FAMILIES
HELPING A SHOOTING STAR SOAR
Tangiwai Candy from Shentons reveals how fighting for her daughter ’ s special educational needs inspired her to help others
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Anyone with a child who needs extra learning support knows how difficult it can be to get that ,” says solicitor Tangiwai Candy , who has joined the Special Educational Needs Team at Shentons . “ My experiences of battling against a system where the odds are often stacked against parents made me all the more determined to fight for my daughter .”
Tangiwai ’ s daughter Matakokiri was born with Williams syndrome , a rare genetic disorder that causes learning difficulties , challenges with visual spatial tasks and uninhibited behaviour . It affects around one in 18,000 people in the UK .
“ Before Matakokiri was born I ’ d spent 15 years as a solicitor specialising in children ’ s law ,” Tangiwai says . “ Getting special educational needs ( SEN ) support and then an Education and Health Care Plan ( EHCP ) was a huge challenge – even for me .
“ Many parents aren ’ t aware that there is a special educational needs law in place that local authorities must comply with . The process is extremely complex , with extensive form-filling and reports needed as evidence . The importance of independent experts at this stage is often critical .”
Budgets are tight . “ Parents who fight the hardest will inevitably secure more for their children than those who don ’ t ,” Tangiwai says . “ That ’ s when specialist legal support can make a huge difference .”
Realising she would be unable to return to her career if she was to prioritise her daughter ’ s needs , Tangiwai made the difficult decision to walk away from a job she loved . “ With that , I felt I lost some of my identity , but I was determined to help my daughter ,” she says .
“ I joined support groups , read and read into law surrounding EHCP provision and attended a specialist law course for parents , which proved invaluable . As my knowledge grew I began to help other parents too .”
Spurred on by her own experiences , Tangiwai approached Shentons , where solicitor Hannah Adams – who has a SEN child with an EHCP – recognised her wealth of experience . “ Hannah and I are both passionate about helping other people in our position and we also understand the emotional side of parenting a child where there are additional challenges ,” she says . “ Getting part-time hours from a firm that cares about its people ’ s family lives was a huge plus .
“ For some parents we handle almost all the process ; for others we work more in an advisory role . Every child deserves an education that meets their needs . Most importantly , every child also has legal rights to get those needs met .”
Matakokiri means ‘ shooting star ’ in Maori . With Tangiwai – and Shentons – beside her , this little girl will definitely be reaching for the stars .
01962 844544 www . shentons . co . uk
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