Hayden
Dear Parents In Need
From the depths of my heart – thank you.
We made it. We got the school of our choice with Transport. After over two years of heartbreak, fear, exhaustion, and endless battles, we finally got the outcome we’ve fought so long and hard for. But I know without a doubt that we wouldn’t have made it this far without your support.
Your charity didn’t just help us with advice or resources – you held us up when we were at our absolute lowest. When I had no voice left, you gave me one. When I was too tired to fight, you gave me strength. When I felt invisible, you saw us. You reminded me that my son’s life and future were worth fighting for – and gave me the tools to do it.
You helped us survive – and now, thanks to everything you’ve done, we finally have hope again. Hope for safety. For healing. For Hayden to thrive in a place that understands him. You’ve not only changed our lives – you’ve saved them.
From one mother to the people who never let us fall completely – thank you. There aren’t enough words in the world for the gratitude I feel. Please know the impact you’ve made will stay with us forever.
With endless love and thanks,
Karen & Hayden
AN UPDATE!
Dear PIN
I just wanted to reach out one last time to say a huge thank you for the part you played in helping Hayden and me get to where we are today. Thanks to your support, he’s now attending school and doing so well — far beyond what I ever imagined possible a few months ago.
What makes this even more meaningful is that Hayden was once told he was “unreachable and unteachable.” Hearing that as a parent was heartbreaking, and it’s something no child should ever have to believe about themselves. It just shows how wrong, damaging, and dangerous those words can be — because with the right environment, understanding, and support, he’s proving every single day just how capable and brilliant he truly is.
Seeing him come home proud of himself, talking about his day, and actually enjoying learning again has been such an emotional and uplifting experience. It’s proof that when a child feels accepted, safe, and happy, they don’t just survive — they truly thrive.
Your kindness, understanding, financial and practical help made all the difference in getting us to this point, and I just wanted you to know how much it’s appreciated. You helped give my son the chance to shine again.
Keep doing the amazing work you do 🎉🙏
With heartfelt thanks, onwards and upwards 💪❤️
Karen & Hayden xx
Reuben, Marley and Hazel
Dear PIN
The very first PIN quiz I attended, I remember a parent standing up and talking about the difference an EHCP and specialist school made to their child. In that moment, I felt awful and was conscious that I was surrounded by parents who had successfully supported their children and got them in to a specialist school that could meet their needs. I came home, cried and felt I had failed. At that time, I had no idea that the parents would have had to go through battles, would have needed guidance and would have been supported by people who really understood how hard all of these things are. But hearing that speech, although painful at the time, showed me that if these parents could do it, there must be a way and I was gonna get there.
As you know, this knowledge came too late for Reuben, but meant that Marley got an EHCP.
Roll on many years later and what have I learnt? That with friends that really do understand through their own experiences how hard life can be, you can carry on. With a pool of knowledgeable people who generously give their time and share what they have learnt, you can find a way through. With mad people who set up a charity, it gives hope. With PIN you can get support with the cost for expert reports that really do make a massive difference. As a family, we really did land on our feet when I met you lot. I don’t think any of you will ever realise how grateful I am for your support, guidance and friendship.
PIN, not only did you fund the reports that supported Hazel’s application for an EHCP and then actually get her an EHCP, she also got in to the school of her choice Limpsfield Grange. Thank you, thank you, thank you. PIN is an amazing charity that not only can help with funding independent reports, but also give expert advice to people who find it all baffling and very stressful, like me. I cannot explain the relief I feel.
Thank you for all your support
Charlotte
Isla and Skye
Dear Parents in Need
I just want to thank you for all your help over the last few years.
Although 2020 was a difficult year for many. For my family it was life changing. As the pandemic took hold and the schools started to close, we found ourselves like every other parent, attempting to home school.
Our daughters Isla, now aged 10, and Skye, aged 8, both have complex special educational needs including Autism with a PDA profile, ADHD, Dyspraxia, Hypermobility, OCD, Emetophobia, and severe sensory processing disorder. We also have a 4-year-old daughter Cali, who is currently on the diagnosis pathway.
Just as we entered the first lockdown, Isla’s Educational, Health and Care Plan was under annual review and Skye was just beginning the same process, which proved extremely difficult as the Local Authority only agreed to Educational Psychology and Occupational Therapy assessments remotely via Zoom. Without an EHCP a child or young person cannot access the support they need.
By the time July 2020 came around, we had two final EHCPs in place but they weren’t reflective of either girl’s needs and unfit for purpose. My incredible wife Charlene instantly knew we would have to appeal both of them as it was very clear that they would need a specialist school placement, with Isla’s anxiety causing crippling stomach pains and vomiting and Skye spending each day colouring at a desk in the corridor as she couldn’t cope with the sensory environment and demands of a mainstream class of 32 children.
Since falling pregnant with our youngest, Charlene has been very unwell after complications from surgery, Pulmonary Emboli, Lupus and Sepsis which have left her lungs damaged and spending a lot of the last 2 years shielding on government advice.
Due to the changes in my wife’s health and the needs of our family, I had to put my career on hold and for the last 5 years have been a full-time carer.
Financially we weren’t in a position to afford the assessments required and after many sleepless nights searching for a solution, we were put in contact with Parents In Need, and sent a rather lengthy email explaining the situation we were in.
It wasn’t long before we heard back and after exchanging several emails, we started the tribunal process for Isla and Skye which included Speech and Language assessments for both girls that were generously funded by PIN. This was the first time Isla and Skye underwent Speech and Language assessments as the Local Authority had always refused us despite our many requests.
In November 2020, both Isla and Skye were excluded from their mainstream school due to their anxiety related behaviours. That same week they both started their PIN funded Speech and Language assessments with Juanita Hurley. During these assessments we discovered just how much support Isla and Skye would require going forward. Juanita produced thorough tribunal standard reports of just under 50 pages each, going into detail about the girls’ specific needs and what placement would be most appropriate.
Almost a year later, in July of 2021 the Local Authority conceded the day before tribunal on both cases due to the evidence provided highlighting the girl’s needs, allowing us to secure placements at two independent specialist schools with weekly 1:1 Speech and Language sessions.
Without the help and support from Parents In Need, my family wouldn’t be in the position it is today and the impact this has had on us all is just incredible.
We want to say a big heartfelt thank you to Parents In Need.
Jas and Charlene Halsey
Parents of Isla and Skye
Tobi
Dear Parents In Need
Parents in Need kindly funded an Educational Psychology assessment with Ann Baumber for our 5-year-old son Tobi. Tobi has Down’s Syndrome with complex needs across all domains including: sensory, visual, hearing, motor and cognitive. Our NHS reports did not reflect his needs and made very limited recommendations for his provision. Ann did an amazing and very thorough job of bringing this all together and thinking about the consequences for his education and psychological needs.
Ann made recommendations for provision I didn’t know to ask/fight for, for example additional hours for Tobi to have a TA for planning and resources, but most helpfully she recommended a specialist teacher should visit the school each half term to advise on how the curriculum should be adjusted for him. We are so grateful for this as we feel this specialist guidance will make a huge difference for Tobi and the mainstream team who are supporting him.
Words don’t seem enough but we would like to say a huge thank you to PIN, as we would not have had the financial means to have funded Ann’s assessment. As parents, we have learnt a lot from Ann’s expert assessments and how better to support Tobi, however the best part about our story is that with your, Ann’s and SOS!SEN support we WON our tribunal in December. Tobi now has weekly SLT, Weekly OT, a specialist teacher each half term and dedicated support for 32.5 hours whilst at school. Tobi is now in two-term into his first year at school and is loving it. He has made friends and the school is learning how better to support his complex needs. We are very grateful for all the support that has been given to make sure that he has the best start in his schooling years.
THANK YOU
Joanne Hurford, Tobi Lasso’s Mum
Carly
Dear PIN
Fabulous news! Panel yesterday for the 3rd time and they agreed to the Mary Hare School for Carly!!! Definitely couldn’t have done it without your support in getting the fabulous reports.
So grateful – thank you so much!
Mel Adshead
Mary
Dear Parents In Need
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to you for everything that you have done for Mary and our family. As parents who have a child with special needs we are often put in the position of feeling like it’s “Us” against “Them” but you have made those feelings go away.
Thanks to PIN Mary is now happily settled into her new school and we have PIN to thank for that. The generosity you have shown has gone far beyond the financial means but also one of kindness and compassion. You were there for us just when we needed support and because of this Mary’s future is so much brighter now. Your support has been immeasurable. Thank you so much for everything!
Best Wishes
Mary and Family
Poppy
“Poppy is almost 9 years old. From the age of 18 months I was concerned with her lack of speech progression. Local services kept turning us away, in total – six times!
We were eventually seen by an amazing multidisciplinary team at the Evelina London who diagnosed Poppy with severe developmental language disorder.
We then began the lengthy process of applying for an Education, Health and Care Planfor Poppy which was granted first time around. When the lady from the LA called to tell me, I remember thanking her and saying ‘this is going to change Poppy’s life’ I laugh at my naivety now.
The Local Authority named a school without even consulting us – this school was forced on us without any knowledge of our rights as parents. Poppy began in Sept 2017. She remained at this setting for almost 2 years, until I withdrew her in July 2019 after her mental health took a drastic decline.
In this setting she was bullied, left in soiled clothes, medication forgotten and missed Speech and Language Therapy appointments due to the staff having days off in term time. In Nov 2018 during an emergency annual review at her school – I was told that Poppy was progressing, and all of this was in my head – they had safeguarding concerns.
I left that meeting with the heaviest heart, my mental health began to deteriorate to the point of suicidal thoughts. I was desperate and I didn’t know where to turn. I made a call to SOS!SEN and Jill answered. And I cried, and cried as I explained what was happening.
And that’s when a miracle happened. Jill spoke with Parents In Need who agreed to fund an Educational Psychologist report although it turned out that we needed an Occupational Therapist’s report and a Speech and Language Therapist’s one too which Parents In Need also generously agreed to fund. Moor House school, which specialises in speech and language, offered Poppy a place. At last she was going to get the support she needed.
Roll on one year, after a lot of rejection from the Local Authority – we were forced to go to tribunal. The hearing was postponed, then adjourned and then finally held by a judge who ordered Poppy back to the same school against all the advice from the expert witnesses.
We’ve been advised that there are clear errors in the decision and we are appealing against it which could mean having to go back to tribunal. Our nightmare isn’t over yet, but I am prepared to go through it all again. I feel so much stronger now because I am so supported by Moorhouse School, by Parents In Need and by SOS!SEN.
I believe in guardian angels – and Catherine, Jill, Marion and all the other amazing ladies in our team. I know Poppy will get to where she deserves because these guardian angels will, if necessary, carry her there.
From the bottom of my heart – thank you.”
With all of our love Laura and Darren, Poppy and her big sisters Mollie and Emily xxx
Harry
“Thanks for considering my application, it would be great to get some help, I really am at breaking point now I’ve literally no reserve left in the pot. Will all be worth it if I can get Harry into the right school”.
Jo
UPDATE!
“Harry is absolutely loving school, it’s already given him loads of confidence, he’s not the bottom of the class anymore he’s enjoying sports, something I never thought I’d hear him say, he’s finding new independence, he got the most house points in his class at the end of his first term and won a voucher, he’s absolutely thriving, it’s everything I hoped it would be. His first parents’ meeting was amazing too, the teachers couldn’t say enough good things about him and he always tries really hard even if he doesn’t like doing something. Life is good!
Jo
Jude
“I cannot stress enough how reassuring it felt to have a charity like Parents In Need in my corner during the tribunal process. The advice and help was invaluable – but there is also a strong sense of camaraderie when you find yourself involved with PIN. I hope that many more families will be able to benefit from PIN the way that I did.”
Jude’s Mum
Mollie
“I am at breaking point. I am about to embark on my third tribunal to get my daughter Mollie, aged 10, into special school. Mollie has a long standing history of reflex anoxic seizures which meant prolonged episodes of hypoxia which they suspect has caused a significant brain injury. She is currently 4 years behind and is extremely vulnerable. I have already spent in excess of £2,000 on private reports and am about to do the same in January. However I cannot afford SALT, OT and EP. I am a part time oncology nurse with 4 children and my husband’s business has come across hard times.”
Lucy
Several months later…
“WE HAVE WON! Surrey conceded this morning and Mollie will be going to Moor House in September. Without the help of the PIN I couldn’t have done it so THANK-YOU! We are just so incredibly happy and relieved! Parents in Need helped me to access and fund the best private therapists who would be able to assess Mollie from top to toe, left to right – I knew they were the ones to leave no stone unturned. Without their help we wouldn’t be where we are today!
Several months and lots of tears later, I am beyond elated to be a Moor House Mum. Moor House is a specialist speech and language provision with smaller classes and intensive therapy delivered by specialist teachers, which will give Mollie every chance for a positive future.”
Lucy
Thomas
“I can’t thank Parents In Need enough for the support they have offered me during this process. Already through your support of Thomas, it has been possible to identify needs that have previously been missed or ignored even though I have voiced concerns about them. We are now getting a much more detailed view of Thomas and how best to support him as he continues through education.”
Kim
Some months later
“I am so pleased to tell you that the hearing for Thomas went ahead at the beginning of March and we won about 95% of what we were asking for. I have to say that I don’t believe we would have been as successful as we were without the evidence provided by both of the expert reports that you funded for us. Throughout the hearing evidence given from our experts showed that Thomas has truly been misunderstood and looked over through the last 5 years at school. The recommendations from both the education psychologist report and the speech and language report have now been included in Thomas’ EHCP and include weekly speech and occupational therapy and specialist dyslexia teaching and it has been agreed to finally add Dyslexia to his list of needs.
I can’t thank you enough for all the support you have given throughout this whole process, it’s been so overwhelming and stressful but it’s been made better knowing there are organisations such as yourselves out there who are willing to help and support.”
Kim
“Just a little update, tribunal was Thursday and they have just adjourned it. I think they forget a small child actually behind all that paperwork. Sad isn’t it. Like to keep in touch as couldn’t do this without PIN”.
Carrie
From our sister charity SOS!SEN
“I saw yesterday a lovely family from Kent. The daughter is nearly 12 and quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. She cannot speak and has to access the computer with a joy stick. Parents went to Tribunal last Summer but without evidence. They could not believe that their daughter was to be sent to mainstream school.”
Marion Strudwick
And from another parent in need
“Each individual who has supported the charity won’t know the difference it will make to my daughter and our family. Thank you PIN so much for your kindness. At least we have a fighting chance to get my daughter what she needs and she won’t be another child suicide statistic. This help has given her a chance to learn to love her own strengths and to love herself again.”