Adrian Phillips
Having a child with special educational needs gives you a new perspective on life and causes you to re-evaluate your priorities. In 2000 I decided to resign from my employment and take responsibility for the education of my own son, who has Autistic Spectrum Disorder in addition to several co-morbid diagnosis, until I could secure the correct educational provision in order to meet his special educational needs.
This journey led me to appeal (and win) three separate education appeals and culminated in me securing funding for my son to receive an 'education otherwise than at school' package. I then established a special school to meet his needs and after several years of special educational support he returned to mainstream school in 2007 and has just successfully completed his GCSE studies.
At the age of 10 he had already been excluded from mainstream school, a special needs unit and a regional specialist school for Autism and the Local Authority were seeking to place him in a residential specialist school over 400 miles away from his family home. He is now studying 3 A-levels and a Welsh Baccalaureate in the sixth form of his school and hopes to go to university to study either Microbiology or Medicine.
I remember when he was young and the difficulties that he experienced. I remain forever grateful for the things he has taught me through his life and I am sure that this has made me a better person than I was before. If you would like more information about James, please click on the link at the side of the menu bar.
I studied for a Masters degree in Autism at the University of Wales, College of Medicine (Newport University Campus) and exited the course having obtained a Post-graduate Diploma in Autism. I had intended to complete my Master's dissertation, but at the time, I felt it more important to devote my time to establishing the school and therefore put all my energy into my role as Principal.
I also trained in Special Education Law with the charity IPSEA (Independent Panel for Special Education Advice) and have over 12 years experience of assisting parents with special education legal advice.
I now offer a UK wide Education Law Advocacy service to individuals and organisations and am well known and respected in the field of education law
I have been a specialist guest lecturer on the Master's of Education courses at the University of Newport where I have lectured on Special Education and Disability Discrimination Law and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).
In my professional capacity I see many such examples of injustice to children with special educational needs and I find it deeply satisfying to make a real difference to the lives of both the parents and the children for whom I advocate. I currently have a 98% success rate and believe that because I treat every case as if it was my own child, I am able to offer a more personalised service to my clients and am able to relate to their situation as I have personal experience of having a child with special educational needs and understand the stresses, strains and the joy that they bring to our lives.
I look forward to assisting you to secure a solution to your current educational issues. If you need help and advice on these, or any other matter relating to your child's special educational needs, please call me on Freephone 0800 612 5770 to arrange your FREE initial telephone consultation.
James Phillips
James is currently 17 years of age and is now at sixth form studying 2 A levels and a Welsh Baccalaureate. He hopes to go to university to study Medicine or Microbiology if he achieves the grades necessary in his subjects.
However, during his early years James' Asperger Syndrome and AD/HD had a major impact on James' life. If you would like to know more about James' experience within the education system, please click on the links below:
Legal move for Autistic Boy's Schooling
James's trouble - He's in a class of his own