You don't have to navigate SEND on your own
Sometimes you know something isn't quite right, but finding out why and knowing what to do next can be difficult.
You might be worried about how your child is managing at school, struggling to get their needs recognised, waiting for an assessment or trying to understand what support should be in place.
We know from our own experiences that navigating SEND isn't always straightforward. Families can find themselves dealing with conflicting information, lengthy processes and situations where the support available doesn't always reflect what their child needs.
At Clear Steps, we bring together professional knowledge and lived experience to offer practical, down-to-earth guidance.
We take time to listen, understand your circumstances and help you explore your options. We recognise that every child and family is different, and that what sounds straightforward on paper isn't always easy to put into practice.
You don't need to have all the answers, or even know exactly what help you need, before getting in touch.
Practical SEND guidance and support
Whether you're looking for advice about a particular concern or need more detailed help navigating SEND processes, we can work alongside you to make things clearer.
We offer individual consultations and more detailed SEND support depending on what your family needs.
Any charges will always be explained and agreed before paid work begins.
Understanding Your Child's Needs
Helping you explore individual needs, differences and barriers that may be affecting your child at home, in education or in everyday life.
This might include sensory differences, emotional regulation, anxiety, difficulties attending school or situations where your child appears to cope in one environment but struggles in another.
School Support and Meetings
Helping you understand what support should be considered, how to raise concerns and how to prepare for discussions with school.
This can include SEN Support, the SEN Register, reasonable adjustments, school meetings, reviews and concerns about whether current arrangements are meeting your child's needs.
EHCPs and SEND Processes
Guidance with EHC needs assessment applications, reviewing draft or existing EHCPs, understanding professional evidence and identifying areas where needs or provision may not be adequately reflected.
We can also help families understand local authority decisions, their options and relevant appeal processes.
Making Sense of Information and Next Steps
Helping you understand reports, correspondence, professional recommendations and the different options available.
Sometimes having someone go through the information with you, explain what it means and help identify realistic next steps can make a real difference.
Does my child need a diagnosis?
No. Support in education should be based on individual needs, not dependent on having a diagnosis.
Does my child need an EHCP?
No. Schools can provide SEN Support without an EHCP. We can help you understand what support may be appropriate and when an EHC needs assessment might need to be considered.
What if I'm unsure where to start?
That's absolutely fine. You don't need to know which service you need before contacting us. A brief explanation of what's happening is enough to begin with.
Can you help if my child is struggling to attend school?
Yes. We can help you explore possible barriers to attendance, understand the support being offered and consider what adjustments or further discussions may be needed.
Is your support free?
We offer funded community support alongside paid individual services. We will always explain any costs before agreeing paid work.
Free, impartial SEND information and advice is also available through SENDIASS. In Kent, this is IASK at www.iask.org.uk.
Can you help with EHCPs?
Yes. We provide guidance with EHC needs assessment applications, draft and existing EHCPs, reviews, evidence, local authority decisions and appeal options.
Common Questions
Not sure what support you need?
That's okay. Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to begin.
Whether you're dealing with a particular SEND concern, trying to understand your options or simply looking for someone to talk things through with, we'd be happy to hear from you.
Tell us a little about what's happening, and we can explain whether and how Clear Steps may be able to help.
How we work with families
A starting point, not another complicated process
We know it can feel overwhelming trying to explain everything that's happened, particularly when you've already had to repeat your story to different people.
We aim to keep things as straightforward as possible.
01
Tell us what's happening
You can start with a brief overview of your concerns or what you'd like help with. You don't need to have everything organised or know exactly what to ask.
02
Explore your options
We'll listen, ask relevant questions and help you understand what support or next steps may be appropriate for your circumstances.
03
Decide what works for you
We'll explain the ways we may be able to help, including funded opportunities and paid individual support where appropriate. You can then decide what feels right for your family.