Emma Thompson
Solicitor
Emma is a highly skilled Education Solicitor with over six years of experience working in the not-for-profit sector as an advisor-advocate, before choosing to specialise in Education Law. Emma joined Watkins Solicitors in October 2018 as an Education Paralegal and has since dedicated herself to advocating for the educational rights of children and their families.
Emma’s focus is on helping families navigate the often complex processes involved with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs). Emma brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, having dealt with a wide range of issues, including Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Education Otherwise Than In School (EOTIS), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA).
Her extensive experience has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the challenges families face in securing the right educational support, and she is passionate about providing practical, effective solutions tailored to each child’s unique needs.
When she’s not working, Emma enjoys kayaking and is actively involved in teaching young people the sport, sharing her love of the water and the outdoors.
192 North Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1JF
Licensed for 4 years
Practice Areas
Education, Human rights
Great experience with Emma from start to finish.
Emma took on my son’s SEND case and couldn’t have been more helpful. She is very professional and knowledgeable, very upfront and honest. Prices were more than reasonable and without her help I don’t think my son would be where he is now in his specialist school. I really couldn’t have dealt with the legalities of my son’s case without Emma and Watkins solicitors, they provided a huge amount of support for us and made sure our goals were met. I will always be extremely grateful for the help they have provided.
Thank you!
Lawyer named in this review: Emma Thompson
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Your essential legal support for children with SEND
We have worked with Emma on a couple of issues now, who was recommended to us by several people in the first place; and without doubt Emma and her colleagues are a MUST to have in your contact book. EHCPs can (are!) be highly confusing and as they are essentially legal document, in order to ensure your child gets the correct support they deserve, you require a specialist in the space to hold your hand. I would thoroughly recommend and endorse this firm.
Lawyer named in this review: Emma Thompson
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SEN Legal Support
We instructed Emma to represent us in our sons educational battle with the local authority, throughout Emma did everything we required and kept us well informed throughout the whole process, Emma was able to challenge the LA and secure our son a suitable school placement after years of him being without a suitable placement. Without Emma's representation we were unheard and let down by the educational system and without this involvement our son would remain without a school placement we would highly recommend Emma’s services to any parents in a similar situation.
Lawyer named in this review: Emma Thompson
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Emma is amazing
I would highly recommend Emma
No stone is left unturned throughout her work with good results. Her work is meticulous and she is passionate about what she does
Lawyer named in this review: Emma Thompson
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Thorough and thoughtful advice
Great and continued help with getting the right EHCP in place so our son can access education. Unfortunately we had to take the Devon Local Authority to Tribunal which was duly won.
Also great advice on dealing with Social Services and set our expectations correctly on how to best interact with them. Worth the investment to have the right people by your side.
Lawyer named in this review: Emma Thompson
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Efficient, proactive and supportive - thank you
We can't thank Emma Thompson enough. We had an issue relating to Special Educational Needs and Emma listened to our problem, offered timely and sensible advice, and was always quick to respond to emails with great legal knowledge. We also used Emma a couple of years earlier to help us with our child's EHCP - and again, she was utterly fantastic. I can't recommend her highly enough, and she was always very friendly and approachable which made a huge difference. Thank you a million.
Lawyer named in this review: Emma Thompson
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Appeal for specialist college
Watkins solicitors was very supporting, I was given the best advice and they supported me every step of the way. My daughters educational outcome was a success thanks to watkins solicitors and we are very happy as a family.
Lawyer named in this review: Emma Thompson
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review
Professional
Clear
advice
First class
service
Would
recommend
Pleasure to
deal with
Great
communication
Easy to understand
Great legal
knowledge
Tenacious
Refreshing
approach
Efficient
Was kept fully
aware
Friendly
Direct contact with
my solicitor
Would use again
Sensible
advice
Timely
responses
Proactive
Approachable
Lawyer named in this review: Emma Thompson
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Happy Client
It was a loosing battle for us on our own fighting the local authority to get an EHCP for my daughter. Luckily for us we enlisted the help of Emma at Watkins Solicitors who secured us one after having to go to tribunal. Always very helpful and professional answering any questions we had. We can now move forward but will definitely use again in the future if and when needed. Thank you.
Lawyer named in this review: Emma Thompson
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Great service and support with EHCP formation and LA engagement
Hi Emma,
We hope this finds you well.
We wanted to let you know we have taken your advice and are moving forward with the final EHCP for Alice.
There is no shadow of doubt in our minds that we would not have got the EHCP outcome that we ended up with, without your support and guidance.
You have done an amazing job, always available, sound advice and direct management of the LA SEN team.
Words cannot express our gratitude, but hopefully this goes some way in expressing how we feel.
Very best and hopefully speak soon.
D & B
Lawyer named in this review: Emma Thompson
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