Advocacy for children, families & adults

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Advocacy is about standing alongside you or your family to support your voice, rights and choices when navigating systems such as education, health, social care, benefits, work or housing. It’s more than signposting.

Signposting gives you information or referrals to other services, and advocacy actively helps you understand and challenge decisions, access entitlements, articulate needs, and communicate effectively with professionals, organisations or statutory services.

What is Advocacy?

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Advocacy for Children and Families

  • Support to understand and navigate education systems, statutory processes, and SEND entitlements.


    Examples of support:
    • Help preparing for EHCP assessments and reviews - click here for more information
    • Guidance and representation at SEN meetings/school reviews
    • Support communicating with schools and multi-disciplinary teams
    • Assistance in understanding school provision and reasonable adjustments

  • Supporting families to engage with local authority children’s services where needed.


    Examples of support:
    • Guidance on understanding and requesting Child in Need or early help assessments
    • Helping communicate needs with social workers and professionals
    • Support with care planning discussions or onward referrals. For example, requesting access to respite/short breaks

  • Helping families understand and access financial entitlements connected to disability, schooling or family needs.


    Examples of support:
    • Guidance on benefits related to children’s needs (e.g. DLA / PIP for young people)
    • Support exploring grants or funding for therapies or equipment
    • Helping families articulate impact of needs for financial applications
    • Liaising with agencies on benefit eligibility

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  • Advocacy may be helpful if you feel your child’s needs are not being understood, meetings with professionals feel overwhelming, or you would like support navigating education, SEND or social care processes. 


  • An EHCP may be appropriate if your child has significant or long-term needs that require support beyond what the school can normally provide. Advocacy can help families understand the process and prepare for discussions with professionals. 

  • Support strategies vary depending on your child’s needs. Some families benefit from advocacy to help communicate with schools, while others may benefit from an assessment or specialist support to better understand their child’s needs. 

  • During the consultation we discuss your concerns, review any reports or documentation, and explore possible next steps to help support your child. 

  • Advocacy can help parents prepare for meetings, understand their rights, and communicate their child’s needs clearly to professionals. 

Children & Families Advocacy FAQ’s

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Advocacy for Adults and Carers

  • Support to navigate assessment processes, service planning and rights.


    Examples of support:
    • Representation at adult social care assessments & care planning
    • Help accessing carers’ assessments and support entitlements
    • Support communicating needs with care providers or local authorities
    • Clarifying legal rights under the Care Act

  • Helping adults understand, apply for and challenge financial support where needed.


    Examples of support:
    • Assistance with benefit applications (e.g. PIP, Universal Credit)
    • Support accessing disability-related financial schemes
    • Guidance on financial rights and obligations
    • Liaison with DWP or third-party organisations

  • Support to access workplace and housing rights, adjustments and support plans.


    Examples of support:
    • Help with requests for workplace adjustments - click here for more information
    • Support communicating with employers about reasonable adjustments
    • Guidance on housing needs and adaptations
    • Assistance with disputes over employment

Make a referral

  • Advocacy may be helpful if you already know what support you need but are finding it difficult to navigate systems such as adult social care, employment, benefits, or housing. Advocacy helps you understand processes, communicate your needs clearly, and prepare for meetings or decisions. 

  • All advocacy support begins with a one-hour consultation. During this session we explore your situation, review any relevant documents, clarify what outcome you are hoping for, and discuss possible next steps. 

  • Advocacy may support adults with adult social care processes, workplace adjustments, benefit applications, housing issues, or communicating with services and organisations. 

  • No. Advocacy helps ensure your needs are clearly understood and communicated. However, decisions about services or support are made by the relevant organisation or authority. 

  • The practitioner records their recommendations and Operations reviews the next steps. If you wish to proceed, the most appropriate associate practitioner will be allocated and they will then work directly with you. 

Adult Advocacy FAQ’s

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  • The fees are an accurate guide, but can vary depending on the service required. Please contact us for an individualised quotation.

    *When applicable, we can provide means-tested discounts. If you're experiencing financial difficulties, please inform us, and we'll assess whether we can assist in covering part of the service expenses.

  • We accept payments via BACS Transfer.

  • We accept credit and debit card payments via Stripe for your convenience.

    Please note that card payments are subject to a 2.99% processing fee, which will be added to the invoice total to cover transaction costs.

    All payments are processed securely through Stripe, a trusted global payment provider.

  • For assessment services, we offer the option to pay in two instalments. The total fee can be split into two payments of 50%:

    • 50% is payable at the time of booking to secure your assessment appointment.

    • The remaining 50% is due upon completion of the assessment, prior to the release of the final report.

    There is no additional fee if paying via BACS.

    Please note that any applicable card or Buy Now, Pay Later processing fees will be added if these payment methods are used.

  • If your assessment or therapy expenses are set to be covered by your private medical insurance, kindly provide us with your insurer details for seamless payment coordination between you and your insurance provider. Our affiliation encompasses registration with Aviva, AXA, BUPA and Vitality Health, facilitating a streamlined process for your convenience.

  • We are pleased to offer flexible payment options to make accessing our services easier. Clients can choose to pay via Klarna or PayPal “Buy Now, Pay Later”, subject to approval by the payment provider.

    Please note that payments made using Klarna or PayPal Pay Later will incur an additional 4.99% processing fee, which will be added to the invoice total to cover transaction costs.

    Availability of these payment options is subject to eligibility and approval by Klarna or PayPal, and we are unable to influence or guarantee approval decisions.

Our Payment Options

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Reviews

  • Five teal stars in a row on a white background.

    "Lycali provided a thorough and compassionate autism assessment. Everything was explained clearly, and I finally feel understood. I wish I’d done this sooner."

  • Five teal five-pointed stars in a row.

    "I’ve worked with other services before, but Lycali stands out for their professionalism and empathy. My therapist helped me navigate some really difficult times with sensitivity and skill."

  • Five blue stars in a row

    I just wanted to say thank you to Dr Isobel Robb and Stephanie for making the assessment comfortable for both me and my parents to conduct. It was very thorough and the outcome will definitely help me in my future. I'm really thankful for receiving the results so quickly

  • Five blue five-pointed stars in a row on a black background.

    “Thank you so much for all your help, support and care. You have explained everything we needed and thank you for saying I can get in touch if we need any more help.”

  • Five blue stars in a row.

    “You were very patient with our son and always gave us ideas so that we could support him between therapy sessions. Thank you so much!”

  • Five teal-colored five-pointed stars aligned in a row on a black background.

    “After our daughter's Speech and language assessment, you offered great feedback and your report was very detailed. This was a huge help towards the EHCP process.”

  • Five blue five-pointed stars in a row.

    "My daughter’s speech has improved so much in just a few months. Our speech therapist at Lycali was kind, engaging, and always kept us involved with providing follow up activities. I highly recommend them."

  • Five blue stars with black stars in the background.

    “Heidi was very engaging and really listened to the needs of my son. She explained her methods and gave us tips to try at home. We are really pleased with the service.”

  • “The calls have helped me to find more space and given me a safe space to discuss and release emotions. Tim's nature and communication is comforting and supportive, he adds thoughts and questions which offer space to analyse and to help growth.”

  • "Heidi was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. She gave our son room to explore and enjoyable targets".

  • Five blue stars in a row, linked by a black line above the stars.

    "Heidi was very patient with my child and has made him confident to use his voice"

  • Five blue five-pointed stars in a row.

    "I can’t thank you enough for your help and support with my son. I will most certainly be coming back to your services again for an autism assessment".

  • Five blue five-pointed stars in a row.

    "The ADHD assessment process was seamless, evidence-based, and respectful. I felt listened to throughout, and the diagnosis has helped me finally understand myself."

  • Five blue stars in a horizontal row on a black background.

    Everything has been amazing so thanks to you, Isobel and Stephanie. You have made things really easy with clear and quick communication and they really created a safe environment instantly.

  •  

    Thank you so much. It was a pleasure working with your staff. They were really kind and helpful and made the process easier for both me and Matilda.

  • Five teal stars in a row.

    "We had a brilliant experience with Lycali. The assessment process was clear, kind, and professional from start to finish. My son felt at ease, and we finally have a clear plan for supporting his needs."

  • Five blue stars in a row, indicating a five-star rating.

    "I was nervous about starting therapy, but the team at Lycali made me feel heard and respected from day one. Their care was outstanding, and the progress I’ve made is life-changing."

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Lycali offers a professional and friendly service where time and attention can be taken to ensure the service received is of the highest standard and there is minimal waiting time. Our specialist team will always take the time to provide expert advice so you are aware of all the pre- and post-diagnostic and therapy services available. Our clinic is for children and adults, based in Thanet and surrounding areas. We provide online or in-person therapy sessions.

About Lycali

Meet the Team
A room with a white wall, ceiling tiles, and a blue carpet. There are shelves with boxes labeled 'Toys' and 'Sensory Toolkit,' books, and decorative items. A small wooden table, a blue plastic chair, and part of a hospital-style bed or play area are
A waiting room with a beige tufted sofa and patterned pillows, surrounded by wall art, a small bookshelf, a table with children's books, a white cabinet with drawers, a window with blinds, and an emergency exit sign.
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Classroom or playroom with blue carpet, plastic storage bins with labels, a gray trash can, a white table with blue chairs, and various toys and ribbons on a blue table.
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Table with colorful toys including a donut-shaped toy, a stuffed duck, a yellow ball with a smiley face, various textured balls, a green plastic chain, and a plastic syringe, with a large dartboard in the background.
A sandy beach with calm ocean water, ships in the distance, and a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Colorful game on table with rainbow spiral staircase and small balls, jungle-themed wall art featuring a lion, monkey, parrot, snake, toucan, and turtle, a felt board with "How I'm Feeling... Excited" with cartoon berry character, and small stacked b
View of the ocean with a cloudy sky, a ship in the distance, and buildings along the shoreline. Green foreground vegetation and a metal railing border a walkway.

Because Every Individual Deserves to Be Understood

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