Emma qualified in 2011 with a Law and History degree from the University of West of England, and obtained her Graduate Diploma in Law in 2012. She has 6 years’ experience working in the not-for-profit sector as an advisor-advocate before specialising for the last 4 years in Education Law with respect to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
192 North Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1JF
Licensed for 3 years
Education
Watkins have been instrumental in helping us appeal our daughter’s EHCP and getting the fundamental and necessary changes approved. Emma Grimbly has been an excellent communicator throughout, giving clear and concise advice and keeping us well informed.
We are grateful to her and her team for their professionalism and expertise and for pushing for the best outcome.
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I cannot recommend this legal team highly enough the support i received to help me win my son is ECHP was outstanding.
Thank you Emma
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I would like to thank Emma for all her hard work and with her knowledge of the SEN system she succeeded in getting my daughters school named in her EHCP after the initial plan had named a mainstream school that would never be able to meet her needs.
I would recommend Watkins Solicitors to anybody having issues with ECHP funding if your child needs to go to the school of your choice and you are not happy with your local council's decision don't give up give Watkins Solicitors a call i am sure they will be able to help.
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Thank you to Beverley and Emma with our SEN appeal, which was successful. Seemed a bit last minute/rushed at times, but didn't seem to be a barrier to producing documents of quality which I guess comes from experience. Also open to feedback and responsive on email, so thank you
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I used Watkins Solicitors for assistance in challenging my local authority regarding an unfit for purpose EHCP. Emma Grimbly and Liz Smith helped me secure a bespoke education for my son, via a Personal Budget, and my son is now thriving in his studies. Liz has a fantastic knowledge and background in SEN and education, and all were extremely professional. Watkins (Liz Smith and Keith Lomax) then helped enormously in pursuing a large complaint with my Local Authority, for years of failures relating to SEN support, which resulted in a very positive financial outcome for us. I could not recommend Watkins more highly when it comes to legal support relating to Education and SEN
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Through a very difficult process Emma and Beverley have been absolutely fantastic. They have helped advise, support and helped reduce the monumental stress of the EHCP. Their knowledge and expertise, working with the LA really helped us get the very best EHCP we could have hoped for. They have since given us follow up support in annual reviews and we will continue to use them each year. Thank you!
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Emma qualified in 2011 with a Law and History degree from the University of West of England, and obtained her Graduate Diploma in Law in 2012. She has 6 years’ experience working in the not-for-profit sector as an advisor-advocate before specialising for the last 4 years in Education Law with respect to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Languages Spoken: English
Watkins Solicitors Incorporating Brain Sinnott & Co
192 North Street
Bedminster
Bristol
BS3 1JF
Phone 0117 939 0350
WebsiteParalegal
Watkins Solicitors Incorporating Brain Sinnott & Co
?-2022
Trainee Solicitor
Watkins Solicitors Incorporating Brain Sinnott & Co
2022-present
Excellent service
We were glad with the support received. Excellent communication and honest advice throughout.
Solicitor named in this review: Emma Thompson, nee Grimbly
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Worth the money
Emma supported us through our EHCP Draft review process. Honestly I thought that I was just paying for someone to do what I would have done myself as I did a fair amount of research on all things EHCP but as I was completely worn down and overwhelmed with months of fighting with the LA, plus working, looking after the children and some difficult family issues I gave in and instructed Emma's support. Turns out that there were things I wouldn't have known to pick up and request. As a result we are now set up with a strong EHCP that we can use in our placement appeal with the LA, as the LA is pushing for a school which can't meet the EHCP provisions. If the EHCP was not strong and quantifiable the school would probably not say that even if they were not suitable. Furthermore Emma provided advice on appropriateness, or the lack of, of the SLT and EP assessments that were carried out. It was definitely worth the money.
Solicitor named in this review: Emma Thompson, nee Grimbly
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EHCP Process to gain access to a specialist setting
So much of what it takes to move a child with SEN towards the right setting is about following process and enforcing the rules and statutory timelines which seem to be ignored without someone legally minded pushing for you. I found the early stages of the EHCP process tricky and my daughter's mainstream school were not really invested in helping me to get the best out of the process. I decided to take my traumatised, burned out daughter out of school. It was a leap into the unknown because I had no school place to go to and no funding. With Emma's guidance we secured EOTAS funding for the second year, which enabled me to access learning from a variety of SEN settings for my daughter when she became well enough to engage with it, and to gently introduce her to learning again while the place at the school we wanted was becoming available. After over two years of waiting we have a school place in September. I would say that the last year to 6 months of this process where when the most action happened and that was the timeframe in which we had Emma's help. Its a very worthwhile investment and although you will still need to read/ write and compile evidence and be across all aspects of the process for your child - having someone to marshal those resources and information and to direct the local authority towards their duty of care and responsibilities legally speaking was a game changer for my daughter and I.
Solicitor named in this review: Emma Thompson, nee Grimbly
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EHCP
Very helpful at all times and offering clear guidance and advice. Fantastic knowledge of the system and all the next steps required. Would definitely recommend to other families.
Solicitor named in this review: Emma Thompson, nee Grimbly
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EHCP Review
Incredibly knowledgable and helpful - gave lots of time to provide advice and support and checkd in on outcomes even when not 'on the books'. Clear on charges and worked with us to get the right option to suit our needs and own capabilities. Would highly recommend.
Solicitor named in this review: Emma Thompson, nee Grimbly
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Excellent professional
From start to finish Emma was excellent kept us informed and up to date with how the case was going and she had her work cut out in keeping me informed as I hadn’t a clue how EHCP Tribunals worked.
Will definitely recommend Watkins Solicitors to anyone who needs help in the education legal department.
Thank you very much Emma.
Solicitor named in this review: Emma Thompson, nee Grimbly
Was this review helpful? Yes
EHCP
We engaged Watkins to support us with obtaining an EHCP for our son. The Local Authority made the process as difficult as possible, but Emma’s knowledge of the relevant laws meant the we could challenge and overcome all issues. We eventually got the outcome we desired, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Emma and Watkins to others.
Solicitor named in this review: Emma Thompson, nee Grimbly
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Sophie Freeman EHCP plan and school placement
We was lucky to have Emma Grimbly has our solicitor, she had great knowledge of the system and gave us such brilliant advice, First of all we could not get a EHCP but Emma argued our case and got one, then with her support we went on to get more content in plans till we settled on 9th Plan. We was also refused our choice of school till Emma supported us in pushing for and getting our school of choice. I will be back to Emma if I have any more problems in this area she has been brilliant at getting our son exactly what he needs. I can not thank her enough xxxx
Solicitor named in this review: Emma Thompson, nee Grimbly
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Thorough, Firm and Fast
Emma went above and beyond to ensure we got what we needed, from the initial consultation to final delivery she would always answer e-mails swiftly and our problem has been dealt with. Happy to recommend and happy to return should the need arise in the future.
Solicitor named in this review: Emma Thompson, nee Grimbly
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EHCP appeal against sections B and F
Thank you very much to Emma for your expertise and support throughout the appeal process.
As a parent of a child with SEN, going through the EHCP process alone is daunting, and it can feel like the child's real needs get somewhat lost in the battle.
With Emma on my side, I always felt listened to, she responded to my questions promptly and clearly, and her stamina to keep campaigning for the best outcome never wavered.
Solicitor named in this review: Emma Thompson, nee Grimbly
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