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Empowering Families of Children and Young Adults With Different Needs
“Alison Pope is a strong, supportive advocate for families who are lucky to have her working with experience, effectiveness and positivity. Alison's can-do attitude and focus on practical solutions bring much needed energy and enthusiasm to families who are often struggling to find hope"
Experienced SENCO
APA has extensive professional and personal experience supporting families to navigate the SEND system including: Autism, ADHD, Learning Difficulties, Learning Disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, Physical Disabilities, Epilepsy, Challenging Behaviour, Complex Medical Issues and Emotional and Mental Health Challenges.
We empower you to become the most effective advocates for your children and avoid the need to go to Tribunal. By understanding and making sense of your child's individual needs across all contexts, we provide the support, oversight, and dynamic strategy to confidently chart a course through your child's education.
“You really understand what families are going through and your kind, calm good sense and support made us braver and more focussed. We got there in the end and it was all down to you."
Family of 11 year old boy with late ASD diagnosis

SEN Sat Nav for Your Family
Understanding your child's individual needs and what they mean
We empower you to understand the perspective of your child’s unique needs and the real-world implications for their learning and daily life. We help you make sense of professional assessments and next steps.
Building the Evidence Base
We support parents with EHCP applications, Parent/Carer views, Parent reports and Annual Reviews. We work together to produce clearly evidenced paperwork that communicates your child's unique profile and requirements.
Strategic Advice
Engaging with local authorities, schools and other professionals is stressful for families . We work alongside you to devise and deliver a bespoke approach and plan.

Perspective and Placement
Collaborative Communication
We advise families on interaction, communication and strategy with schools, local authorities and relevant professionals. We support families by briefing them for and attending at key meetings to ensure their children’s needs are at the centre of decision making.
Troubleshooting
We understand that things can go wrong with schools and colleges and we provide sensible and effective crisis management support, helping you to draft correspondence and preparing you for key meetings.
Finding the Right Fit
Once we understand the full perspective of what your child needs to thrive, we can work together to identify the most appropriate school or college placements.

Across each Transition Stage
Support for Evolving Needs
We understand that your child’s needs change over time. We support across key transitions: starting school, changing schools, secondary transfer, post-16 and transition to adult services. We work alongside you to understand changing needs and funding landscapes and how they impact your child.
We can provide regular, long-term oversight to ensure their provision adapts as they grow.
Transition to Adulthood
We actively engage in forward planning for key stages in your child's education and for their transition into adulthood. We are experienced in accessing Education, Social Care and NHS Continuing Healthcare funding.
Mother of ASD girl moving to specialist school
Charlie, 14 Years Old
SENCO, after Team Around The Child Meeting
Parent of child with SpLD and significant school anxiety
Head Teacher after complicated EHCP meeting
Parent negotiating with local authority
Alison is an expert with experience. She has a son with significant learning, communication and behavioural difficulties and is a former City Private Client Lawyer. Having been through the system herself, she really gets it.
Alison is married to Matthew and has three young adult children and an energetic miniature Labradoodle. She learnt to Kick Box while trying to get her own son’s special educational needs met but is in absolutely no danger of signing up for an Iron Man.
She empathetic, approachable, discreet and kind.
