Advocacy for children, families & adults

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?

Who Is Our Service For?

Children, young people and families navigating education, SEND, health, social care or related systems;

Adults and carers needing support to understand and access social care, benefits, employment or housing-related support;

Individuals with neurodivergence, communication needs, or complex conditions where additional representation and support can help achieve fair outcomes.

Why Choose Us?

Our service is grounded in neuro-affirming and SEN practice. We value lived experience and individual voice. We avoid generic labels and instead focus on what really helps each person thrive.

Advocacy for Children and Families

Education & SEND

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

Social Care

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

Financial Support

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

Advocacy for Adults and Carers

Adult Social Care

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

Financial / Benefits

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

Employment & Housing

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 or housing provision

Not sure which service you need?

Reviews

"Lycali provided a thorough and compassionate autism assessment. Everything was explained clearly, and I finally feel understood. I wish I’d done this sooner."
"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."
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
“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.”
“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!”
“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.”
"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."
“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".
"Heidi was very patient with my child and has made him confident to use his voice"
"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".
"The ADHD assessment process was seamless, evidence-based, and respectful. I felt listened to throughout, and the diagnosis has helped me finally understand myself."
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.
"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."
"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."

Leave us a review on Google: Leave a review

About Lycali

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.

Meet the Team

Because Every Individual Deserves to Be Understood

Advocacy for children, families & adults

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy for Children and Families

Advocacy for Adults and Carers

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

"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."

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

“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.”

“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!”

“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.”

"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."

“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".

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

"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".

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

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.

"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."

"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."

About Lycali