How it works
From first contact to a clear case plan.
Not every enquiry becomes a case. The steps below are designed to keep the work focused, independent and manageable.
The 10-step case process
Initial enquiry
You explain what happened, the outcome you want, the organisation involved, any deadline and whether you are in Kent or Medway. Please do not send a full evidence bundle yet.
You should normally receive an automatic acknowledgement when your enquiry reaches us. The acknowledgement confirms receipt only; it does not mean the case has been accepted. We aim to review new enquiries and respond within 2 working days.
If you need to mention health, disability, SEND or neurodevelopmental information, read the initial-enquiry consent statement and include it in your email if you agree. Simply emailing IYC is not automatic explicit consent. Do not send unnecessary medical records, full EHCP files, social-care records, safeguarding bundles or large evidence packs unless requested.
Scope & geography check
We check whether the issue fits our Kent & Medway service and advocacy boundaries.
Conflict check
We consider whether personal, professional or organisational connections could affect our independence.
Capacity decision
We accept, decline or signpost. We deliberately limit active cases rather than promising support we cannot deliver properly.
Acceptance depends on scope, capacity, conflict and suitability, and must be expressly confirmed by In Your Corner.
Case opening & authority
If accepted, we confirm the issue we are helping with, service boundaries, privacy information and any authority needed to speak with organisations.
If IYC accepts your case, acceptance is confirmed separately and a separate accepted-case consent process is used to agree relevant special-category processing. Authority to communicate with schools, local authorities, NHS organisations, GPs or other services is recorded separately and limited to the agreed scope.
Authority to communicate is not the same thing as data-protection consent. Initial-enquiry consent does not replace the accepted-case consent process. See the Privacy Notice.
Evidence & chronology
We request only the information needed, organise the key events and identify what evidence supports which point.
Case analysis
We identify the decision-maker, unanswered questions, missing evidence, deadlines and realistic outcomes.
Agreed action
Evidence request, review, complaint, meeting, correspondence, escalation or signposting — depending on what the case actually requires. Where useful and permitted, this may include attending a relevant meeting with you.
Follow-through
Responses and deadlines are tracked. If the answer changes the issue, the plan changes too.
Outcome & closure
We record what changed, what did not change, remaining responsibilities and any next route.
Meetings & multi-agency work
If the case needs a meeting, preparation is only half the job.
Where appropriate and agreed by the chair or lead professional, In Your Corner may support a parent at Early Help reviews, Child in Need reviews, Child Protection Conferences, core groups and other relevant meetings. The role is to help the parent prepare, participate, understand decisions and keep actions and dates visible — not to take over the statutory process.
One important point
You remain the parent and decision-maker.
Authority to communicate does not mean In Your Corner takes control of your child, your decisions or your legal rights. We agree the advocacy scope with you and significant decisions remain yours unless a specific lawful arrangement says otherwise.
You remain responsible for statutory, complaint, appeal and court deadlines unless In Your Corner expressly agrees in writing to take responsibility for a specific action. Keep important dates visible with the Case Deadline & Decision Tracker.