We receive calls on a regular basis from parents and carers with both general and very specific problems relating to their children’s education.
Examples of concerns that we can support you with include:
Complaints arising from incidents in school – for instance, parents often ask us to draft or review formal complaints made against schools, LEAs or other bodies to the Local Government Ombudsman or the national government (DCSF.)
Bullying and harassment issues in school – we receive many calls from parents who need help in resolving. In such cases we will explain the law and the government’s guidance.
Concerns involving Social Services, NHS, specialist support teams etc – parents and carers often engage us to prepare detailed complaints against these bodies for lack of support.
Information about your child or school – in our experience parents and carers often need certain information about their child or their child’s school but are unaware of their rights. We can support you in obtaining many kinds of information.
Examinations – we are quite concerned to see the sheer number of queries from parents relating to examination arrangements and concessions.
School Transport appeals – parents and carers approach us for advice and representation in appeals where, for instance, their LEA has refused to provide transport, or to make suitable arrangements. See our transport section (insert hyperlink to transport section.)
Disciplinary matters – we advise and support students who are subject to disciplinary proceedings for college and university students.
School absence/truancy – parents often contact us after being contacted by an Education Welfare Officer at the LEA following their child having long periods of school absence. We can provide support and use our specialist knowledge of truancy to help you with your case.
This list is not exhaustive by any means so feel free to contact us to discuss your concerns, as we support parents and carers with a wide range of queries, complaints and appeals.
We provide a wide range of services to parents and carers, including:
Representation at tribunal appeal hearings;
Advice, including reviewing your options, what evidence to gather, next steps in a query/complaint/appeal;
Attending meetings with schools/LEA. For instance, parents often ask us to act as a representative in formal meetings;
Drafting and reviewing documents such as complaints or formal submissions to an LEA, school or tribunal;
Research – for example, parents often engage us to research schools they have been allocated in order to assess the potential suitability for their child;
Training & coaching – for example, parents often ask us to meet with them in person to help them prepare for a specific task such as an appeal hearing or a meeting at the school.
We always aim to help in terms of pointing you in the right direction in terms of using practical educational knowledge, the government’s guidance and any legal points that may help to resolve the difficulties in question.
No obligation free discussion
We are happy to have a no obligation discussion with you about your difficulties, or other educational issues, so feel free to call us on 0208 523 0887.
Specific and tailored support
Unlike most solicitors or barristers, and other consultancies, we do not work on a ‘9 to 5’ basis. We will regularly be talking with parents at times that are convenient for you (such as 9pm in the evening) and at weekends.
We offer a family friendly approach – we always call our clients by their first names and write in plain English, in order to make a stressful experience as pleasant and informal as possible.
Again our aim is to provide a top quality legal service in a manner that is customer and parent focused to meet your needs.
