SEND School Search
Having struggled to find schools for my own children when they were young, I now offer the kind of support I wish I’d had access to. Because finding the right school, at the right time, not only transforms a child’s future, but can positively impact the whole family.
Are you spending countless hours researching the perfect educational path for your child? I understand how overwhelming it can be when your child isn’t coping in their current school environment. I’m here to help make the EHCP and school provision process easier, and less stressful. Ensuring that each child finds the right school which is suited to their needs and complexities.
What’s included in our SEND school search?
Our expert advice ensures your child can access the right school or educational setting and we can support you with:
- Recommending diagnostic and legal professionals for your EHC plan.
- Interpretting professional reports and draft EHC plans, and chasing up SEND solicitors or other professionals on your behalf.
- Shortlisting suitable specialist schools, which take into account the needs, strengths and interests of your child, OFSTED and CQC ratings, and your location.
- Contacting potential schools to make sure they're able to meet your needs.
- Arranging school visits; compiling questions for you to ask, and helping with decision-making.
- Advice on moving from mainstream school to specialist provision, between specialist schools, or into a post-18 placement.
From the outset Lorna has been caring, professional and non-judgemental, and committed to helping me find the most appropriate education for him. I had what I thought were a lot of “silly” queries and they have never been treated as such.
Parent of Theo
Read more from our familiesHow does your SEND school search process work, and what does it cost?
We understand that most parents looking for our service have already been through a lot. We aim to make things simple.
Our specialist school search service is designed to support parents and carers in identifying appropriate educational provision for children and young people with additional needs. We work carefully and methodically to ensure families understand their options and feel confident about next steps.
Free 15-minute Call
My free 15-minute telephone call offers you a chance to meet me, and tell me about your situation or particular circumstances. You can find out quickly if we can help.
Sometimes, parents might not have the right information, or will be at a different stage in the system for us to start a school search. If we can’t help, then I’ll point you in the right direction or give you suggestions on where to go next. If after 15 minutes you decide that we’re not a right fit, then there is no charge.
If appropriate, you may book a one-hour Zoom consultation, tailored to your child or young person. This includes:
Key Facts
- 15-minute call to run through your situation and my service
- Free
- No obligation to proceed
Key Facts
- 1 hour online consultation
- £195
- Follow-up written summary outlining key points and recommended actions
- Customised list of recommended professional advocates and expert witnesses (if required)
Initial Consultation
The consultation phase is designed to give you clear, supportive guidance right from the start. During this time, we’ll share our initial thoughts and advice, talk through the most appropriate strategies for your situation, and help you decide whether moving forward with a full school search feels like the right next step. We’ll also look at whether there’s any additional groundwork that might be helpful before a school search begins, so you feel confident and well prepared.
To make the most of our time together, we may ask for copies of any relevant documents you already have, such as EHCPs, diagnostic reports, or recent school reports or assessments. These are always optional, but they can be really helpful in giving us a clearer picture.
Using the information you share with us in advance, we’ll carry out some initial research and carefully plan how best to support you. This means that when we meet, we’re ready to answer your questions, talk things through thoughtfully, and focus on what matters most to you and your child.
“It felt like Lorna ‘knew’ our child, without even having met her which has been very important in helping guide our journey. Lorna was also very adaptable to move quickly within our time frame which we very much appreciated. Very highly recommended.”
Parent of Mary
The School Search
If you decide to go ahead with our school search, we’ll take the time to carefully review all relevant documentation in detail, including diagnostic reports and professional assessments. This helps us build a thorough understanding of your child’s needs and ensures our recommendations are well-informed. From there, we’ll establish a clear basis for the search, taking into account the primary areas of need and challenge, recommendations within existing paperwork, your preferred location, and any schools you may already be considering.
We’ll confirm the agreed search criteria with you, along with a clear and realistic timescale for completion, so you know exactly what to expect and when.
At the end of the process, you’ll receive a comprehensive school search report. This will include key information for each school, OFSTED or ISI rating, Section 21 approval status, and a detailed overview of what each school offers. We’ll also outline the typical profile of pupils who attend each setting, to help you decide.
We don’t limit the number of schools included in our search (we’re aware that some consultants do!). Our research draws on all available information to make sure you’re aware of all suitable options. This includes both state-maintained specialist provision and independent specialist schools, giving you a full and balanced picture of what’s available.
Key Facts
- Hourly rate £130
- Typical school search up to 15 hours (up to £1,950)
- School search takes approx 10 working days
- Guidance on visits and securing placement
- Free follow-up Zoom, to check placement and answer any questions.
FAQ's
We have hopefully answered any questions you have on our school search service, but if not – please get in touch, we’ll be happy to help!
Who is your school search service for?
Our school search service is for parents and carers of children and young people with additional needs who need support finding suitable school provision. We can help at any stage of the EHCP process, during key transitions, or if you’re unsure what education options are available.
How does the school search process start?
The process begins with a free 15-minute phone call to discuss your situation and understand your concerns. If the service is appropriate, this is followed by a tailored Zoom consultation to explore your child’s needs in more depth.
What information do I need to provide?
Before the consultation, we ask you to complete an Enquiry Form and share relevant information about your child or young person, including reports, assessments, and professional advice, to ensure the school search is thorough and personalised.
When do I pay for the consultation?
The one-hour Zoom consultation is invoiced after the session. The initial 15-minute phone call is completely free and helps you decide whether the school search service is right for you.
What is included in the school search?
The school search includes a detailed review of reports, research into all suitable schools in your area (including state and independent specialist provision), and a written report outlining how each school may meet your child’s needs.
What's not included (and why)?
We’re often asked whether our school searches include information about current availability. While some schools may share this publicly, it’s highly changeable and can be misleading due to ongoing referrals, funding decisions, and tribunal outcomes. Because of this, we do not include real-time availability in our search reports. Focusing only on schools that appear to have space could unnecessarily limit options and potentially disadvantage families later in the process.
How long will a school search take?
Most school searches take 10–15 hours, depending on the complexity of needs, the volume of paperwork, and the number of schools considered. Reports are usually completed and returned within around 10 working days.
Do you limit the number of schools included in the search?
No. We provide a comprehensive list of all suitable schools in your area so you can fully understand your options and make informed decisions.
Will the report confirm whether a school has available places?
School availability changes frequently. For this reason, the report focuses on suitability and evidence, rather than short-term capacity, which can change quickly and may be misleading.
Can you help with school visits or applications?
Yes. We offer guidance on approaching schools, arranging visits, and supporting applications, but we do not act as an admissions office or contact schools on your behalf.
What happens after I receive the school search report?
A follow-up Zoom meeting is included to talk through the findings, answer any questions, and agree next steps for securing the most appropriate placement for your child or young person.
The next Steps
Find out if we can help your child or young person
Our FREE 15-minute consultation allows us to understand your current situation and we can let you know, honestly, if we can help. If not, then we can recommend the best way forward.