(blog)

Supporting School Attendance for Children with SEND

Anna Crowther Riley
 — 
April 8, 2025

School attendance is an important aspect of a child’s educational journey, but for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), maintaining regular attendance can present challenges. As a parent, understanding these challenges, knowing your child’s rights, and working collaboratively with schools can help create a positive and inclusive learning experience.

Keep Reading...

Simple Strategies for Supporting SEND Children in a Mainstream School

Anna Crowther Riley
 — 
April 8, 2025

Mainstream schools are inclusive environments where children with a variety of needs can learn and thrive alongside their peers. However, it’s important to recognize that children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) may need additional support to help them succeed. The good news is that simple strategies can make a big difference in supporting SEND children in a mainstream setting. Whether you’re a parent or a teacher, there are easy ways to make learning more accessible and enjoyable for children with SEND.

Keep Reading...

What is available to my child on SEN Support?

Anna Crowther Riley
 — 
April 6, 2025

 Is Your Child on the SEND Register but Doesn’t Have an EHCP? Here’s What You Should Expect

Keep Reading...

What Makes a Great EHCP?

Anna Crowther Riley
 — 
April 6, 2025

If you're a parent of a child with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), you may be familiar with the Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). While the process of getting one in place can seem like a lot of paperwork, meetings, and jargon, it’s one of the most important tools you have to ensure your child receives the right support at school, home, and in the wider community.

Keep Reading...

Children's Wellbeing Bill

Anna Crowther Riley
 — 
April 6, 2025

If you’re a parent of a child with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), you might have heard about the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, introduced in December 2024. But what does it actually mean for you and your child? ‍

Keep Reading...

How to Find a Speech and Language Therapist

Kate Burgess
 — 
November 20, 2024

Selecting a Speech and Language Therapist to work with can be a daunting and challenging task. If you’re not exclusively using an NHS Speech and Language Therapist (SLT), so you’re looking for some private SLT support, it can feel like you’ve got a big decision to make. In this blog Kate, founder of We Can CommuniKate Speech & Language Therapy and the Pippin App, discusses some of the things to look out for.

Keep Reading...

What is Echolalia?

Genevieve McNamara
 — 
March 25, 2024

Echolalia is the repetition of words, phrases, or sentences. Echolalia may be immediate, where the person repeats what they have just heard, or delayed, where they repeat phrases or sentences they have heard in the past. Learn more about how you can support a person who uses Echolalia. 

Keep Reading...

Finding Community and Connection

Lauren Fenton
 — 
March 25, 2024

Finding community isn’t always easy to do. It can be really scary and difficult putting yourself out there and making these connections. This blog discusses a mother's experience of finding her support network. 

Keep Reading...

“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn”

Kaley Gent
 — 
March 5, 2024

Makaton is a multimodal communication tool, using signs and/or symbols with speech, in spoken word order, to support the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation of language and expression. 

Keep Reading...

In having you, I found me.

Amy White
 — 
March 4, 2024

You’ll of no doubt heard at some point on your parental journey another parent say that having children they lost themselves, it was different for me, I found myself. 

Keep Reading...

The SEN Expert offers a range of services for young people, families and schools. We offer support for parents to help navigate the complex world of Special Educational Needs. We will work with you closely to ensure the best for your child.

The SEN Expert was set up by Claire in 2021 following a successful career spanning 12 years in school improvement, special educational needs, safeguarding and the arts.

Claire has worked as a Deputy Headteacher, Assistant Headteacher, Consultant and SENCO in both state and private schools in inner city London, the Southwest, the Midlands and the USA.

Throughout her career, Claire has ensured solid outcomes for the young people she has worked with. Be that a set of good exam grades, a placement in specialist setting or getting a part time job.

Claire is a working mother, and understands the challenges parents face trying to ensure their children are happy and successful. We aim to provide young people with a creative route to the personal and professional adult life they deserve.

Claire sits outside a café with a laptop

SEN consultancy
with a difference.

We offer support for families, children, and schools to navigate the complex world of SEN.

Check out our full list of services at our website www.thesenexpert.co.uk or follow us on Instagram @senexpert for daily advice on special educational needs.

The SEN Expert is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 13523478.