Bright Start: Cassie and Michael - Appealing B, F and I.

Last year we had the pleasure of working with Cassie and her son Michael*. Cassie has agreed to share her story with other parents who are going through a similar situation, in a hope it can offer some comfort:

I am more than happy to share my experience. I tell everyone about how Bright Futures changed my son's life and I have recommended your services to a few parents and often share them on social media platforms.

It was at the start of the first lockdown that It really sunk in that my son could not continue in mainstream school. With very little experience in this kind of thing, complete rejection or no support from the local authority as well as a busy full time job with two other children- I really did not know where to turn or what to do next.

I did not realise that there was such a thing as an SEN Advocate, so I started looking for some help and advice. What scared me about a lot that i called was the fees where all based on per hour and not set. With a long battle ahead of us the thought of getting into debt and not knowing from one month to next the fees frightened me even more.

Bright Futures offered a free consultation and all their fees are listed upfront so you know what it's going to cost you and can budget accordingly. There is one point of contact with scheduled fortnightly calls and updates.

The knowledge and expertise of the company is absolutely second to none. I thought my EHCP was well written but after the girls went through it, it became really clear why my son was being let down so much. They helped me consult with schools and they took away all the stress of having to deal with the local authorities. Even down to looking at schools online with me.

I didn't have the luxury of a never ending pot of money to fight this battle and Bright Futures pointed me in the right direction of what reports I needed for the tribunal and what I didn't need so I didn't have to pay for lots of private medical reports that can cost thousands. They recommended an amazing educational psychologist who spent lots of time with us and offered to come to the tribunal.

Because of the hard work and determination from the team the local authority placed my son in a specialist school before the tribunal date. He has come on so much and is like a different child he is learning to read and write. He's learning how to communicate his needs better. He is in full time school and has friends and it changed his and the whole family's lives.

Once we got to the school place I thought my need for the service would come to an end and paid my final bill. However the team did not stop until all of my son's EHCP was rewritten and water tight ready for his new start.

As a parent of a child with an additional need you often feel alone and isolated constantly fighting to be heard and your child to be given the education they deserve. I had almost given up hope. Contacting Bright Futures was the best decision I ever made as a parent. The fees I paid were absolutely nothing balanced with what we received. My only regret is not doing it sooner.

We are absolutely thrilled that Michael got the result he deserved and wish him, and Cassie, all the best for the future!

*Names and identities of families who Bright Futures have worked with previously have been changed to protect their privacy.