The SEND Navigate Library

Books Written by a Parent
Who Has Lived This

Former Headteacher, SENCo, and father of two children with SEN — Stephen Mallett writes the guides he wished he'd had when his own children were struggling.

Written by a 25-year SEN expert UK-specific legal guidance Available on Amazon Kindle & Paperback Trusted by UK parents
By Stephen Mallett Former Headteacher SENCo — 25 Years SEN Parent Founder, SEND Navigate
Not Refusing. Unable. — book cover New Release
School Distress & EBSA

Not Refusing. Unable.

"You are not failing." — The UK parent's manual for school distress, EBSA, and the way through

If your child is struggling to attend school, you are not alone — and you are not failing. This book cuts through the confusion around Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), explains your child's rights under the SEND Code of Practice, and gives you a clear, practical roadmap for getting the right support in place.

Written by a former Headteacher and SENCo who has also navigated this journey as a parent, Not Refusing. Unable. is the honest, jargon-free guide that UK schools and local authorities won't always give you.

What's inside

  • Understanding EBSA vs school refusal
  • Your child's legal rights
  • How to talk to school effectively
  • EHCP applications for EBSA
  • Reintegration strategies that work
  • What to do when school says no
  • Mental health & anxiety support
  • Real parent case examples
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Available as: Kindle Paperback

The Parent's Shield — book cover Bestseller
EHCP & SEN Rights

The Parent's Shield

The SEN and EHCP guidance every parent needs — "We Protect You"

The SEN system can feel deliberately complex. Schools and local authorities hold all the cards — unless you know your rights. The Parent's Shield is the definitive guide to understanding the EHCP process, challenging unlawful decisions, and securing the provision your child is legally entitled to.

Written with the authority of a 25-year SEN professional and the empathy of a parent who has fought the same battles, this book arms you with everything you need to advocate effectively for your child.

What's inside

  • How the EHCP process really works
  • Requesting & refusing assessments
  • What must be in Section F
  • Annual review strategies
  • Challenging LA decisions
  • SEND Tribunal preparation
  • Working with schools effectively
  • Template letters & scripts
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Available as: Kindle Paperback

Why These Books Are Different

Most SEN guides are written by lawyers or academics. These are written by someone who has sat on both sides of the table — and fought the same battles you're fighting now.

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Written by a Former Headteacher

Stephen has run schools. He knows exactly what happens in EHCP meetings, annual reviews, and exclusion panels — and how to use that knowledge as a parent.

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UK Law, Plain English

Every piece of guidance is grounded in the SEND Code of Practice, the Children and Families Act 2014, and real tribunal outcomes — explained without jargon.

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Written as a SEN Parent

Stephen has two children with SEN. This isn't theory — it's hard-won experience from someone who has navigated the exact system he's writing about.

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Practical, Not Academic

Every chapter ends with clear actions you can take. Template letters, scripts for meetings, and step-by-step processes you can use immediately.

SM

Stephen Mallett

SEN Consultant & Author

Former Headteacher SENCo — 25 Years Experience Parent of Children with SEN Founder, SEND Navigate CPD-Aligned Trainer

About Stephen Mallett

Stephen Mallett spent 25 years working in special educational needs — first as a classroom teacher, then as a SENCo, and eventually as a Headteacher. He has led schools through Ofsted inspections, managed complex EHCP caseloads, and trained hundreds of teachers in SEN best practice.

He is also the father of two children with SEN. That dual perspective — professional expertise combined with lived parental experience — is what makes his books uniquely valuable. He has sat in the meetings you are sitting in. He has fought the battles you are fighting.

Through SEND Navigate, Stephen now offers SEN consultancy directly to families, as well as CPD-aligned training for schools. His books are the starting point — the knowledge base every parent needs before they walk into their next EHCP review or tribunal hearing.

Need More Than a Book?

If you're facing a tribunal, an EHCP refusal, or a school that won't listen, Stephen offers one-to-one consultancy to help you fight back — and win.

Explore SEN Consultancy →