Section 09 · Working with Advocates
Setting up your advocate profile
How to create and complete your advocate profile on SEN Evidence Vault, what to include, how to present yourself to families, and what makes a strong profile.
After reading this article you can
- Complete all sections of your advocate profile
- Write a profile that helps families understand what you offer
- Set your availability and specialism accurately
Your advocate profile is the first thing families see when they find you in the directory. A complete, honest profile that clearly communicates your experience and approach will attract the right families and set realistic expectations from the start.
Profile sections
About you: a short paragraph (150–300 words) describing your background, why you advocate, and your approach to working with families. Write in plain English, not professional jargon. Families are often anxious, a warm, direct tone builds confidence.
Experience: how long you have been working as a SEND advocate, the types of cases you have handled, and any relevant professional background (teaching, social work, law, lived experience as a SEND parent).
Specialisms: select the areas you have the most experience with. This helps families find advocates whose experience matches their situation. Options include: autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, physical or medical needs, mental health, early years, post-16 transitions, tribunal representation.
Location and working area: your base location and whether you work regionally, nationally, or remotely only.
Availability: whether you are currently accepting new families. Keep this accurate, families who contact you when you are at capacity have a poor experience.
Response time: your typical response time for initial messages and ongoing communications.
What makes a strong profile
- Specific, not generic: "I have supported 30+ families through EHCP assessments and tribunal proceedings" is more reassuring than "I have experience with the EHCP process"
- Honest about limits: if there are case types you do not handle, say so. Better to be clear than to take on cases you cannot serve well.
- Photo: a professional photo significantly increases the response rate. Families are trusting you with deeply personal situations.
Keeping your profile current
Update your availability whenever it changes. A profile showing you are available when you are not wastes families' time and damages trust in the platform.
What to do next
- 1
Complete your profile
Go to your advocate profile settings and fill in each section. Pay particular attention to your About you text, this is what most families read first.
- 2
Read about getting verified
The next article explains the verification process and what accreditation means for your profile.
Next in this section
Getting verified
How the SEN Evidence Vault accreditation process works for advocates, what is required, and what accreditation means for families and for you.
Related articles
What is an advocate
What SEND advocates do, the different types available through SEN Evidence Vault, and when working with an advocate can make a difference to your case.
Finding an advocate
How to search the SEN Evidence Vault advocate directory, what to look for in an advocate profile, and how to make initial contact.
Sending a support request
How to send a formal support request to an advocate through SEN Evidence Vault, what to include, and what happens next.
Open the app
Try this in SENVault
Find an advocate, grant vault access, and manage support requests.
Open SENVault