I have written this agreement in plain, simple English. I want to make sure my service is open to everyone and easy to understand, even when life feels busy or stressful.
1. How I Support You
Your Voice: I am an advocate. I help you speak up and understand the rules for your child’s school and care.
My Training: I am a qualified teacher with IPSEA Level 3 training in SEND Law. I follow the Independent Advocates’ Code of Practice. I also have PIP training and experience with adult social care assessments, work capability assessments and direct payments.
Mediation and Consulting: My role is broader than a typical advocate. I also work as a Consultant (sharing my expert knowledge) and a Mediator (helping you and others talk to each other to find a middle ground).
Your Choices: I will help you look at all your options. I provide the information, but you make the final decisions.
What I am not: I am not a lawyer or a doctor. I cannot give legal or medical advice.
2. My Rules and Costs
Cost: I charge £60 for one hour of work. I count this in 15-minute blocks (£15).
Updates: I will check in with you every week to tell you what I have done and what it costs. This way, there are no surprises.
Travel: If I drive to see you, I charge for my time, but never more than £60 a week.
Help: Your first 30-minute talk with me is free. If you are worried about money, please tell me. We can make a payment plan.
3. Shared Parental Responsibility
If you share responsibility for your child with someone else (for example, a separated parent), I work with a “no secrets” policy to stay transparent and legal.
Focus on the child: My reports focus on your child’s views and legal rights. I do not take sides between parents; I am here to be your child’s voice.
Keeping everyone informed: If I am working directly with your child, both parents usually need to know I am involved.
Your job: By signing this, you confirm that you have told the other parent about my work. If there is a legal reason (like a Court Order) why the other parent cannot be told, you must show me that document before we start.
4. Keeping Your Information Safe (Privacy)
I take your privacy very seriously. I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
What I keep: I keep your name, contact details, and your child’s school or health records.
How I keep it: I store everything on a secure, password-protected computer.
Sharing: I only share your info if you ask me to (like emailing a teacher).
Note: I must share info if I am worried someone is being hurt (Safeguarding) or if a judge tells me the law says I must.
Supervision: I talk to a professional psychologist once a month to make sure I am doing my best for you. I try to keep your name private when we talk. My psychologist also follows strict privacy rules and will keep your information just as safe as I do.
5. Your Rights (Changing Your Mind)
Seeing your notes: Because I share my notes with you every week, you will always have a record of our work. If you ever need to see older notes, you can just ask.
Stopping: You have the right to withdraw. You can change your mind about me holding your info whenever you like. Just tell me, and I will stop and delete your data (unless the law says I must keep a record for a short time). Please note: If I do not have your permission to hold your information, I will not be able to work as your advocate anymore.
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