Helping Parents Advocate for Their Children

SEND Compass is an independent SEND advocacy service run by Leanne Darke. I support families to navigate SEND law, EHCP processes and school issues. I help parents understand their legal rights and provide support with EHCP applications, draft responses, tribunal submissions and advocacy for children with special educational needs and disabilities. 

I’m an autistic ADHD mum of three amazing children (all with EHCPs), married to my very patient husband, and the voice behind SEND Compass.

I’ve been through this myself.

School avoidance. Three EHCPs. Five tribunals. Years of fighting systems that often weren’t built for our children.

I had to learn quickly. SEND law soon became my special interest, which is quite something, given that I forget why I walked into a room about five times a day.

I struggle to finish a book because my brain is usually off in ten different directions. But give me a tribunal bundle, case law, or an EHCP that doesn’t quite sit right and I’m completely in my element.

Just as importantly, I don’t believe parents should be expected to learn this system in one rigid way.

I want to support you in the way that works for you.

Maybe you don’t like phone calls and prefer messages or voice notes.

Maybe you need things broken down slowly, with time to process.

Maybe you prefer written explanations you can come back to, or templates you can adapt in your own time.

There’s no single “right” way to do this. We’ll work in a way that suits your brain, your capacity, and your life,not one that adds more stress.

I’m not here to scare parents or position myself as some kind of SEND oracle. I don’t represent families and I don’t give legal advice. What I do is walk alongside parents, help you understand the system, and support you to advocate confidently for your own child.

I believe informed parents are powerful parents.

And confident parents can move through the SEND system like a bowling ball.

That’s what SEND Compass is about.