Helping families navigate the SEND system, while developing practical education and a stronger voice for the experiences that shape their lives.
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) touch every part of family life. My work starts with listening, making sense of the situation and identifying practical next steps.
Supporting parents to communicate their concerns, understand the processes they face and participate more confidently in decisions about their child.
My current family support is voluntary and free. Please email first to discuss your situation and availability.
Bringing family perspectives into conversations about how support is designed and delivered, with a focus on the gaps between a service on paper and everyday reality.
Developing practical parent courses and workshops in English, Romanian and Spanish, so language is less of a barrier to understanding and participation.
I’m Cristina Cristea, a SEND consultant and advocate based in Corby, Northamptonshire. I support families navigating England’s education and support system, working in English, Romanian and Spanish.
My perspective brings together lived experience as a parent, voluntary advocacy alongside families and academic study. My current work includes SEND paperwork, school communication, EHCP processes and preparing for meetings. I believe families’ concerns deserve to be heard clearly and reflected in the support they receive.
Alongside individual support, I’m developing ideas for more joined-up services and a stronger family voice in wider discussions about policy and change.
Education
Human Resource Management honours degree — University of West London, completed 2026.
MA Education with Special Educational Needs and Disability — Anglia Ruskin University, distance learning. In progress; expected course completion September 2027.
A family’s circumstances, priorities and daily challenges matter. Support starts by understanding them.
Plain language and practical preparation help parents take part in conversations that affect their children.
What families encounter can inform better communication, better pathways and more responsive services.
I’m developing parent courses in English, Romanian and Spanish, with practical content grounded in the questions families bring to me.
Course dates, formats and access arrangements will be shared when confirmed.
Proposed topics include SEND terminology, the people involved and how to prepare questions about a child’s support.
Proposed sessions will explore organising concerns, preparing for meetings and communicating a child’s needs and family priorities.
The planned courses will be developed in English, Romanian and Spanish, with clear explanations and practical examples.
INSIGHT explores how knowledge about an individual child can be preserved and shared between families and professionals, particularly when a child moves between settings or support services.
Research, surveys and practical resources are part of this developing work, with the aim of improving communication and continuity.
My wider aim is to keep family support free through a future model funded by organisations, grants and partnerships. These funding arrangements and a possible CIC structure are in development.
For family support enquiries, future training or collaboration, please get in touch. Email is the best first step to discuss what you need and how I may be able to help.