What is an advocate

A SEND advocate is someone who supports you to understand your rights, navigate the SEND system, and effectively represent your child's needs. Advocates are not solicitors — they do not provide formal legal advice — but a good advocate has detailed knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice, the EHCP process, and how local authorities operate.

What advocates do

Advocates help families by:

• Explaining what the law requires and what your rights are at each stage
• Reviewing EHCP documents and identifying potential issues
• Supporting you at annual reviews and other meetings — either in person or by helping you prepare
• Drafting letters and correspondence to schools and LAs
• Advising on whether an appeal is worth pursuing and helping you understand the tribunal process
• Providing emotional support during what is often an exhausting and isolating process

Types of advocates in the directory

SEN Evidence Vault hosts a directory of advocates who have been verified by the platform. There are two types:

Accredited Advocates — individual advocates who have been verified as active, knowledgeable SEND practitioners. They have completed a profile, agreed to the platform's code of conduct, and have been reviewed by the SENVault team.

Accredited Organisations — teams of advocates operating as a formal organisation (charity, community interest company, or similar). They may have multiple advocates available and specialist areas of focus.

Both types appear in the directory and can be searched by location, specialism, and availability.

Independent advocacy vs legal representation

Advocates and solicitors do different things:

• An advocate provides guidance, support, and practical help throughout the process
• A solicitor provides formal legal advice and can represent you at tribunal

For most families, an advocate is the right first step. If your case reaches formal tribunal proceedings, a specialist SEND solicitor becomes important. Many advocates can help you identify when it is time to seek legal representation and can recommend solicitors they work with.