As a father of three wonderful children, two of whom have special educational needs (SEN), my life’s journey has been profoundly personal and transformative. With over 25 years of experience as a structural engineer, I’m accustomed to building bridges and finding solutions where others see obstacles. My wife, a dedicated lawyer who has navigated many sectors of the law, including education, brings a wealth of knowledge to our partnership.
Some time ago, we had the privilege of assisting a friend’s SEN appeal, achieving a fantastic outcome. Buoyed by this success, we felt confident when we discovered the full extent of our two eldest children’s needs. We anticipated a smoother process, leveraging our combined expertise. Yet, we encountered frustrating barriers: stonewalling, policy disregard, and a system that seemed resistant to change.
Despite these challenges, we harnessed our strengths, my problem-solving mindset and my wife’s legal acumen, to successfully navigate the complex SEN landscape. Word spread, and more requests for help began to pour in. Almost inevitably and quite organically, SEN Success was born.
As an engineer, I was shocked to see how fragmented the SEN sector is. Engineers are problem solvers by nature, and it was baffling to witness systems not functioning as they should. My hope is to bring that engineering problem-solving ethos to the SEN world, assisting others in finding the best solutions for everyone involved. Armed with a finely crafted skill set to advocate for parents, our aim is to provide clear information and unwavering support, guiding you through this intricate system.
“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.”
― Albert Einstein