SOS!SEN

Free Independent Legal Advice for Families of Children and Young People with SEND

Who It’s For: Parents and carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across the UK who need help understanding their legal rights, navigating the EHCP process, challenging local authority decisions, or preparing for a SEND Tribunal. Led by a solicitor and a team of over 70 trained volunteers — many of whom are parents who have been through the system themselves.

What They Offer: Founded in 2002, SOS!SEN is an independent registered charity providing legally based advice and support to families navigating the complex SEND system. Completely independent of local authorities, they offer a free telephone helpline during term time, free walk-in advice centres across England, and a comprehensive library of free information sheets and recorded webinars. Their advice covers everything from getting the right support at school to preparing a Tribunal appeal — empowering parents to understand their rights and act on them with confidence.

Support Includes:

• Free telephone helpline — legally based advice on any SEND educational issue, open during term time (Monday–Friday)
• Free walk-in advice centres — monthly drop-in sessions at locations across England
• Free information sheets — covering a wide range of SEND legal topics
• Free recorded webinars — available on the website covering EHCPs, appeals, exclusions and more
• Advice on the EHCP process — from requesting an assessment through to appeals
• Guidance on exclusions, SEN support, school placement and local authority decisions
• Support preparing for the SEND Tribunal
• PAP (Pre-Action Protocol) letter guidance — for families considering Judicial Review
• 1:1 advice sessions, document checking and letter writing — available at a charge to fund the charity’s free services

Referral / Access: Self-referral. No referral needed. Call the helpline during term time Monday–Friday — check the website and Facebook page for current opening times as hours can vary. Walk-in advice centre locations and dates are listed on the website. Note the helpline is term time only and calls are limited to approximately 20 minutes to reach as many families as possible.

Why This Matters: The SEND system can feel like an impenetrable maze — full of legal jargon, complex processes and decisions that seem impossible to challenge. SOS!SEN exists to change that balance of power. Their volunteers, many of whom have fought the same battles for their own children, give parents the knowledge, language and confidence to stand up for what their child is legally entitled to. Whether you are at the start of the EHCP journey or facing a Tribunal, knowing your rights is the most powerful tool you have — and SOS!SEN will help you use them.