SEN Information Day for Parents and Carers in Bristol
About this Event
SEN Information Day for Parents in Bristol
Unlock the knowledge you need about Education, Health, and Care (EHC) needs assessments and Plans in just one day!
Trying to understand SEN support, EHCPs or local authority decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when your child is struggling and you are not sure what help they should be receiving.
This practical SEN Information Day is designed to help parents and carers understand the process, know what questions to ask, and feel clearer about the next steps for their child.
Delivered by Watkins Solicitors’ specialist Education Law team, the session will cover EHC needs assessments, EHCPs, school placement disputes, annual reviews, phase transfers, SEND Tribunal appeals and what to do when a child is not receiving suitable education.
The event will be clear, practical and parent-focused. You do not need any legal knowledge to attend, and there will be time for general questions.
Presented by Watkins Solicitors | www.watkinssolicitors.co.uk | 0117 939 0350
Event Details:
- Date: 19th October 2026
- Time: 10 am
- Venue: The Foundation, Lower Ground Floor, St George’s Road, Bristol, BS1 5BE
- Tickets: £15
What's Included:
Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided. Please inform us of any dietary requirements by selecting the appropriate option when ordering tickets.
Who Should Attend?
This event may be helpful if:
- Your child is struggling in school and you are unsure what support they should receive
- You are considering requesting an EHC needs assessment
- The local authority has refused to assess your child
- The local authority has refused to issue an EHCP
- You have received a draft EHCP and do not know whether it is good enough
- You are unhappy with the wording, provision or placement in an EHCP
- You are concerned about the school or placement named in Section I
- Your child is out of school, on a reduced timetable or not receiving suitable education
- You are preparing for an annual review or phase transfer
- You are considering an appeal to the SEND Tribunal
- You want to understand your child’s legal rights before deciding what to do next
This event is suitable for parents and carers at any stage of the SEN process.
What Will Be Covered?
The session will explain key parts of the SEN legal process in plain English, including:
- What an EHC needs assessment is
- When a child or young person may need an EHCP
- How to request an EHC needs assessment
- What to do if the local authority refuses to assess
- What to do if the local authority refuses to issue an EHCP
- What should be included in an EHCP
- How to respond to a draft EHCP
- How to check whether Sections B, F and I are clear and specific
- What to do if the EHCP does not properly describe your child’s needs or provision
- School placement disputes
- Annual reviews and phase transfers
- What to do when a child is out of school or not receiving suitable education
- SEND Tribunal appeals and key deadlines
- Practical tips for communicating with schools and local authorities
- When specialist legal advice may be needed
There will also be time for general questions.
Please note that this event provides general legal information only. We will not be able to give detailed legal advice about individual cases during the session, but the information should help you understand the process and identify possible next steps.
What You Will Leave With
By the end of the session, you should leave with:
- A clearer understanding of the EHCP process
- A better understanding of what local authorities must consider
- Practical tips on evidence, wording and deadlines
- A clearer idea of what can be challenged
- More confidence when speaking to schools and local authorities
- A better understanding of when specialist legal advice may be needed
- A clearer sense of what steps may be available for your child
Planned Schedule
The final timings may be adjusted slightly, but the day is expected to follow this format:
- 10:00am – Arrival, refreshments and welcome
- 10:15am – EHC needs assessment, timelines and EHCP wording
- 11:15am – Break
- 11:30am – School placement disputes, annual review and transport
- 1:00pm – Lunch
- 1:30pm – Preparing for tribunal appeal and mock tribunal
About Watkins Solicitors
Watkins Solicitors are a multi award-winning law firm with offices in Bristol, Bath and Hereford.
Our specialist Education Law team advises families across England and Wales on special educational needs, EHCPs, school placement disputes, EHC needs assessment refusals, refusal to issue appeals, contents appeals, annual reviews, phase transfers, Education Otherwise Than at School, disability discrimination and related public law issues.
We are one of Bristol’s leading specialist firms for Education Law and have a strong reputation for helping parents understand their child’s rights and challenge decisions where the right support is not being provided.
Our Education Law team regularly supports families through complex and stressful SEN disputes, including cases involving children and young people who have been out of education, require specialist placements, need EOTAS packages, or have Education, Health and Care Plans that do not properly reflect their needs.
About the Speakers
The session will be delivered by members of Watkins Solicitors’ specialist Education Law team, including Beverley Watkins, Sophia Beekmann, Celine Conley and Wania Hussain.
Beverley Watkins is Managing Partner of Watkins Solicitors. She leads the Education Law team and has more than 25 years’ experience in SEN and Education Law. Beverley is nationally recognised for her work supporting children, young people and families, and was named Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year 2025 for Family Legal Aid, including Children’s Rights.
Beverley is also the elected Bristol representative on The Law Society Council and Vice Chair of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group, reflecting her wider work around access to justice and children’s rights.
Sophia Beekmann is an Associate Solicitor in the Education Law team. She advises families on securing lawful EHCPs, SEND Tribunal appeals, annual reviews, school placement disputes and related SEN issues.
Celine Conley is an Associate Solicitor in the Education Law team. She advises families on the EHC Plan process, including appeals to the SEND Tribunal, and supports parents and carers through what can often be a stressful and confusing process.
Wania Hussain is a Trainee Solicitor in the Family and Education team and supports the team’s work with families and children.
Together, the speakers will explain the SEN process clearly and practically, with the aim of helping parents and carers feel more informed, more prepared and more confident about the next steps for their child.
About the Venue
The event will take place at:
The Foundation
Lower Ground Floor
St George’s Road
Bristol
BS1 5BE
Please use the St George’s Road entrance for The Foundation.
The venue is in central Bristol and is close to public transport links. The nearest main train station is Bristol Temple Meads, which is around a 20-minute walk away. The closest bus stops are at College Green and Anchor Way, including routes serving different parts of the city and Temple Meads.
The nearest short-stay public car park is College Street car park, and there is also metered on-street parking on Deanery Road.
The Foundation has level access from the pavement on St George’s Road, no internal steps and an accessible toilet.
What Parents Say
Parents and carers who have attended previous Watkins Solicitors SEN information events have told us:
“Thank you so much for offering all your expertise and advice. I feel much more confident about starting the EHCP process.”
“Very useful. I have learned a lot and had some misinformation corrected.”
“I wish I had this three years ago as school has been evasive.”
“Watkins Solicitors are very knowledgeable and friendly and absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much, this will make a huge difference to my two autistic children.”
“Brilliant day. We have learned a lot more about SEN processes. The best presented and most factual advice and information session I have attended.”
Families who have worked with Watkins Solicitors’ Education Law team have also shared:
“Sophia and Wania both worked extremely hard to help ensure my daughter had all the required provision in her EHCP. The local authority were particularly difficult during this appeal, but the service offered and the effort put in to obtain the right outcome for my daughter were exceptional.”
“The EHCP process is challenging and painful for parents. For us it was a multi-year struggle which could not have happened without Sophia Beekmann, Celine Conley and Wania Hussain. They helped us appeal the initial rejection and prepare for tribunal to ensure the best school for our son was named in his EHCP.”
“I contacted Watkins Solicitors after our local authority refused to carry out an EHC needs assessment for my son. I was given clear, detailed and professional advice at all times. Whenever I had questions, my emails were answered very quickly.”
“Watkins Solicitors have gone above and beyond for our child’s very difficult and drawn out SEN Tribunal case against the local authority. They shouldered so much for us when it was the most stressful time.”
“I have used Watkins twice now in relation to EHCPs, and honestly do not think they can be beaten. Once they are involved, you know that you can relax, with access to expert advice and the assurance of solid advocacy for your children’s rights.”
These comments reflect why we continue to run SEN information events for parents and carers. The aim is to make a confusing process clearer, help families understand their rights, and give parents more confidence about what to do next.
Important Information
This event is designed to provide general legal information for parents and carers.
We will not be able to provide detailed legal advice about individual circumstances during the session. If you need specific advice about your child’s case, Watkins Solicitors can explain how to make a separate enquiry with the Education Law team.
Secure Your Spot:
Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights and empower yourself in navigating the SEN landscape. Secure your ticket now!
Agenda
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Arrival, refreshments and welcome
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
EHC needs assessment, timelines and EHCP wording
🕑: 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Break
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
School placement disputes, annual review and transport
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
General questions and discussion
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Preparing for tribunal appeal and mock tribunal
🕑: 02:30 PM
Event End
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 16.00
