About Us

Claire Jackson - Director

2003

Claire joined IPSEA

Following a joint venture in setting up a local SEN parents' group in 2002, Claire joined IPSEA, a renowned national charity, as a volunteer telephone advisor and later a Tribunal Support Service Representative. Claire says:

“One of the most valuable lessons I learned was the fundamental importance of using the law to secure, and if necessary, enforce rights to ensure that children and young people receive the special educational provision they are legally entitled to. I have been privileged to advise and support many families over the years and I am incredibly passionate about children and young people with SEND receiving the education they are legally entitled to”.

This led Claire to successfully complete her LLB Law (1st class) and Higher Diploma in Paralegal Practice in 2011.

2009

Claire worked as a Consultant Mentor for Durham University’s Pro Bono Project

This involved training, mentoring and supervising law students to give advice in the area of special educational needs and disability law.

2012

Claire joined the Legal Team at IPSEA

There she remained in this role until 2018. During this period her roles and responsibilities included the following:

Providing specialist legal advice and support to a large group of volunteers nationwide
Drafting legal training on the special educational needs and disability framework
Delivering legal training to large groups of parent/carers, professionals (including local authorities/NHS staff), schools and those working within statutory services
Representing parents in the SEND Tribunal
Investigating and responding to local authority unlawful policy
Drafting responses to national consultations on specialist subject matters such as the Equality Act 2010, exclusion from school, home education and SEND funding
Giving oral evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Equality Act 2010 and Disability
Drafting legal resources for volunteers and the public website
Drafting a quarterly subscriber’s legal briefing

2018

Claire set up Special Educational Needs Expert Training & Advocacy Ltd.

Claire regularly attends the Northern SEND Tribunal User Group and is a member of the Education Law Association (ELAS). Although Claire is based in the North East of England she is able to travel and work across the country.