SEND EHCP Advocate

My Response to the Published Guidance on Inclusion Bases

I have now read the newly published guidance on Inclusion Bases within mainstream schools.

The principle of increasing support for children and young people with SEND within mainstream education is something many families, schools and professionals would welcome. We know that early intervention, understanding and appropriate support can make a significant difference to outcomes.

However, my immediate observation is that this guidance is non-statutory.

And that is where many SEND parents will stop and say:

"Here we go again."

Because in the world of SEND, families have become all too familiar with guidance, recommendations, aspirations and promises that look positive on paper but carry little weight when support is not delivered in reality.

In simple terms, non-statutory guidance means:

• Schools are not legally required to follow it.
• Local Authorities are not legally required to follow it.
• There are no enforceable minimum standards.
• Parents cannot rely upon it in the same way they can rely upon an EHCP.

As many SEND parents will say:

"That's all well and good, but where is the funding?"

"Who is going to staff these bases?"

"What specialist training will staff have?"

"How will therapies be delivered?"

"How will this help when my child cannot access school now?"

"What happens if the Inclusion Base doesn't meet my child's needs?"

These are not unreasonable questions.

They are the questions being asked by families who have spent years navigating a system where support often depends not on need, but on availability, resources and budgets.

My concern is not with the idea of Inclusion Bases themselves. Some schools already deliver excellent specialist support within mainstream settings.

My concern is whether this becomes another mechanism through which Local Authorities argue that needs can be met in mainstream, without demonstrating how those needs will actually be met.

The law has not changed.

An EHCP remains legally binding.

Section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014 still requires Local Authorities to secure the special educational provision specified in an EHCP.

An Inclusion Base cannot replace provision that a child requires, nor does it automatically make a placement suitable.

SEND families have learned to look beyond the headlines and ask a simple question:

"Will this make a real difference to my child?"

At the moment, I suspect many parents are still waiting for that answer.

Last week, I had the privilege of delivering my EHCP Masterclass for The Parent House, and I came away feeling incredibly proud of what we achieved together.

The masterclass was created with one clear purpose in mind: to help parents and carers better understand the often complex world of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

For many families, the EHCP process can feel overwhelming. Parents are expected to understand a lengthy legal document, navigate multiple professionals, and advocate for their child, often with very little guidance. This masterclass was designed to change that.

Over the session, we explored:

✔ Understanding Sections A–K of an EHCP and what each section should contain.
✔ What makes an EHCP a lawful document.
✔ The four broad areas of SEND need and how to identify these within your own child or young person's profile.
✔ The difference between specific, quantified provision and "woolly wording".
✔ What SMART outcomes look like — and, just as importantly, what they do not look like.
✔ How parents can use knowledge and evidence to strengthen their voice and confidence.

Although the session was not designed as a Q&A, The Parent House gathered questions from parents in advance, allowing me to answer real-life concerns throughout the training and revisit key themes again at the end.

Every parent received an exclusive 9-page EHCP handout, created specifically for The Parent House as part of my commitment to supporting and empowering the wider SEND community.

The feedback and evaluation data were particularly encouraging.

📊 Following the June 2026 EHCP Masterclass:

• 87.5% of attendees reported feeling either more confident or much more confident communicating with SEND services, including schools, healthcare professionals and social care teams.
• No attendees reported a reduction in confidence.
• Parents described feeling better equipped to understand their child's EHCP and advocate effectively for appropriate support.

For me, this is what matters.

Thank you to The Parent House for hosting the session and to every parent and carer who attended, shared their experiences, and contributed to such thoughtful discussions.

Knowledge is power, but shared knowledge creates empowered communities❤️

Last week, I had the privilege of delivering my EHCP Masterclass for The Parent House, and I came away feeling incredibly proud of what we achieved together. The masterclass was created with one… | Rebekah Herbert Last week, I had the privilege of delivering my EHCP Masterclass for The Parent House, and I came away feeling incredibly proud of what we achieved together. The masterclass was created with one clear purpose: to help parents and carers better understand the often complex world of Education, Health....

🚨 **THE EHCP MASTERCLASS TOOLKIT IS NOW LIVE IN MY STORE!** 🚨

After months of development, I am delighted to announce that my **EHCP Masterclass Toolkit** is now available to purchase.

📚 Designed to help parents, carers, and professionals better understand EHCPs, identify unlawful wording, strengthen Sections B, E and F, and navigate the SEND system with greater confidence.

🔥 **SPECIAL LAUNCH OFFER** 🔥

The **first 10 copies** are available for just **£24.99**

💷 **Recommended Retail Price: £29.99**

If you have attended one of my **EHCP Masterclasses in the community** or joined one of my **webinars**, this is your opportunity to grab a copy before they all go.

There were originally **50 launch copies available**, and they are already flying out quickly!

⏳ **Once the final launch copies are gone, the toolkit will revert to its full retail price of £29.99.**

📦 Please note: If you have signed up in May 2026 or onwards as a **Full EHCP Application Client**, your complimentary toolkit has either already been sent or is on its way to you.

This toolkit brings together years of lived experience, advocacy knowledge, SEND law training, and practical strategies that I have used to support hundreds of families through the EHCP process.

Inside, you'll find practical guidance, checklists, examples, and easy-to-understand explanations designed to help you feel more confident when dealing with Local Authorities, schools, Annual Reviews, assessments, draft EHCPs, and the wider SEND process.

Whether you are applying for an EHCP, reviewing a draft plan, preparing for an Annual Review, or simply want to understand your child's rights, this toolkit has been designed to put that knowledge directly into your hands.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey. From parent advocate to trainer, mentor, published writer, and now toolkit creator, it has been an incredible journey—and I am so excited to finally share this resource with you.

🛒 **Grab your copy while the launch offer is still available in my store**
www.rebekahherbertadvocacyltd.co.uk

✨ Successes This Week ✨

Some weeks remind me exactly why I do what I do.

✅ An agreement has been reached with HCC for a bespoke educational package to remain in place until September 2027, ensuring the young person continues to receive the provision they need to thrive.

✅ Following a Draft EHCP Checking Service and follow-up advice, an SLD specialist placement has now been named by GCC, securing an educational setting capable of meeting the child's complex needs.

✅ On a personal note, I received confirmation that my first article will be published in the July/August edition of SEN Magazine. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to share my knowledge, experience and passion for SEND advocacy with a wider audience.

Every success represents a child or young person being better understood, better supported, and given the opportunity to reach their potential.

Thank you to the families who trust me to walk alongside them on their journey. Your resilience, determination and commitment to your children never cease to inspire me.

Here's to continuing to make a difference, one child at a time. ❤️

A great first day working with Islington Council as a Co-Designer for Change Futures for Children and Young People.

Over the coming 6 months, I will be helping to explore and research what needs to change across a range of areas affecting children, young people, and families. This work is about listening to the experiences of our community, identifying gaps in support, and ensuring that local voices help shape future services and decision-making.

For me, this is a fantastic opportunity to bring together the voices of parents, carers, children, and young people, particularly those with SEND and additional needs, to help influence meaningful change.

If you live in Islington, I would love for you to be part of this journey. Over the coming months, I will be inviting families, professionals, children, and young people to share their experiences, views, and ideas through research and engagement activities.

Your voice matters, and together we can help shape a better future for children and young people in our community.

Watch this space – I'd love for you to get involved.

Find out more: https://www.rebekahherbertadvocacyltd.co.uk/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-posts-mobile&utm_campaign=751551d1-6516-4b16-935d-5b79a479f6e0

Over the last 20 years, my journey into SEND advocacy did not begin through a career pathway — it began as a parent navigating the complex SEND system for my own child.

Like many families, I experienced first-hand the emotional exhaustion, confusion, delays and battles that come with trying to secure the right support for a child with additional needs. Over time, I immersed myself in SEND law, policy, EHCP processes and strategic advocacy, not only to support my own family but to help other parents who felt lost within the system.

Today, I am an Independent SEND Advocate supporting families across the UK with EHCPs, Annual Reviews, specialist placements, EOTAS, refusals, tribunals and school breakdowns. I have built a community of thousands of parents and continue to work closely with families who simply want someone to help them understand what to do next.

✨ 30 Minute SEND & EHCP Support Calls Now Available ✨

One thing I hear repeatedly from parents is:

🗣️ “I learned more in 20 minutes speaking to you than I have in years trying to navigate the system alone.”

These calls are not just about signposting or quoting legislation.

They are about helping parents:
✔️ Understand the system clearly
✔️ Know their rights and options
✔️ Learn the best strategic approach
✔️ Avoid unnecessary delays
✔️ Build stronger evidence
✔️ Move cases forward faster and more effectively

The SEND system can feel overwhelming, isolating and emotionally draining. Sometimes one focused conversation can completely shift your understanding and confidence.

Whether you are:
▪️ Applying for an EHCP
▪️ Facing a refusal to assess or issue
▪️ Preparing for an Annual Review
▪️ Looking at specialist placements
▪️ Considering EOTAS
▪️ Struggling with school support
▪️ Or simply don’t know where to begin

💻 30 Minute Support Calls — £25
(Usually £30)

My free consultation spaces are now fully booked for May and June.

For further services and pricing, please head to my website.
www.rebekahherbertadvocacyltd.co.uk
Email me : [email protected].

Rebekah Herbert
Independent SEND Advocate

How to Get a Good EHCP | Rebekah Herbert Advocacy Ltd Learn how to get a good EHCP with Rebekah Herbert Advocacy Ltd. Specialist support for families navigating the process.

Educational Psychologists must have the capacity to apply their psychological expertise to work with children and families.

The King’s Speech included a commitment to reform the SEND system.

Deputy Chair of the Division of Educational and Child Psychology Dr Joanna Hill highlights findings from our recently commissioned research with the Education Policy Institute showing rising demand and a shortage of Educational Psychologists is placing pressure on services.

Full response: https://www.bps.org.uk/news/bps-welcomes-government-commitment-send-reforms

🚨 Parent Question – Has Your LA Changed the 4 Areas of Need in Your Child’s EHCP? 🚨
I’m starting to hear increasing concerns from families that some Local Authorities are proposing changes to the traditional 4 areas of need within EHCPs.
For example:
🔹 Communication and Interaction becoming broader terms such as Community and Friendship
🔹 SEMH being changed to wording like Maintaining Good Health
🔹 Sensory and/or Physical Needs being reframed as Independence and Independent Living
As parents, this raises important questions:
❓ Is your LA changing the format or headings within EHCPs?
❓ Have the descriptions of needs become more vague or less specific?
❓ Do you feel the language is watering down your child’s actual difficulties and provision needs?
❓ Has this impacted Sections B, F or outcomes within the plan?
❓ Were parents properly consulted before these changes?
The legal framework under the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice still refers to the four broad areas of need:
✔ Communication and Interaction
✔ Cognition and Learning
✔ Social, Emotional and Mental Health
✔ Sensory and/or Physical Needs
While EHCPs can be personalised, concerns are being raised about whether changing terminology could blur legal clarity around identifying needs and securing provision.
I’d really like to hear from parents across different Local Authorities:
📍 Which LA are you in?
📍 What changes have you noticed?
📍 Have schools or SEN teams explained the reasons behind the changes?
📍 Do you feel it has helped or hindered your child’s support?
Please share examples (anonymised if needed). This is an important discussion for the SEND community.