The SEND Mum Club

It’s another expert episode this week and I’m joined by Claire from The SEN Expert to answer your questions on all things SEN. We talk about how to get an EHCP if your child isn’t in school or nursery yet, appealing a DLA decision, EBSA (emotional based school avoidance), the challenges of trying to work and care for a child with complex needs and much more.
 Claire talks about the legal test in the SEND code of practice in the episode:
Key Aspects of the Legal Test

Definition: A child has SEN if they have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than others of the same age, or a disability preventing them from using standard educational facilities.

Assessment Criteria: The local authority must consider evidence of academic attainment, the nature/extent of SEN, actions already taken by the school, and the child's health/developmental needs.

"May Need" Threshold: The test is whether special provision may be necessary, not whether it is definitively required immediately.

Evidence Basis: It is not necessary to have a formal diagnosis for an EHC assessment to be agreed. 

You can find The SEN Expert here:
Instagram: @senexpert
TikTok: @thesenexpert
www.thesenexpert.co.uk

My guest this week is Paul Triggs, talking about his 8 year old daughter Violet who has autism. We talk about their journey to diagnosis, Violet’s sensory needs, and the positive affect her autism has on her siblings. Paul also talks about the footwear and fashion brand he’s set up – Through Different Eyes – through which he hopes to offer paid employment to people with additional needs.
 You can find Through Different Eyes in store in Transalpino in Liverpool or online here:
https://www.throughdifferenteyes.co.uk/

www.instagram.com/through_different_eyes_/

 Tags: sensory processing disorder, EHCP, SEN, parenting podcast

Sam Prince is my guest this week talking about her daughter Immy who’s 15 and has autism. We chat about Immy’s difficult road to diagnosis and the life changing effect it had on her. Sam also discusses Immy’s ARFID, how it presents, the way in which it’s changed over the years and how it affects the whole family. We also talk about the autistic Barbie and why she’s dividing opinion.
 You can find Sam on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook @lifewithmothergoose
 Tags: ASD, SEN parenting, SEND, additional needs, EHCP

Happy new year! Steph Logan is my first guest of 2026 talking about her 6 year old daughter Lola who has autism. We talk about Lola’s sensory needs and how that means much more thought has to go into planning days out, the sleep struggle, and myself & Steph share positive interactions we’ve had with people while out with our children.
Steph works in SEN supporting young adults and she has some brilliant insight into what post 16 support looks like.
 You can find Steph on Instagram @incredible_sen_adventures
 Tags: additional needs, parenting podcast, SEND parent

It’s Christmas so I thought I’d gift you a montage of advice my guests have shared over the past few months. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year (whatever that looks like for you) and I’ll be back in January with some more brilliant guests for you.

 Tags: parenting podcast, additional needs, SEN, SEND, autism, ADHD, Down syndrome