Help - I need some educational advice!

[Striped]

Does anyone know of an independent service - not exorbitant please, but I would expect to pay something - for parents who need educational advice? I need help finding a school for my DD, and I could do with advice from someone who knows what they're talking about on a few other school-related matters too. Any ideas?

I think I've heard of pepole using this service before - if its an independant school your after...
www.gabbitas.co.uk/services-for-parents/

that would be 'you're'

What do you want to know?
I may be able to help.

Asked same question few weeks ago - had look round, best one could find was good schools guide - run advice service. Not cheap (none of them are) but seemed friendly www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/help-and-advice/consultancy-and-advice-services-gsgas

Yes probably an independent school but there are some options. How flexible were those advice services? I've heard of one but it was quite rigid and didn't really offer the level of advice I want - the issues we have are a bit complicated!

Seemed good to me - I've got a bit of a complex family dilemma to sort out as well and they weren't fazed, seemed knowledgeable. Anyone else used them?

Omegamum - are they to do with the good schools website with reviews?

That's them. V parent friendly, they say. If you want to try them, think www.gsgexpertschoolsconsultants.co.uk/
better link than first one I posted.

I have used the Good Schools Guide Advisor for information about schools for my son with ASD. She pointed me to several interesting/interested schools nearby and had general advice about places for Special Needs children. I think it was worth the money.

Can anyone else recommend them? Or know anything about them?

Yes, used the Good Schools Service to help with choosing between 2 schools. Consisted of giving a relevant info first and then talking to appropriate expert from the GSG Service for about 40 minutes. Useful and knowledgeable and worth the money. There are different types of service on offer. If you want outside assistance and are prepared to pay for it then I think they would do a good job for you.

Glad to see that we were of help, Dustylaw. I run the service. Ask me any questions you like!

Great bluestockings - can you tell me what info i need to provide and what sort of areas you cover? How can I contact you (in confidence)?

You can contact us on [email protected]. Or you can phone us on 0203 286 6824 - in each case our administrator, Shari, will deal with your enquiry. All you need to tell us is the main need your child has - whether you need a school or advice on a specific problem - perhaps your child's dob and your location might be an idea. Shari will discuss with you the kind of help you want and, if you decide to go ahead, sort you out the best advisor for yuor particular needs. Then you and she make contact and off it goes! It is all totally confidential.

That's really helpful, thanks bluestockings. I'll give them a call and see what they can make of my muddle!

3Striped3, we got good advice from Gabbitas (the link is in an earlier post) for a DS with mild-ish special needs and a locational preference.

They didn't come up with anything we hadn't thought of, but it did make us feel encouraged that we had the right (short) short-list. It was free, and quite detailed for free advice.