Special Educational Needs

[funspot]

Hi I am a Mum of two boys one of whom has special educational needs. I am also a qualified teacher (20 years from Reception to Y6). I would very much like to set up my own educational consultancy helping parents get the right support for all children including those with special educational needs. I have extensive experience of IEP's, Report writing, Annual Reviews, Statments etc. I would welcome any feedback on whether this is a service parents would want and pay for.

[keepingupwiththejoneses]

I think it is a good idea but I doubt parents would pay for it as the service is already out there for free in the form of Parent Partnership Service and IPSEA. Also the other thing is that from my experience there tends to be more need for support in secondary school.

[Triggles]

Not to mention that I believe if you look at the figures, a pretty healthy majority of families that have a child with a disability are also low income - generally because one of the parents has to be a carer and is unable to work outside of the home. So many wouldn't be able to afford it.

Unfortunately, the problem I also see with this is that we don't want the government/schools to see services like this set up and have them say "well, we can let these services deal with the parents, and we don't have to provide this service through schools and sencos and the like." I personally think more government finances need to go into these programmes to increase the information and training available.

Have you considered perhaps looking into taking employment in an area that would help students in this manner, rather than a service? Just curious.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Hi funspot,

What kind of support would you think you would be offering? Can you be a bit more specific?

Independent advocacy/representation at meetings with the school and LA etc. or in preparation for tribunal is an area that I think parents can find it hard to get support for, but I doubt that would be brilliantly paid.

I don't think your idea is a bad idea at all, but then again I'm not sure yet what you are wanting to offer, or why?

[keepingupwiththejoneses]

Very true triggles many families just don't have the money to pay for such services.

[AlysWho]

Sounds like you'd make a great Keyworker, advisory teacher, Parent partnership person, etc etc! Most which are probably less demanding and better paid (in real terms) than primary teaching...lol x