In this episode of SEN Talks, we’re joined by barrister Matthew Wyard of 39 Essex Chambers to explore one of the most challenging stages for families of young people with SEND: the transition from children’s to adult social care.We discuss:Why preparation should begin as early as Year 9 (or earlier);The realities of Section 20 agreements and parental responsibility;Common misconceptions around care proceedings;The key differences between social care support and NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding;How and when CHC assessments take place and why timing matters;The range of social care assessments families may encounter.With practical insights and clear legal guidance, this episode aims to empower parents and carers with the knowledge they need to navigate the system confidently and avoid the “cliff edge” at 18.Credits:Post-production editing by Goldson Photography - https://www.goldsonphotography.co.uk/.... Edited by ⁠⁠Dreamlancers⁠⁠.Music is 'Sunshine' by lemonmusicstudio.Want more from Geldards SEN? Be sure to follow our social media channels!All links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/geldardssen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.geldards.com/children-and....Follow us on social media: @GeldardsSEN on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube.

In this episode of SEND Talks, Salise Dourmoush is joined by Matthew Wyard, barrister at 39 Essex Chambers, to discuss the legal issues that can arise when young people with special educational needs move into adulthood.As children approach the age of 16 and beyond, families may encounter complex legal concepts such as deprivation of liberty, capacity assessments and Court of Protection proceedings. Understanding how these frameworks work is essential when decisions are being made about where a young person will live and what care they will receive.Matthew explains:What deprivation of liberty means in practiceWhen authorisation is required and who provides itThe difference between care homes, residential placements and supported livingWhat happens if parents disagree with a proposed placementThe role of the Court of Protection and legal aid in challenging decisionsHow tools such as lasting powers of attorney and deputyship can support families in the futureThe conversation also explores the broader goal of supporting young people to lead independent and fulfilling lives while ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place.This episode offers practical insight for parents, carers and professionals supporting young people with SEND as they transition into adulthood.Credits:Post-production editing by Goldson Photography - https://www.goldsonphotography.co.uk/.... Edited by ⁠⁠Dreamlancers⁠⁠.Music is 'Sunshine' by lemonmusicstudio.Want more from Geldards SEN? Be sure to follow our social media channels!All links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/geldardssen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.geldards.com/children-and....Follow us on social media: @GeldardsSEN on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube.

Participation in sport and recreational activities can play a vital role in a child’s development, confidence and wellbeing. However, for many children with special educational needs and neurodiversity, accessing these opportunities remains a significant challenge.In this episode of SEN Talks, Adam and Salise discuss the barriers families often encounter when trying to engage their children in mainstream clubs, from overwhelming environments to a lack of trained staff and inclusive coaching practices. Drawing on personal experiences as parents and professionals working within the SEND legal landscape, they reflect on why many children fall into an “in-between” gap, unable to fully access mainstream provision but without appropriate alternatives available.The conversation also explores positive examples of inclusive sports initiatives and the role that community organisations, charities and local authorities can play in improving provision. From accessible football sessions to adapted boxing programmes, these initiatives demonstrate how the right support, training and environment can transform participation.Ultimately, the episode asks an important question: what would truly inclusive recreational provision look like for children with SEN and how do we get there?Credits:Post-production editing by Goldson Photography - https://www.goldsonphotography.co.uk/.... Edited by ⁠⁠Dreamlancers⁠⁠.Music is 'Sunshine' by lemonmusicstudio.Want more from Geldards SEN? Be sure to follow our social media channels!All links here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/geldardssen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.geldards.com/children-and....Follow us on social media: @GeldardsSEN on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube.