assessment.
That said, having a diagnosis (e.g., autism, ADHD, dyslexia) may help by providing supporting evidence of your child's needs — but the absence of a diagnosis should never stop you from applying.
An EHCP consists of multiple sections (labeled A–K) and includes:
Details about the child's strengths and aspirations
Identified needs across education, health, and care
Specific support provisions
Named outcomes and monitoring strategies
This structured approach ensures the support is carefully matched to the individual’s needs.
The EHCP process involves five key stages:
Identify – Recognising the need for additional support
Assess – The Local Authority assesses the child’s needs
Plan – An EHCP is drafted if assessment results show it’s needed
Action – The support plan is put into place
Review – The plan is reviewed annually to ensure it’s still appropriate
From start to finish, the process should take no longer than 20 weeks:
By week 6: LA decides whether to assess
By week 16: Decision made on whether to issue a plan
By week 20: Final EHCP issued
If a draft is proposed, parents/carers have 15 days to respond with feedback before it is finalised.
If your Local Authority refuses to carry out an EHC needs assessment, you have two options:
Request mediation
Appeal the decision to the SEND Tribunal
The LA will provide details about how to access mediation or begin the appeal process in their decision letter.
Mediation is an informal process that helps resolve disagreements between you and the Local Authority, using a neutral third-party mediator. You can bring a supporter with you.
After mediation, a certificate is issued stating whether the issue was resolved. If it wasn’t, you can use that certificate to formally submit an appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
The SEND Tribunal is a legal body that hears appeals against decisions made by the Local Authority about EHCPs.
They:
Review the case independently
Follow the law and the SEND Code of Practice
Consider all evidence from both parties
This process is free, and you may be eligible for legal aid to help prepare your case.
If you feel your child’s needs aren’t being met, appealing can be an important next step. The appeal process ensures your concerns are heard and judged fairly. Whether through mediation or tribunal, many families find that appealing leads to a more accurate assessment of their child’s needs and the support required.
