What The Public Say

We are constantly taken aback by the number of new visitors who find our website each month and the complimentary e-mails or comments that we receive from members of the general public about it.

We hope that you will not mind if we share with you here some of the e-mails that we have received as it makes us feel good to know that people are genuinely benefiting from what we are trying to achieve:

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I have been priviledged to not only have Douglas Silas as my daughter's representatives but I also continue to recommend them as being the 'best' for Special Needs and feeback I get speaks for itself! Long may it continue. WELL DONE.

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This is so very helpful and is a wonderful resource.

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It's an invaluable resource for parents as well as professionals.

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I downloaded all the factsheets last week and intend to go through them systematically this week. From what I have seen so far they will be very useful and not just to my own team (education appeals advisers) but also to our family officers who get involved before the appeal stage and to whom I intend to pass on the factsheets.

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Thank you for the information you have on your website around SEN, which I am focusing on for my inclusion essay.

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You offer an impressive service to the special needs community.

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Thanks for all the useful information.

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Clear information that is focused

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Simply knowing there is a sympathetic ear 'out there' is hugely reassuring for "SEN Parents" who seem to spend their whole lives fighting the very system that should be be supporting them and their children. And even more galling when, like me, they are adopters often from the very same authority which now chooses to turn a deaf ear...

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Really useful website for parents confused by all the redtape associated with SEN which makes the whole process of being a parent of a child with SEN so confusing and challenging.

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Excellent

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Good source of information.

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I always tell people how brilliant Douglas is, especially other lawyers

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It is informative and very user friendly

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A valuable resource for parents and professionals

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I don't know of anyone or any organisation working so tirelessly and unselfishly. If it can be done you know who will do it. Even when it seems impossible. And it isn't just moral support, it's practical and sensible and makes you feel you are not alone

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Very informative and up to date

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The site is very usefull it gives you lots of information on how to go about getting the help you are entitled to

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You are doing a fine job!

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The site is extremely useful, it has relevant and up-to-date information that is presented in an uncomplicated way.

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Thank you very much for creating it and making it freely available to parents of children with SEN

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The best resource for parents with SEN children

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It is very useful for parents and staff I work with to keep informed and up to date with relevant information on Special educational needs issues

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Keep it up

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I like the way you present to everyone therefore being transparent to all

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Easily accessible and non-threatening

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It gave excellent advice - wish I'd found it sooner

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There is no such thing as "too much information" when it comes to our children, their education is just as important as "regular" children, if not more....

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You are doing a great job which is very much appreciated by the people you are helping

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Good source of SEN information

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Useful, thorough

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It's very good information

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Its a good service - keep it up. Advertise! Parents need to know about the law in the hard times coming

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Non biased - do not favour either the parents or the educationalists - present both views. As parents we can become so focused and intense upon our child's needs that we lose sight of the bigger picture. Your sight keeps things in perspective

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Clear factual legal information in accessible language

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How generous you are with all the information you collate and share. As a parent with a SEN/disabled child I don’t have so much time to find all that I need to know so your website really helps. Thank you so much

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Very useful resource

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Very informative

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Helpful information and advice!

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Its the most accessible site I use

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To you, thanks for all the free stuff. To others - Stop Press: Solicitor giving advice for free!

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Go here for honest, professional, direct and informed advice

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Very detailed website

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How factual and informative it is

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You must visit it

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It has given direction and help to those whom seek it; including imparting knowledge

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When I needed help and advice your website was the only link I had in the minefield of Special Educational Needs. As a parent it is often frustrating and difficult to deal with Special Educational issues as many Local Authorities simply do not infrom people and many parents and carers are often working blind. Thank you

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Contains very useful information on legal rights and case material to consider in Statement Reviews

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Reassuring service when we find ourselves in a situation that is such a worry

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User-friendly and friendly

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Information is power!

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Open and helpful information to enable people to decide if your service is right for them; this is very refreshing from a solicitor. You keep all in education well informed. Keep doing what you are doing

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It is a strong part of the reason we appointed Douglas for our case

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Your website is a very true presentation of the people who work at Douglas Silas Solicitors - they are informative and very efficient

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It is very informatative and clearly provides information which I have not found so readily available elsewhere

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Simple to access

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The information guides I downloaded gave me enough information to take on the Education Dept regarding my son's Statement & get the number of hours supplied to him to be doubled taking him to full-time support this was without the need to appeal or take the matter further,it empowered me with the knowledge & confidence to be able to challenge the Education dept. & win! Thankyou.

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Its about Douglas, and there is no better!

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Excellent website

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Worth looking at!

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An informative, honest, easy to use SEN website

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It's well worth a visit!

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You're brilliantly informative! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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A great resource. I have recommended it to many colleagues, including school governors.

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Good for information should I be asked questions by a client who has a child with special needs

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It's very easy to find the information you want

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Thank you for the time and effort that goes into this service

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It contains some useful info which might seem basic to some, but is extremely useful for a parent whose daughter is starting the journey of disability, and where the county council are guarded and unhelpful when they learn that your child is not in the state system.

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Extremely useful and informative

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Douglas Silas is simply the best SEN solicitor operating in the UK today. His website is more than just a business window or a source of information - it has become a National Resource for SEN parents. His passion and commitment to helping SEN children is breathtaking.

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Extremely useful and simple to access. I pass it on to all my clients for information purposes whenever they express any difficulties within the education system. It proved invaluable to me personally and I know it is to others. Thanks

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I would always recommend Douglas Silas

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Current news daily

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It is very informative about SEN Law and is an extremely useful resource in guiding parnets like myself who have to navigate through the minefield of SEN Statements, SEN Law, Tribunals, ignorant and obstinate Local Authorities, etc.

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It helps me keep up to date, it's good

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Really impressed at how the site explains concepts and gives information. The language and overall tone are perfect.

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It is excellent because it if free!

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For me the updates in changes in SEN law are very useful. My son has ASD and is at the beginning of his education (Yr 2). I have already come across obstructive attitudes amongst senior teaching staff, and feel that I need to be equipped with legal information to be able to protect my son in the future.

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Informed parents are more likely to get good results, and your site is the best for informing parents... I know the theory, but it hasn't prevented the problem escalating.

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“I found the information very useful. Clearly what you are doing is important and admirable.”

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"Just to let you know I found your whole website very useful and the Factsheets I downloaded were excellent and helpful. The message that comes across is that you are there to help with no pressure to enroll your services unless necessary. I have already recommended your site to a friend of mine and I doubt that she will be the only one I recommend it to."

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“I liked what I read about your work and particularly the emphasis upon an ethical basis for your practice.”

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Dear Mr Silas,
Thank you so much for your phonecall last week responding to my enquiry through your website. The information you have given me through our conversation, your website and your factsheets have been invaluable!
In respect of these, I have decided not to instruct your firm, but wish to thank you for the refreshing outlook that your firm has regarding children with SEN. If only more professionals shared your views!
Once again thank you for your prompt response and support - I will certainly recommend you to other parents of children with SEN should they require it.

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(From the Deputy Head of a Special School)
“I found your website whilst doing some research (as part of NPQH) on UNESCO's Salamanca Agreement on Inclusion. The information sheets covered a number of areas that I felt I could do with knowing about further and therefore have printed them off. Pupils and parents who we educate at school have probably already gone through legal battles before they reach us, so it was an area that I had little knowledge of.”

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“Your website is brilliant!”

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“Thank you for your e-mail and explanation of your services.  I am in fact a Childcare Assessor for students studying for their NVQ’s and I needed up to date information regarding the rights of children with SEN.

I found your fact sheets extremely useful and informative and have printed them off to keep in my file along with my code of practice.  (My degree in education specialises in special educational needs). 

If I am ever in need of a solicitor to deal with such a case, or indeed anyone I know does, I shall have no hesitation in passing on & or using your details.  I felt you gave a very honest and upfront evaluation of what you are trying to achieve in your business.”

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I found your site very interesting and informative.

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“The information that I was able to successfully download from your site will, I am sure become my first point of reference in our shared quest - ie: "All children or people with SEN or Disability receive the right educational provision.

Because of your stated beliefs and assistance I will, if required, be advising [a family I am helping] to contact your company for any legal representation they may require. With gratitude and highest regard.”

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“The information was great thank you so much it was really beneficial to the course I am doing. I am pleased that there are people out there who serve the needs of children and not try to benefit from other peoples misfortunes. It is useful to know about your law firm if we need someone to fight for our daughter’s provision in the future. Kind regards and thanks.”

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“Thank you very much for the information.”

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“Very many thanks for your very informative E-Mails. I am in fact a full time student studying for a BA in Childhood, Education and Culture and am currently taking a module in Inclusion. I sincerely hope that anyone seeking the type of help and advice you offer has the good fortune to come across your website as I did. Many thanks for your help.”

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“Just to let you know that the information I got from your fact sheets was very good and interesting, I am just starting on my teaching assistants course level 3 and that is why I went on to your web site because it answered a lot of questions that I needed answered. Thank you very much for your help and your web site.”

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“Thank you for your fact sheets.  I have found them very useful.  I am the key supporter for my sister and her husband who have a daughter with specific learning difficulties and there have been many issues with regard to her receiving an appropriate curriculum to meet her needs.

We are currently challenging the proposed review of statement of Special Educational Needs. There have been massive issues around its review and your fact sheets have clarified my thoughts surrounding some of these. Many thanks for your help.”

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“I came across your site when trying to find information on Inclusion in British schools and although I have not yet had the time to read your excellent guides I would like to thank you for making them available to the public, quite a minefield. Many thanks.”

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“Thank you for your e-mail.  I am currently undertaking a degree in early childhood studies and was looking for useful info for an assignment on SEN; your factsheets 1 & 2 were very helpful. 

Through my profession I am in contact with families of children with special needs and will certainly pass on your details should any of them need the advice of a solicitor, you seem to have the children's and parent's interests at heart (more than can be said for some professionals dealing with these individuals.) Thank you again for your information.”

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“Many thanks for your emails - sorry I have not replied before but am busy writing courses and coaching swimming and tennis for kids with disabilities.
As a resource your website is very informative and I have passed it on to colleagues in the field.  Many thanks for your correspondence.”

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“Thanks for the e-mail.  Yes I did find the info you sent interesting. I have not printed any of the fact sheets yet but am waiting till I need them and will select which ones will benefit my assignment then.  I enjoyed the write up you sent regarding the legislative framework for special educational needs.”

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“I found your fact sheets useful for some information that I needed. However if you feel you have any more information that I may not have received I would be very grateful if you could send me some more, or any links that you know of to look at any relevant sites.”

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"Thank you very much for your website - it is simply wonderful to know that there are Professionals who passionately care about our children's Rights."

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"I have been overwhelmed by the wealth of information that you have very kindly sent to me regarding Special Educational Needs and the Law.

We would just like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to inform us of your role/professional advice and what Solicitors 'can and can't do.' It is very interesting reading! Many thanks!"

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"Over the past eight years I have had to fight for my son's rights to education because of his Asperger's. Even so, he has missed out substantially on education. I do not want others to go through this and as part of a local SEN parents group it is good to know where parents can turn for help.

Thank you!"

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"I found it useful to be able to download your leaflets for free. As I am here to support parents of children with SEN, (a Parent Partnership Officer) I found that I already had a lot of the knowledge in the downloads, however, for those who are not as knowledgeable they are very useful. I will use them to give to parents to explain certain processes, and to increase their knowlege."

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"I was able to download the information that I wanted, which I found very useful. I briefly looked at your website and was interested to see that you had the e-consultation document on Admissions arrangements and appeals. Again I found this useful. I believe that I will be using your website on a regular basis.

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"Your information is very useful. I am a parent with a child with special needs and have been so far successful with my daughter's education and needs,but I am helping a friend who is struggling to deal with their situation and I will pass your website on to them.
Many thanks. I will keep you in mind, if need be, for my daughter too."

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"I think your website is excellent, informative and user-friendly."

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"Thank you for creating such a useful and interesting website. As you are aware, I have accessed lots of helpful information from your printable pages. At present I have no need of your services, but if in the future, I, or someone else is looking for a solicitor specialising in education law, I will remember your firm."

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"I was very impressed by your website and its moral basis in anti-discrimination, excellent information and overall helpfulness."

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"Hi Douglas

I am writing as I’m sure many others have already done before me, what a wonderful website you have. The downloads and information are regularly used and your details have been passed on to my colleagues and agencies I work with. For those parents green and fresh within the SEN or Disability arena I advise them to read some of your downloads.

Once again great site for those that want to make informed decisions without being deluded into thinking that they will get it all their own way, being aware of the pitfalls is vital.

Good luck and I hope you thrive within this business. Wish there were more."

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"I found the information on your website very useful. I currently work in Child law, specifically in the production of statements of special educational need."

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"Hi Douglas,

Sorry I haven’t replied before. Yes, yes! The information was very interesting, I need to read it thoroughly, but I can also pass it on to the many families I meet with SEN children. I run two support groups, one for families with autistic children (which includes me) and another for those with any additional needs.

Thanks again and I’ll keep in touch"

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"The information I downloaded will be very useful, but as you rightly say there are always things people look for and it is hard to pre-empt that and have all the information available.

I do have a whole raft of things I would like to see but am pushed for time to do this at the moment but once I get some free time (if I get any free time away from fighting the local LEA) then I will try and give you some feedback.

Once I have been round the houses and more LEA brick walls I will be back in touch for further advice."

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"Hi, its a shame you don't do legal aid. You sound just what I am looking for. I can understand why you don't take on such cases. If I had the money I would pay."

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"I find the information on your Factsheets really helpful.

I have a special interest on SEN for both professional and personal reasons.

Professionally, I am a paediatrician with a special interest in children with neurodevelopment disorders/learning disability. My masters degree research and dissertation was on special education needs. In my current job, I work as the health authority's designated doctor for Education.

Personally, I have a son with a severe learning disability.

In my professional practice, and personally, I see everyday how parents battle with local authorities to obtain appropriate services. The information on your website is extremely useful and is written in a language that parents can understand.

I have no hesitation in recommending your website to others."

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"I have received the factsheets now, they are absolutely brilliant."

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"The services are brilliant, I thought I had sufficient skill to conduct my own appeal but am now thinking of employing you."

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"Thank you for your informative e-mails. I received the downloadable sheets covering various areas of SEN legislation etc and found them to be very interesting and useful to know. Some of the information I already had but some of it was new."

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"The information on your website is enourmously helpful and as you say, knowledge is empowering.

From a very grateful parent."

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"Had a look at your website today and I think it's incredible. Very informative and extremely useful. (Even if I don't have kids). The voice reading the text is a brilliant idea and it's the first time I've been on a site where such technology has been used. Keep up the excellent work!"

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"Thanks for your help to date and your brilliant website and email course.

I think the knowledge I have gained form you has helped me put the pressure on the LEA to such an extent that completely out of the blue just 6 weeks before the SENDIST appeal hearing date we have been offered a place in a school that was previously "FULL" ! "

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"From looking at your website I am not sure you will be able to help me, as my son does not have Special Educational Needs. However, I do believe that he was treated unfairly by his school, and am trying to find a way to ensure the same lack of care doesn't occur again with other children."

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"What a fantastic website, it is fantastic and so user friendly, even a computer idiot like me can get around it and that will make it hugely popular with parents. I have signed up for your course, can I recommend it to others? I wish you and your whole practice good luck in all your endeavours."

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"Douglas - have you cloned yourself? Thanks for all you are doing. I have referred countless people having difficulty to your web site. It is phenomenal."

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"I really think your website is fantastic. I think this service really does help parents out there so I will be actively telling them about it within my role as parent liaison officer, not to mention learn a little more myself!"

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"Thank you for your help. I do not doubt that you are very good at what you do and would be a great help, but the fact is we cannot afford representation and are not eligible for public funding due to equity in a house that we could not release even if we wanted to...I hope I can continue to look at your site and any help that I can glean."

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"Thank you so much for your 7 day course - we have learnt so much!"

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"Dear Team,

I just wanted to let you know that I am finding your factsheets extremely helpful, we are still in the early stages of applying for a statement for our son who has a developmental delay since birth and hopefully we may be lucky and not need a solicitor but I am doubtful of this and we may be speaking to you in the future. In the meantime I would like to say thank you for providing me with at least some knowledge to get my son the help he needs."

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"Thank you, info was very useful. Great webstite, lots of clear information. Would recommend it to anyone."

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"I would like to say that the information I have been able to access for free from your website is invaluable and all of it has been of great use. I intend to tell everyone I know."

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"I found your factsheet very helpful and it told me everything I needed to know."

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"I just wanted to say that your website was really useful to me when I was preparing my ASD son's case when applying for a statement. I didn't use a lawyer because thanks to my training as a journalist, I knew how to do research to find the information I neeed.

I hope you don't mind, but I have put a link to your site as a valuable resource. I received many of your emails and they really helped, not only with information but with giving me confidence that I was doing the right thing.

Thank you again for all the information I have received from you."

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"Your website was very helpful, thank you for all the useful information. I have now won my foster daughter's tribunal."

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"Have found your website very useful. And even though we cannot access your services personally we will continue to use your site as a resource. Thank you."

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"The information I received was useful and enabled me to help the family involved."

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(From a Parent Partnership Officer)

"I had your website on recommendation from a colleague and wasn't disappointed. I will find them useful to share with the parents I work with."

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"Thank you for your valuable service."

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"I am currently taking part in the 7 day online course on education law and have downloaded some of the factsheets you have made available to people on your website.  Both the course and the factsheets have been extremely useful and very easy to download.  Additionally, the website is excellent and provies a wide range of information.
 
Thank you for all the information."

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"I would like to thank you for all the precious informations I have been able to get or print.
Your web site is amazing, interesting and so useful. 
I already gave your name and references to a person who was looking for more informations about the matter."

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"I must say I found your site to be most informative.  I am Head of Learning Support at an Independent Prep School.  I have represented parents and LEAs as an expert witness at SENDIST.  Just wanted to acquaint myself with the changes.  I will refer parents as required.  Thanks.  I really like the capped fees idea."

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"Thank you for all the information; it may not all be relevant now but no doubt after my tribunal it will be needed if I succeed.  I had left if too late to get your help in my case but thank you for all your emails " ***

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"The latest email regarding the law and mainstream expectation was of much use to me.  It makes my case look bleak! Thank you for your information."

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"Great video course and really user friendly information, a great resource for parents getting to grips with the SEN legal framework."

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"Thank you so much.  All the information you have sent has been really useful and much appreciated."

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"I have to keep up with the latest education news stories as part of my job and rather than having to look at numerous websites and newspapers your daily email updates save me hours of time by collating everything in one place.

Thank you and I have passed your details onto some of my colleagues."

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"Congratulations on your website! I am most impressed by all the most useful resources that are available on your site. The tone of the web site is very friendly and I appreciate all the personal touches. "

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"I would just like to let you know that as a fairly recent newcomer to your website, I find your updating emails very helpful and interesting; also your website to be a mine of extremely useful information,

Thank you for providing all this information."

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"Dear Douglas, you are an absolute star!!!!"

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"Douglas, I thank you for the information and the advice and will keep it in my folder for whenever I need to chase up any issue.  At the moment, I have no need for a solicitor, but I also recognise that there are many reasons for one to be available . 
 
I will be in touch if, whenever, the case may be.
 
thank you"

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"The information is very useful and I will continue to visit the website."

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(From a Specialist Teacher)

"I have just been directed to your website by a colleague.
I found it very inspiring and a rich source of information for both parents and professionals."

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"Hi Douglas...

Looks like my daughter will be going to her new school very soon, we have an invitation to view it and meet the teacher etc, have waited a long time for this opportunity and was about to appeal and came across your website by accident. 

I found the list of special schools in other areas to be very helpful also the different types of disabilities they cater for."

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"I am an ex-special needs teacher and thus often work with families who have SEN considerations and I have found your website invaluable. I have recommended the site to families and to colleagues."

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"Thank you, I have heard today that my son has been accepted into [a] Special School so my appeal has been successful."

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"I think your are providing a much needed and scarce resource to parents who have to face an absolute minefield in trying to get the best for their children - it should be simple, as when we get to any of these stages the emotional turmoil you are already at is immense and LEAs seem both reluctant to offer up information proactively or deliberately hamper best efforts with timescales that are not reflective of the urgency and processes that seem about form ticking rather than child welfare

Many thanks."

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"I do not need a solicitor at this time but will certainly contact you should the need arise."

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"Thank you for your emails regarding the special educational needs information.
 I have found this very useful."

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"I am a Parent Partnership Co-ordinator . I have found your web page and information received so far very useful. I can pass on your information and your details to parents I support."

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(From a Parent Partnership Officer)

"I had your website on recommendation from a colleague and wasn’t disappointed.  I will find them useful to share with the parents I work with."

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"Thank you for the information. it has been helpful but im not sure its what we need at present...but I would like very much to thank you ."

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"Have found your website very useful.  And even though we cannot access your services personally we will continue to use your site as a resource.  Thank you."

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"Your web site was very helpful, thankyou for all useful information. i have now won my foster daughter's tribunal."

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"I hope you don't mind, but I have put a link to your site [on my website] as a valuable resource. I received many of your emails and they really helped, not only with information but with giving me confidence that I was doing the right thing."

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"I am doing my final essay for my degree in Early Childhood Studies about the educational entitlements of children out of school...
I found your factsheet very helpful and it told me everything I needed to know...
 
Wishing you success."

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"I would like to say that the information I have been able to access for free from your website is invaluable and all of it has been of great use I intend to tell everyone I know."

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"Info was very useful... Great web site. Lots of clear information.
Would recommend it to anyone."

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"I really think your website is fantastic. I think this service really does help parents out there so I will be actively telling them about it within my role as parent liaison officer...not to mention learn a little more myself!"

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"Douglas - have you cloned yourself? Thanks for all you are doing. I have referred countless people having difficulty to your web site. It is phenomenal."

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"What a fantastic website, it is fantastic and so user friendly, even a computer idiot like me can get around it and that will make it hugely popular with parents.   I have signed up for your course, can I recommend it to others?   I wish you and your whole practice [much luck] in all your endeavours.

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"Dear Douglas,

I am writing to thank you for the invaluable help and advice you and your law firm provided within the "How to Conduct a SENDIST Appeal" course.

I am pleased to say that we were successful in representing ourselves in the appeal to have my son assessed.

Your course made the day a lot less daunting and I found that we were far better prepared for the tribunal than the LEA, especially when it came to the SENCO Code of Practice which (the relevant clauses) I recited with glee!

I will recommend your law firm to anyone who asks, I am so pleased we found you on the internet."

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"I have found your infomation very helpful and have got my child in a special school. Thank you"

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"I have found the site excellent, the factsheets are great - concise, readable and informative.  I have also been through the 7 day intro to SEN e learning course and again found it very useful.  We are hoping to recruit some more volunteer Independent Parental Supporters early next year and wondered if you would mind us using this e-course as part of their training?  We will be delivering courses to them but this could be an excellent reinforcement for them to do at home."

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To find out more about What People Say, please click on an appropriate link below:

• What Our Clients Say
• What The Media Say

 

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