Independent SEN consultancy · Families in England
Free 30-minute consultation with Stephen
Talk through an EHCP refusal, school distress or a school-support difficulty. You will receive a short written next-step summary based on our conversation.
I’m Stephen Mallett, a former Headteacher and SENCo with 25 years in education, and the parent of two children with SEN. We can discuss the issue you are facing and whether my consultancy is a suitable fit.
Choose your free consultation timeNo obligation. Paid work starts only after we agree its scope and fee. Read what the free summary includes.
Your free written next-step summary
The summary is a short follow-up, normally one to two pages, based on what you tell me during the call. It is not a review of documents you have sent or an assessment of the legal merits of your case. We will agree delivery timing during the conversation.
Included in the free summary
- The main issue as you have described it.
- Up to three practical next steps or questions to resolve.
- Relevant general guidance and free-support resources.
- Whether a separately agreed paid service could be useful, with no obligation to proceed.
Separate paid work, if agreed
- Pre-reading, detailed EHCP or assessment-report review, and evidence audits.
- Individual case analysis, drafted letters or appeal grounds.
- Meeting, mediation or tribunal preparation and representation.
- Ongoing casework or responsibility for managing deadlines.
The free summary does not include a legal merits opinion, full document audit, personalised correspondence, appeal grounds or ongoing case management. A call or summary does not guarantee an EHCP, an appeal result or a return to school.
A paid document review is a different engagement
The £175 Initial Consultation includes pre-reading of one recent document, a 60-minute call and written next steps, within a total allowance of up to 3.5 hours of professional time. It is not a full case-bundle audit.
A section-by-section EHCP review falls under the separately scoped £550 EHCP Review & Strengthening service, with up to 11 hours of professional time. Other packages have different scope and included time.
We agree the service, what you will receive, the time allowance and the fee before paid work begins. See all consultancy services and fees.
Prepare a brief account, not a case bundle
Think about the main difficulty, what school or the local authority has said, and any approaching decision, meeting or appeal date. You do not need a perfectly organised file or to buy a book first.
Please do not email medical records, a full EHCP or an appeal bundle with your initial enquiry. If we agree further work, we will arrange the appropriate document-transfer route. Read our privacy policy.
A deadline needs attention now
Booking a call does not pause a deadline or appoint SEND Navigate to manage your case. Do not wait for the call or summary to check the current official appeal instructions. Seek timely individual advice where needed.
Support for the situation you are facing
Assessment refused · Assessed but refused an EHCP · School distress and EBSA · School not meeting SEN needs.
My books offer an optional way to get to know my approach. The Parent’s Shield covers SEN and EHCP issues; Not Refusing. Unable. focuses on school distress and EBSA. Neither is a prerequisite for the call.
Free independent help is also available through IPSEA and your local SENDIASS service. You do not need a paid consultant to exercise appeal rights.
Start with what is happening
Choose an available time for a free 30-minute conversation. The calendar opens in a new tab.
Book your free consultationCheck your inbox and spam folder for the calendar confirmation. If it does not arrive, email Stephen so he can check the booking. A website enquiry alone is not a confirmed appointment.