How The SEN Expert Was Born
Hi i’m Claire Walley, Mob member, mum and the founder of The SEN Expert. This is my Building story.
Claire - founder of the Sen Expert
If you’d told me five years ago that I’d be running my own business—working with families, training schools, advising local authorities, and still making it to nursery pick-up, I’d have laughed. Honestly. I was deep in school leadership, juggling the usual chaos of education life, and the idea of starting a business felt like something “other people” did.
But here we are.
The SEN Expert didn’t begin with a detailed business plan or fancy branding. It started with a feeling—a gut instinct that there had to be a better, more personal way to support families and schools with SEND. I’d spent over a decade in education, and I loved it. But I also knew the system inside out. I’d seen how stretched staff were. I’d sat in meetings where needs were missed, where paperwork piled up, where children weren’t getting what they needed. And it stayed with me.
I’d been a Deputy Head, SENCO, Designated Safeguarding Lead, and consultant. I’d worked in mainstream and independent schools, here in the UK and overseas. I’d done the courses, led the CPD, delivered the policies. But when I became a mum, everything shifted.
Like so many parents, I wanted to stay ambitious and keep making an impact, but I also wanted to be around for the little things. I didn’t want to spend every evening glued to a laptop or miss the big milestones at home. I wanted more balance, more meaning, and more space to do the work well.
So I took a risk. I left leadership. I set up a tiny website. I made some leaflets and walked around my local area with a pram, pinning up posters on community boards and chatting to other parents. My first client paid me £60 to help with an EHCP application—and I was thrilled. Because it wasn’t just about the money. It was about knowing I’d helped them feel less lost.
Within a year, The SEN Expert had grown in ways I couldn’t have imagined. What started as a solo project turned into a full-time consultancy. I was supporting families all over the country, working with schools and LAs, and helping to shape better SEND provision in a really meaningful way.
Social media played a huge part. I started sharing little nuggets of advice—how to write a strong EHCP application, how to prepare for a school meeting, what to do when you feel like no one’s listening. I replied to every message, answered every question, and built real relationships with my followers. It wasn’t about going viral—it was about showing up consistently and being useful.
People began to trust me. They recommended me to others. And slowly, a real community started to grow.
There are three things at the heart of everything I do:
Experience – I’ve been there. I’ve sat on both sides of the table—as a teacher, SENCO, and now as a parent too. I know how the system works and where it falls short.
Empathy – I get it. This stuff is emotional, frustrating, and exhausting. Whether you’re a parent or a professional, you want what’s best for the child—and sometimes you just need someone in your corner.
Excellence – I take pride in what I do. Whether I’m preparing a tribunal case or running a SEND audit in a school, I do it properly. No shortcuts. Just solid, child-focused work.
I never set out to “leave” education—I just wanted to do it differently. To create something that felt more human. More hopeful. More effective.
Now, I get to help families navigate the maze of SEND with confidence. I get to support schools in building inclusive, meaningful provision. I get to run my business in a way that fits around my life and values. And best of all? I get to wake up every day knowing that I’m making a difference—not just ticking boxes.
The SEN Expert isn’t just a job. It’s my purpose. And I’m so glad I listened to that little voice telling me to take a leap.
Got a question? pop it in the comments box below and connect with me over on Instagram - The Sen expert here
Claire x
About Mums Who Build
Mums Who Build is a vibrant, grassroots community for female founders, mums in business, and women in leadership. Whether you're scaling your startup, seeking meaningful business opportunities, or looking to grow your network, we’re here to support you.
Online, you can join MOB+, our curated membership and Whatsapp community offering daily connection and peer support. In person, you’ll find us hosting events across East London—from Walthamstow and Stoke Newington to our brand new Crouch End meetups from 16 June, with Notting Hill launching soon. Don’t miss our headline event of the year on 26 June, powered by the NatWest Accelerator, Mettle Bank, and Melinda Nicci, founder of Baby2Body.com - more info here.
Whether you’re searching for networking for women, mum meetups, or education and leadership for women, Mums Who Build is your home for ambition, connection, and action.
