Empowerment through Advocacy
Who We Are
We hold SEND Law qualifications at Levels 1, 2 and 3, and are currently completing a degree in Psychology with a focus on neurodiversity. This combination provides a strong grounding in SEND legislation and statutory guidance, alongside an academic understanding of neurodivergent profiles, learning, and support needs.
Our work is shaped by both professional practice and extensive lived experience. We bring over 10 years of lived experience supporting neurodivergent children, including navigating EHCPs, DLA, and wider disability systems. This first-hand experience gives us a deep understanding of how complex, emotional, and exhausting SEND processes can feel for families - particularly when concerns are minimised, support is delayed, or parents are repeatedly told to wait.
Alongside this, we have professional experience as an independent SEND advocate, supporting families with EHCNA requests, EHCP drafting and reviews, mediation and tribunal preparation, benefits applications, and ongoing advocacy support. We understand both the legal framework and the real-world impact decisions have on children and families.
Our approach is also informed by lived experience of neurodivergence within our practice. This means we are particularly mindful of sensory load, processing differences, communication fatigue, and the emotional weight that often accompanies SEND-related decision-making. We aim to work in a way that is calm, structured, flexible, and accessible, adapting our communication and pace to suit individual needs wherever possible.
Our work is underpinned by the 3 C’s of advocacy: Collaborate, Communicate, and Connect.
Collaborate
We work collaboratively with families, education settings, and professionals wherever possible. We believe the best outcomes are achieved when communication remains constructive and child-centred. Our role is to support families to engage confidently and effectively, not to escalate unnecessarily or replace parental voice.
Communicate
Clear, accessible communication is central to our work. We take time to explain processes, rights, and options in a way that feels manageable rather than overwhelming. Our communication is structured, transparent, and responsive to different processing and communication needs.
Connect
We aim to help families feel connected - to the process, to their options, and to the wider support available to them. Our approach is informed by lived experience of neurodivergence, ensuring support feels accessible, respectful, and grounded in real understanding.
We believe advocacy should feel supportive rather than stressful. Our role is not to take over, but to help families understand their rights, strengthen their voice, and move forward feeling clearer and more confident. We prioritise clarity over jargon, collaboration over conflict, and solutions that are realistic, proportionate, and in the best interests of the child or young person.
We work with a small number of families at any one time, allowing us to offer personalised, responsive support rather than a one-size-fits-all service. Whether families need guidance with a specific piece of work or more structured advocacy support, our aim is always the same: to provide clear, compassionate, and ethically grounded advocacy.
Compass Advocacy SEND is an independent SEND advocacy service supporting families to navigate education and disability systems with clarity, care, and confidence.
Hayley-Anna Hipkiss
Founder and Lead SEND Advocate
Join Us in Advocacy
Supporting Families, One Step at a Time
Become a part of our mission to advocate for children and young people. Let's work together to ensure every family has the support they need.