Our Team
Anna
Managing Director
Tribunal Co-ordinator
Anna brings over 30 years of experience in SEND education, working as a teacher, SENCo, senior school leader and within Local Authorities. She has supported national organisations by providing educational legal advice and advocacy for families, including specialist support for First Tier SEND Tribunals.
Her expertise covers all areas of SEND, with particular strengths in supporting children and young people with care experience, SEND Tribunals, Section 19 Alternative Provision, and cases involving both education and social care needs.
Alongside her professional background, Anna is also a parent of a young adult with SEND. This personal experience drives her commitment to helping families achieve the best possible outcomes for their children. Anna ensures families are empowered to have the very best information, support, resources, and professional advocacy for their own children. This is and will always be at the heart of everything we do.
Sarah
Company Director
EHCP Co-ordinator
Sarah qualified as an NNEB in 1988 and has worked in Early Years for over 35 years, including roles as a SENCO, Safeguarding Lead, in adult SEND education and training, and in early years consultancy. Her passion for SEND became personal after her son was born in 2004, giving her first hand insight into complex health needs, physical disabilities, specific learning difficulties, and working in collaboration with solicitors for Judicial Review.
In addition to her experience of all areas of SEND education, Sarah has specialist expertise in supporting families through all stages of the EHCP process, including EHC Needs Assessments, draft/EHCP checks, coproduction, Annual Reviews, and EOTAS.
Sarah is deeply committed to our ethos that we are and always will be Stronger Together.
Amy
EHCP Advocate
Amy has young children with SEND and so understands how difficult this journey is to navigate as a parent. With a background specialising in employment law, and local government, Amy has a strong understanding of how to challenge Local Authority decisions effectively.
Fully IPSEA level 3 qualified, Amy supports families to receive the best possible outcomes for their children, preventing the need for a tribunal hearing wherever possible. However, should an appeal become necessary her expertise and compassionate approach provide ongoing support throughout the process.
Amy specialises in Education and Health Care Needs Assessments, all Tribunal appeals to include working document support, School Suspensions, Disability Discrimination support and complaints against schools and Local Authorities
Steph
EHCP Advocate
Steph has over 25 years’ experience supporting children, young people and families with SEND, including complex trauma and mental health needs. She has professional experience as a SENCO, schools inspector, and as the Headteacher of both mainstream and specialist provision.
Steph also has lived experience as a parent of a neurodivergent child. She understands how overwhelming the process can feel and is committed to making it clearer, more human and more empowering for families.
She is passionate about standing alongside families and helping them advocate effectively, because no family should feel alone on their SEND journey.
Steph specialises in Education and Health Care Needs Assessments, all Tribunal appeals to include working document support, School Suspensions, Disability Discrimination support and complaints against schools and Local Authorities
Louise
EHCP Advocate
Louise has worked across both education and NHS services, supporting children and families with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities for over twenty years. Her background includes working as a primary school teacher and SENCO, alongside experience supporting families navigating complex health systems and accessing appropriate support for their children.
She is also the parent of a child with complex needs, giving her personal insight into the realities of SEND family life — from appointments and advocacy to trying to balance everyday life alongside caring responsibilities.
Louise is passionate about helping families feel listened to, informed, and less alone. She believes parents know their children best and understands how difficult it can be to navigate education, healthcare, and support systems when you are already under pressure.
Leanne
Facebook Community Advocate
Leanne has two young children with SEND, both with EHCPs, which gives her a deep understanding of the challenges families face every day. Her eldest is now thriving in a Specialist Independent school. Professionally, she is an experienced NNEB and IPSEA level 3 qualified.
Leanne is a pivotal member of our team, supporting our Drop In events, collaborating with our Digital and Design manager, and ensuring that current concerns of our community are always addressed with expertise and compassion.
You will find Leanne on our Facebook page every day, supporting our SEND families. Providing professional legal advocacy support, Leanne ensures that all current community concerns are fed back to Anna and Sarah helping them to inform the future support Empowering Families of Children with SEND provides.
Tomasin
Finance & Business Manager
Tomasin brings over 25 years of experience in business support, project management, and operations. She loves helping businesses run smoothly by streamlining processes and creating systems that work uniquely for each.
Her SEND journey began in 2015 when her youngest was diagnosed with ADHD. After successfully securing an EHCP in 2017, Tomasin became passionate about supporting families like hers. In 2024, she joined Empowering Families as Events Manager.
Today, Tomasin keeps everything ticking behind the scenes, handling finance, events, admin, and business management, so the team can focus on making a difference.
Rebecca
Business Admin Manager
Rebecca has been with Empowering Families of Children with SEND since the start of 2024. She’s often the first point of contact for parents, making sure every email is answered with care, understanding, and compassion, so families feel supported from the moment they reach out.
With a wealth of experience in administration and her organisational skills, Rebecca manages day-to-day communication and ensures services are booked quickly and smoothly, prioritising workloads to meet tight deadlines. She keeps everything running seamlessly behind the scenes.
Rebecca loves being part of a team that makes a real difference for SEND families and takes pride in helping parents feel heard and reassured.
Clare
EHCP Admin Support
Following her graduation from Durham University, Clare spent a decade working in financial services. Clare then took a career break to care for her two young sons, the eldest of which has a diagnosis of ASD.
Having applied for and obtained an EHCP for her son, Clare has personal experience of the challenges families of children with SEND face when navigating the system.
Clare plays an essential role supporting families with providing information on the choice of services, acting as a first point of contact and ensuring all relevant information is ready for bespoke EHCP services.
Hayley
Annual Review Admin Support
Hayley is a passionate neurodiversity advocate and dedicated mum of three, with lived experience of supporting children with additional needs.
As a military wife, Hayley understands the additional challenges that can come with mobility, transitions and advocating for children within changing systems.
Alongside her lived experience, Hayley brings many years of professional expertise in administration, customer service and credit control, where she developed her strong organisational skills.
Hayley understands first-hand the emotional impact and importance of feeling heard and supported. Her approach is calm, compassionate and empowering.