Hello, I'm Ally
BSc (Hons), NASENCO, IPSEA SEND LAW L3
18 + YEARS SEN SPECIALIST,
ASD, ADHD & DYSLEXIA COACH
I created The SENDNest to give families, schools and young people the kind of support I wished existed years ago. My journey in education began in 2007, and it has shaped every part of who I am. I’ve spent my entire career working closely with children who learn, think and communicate in their own unique ways. The more I learned, the more determined I became to make sure every child is understood, valued and given the chance to thrive.
But my work is not only professional — it’s personal.
I am a SEND mother myself. I know what it feels like to sit on the other side of the table, to fight for your child, to navigate systems that can feel confusing and, at times, overwhelming. That experience changed me. It strengthened my empathy, sharpened my practice and anchored the phrase that guides everything I do:
“Always a mother first, then a specialist.”
I completed my BSc with Honours in 2006 before going on to qualify as a SENCo in 2013. Since then I have supported pupils across mainstream, independent and specialist settings, guided teachers through inclusive practice and worked with families who are trying to navigate a system that often feels overwhelming.
Alongside my SENCo qualification, I hold the IPSEA Level 3 in SEND Law, which allows me to support parents with clarity and confidence when they are dealing with EHCPs, tribunals or complex decisions.
The SENDNest is my way of bringing all of this experience together — the professional insight, the legal training, and the lived understanding that only a parent in the SEND world can truly hold. My goal is simple: for families and schools to feel supported, informed and never alone.
my approach
"Always a mother first, then a specialist"
SEND work isn’t just what I do – it’s part of who I am. As a parent myself, I know the worry, the hope and the exhaustion that can come with trying to secure the right support for your child. I’ve seen how the right provision can lift a child’s confidence, strengthen their friendships and open doors they didn’t know they could walk through.
I created The SENDNest for families who need somewhere safe to land. For the parents who feel unheard. For the children who communicate, learn and grow in their own beautiful ways. For the young people who deserve adults who truly understand them.
My focus is simple: Clear guidance. Practical solutions. Support that puts your child at the heart of every decision. Whether you’re navigating an EHCP, preparing for a meeting, questioning what your child needs or trying to make sense of a system that can feel impossible, I want you to feel supported every step of the way.
You don’t have to carry this alone. I’m here to walk with you, to help you see the whole picture, and to make the process calmer, clearer and far more manageable – so your child can thrive and you can breathe a little easier, so you can focus on what truly matters: your child’s wellbeing, confidence and future.
Let’s work together
