SEN Consultancy
Testimonials
From Parents
Cathy has been an advocate, supporter and mentor to our family since 2016. Her SEN knowledge is unrivalled as is her passion, drive and commitment to helping families. Just the right side of pushy, Cathy knows what is needed to get your child’s voice heard and needs met. We have learnt so much from her and are constantly sharing the knowledge she imparted to us, to others. We highly recommend Cathy, once she’s in your life, you don’t want to let her go.
PG & WG, parents of Y7 & Y10 students, Hertfordshire
january 2022
I was in a situation with school not listening to me. I needed help for me with my son and our ongoing battle with school not understanding his needs. Cathy was recommended to me at a really crucial time, when my son’s schooling needs were not being met and his mental health was at an all-time low…as was mine. Cathy was a godsend…she listened to everything I had to say and communicated to all the professionals involved, taking all my stress and upset away. She worked so hard to make the wrongs right and has achieved this. Not only that, but Cathy also gave me the confidence back to be my son’s voice again. She was also a very valuable part of my sons EHCP review and as a result of her dedication and determination we were able to secure an accurately worded EHCP. As a result, my son has now been placed in a specialist provision for Y7, which had previously refused by the LA. I will be forever grateful to Cathy for her help, support, and care during my very tricky situation.
MH, parent of Y6 student, Hertfordshire
DECEMBER 2021
Catherine has recently helped us secure an EHCP for our 19 year old son, who has Asperger’s and ADD. He has struggled in mainstream education all his life with the lack of appropriate support. We were always told by school and college that he would never get an EHCP because needs were not severe enough. Due to the recent lack of support, he has been unable to attend college. With Catherine’s vast knowledge of the system and her dogged determination, we have finally been agreed an EHCP for our son. She told us that he was absolutely entitled to an EHCP and helped us along every step of the way. We would NEVER have been able to do this by ourselves and cannot thank Catherine enough for what she has been able to do for our son.
BM, parent of Y13 student, Lincolnshire
DECEMBER 2020
Catherine has offered continuous and meticulous SEN support for our family. She has been heavily involved in our wider network also and has joined school meetings to address issues surrounding educational provision and been intrumental in ensuring action has been taken. With his autism and anxiety during his transition year, Catherine has ensured the correct language is used by all and the focus is appropriate, ensuring my son’s wellbeing is central to the process. She has imparted a wealth of knowledge to both our family and his school and has successfully reviewed all supporting documents. From this, we have been steered in the right direction, helping my son be in good position to cope with the future. Catherine has now become our main point of contact and has been an exceptional support system for our family. We are entirely grateful for her role.
AR, parent of Y11 student, Essex
JULY 2020
Catherine is fabulous, she has helped me and my family beyond words, put me in touch with all the relevant people. Without her I don’t think my son would be where he is today; in a special needs school and doing absolutely brilliantly. In mainstream school he was on the verge of being excluded, but he is now going into year eight and ready to sit his GCSEs! Catherine knows all the relevant professional people that need to be involved – she is there for me no matter what and always has the right words to say. Not only has she helped my mental health to stay on track, she’s kept me and my family together. I honestly could not praise her more.
SL, parent of Y7 student, Hertfordshire
JULY 2020
What can I say? We have struggled to get heard and to get the right help for our daughter for so many years, and then we met Catherine. She knew exactly what we needed to do and who we needed to get in contact with. Finally, we had found someone that understood what we were going through and was able to reassure us that it would be ok. Catherine helped us gather all the relevant evidence and together we handed in all the paperwork for our daughter’s EHCP application. She then helped us successfully appeal when we were first rejected. We couldn’t have got through this without her.
SC & NC, parents of Y9 student, Buckinghamshire
FEBRUARY 2020
Catherine has changed the lives of both me and my son; he now has every chance of getting an education and leading a full and fairly typical life. Without her we would have a depressed recluse, unable to face anything. I can’t thank her enough.
LB, parent of Y8 student, Hertfordshire
december 2019
From Schools
Catherine Powell has been working with the SEND department at Chancellor’s School since September 2021 and has been an absolute asset. Her knowledge about SEND, compassion for the students who we are working with and her ability to support both parents and the school has been invaluable.
Alison Mills, SENDCo, Chancellor's School, Hertfordshire
JANUARY 2022
Catherine knew exactly what we needed to do and who we needed to get in contact with. This case was completely stuck until her involvement. Without the support the outcome would have been a pupil stuck at home. He has gained an EHCP and a new provision – invaluable support.
Educator, Y8 student, Hertfordshire
june 2019
The case was moved forward – the relationship between school and family wasn’t good enough to discuss the full issues. Catherine’s involvement moved the case towards the best outcome for the pupil – we were delighted.
Educator, Y9 student, Hertfordshire
june 2019
Very effective support given to both school and parent. Supported parents in the process of getting a diagnosis of ADHD for their child. Catherine was instrumental in gathering the evidence that enabled this child to get an EHCP. Very useful, practical strategies suggested to support school in working on an increased plan. The child is now accessing the mainstream classroom on a reduced timetable. Detailed and timely communication. Very quick response to any questions or queries. Helped to maintain good working relations between school and parent.