About John-Paul
A Wider View of the Placement Case
Experience across education, health and local government - applied to one clear objective: the right education for your child.
For more than 20 years, my career has spanned education, health and local government, including work involving SEND commissioning, specialist provision and placement decision-making.
The value is not a list of employers or job titles. It is the ability to see how the whole placement case fits together.
Educational needs must be described accurately. Professional and health evidence must translate into clear, enforceable provision. The placement named in Section I must be capable of delivering it. School consultations, suitability, availability and comparative cost must be confronted before they are used to weaken the case.
What that breadth means for your case
Educational and clinical evidence is connected to the wording required in Sections B, F and I
Both the preferred placement and the local authority's alternative are tested against the provision your child needs
Missing evidence and contradictions are identified before the local authority or Tribunal relies on them
Likely challenges about consultations, suitability, availability and comparative cost are anticipated
Schools, clinicians, therapists and solicitors already involved can be brought into one coherent evidence strategy
The value is not the sectors on my CV. It is the ability to find the weak link, connect the evidence and build one coherent placement case.
I also understand this as a parent
My own child has experienced Emotionally Based School Avoidance. I know what it means to sit in meetings as a parent, to keep explaining why the current situation is not working and to carry the pressure while your child is struggling.
That experience does not replace professional judgement. It keeps the work grounded in what the process is asking of the family living through it.
How I work
Every case is personally led
I remain responsible for the strategy, drafting, evidence and agreed deadlines. You know what has happened, what I recommend and what I need from you.
A limited caseload
I accept only the cases I have capacity to lead properly. Urgency alone is not enough if there is insufficient time to do useful work.
Independent advice
I do not accept instructions from local authorities in individual children's cases, and I will not act against a family whose case I have reviewed.
An honest answer
If the decision is not appealable, the evidence is not yet sufficient or my involvement is unlikely to make a material difference, I will tell you before any fee is incurred.
Professional background and public work
View my professional experience and current SEND commentary:
Facebook - SEND placement guidance
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