Rutland Advocacy Services
Independent, supportive, and person-led advocacy helping you navigate complex systems and find your voice.
Welcome to Rutland Advocacy Services
Navigating school meetings, healthcare systems, or local authority decisions can feel completely overwhelming. You don't have to do it alone. Based in Oakham, I offer independent, empathetic advocacy and practical support across Rutland and our neighboring regions, including Stamford, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, South Kesteven, Northamptonshire, Peterborough, and Cambridgeshire. My name is Leah Toseland. I am also happy to attend meetings with you in person to offer direct support. I am here to help you understand your options, draft formal complaints, and prepare for tribunals. My services are entirely person-led, meaning you are always in control of the pace and direction of your case.
Fully insured for your peace of mind. Rutland Advocacy Services holds both professional indemnity and public liability insurance, so you can be confident you are in safe, properly protected hands.
My Experience & Background
I bring deep personal, professional, and civic experience to this role:
- Local & Civic Experience: As a former local councillor with both the town council and local authority, I understand firsthand how these complex institutional systems operate behind closed doors.
- Professional SEND Experience: With a background working in local schools and nurseries—most recently as a SEND Teaching Assistant in a primary school specialist unit—I know how the educational system functions and how to advocate effectively for students.
- IPSEA Advice Line Volunteer: I spent a number of years volunteering on the IPSEA advice line, supporting families with independent legal advice on special educational needs and disabilities.
- Personal Insight: I have successfully navigated multiple tribunals for my own two children. I know exactly how stressful these processes are for families because I have been in your shoes.
Scope of Service
- Advocacy for Everyone: Providing independent support for adults navigating the social care system, lone parents, elderly individuals, and adult children trying to secure social care or care work support for their parents.
- Healthcare & Right to Choose Guidance: Assisting with navigating NHS processes, reviewing healthcare documentation, and guiding you through Right to Choose pathways (such as Autism and ADHD assessment referrals) to help reduce waiting times.
- Education & Schools: SEND tribunals, school meetings, and navigating educational plans.
- Healthcare & Local Government: NHS complaints, Social Care complaints, and Local Authority issues.
- Public Services: Blue Badge appeals and transport-related complaints.
- Person-Led Support: Empathetic, client-guided moral support to help you understand your choices.
For a full breakdown across education, health, and social care, see our detailed Services page.
Ombudsman Complaints
If you've been through the formal complaints process and feel your concerns still haven't been resolved, I can help you escalate your case to the relevant ombudsman. I offer practical support with:
- Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO): Complaints about the NHS, including hospitals, GPs, dentists, pharmacies, and other NHS-funded services that have not been resolved through the provider's own complaints procedure.
- Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO): Complaints about councils and social care providers, including adult social care, children's services, housing, planning, council tax, and education (excluding appeals handled by SEND tribunals).
I can help you understand whether your complaint is ready for the ombudsman, draft your submission, and guide you through each step of the process so you feel confident and supported throughout.
Fees & Transparency
Choosing an advocate is a big step, and I believe you deserve total clarity about costs from the very beginning.
- Hourly Rate: £20 per hour
- Booking Deposit: £10 (Fully deductible from your final bill)
How the Deposit Works
To secure your booking or initial consultation, a £10 deposit is required upfront. This isn't an extra fee—it is fully deductible, meaning it will be subtracted from your final invoice once our work is complete. For example, if we work together for 2 hours (£40), your final balance due will only be £30.
Tricky Finances? Let’s Talk Honestly.
Navigating educational and social care systems is stressful enough without worrying about mounting costs. If finances are currently tricky for your family, please be open with me from the start.
I am more than happy to work with you to strictly cap my hours so we stay firmly within a budget you can afford. We will agree on a maximum time limit before any work begins, ensuring you get the vital support you need without any unexpected financial surprises.
In-Person Meetings: While most support is virtual, essential face-to-face meetings can be arranged at a neutral, public location for mutual safety. In-person meetings are subject to an additional charge to cover the direct costs of travel, fuel, and parking.
A Note on Flexibility and Online Support
Rutland Advocacy Services is a proud neurodivergent and disabled-led service. As an individual living with Autism, ADHD, Endometriosis, and Adenomyosis, I have designed my business to focus heavily on virtual-first communication via Zoom or video call.
This online structure allows me to manage my physical energy and chronic health conditions effectively, ensuring that when I work on your case, you receive my absolute best focus and dedication. Because of this, our scheduled meetings enjoy a degree of mutual health-flexibility. If a flare-up requires us to adjust our pacing or move an in-person meeting online, your booking and deposit simply roll over seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How quickly will you reply to my initial enquiry?
- I know how stressful waiting can be. I aim to respond to all initial messages and contact form submissions within 48 hours.
- Can you attend assessments or system meetings with me?
- Yes. Whether it is a school meeting, an adult social care assessment, or a healthcare review, I can attend with you either virtually or in person to act as a supportive professional presence and ensure your voice is heard.
- How long does it take you to review my paperwork?
- Once your initial deductible deposit is secured, I aim to thoroughly review your documentation and get back to you with a tailored strategy within 5 to 7 business days.
- What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule?
- I completely understand that life can be unpredictable. If you need to reschedule, please let me know at least 24 hours in advance and your deposit can be transferred to our new slot.
- Is my personal information kept confidential?
- Absolutely. Rutland Advocacy Services is fully insured and strictly prioritizes your privacy. All shared documents, personal details, and discussions are kept entirely confidential. Rutland Advocacy Services adheres to strict GDPR guidelines. Feel free to look at our formal policies and terms for full details on how your data is protected.
Book a Consultation or Get in Touch
Fill in the form below with a brief overview of your situation and Leah will get back to you to confirm a time slot and send payment details for the £10 deposit via Bank Transfer or PayPal.
Or email us directly:
Primary: info@rutlandadvocacyservices.com
Alternative: leahtoseland123@gmail.com