Code of Practice
Clear standards for every family we support.
How we work, what we do and do not provide, how we handle evidence and information, and the standards you can expect from us.
Frameworks and standards
Frameworks we inform our work by
We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by the organisations below. We reference their public frameworks and qualifications to describe the standards we inform ourselves by, not to claim any qualification, membership or endorsement on their part.
SEND law principles
We are informed by the statutory legal principles in IPSEA's SEND Law training, including the Level 3 framework, as a reference for how SEND law applies to cases.
Independent advocacy practice
We aim to work in the spirit of the ethical and procedural competencies set out in the City & Guilds Level 4 in Independent Advocacy Practice, with client-led, confidential and robust support as our aim.
SEND training resources
Families who want to learn more can explore the official IPSEA training registry. We reference it as a public source of SEND legal education.
Special and inclusive education
The strategic advice we give on EHCP section drafting is informed by standard curricula and pedagogical research in university-level SEND and inclusive education programmes, including the UCL Master's in Special and Inclusive Education.
Statutory literacy
Although we are not lawyers, we aim to use clear and correct statutory language. We look to the analytical approach developed in law-degree programmes such as the UCL Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and UCL Master of Laws (LL.M) as an academic reference, not as a qualification we hold.
What guides our work
Evidence, law and careful judgement.
Our work is informed by the legal framework governing SEND, official guidance, relevant Tribunal decisions and the professional evidence available in each child’s case.
SEND law and guidance
We work from the Children and Families Act 2014, the SEND Regulations, the SEND Code of Practice and relevant statutory guidance.
Evidence and sources
We check the source, context and relevance of the evidence we rely on and distinguish legal requirements from local policy or practice.
Individual circumstances
Every case is different. We apply the evidence to the child’s actual needs, provision, placement and stage of the EHCP process.
Our commitments
What you can expect from EHCP Help
These standards apply to every family and every piece of work we undertake.
Clear about who we are
Who EHCP Help is
EHCP Help is an independent SEND advocacy and consultancy service. We work alongside families to help them understand the EHCP process, evidence and available options.
What EHCP Help provides
We provide support with EHC needs assessment requests, EHCP applications, amendments, reviews, placement issues and appeals. This can include reviewing evidence, identifying gaps, drafting correspondence and helping families understand the relevant SEND framework.
What EHCP Help does not provide
We are not a law firm and are not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. We do not provide reserved legal services, conduct litigation or represent clients in court proceedings.
Where regulated legal representation is required, we will say so.
Careful with the evidence. Clear about the advice.
Client-led practice
You remain in control of decisions about your child. We provide information, analysis, options and practical support, but the final decisions remain yours.
Evidence and source checking
We base our work on current SEND legislation, official guidance, relevant Tribunal material and the evidence in your case. Where appropriate, we identify the source on which an important proposition is based.
Human review of every deliverable
Every substantive document we produce is reviewed by a human consultant before it is provided to you. Automated tools are not relied upon as a substitute for professional judgement.
Accuracy and corrections
We aim to provide accurate, carefully checked work. If we identify an error in something we have produced, we will correct it promptly and without additional charge.
Your information and our independence
Confidentiality and data protection
We handle personal information in accordance with applicable data protection law and our Privacy Policy. Information is only used for the purposes necessary to provide the agreed service, unless another lawful basis applies.
AI-assisted tools
We may use AI-assisted tools to help organise, review or prepare material where appropriate. AI does not replace human judgement. Any substantive work provided to you is reviewed by a human consultant, and sensitive information is handled with appropriate confidentiality and data-protection safeguards.
Conflicts of interest
We act independently. We do not accept payments or incentives from local authorities, schools or other parties where doing so could compromise the independence of our work.
Clear boundaries. Clear accountability.
Clear pricing and scope
Our fees and scope are agreed before work begins. We will not undertake additional chargeable work outside the agreed scope without discussing it with you first.
No outcome guarantees
We cannot guarantee that a local authority will agree to an assessment, issue or amend an EHCP, name a particular placement or that an appeal will succeed.
Our role is to strengthen the evidence, reasoning and presentation of the case, not to promise a particular result.
Safeguarding boundaries
EHCP Help is not an emergency or safeguarding service. Where there is an immediate concern about a child’s safety, families should contact the appropriate safeguarding or emergency service.
When regulated legal help is needed
Where a matter requires regulated legal representation or another service outside our scope, we will explain that clearly and may signpost you to an appropriate regulated professional.
Complaints and corrections
If you are unhappy with our service, you can raise a concern through our complaints procedure. We aim to address complaints fairly, promptly and transparently.
Questions about how we work?
We are happy to explain our approach.
If you have a question about our methods, scope, use of information or the support we provide, ask us before deciding whether EHCP Help is right for you.
EHCP Help provides independent SEND advocacy, administrative assistance, and parental support. We are not a regulated law firm and do not provide regulated legal services under the Legal Services Act 2007. We cannot guarantee that your child will receive an EHCP, that an appeal will succeed, or that any particular provision will be secured. Outcomes depend on evidence, local authority decision-making, and Tribunal discretion, all of which are outside our control. Our packages cover the preparation and support work described; they do not include solicitor or barrister representation. By purchasing a package you agree to our Terms & Conditions. Consumer cancellation rights apply. You may cancel within 14 days of purchase for a full refund unless work has commenced at your request. For regulated legal representation, we recommend consulting an education law solicitor such as SEN Legal.