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  • Volunteer stories
  1. Get involved
  2. Volunteer
  3. Volunteer stories

Volunteer stories

Volunteers are essential to the work we do, and we currently have over 100 people volunteering for us throughout England.  

You can find out more from some of the people who have volunteered for IPSEA over the years below. If you would like to get involved and volunteer for IPSEA, learn more about our different volunteering opportunities.

Jaysol's story: volunteering on the Advice Line

Jaysol's story: volunteering on the Advice Line

"It's an intensely rewarding role from both an intellectual and emotional standpoint. It's been extremely fulfilling to know that the advice that I've been giving to children and their families has enabled them to fight for what they deserve and are entitled to by law." Read more

Published: 28th May, 2026

Author: Holly Johnson

Libby's story: my volunteering journey

Libby's story: my volunteering journey

"Volunteering on the advice line has been a great and rewarding opportunity to support families in similar situations, whilst also developing skills to support my legal career." Read more

Published: 28th May, 2026

Author: Holly Johnson

Astrid's story: volunteering on the Tribunal Support Service

Astrid's story: volunteering on the Tribunal Support Service

"I understand first hand how it's like to all the challenges and fighting for Tribunal case, and I just wanted to empower parents to do the same thing and provide them with the information to to be able to advocate for their children." Read more

Published: 27th May, 2026

Updated: 28th May, 2026

Author: Holly Johnson

John's story: volunteering on the Advice Line

John's story: volunteering on the Advice Line

"You can get a feeling of the immediate impact you are having from the positive comments that parents make during the calls." Read more

Published: 4th June, 2024

Author: Emma Brock

Corinne's story: volunteering on the Tribunal Support Service

Corinne's story: volunteering on the Tribunal Support Service

"Knowing that I am making a difference to families is deeply fulfilling. I have developed a wealth of legal knowledge and confidence." Read more

Published: 3rd June, 2024

Updated: 4th June, 2024

Author: Emma Brock

Jackie's story: my volunteering journey

Jackie's story: my volunteering journey

"I believe that supporting a child or young person to access the education they are entitled to has a profound effect on the entire family. It helps to remove stress and anxiety, allowing families to start living a more normal life." Read more

Published: 7th May, 2024

Updated: 7th June, 2024

Author: Emma Brock

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Latest

  • New report: Breaking barriers

    New report: Breaking barriers

    We have published a new report highlighting persistent inequalities in how children and young people from under-served communities access special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision, and how their families access the legal advice they may need to secure that support.

  • Annual reviews during Tribunal contents appeals: Can LAs still issue amended EHC plans?

    Annual reviews during Tribunal contents appeals: Can LAs still issue amended EHC plans?

    With SEND Tribunal waits now reaching 18 months, many families face annual reviews during an ongoing appeal. Here's what families need to know.

  • SEND Tribunal hints and tips (2): 7 October

    SEND Tribunal hints and tips (2): 7 October

    This training is suitable for parents and carers currently going through an appeal against the contents of an EHC plan or an appeal against the school named in a plan

  • Reforming SEND without removing rights

    Reforming SEND without removing rights

    Hear from our Policy Manager, Catriona Moore, about why protecting children’s rights must remain central to decisions about SEND reform

Most read

  • Asking for an EHC needs assessment

    Asking for an EHC needs assessment

  • Template letters

    Template letters

    Download and make changes to our template letters to fit your situation

  • Template letter 1: making a request for an EHC needs assessment

    Template letter 1: making a request for an EHC needs assessment

  • EHC needs assessments

    EHC needs assessments

    An EHC needs assessment is an assessment of a child or young person’s education, health and care needs

  • Advice Line

    Advice Line

    Book an appointment for free and independent next-step legal information, advice and support on any educational issue that is a result of a child or young person’s SEND

  • Choosing a school/college with an EHC plan

    Choosing a school/college with an EHC plan

  • What happens in an EHC needs assessment

    What happens in an EHC needs assessment

  • The annual review process

    The annual review process

  • Contact us

    Contact us

  • Appealing to the SEND Tribunal

    Appealing to the SEND Tribunal

    The SEND Tribunal is an independent national tribunal which hears parents’ and young people’s appeals against LA decisions about the special educational needs of children and young people

How you can help IPSEA

How you can help IPSEA

Have you found the information on our website helpful today? If so, please consider donating! At IPSEA, we rely on your donations and fundraising efforts to help keep our vital services running. Read more

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Published: 19th March, 2014

Updated: 12th May, 2026

Author:

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IPSEA is registered charity number 327691
Limited company 02198066

Registered office: IPSEA, 2A Stansted Courtyard, Parsonage Road, Takeley, Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 6PU

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