Our Mission
We are dedicated to empowering families to become effective advocates for their children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
We understand first-hand the isolation and challenges that families face in navigating the SEND education system, and we work closely with them to prevent overwhelm while securing the outcomes their children deserve. At the heart of our mission is the belief that every child, regardless of their SEND diagnosis, should have the opportunity to reach their full potential and fulfil their aspirations.
Drawing upon our extensive experience in education, SEND law, advocacy and as SEND parents, our unwavering commitment is to support families in achieving the best possible outcomes for their children.
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Our Vision
Our vision is to empower SEND families throughout their journey towards securing the best possible education, support and outcomes for their children.
We aim to create a world where every child with SEND can access the resources, services, and legal protections they need to thrive. Through our personal and professional expertise in SEND education systems, processes, and laws, we aspire to empower families to advocate for their children's unique needs confidently.
By sharing our knowledge, fostering resilience, and building solid partnerships, we envision a future where SEND children and young adults achieve excellent outcomes and lead fulfilling lives and where SEND families no longer feel isolated but are part of a supportive community
Anna: Managing Director
Anna has over 25 years of experience as a teacher, SENCO, Headteacher and Local Authority SEND Panel member. She has worked for national organisations to provide advice and advocacy for parents of children with SEND both in a general capacity and to provide specific First Tier Tribunal support.
Having personally navigated the education system as a parent to secure appropriate provisions for her child with SEND, she is committed to supporting parents to ensure the best possible outcomes for their children so that they will meet their full potential and aspirations.
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Sarah: Company
Director
Sarah qualified as an NNEB in 1988 and has worked professionally in the Early Years sector for 35 years, including as a SENCO and Safeguarding Lead. She has always had a passion for SEND in a professional role; with the birth of her son in 2004, this became a personal passion, too.
Sarah has supported Empowering Families via the Facebook group for 12 months and has been a co-managing director of the Empowering Families Business since the Summer of 2023.
Lillie: Digital and
Media Manager
Lillie is a digital marketer based in the UK with extensive experience in Graphics, Web Design, and Social Media management.
Having Graduated from The University of Warwick with a Master's Degree in Global Media and Communications, she now primarily works within the Alternative Investments and Finance sectors of Marketing. Additionally, Lillie supports Empowering Families' digital strategy, drawing on her 19 years of personal experience with her younger brother, who has SEND.
Rebecca: Business
Administration Manager
Rebecca has been working as an administrator for the past 3 decades, since graduating from Kings College, London. For over 10 years she has worked from home whilst single parenting her 3 children with SEND.
With personal experience of seeking support and specialist placements for her own children, Rebecca is delighted to be working with the Empowering SEND Families team to support their work with people going through this process.
Tomasin: Events Manager
Tomasin became self-employed after having children, following her corporate career in Incident Management.
The purpose of her business was to provide small companies with a fully flexible business support solution on an ad hoc basis.
Much of the work which she has carried out in this role has been to provide general business support, project management, designing and implementing systems and staff training.
In 2017, her youngest child was diagnosed with ADHD, starting her personal journey in SEND.
She has joined the team to support with our newly launched Events, the first of which was in February 2024.