Legal firm to support charity with learning advice
8 Nov 05
Harper Macleod joins National Autistic Society to provide advocacy service under new Act
Commercial law firm Harper Macleod has teamed up with a national charity to offer a new service for parents seeking special educational support for their children.
The firm is working with the National Autistic Society to deliver the service - a free, telephone-based advice line staffed by trained volunteers who will provide advice and advocacy on additional educational needs, provision and entitlement.
Launching early next year, the service is designed to assist families to represent themselves at Additional Support Needs Tribunals - introduced by the Scottish Executive this month under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 - by giving them advice in preparing their case.
Where families cannot represent themselves, Harper Macleod lawyers will work closely with parents and NAS volunteers to prepare appeals and provide representation at hearings.
Stephanie Carr, a partner at Harper Macleod, said the firm expected the work to be both challenging and rewarding and that it would be offering advocacy services on a pro bono basis.
For more information about the service, email advocacyscotland@nas.org.uk .