LDN celebrates SEND family advice service

Learning Disability Network London recently welcomed families of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) we support to the Royal Albert Hall for a celebration of our advice service.

The event on Monday 9 March marked our Family Service’s recent success – being awarded the Advice Quality Standard. It took place in the Elgar Room at the famous London venue.

Our Family Service offers free advice and helps parents and families to navigate the SEND system in London.

The Advice Quality Standard was awarded to LDN London by the Advice Services Alliance in late 2025.  It is given to organisations that meet very high standards for their professional and ethical advice and is a nationally recognised accreditation.

A key focus of the event was a panel discussion, and we were lucky to hear from parents of children with SEND who we have supported. They talked about their personal journeys and some of the challenges they have faced with the SEND system. They also talked about how LDN London has helped them and their children.

Speaking as part of the panel, Sinikka Fisher-Bruno, the mother of two young autistic boys, said: “I came to LDN at a time when I really needed understanding. I wanted to make sense of autism properly, not just from Google, but from people who truly understood.”

She added: “Finding LDN at that stage of my journey meant I moved from feeling unsure to feeling equipped. It gave me confidence, not just as a parent, but as someone who could advocate and contribute.”

People who came to the event, including families and LDN staff, took part in conversations together about SEND and family support.  They reflected together about what LDN London is doing well and how LDN London can continue to develop for families and children with SEND in the future.

There were lots of fantastic, insightful suggestions and we were listening closely to what parents suggested. Participants also each made a personal commitment to supporting the family service over the next year and wrote down something they would do to help families.

We were pleased that some Westminster councillors joined us for the event: Patricia McAllister and Concia Albert, Cabinet Minister for Communities. Councillor McAllister said it was “absolutely inspiring” to hear families talk about their experiences. 

Gabby Machell, CEO of LDN London, said: “Achieving the Advice Quality Standard is a significant milestone for our Family Service, and celebrating it at the Royal Albert Hall makes this moment even more special.

But this event is not just about recognising what we’ve achieved, it’s about reaffirming that families are at the heart of everything we do. Their voices, experiences and aspirations shape our service every day, and as we look to the future, we remain committed to working alongside families to deliver support that is accessible, compassionate and truly makes a difference.”

James Ainscough OBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Albert Hall, said:“As a charity we are committed to being a dynamic force for good in society. Through our Engagement work, we aim to enrich people’s lives and offer fairer access to the arts by welcoming those with special educational needs and disabilities to our building through various events including our popular Friendship Matinees.

It has been a real honour for the us to be able host an event which celebrates the achievements of LDN London and to give a platform to the vital work they do in our communities.”

Find out more about LDN London’s Family Service and how they could help you.