Suzanne, mother of Tim (16) with severe autism, SLD, and challenging behaviour sought my help to get a DLA decision overturned and wrote this about my work on her case:

‘You delivered when you said you would, and everything that was asked from you was done. By carrying out the relevant tests, you were able to confirm that Tim had severe learning difficulties. Excellent! Couldn’t have asked for more! Emails were responded to very promptly. You always had time to discuss by telephone any issues.’

And later she wrote…    .

‘Have returned from Tim's Annual Review meeting in B today. Everyone was very impressed with your report and I have to say that it was very timely. The LEA rep is going to request some changes to his statement in light of it and it is going to accompany the Community Care Assessment request from Social Services. It is going to be much more useful than I first thought! Am sending it off tomorrow to the Tribunal Service.

‘My tribunal date is likely to be in January and I very much hope that this report will add a huge amount of weight to enable me to get the decision overturned. I will keep you informed’.

I got a text from Suzanne on 29th January (the day of the Tribunal hearing) …    .

’Thank you Hilary, we won and have got it (higher rate DLA mobility) indefinitely. We were in and out in less than 10 mins’

Feedback from Legal and other Professionals

Dear Hilary,

Thank you very much for your report which was very well received by our Barrister at our meeting yesterday afternoon.

Kind regards,
Marc (Solicitor to family in Eire)

'Thank you for your report - it is very detailed and extremely useful in highlighting the exact nature of Saskia's SEN. Thank you once again for your hard work'

Kathryn, (Solicitor)

Dear Hilary
I thought you would be pleased to hear that we managed to agree everything with (Council) today and so the Hearing will nor be going ahead on Monday. (The Council) agreed to all our proposed amendments to Parts 2 and 3 (which were essentially all the bits from your report) and V should hopefully be starting at (new school) very soon. Once again thanks for your help.

Kind regards, VP. (Solicitor to the S family)

'I just wanted to thank you again for your extremely detailed report regarding BW. I have just re-read it again in preparation for the new term and agree with your conclusions and recommendations about school meeting his needs. (I) want to thank you again for the comprehensive report and further understanding you have given about this family.

Kind regards, N (Paediatric Occupational Therapist)


'In the short time you have worked with us we have all been inspired, energised and informed by your expertise, knowledge and enthusiasm. We will miss you'.  'A person of extraordinary calibre and a breath of fresh air'.

Head Teacher and staff of Independent Specialist School, Surrey, June 2009.

More feedback from satisfied parents...

'Hi Hilary, report received. It looks so professional and is so in depth. Thank you so much. Kind regards, Michelle'

'Wow!!! What can I say? I had a little tear on a couple of occasions. You are so thorough and no stone is left unturned. A brilliant report, kind and caring, yet loads of information. It is great... thank you so much. Kind regards, M. '

'Hilary thanks again for the brilliant email to Marc (Solicitor). We appreciate everything you are striving to do for R' (father).