Jay Tomlinson

I qualified as a solicitor over 30 years ago and specialised in personal injury work. When my children were young, I stopped work  to spend time with them. I decided to specialise in Special Educational Needs (“SEN”) on my return to work.

Before I joined Barratts, I worked for 7 years providing specialist legal advice for children and young people with SEN. Initially I worked for a non-profit organisation to help parents needing SEN advice. I joined Barratts Solicitors Court of Protection (“COP”) department in 2018 and also to assist with Special Educational Needs advice.

Court of Protection

My work in the Court of Protection Department involves helping clients who lack the capacity to manage their own financial affairs. In my work, I collaborate with other professionals to get the best advice for clients. In 2020, I was delighted to accept promotion to Head of the Court of Protection Department.

The Deputy work is extremely satisfying as I am involved in practical help and support for clients who lack capacity. It is vital to help clients have as much independence and say in their lives as possible. By working closely with them and a team of experts, the client can make choices in a safe environment and maximise their quality of life.

My day is always interesting and variable. It can include helping if there is an emergency in the house, ensuring there is sufficient care in place, checking that the client’s welfare is protected and reporting to the Office of Public Guardian.

Special Education Needs

Barratts represent many young clients with brain injury as a result of clinical negligence, such as cerebral palsy, or following road traffic accidents and other personal injury claims. Barratts are recognised experts in complex personal injury and clinical negligence claims. They realised there was a growing need for SEN advice and support for their clients and were keen to ensure the highest standard of advice was available for clients needing SEN help. I am delighted to have been able to help some of our clients with SEN advice and have already had successes for clients who had previously been denied SEN support.

I am also able to offer an additional service for parents and carers without a compensation claim but who might need extra SEN advice. This new role enables me to help parents and carers as much they want to secure the correct provision to meet their child’s SEN.

The law relating to SEN is complex. It is vital that children and young people receive the support they require to help them to achieve their full potential.