Across the UK, schools are working harder than ever to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Dedicated staff, committed leadership teams, and evolving systems all play a role in improving outcomes.
But there’s a challenge that sits just beyond the school gates.
For many families, accessing the specialist assessments needed to secure the right educational provision remains out of reach.
That’s why Earwig Academic is proud to collaborate with Parents in Need — a partnership built on a shared mission: ensuring every child has access to the education that truly meets their needs.
The gap families are facing
Even when a school has clearly identified that a child requires additional or alternative provision, the process of securing that support can be complex, lengthy, and costly.
Independent assessments — often critical in Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) applications and appeals — can include:
These reports are not just helpful — they are often decisive.
Yet for many families, the cost of obtaining them privately creates an insurmountable barrier.
The result? Children remaining in settings that are not right for them, while schools continue to stretch already limited resources trying to bridge the gap.
A child at the centre: a case study
To understand the real impact of this gap, consider the story of “A,” a Year 5 pupil in a mainstream primary school in the South East.
“A” was bright, curious, and deeply creative — but increasingly unable to access learning in the classroom. Teachers noticed significant difficulties with attention, processing instructions, and emotional regulation. Despite multiple school-based interventions, progress remained limited.
The school’s SENCO recognised that further specialist assessment was needed to fully understand A’s needs and support an EHCP application. However, the family were unable to afford private assessments, and waiting times for statutory services stretched ahead by many months.
During this period:
It was a situation where everyone was working hard — but without the right evidence, progress was stalled.
Through referral to Parents in Need, the family were able to access funded specialist assessments, including an educational psychology report and speech and language evaluation.
These assessments provided the clarity that had been missing:
With this in place, the school was able to strengthen its case confidently and collaboratively with the family.
Within months, A transitioned to a more appropriate setting where targeted support was in place from day one.
The change was significant — not just academically, but emotionally. Teachers reported improved engagement, reduced anxiety, and a child who was finally able to access learning in a meaningful way.
A shared commitment to better outcomes
Parents in Need exists to ensure that families are not blocked from support simply because of cost.
By enabling access to essential assessments, the charity helps remove one of the most common barriers in the SEND pathway.
The impact is clear:
With the right evidence in place, 97% of children are successfully moved into more appropriate educational settings.
For schools, this means fewer prolonged cases of unmet need and more children receiving timely, appropriate support.
Where Earwig Academic fits in
At Earwig Academic, we support schools and trusts by strengthening the quality and clarity of SEND evidence from within.
Our platform enables educators to:
This ensures that when external assessments are added, they sit on a strong foundation of school-based insight.
Why this partnership matters
The collaboration between Earwig Academic and Parents in Need represents a more joined-up approach to SEND support:
It is a recognition that no single part of the system can solve SEND challenges alone — but together, the impact is transformative.
A more holistic SEND ecosystem
For too long, schools and families have carried different parts of the same challenge in isolation.
This partnership demonstrates a more effective model — one where:
Because when schools and families are both empowered, outcomes improve not just individually — but systemically.
Looking ahead
As the SEND landscape continues to evolve, collaboration will play an increasingly important role in delivering meaningful change.
At Earwig Academic, we are committed to working alongside organisations like Parents in Need to ensure that no child’s progress is limited by access to support.
Get involved
If you are a school or trust looking to strengthen your SEND provision, or supporting families who may benefit from additional guidance:
Together, we can build a system where every child has the chance to thrive — with the right support, at the right time.