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
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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Another great result with Watkins
I have used Watkins twice now in relation to EHCPs, and honestly don't think they can be beaten. Once they are involved you know that you can relax, with access to expert advice, and the assurance of solid advocacy for your children's rights. Thank you Emma, Beverley, Keith, and all the team, for your hard work and encouragement.
Thank you also for the great SEN Information days, in which you share freely your knowledge and inspire jaded SEN families to keep going!
Lawyer named in this review: Emma Thompson
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EHCP appeal
We engaged Watkins to assist with our son's EHCP appeal which was going nowhere until Emma became involved. He ability to use the appropriate targeted language in the EHCP document was invaluable to us in getting clarity. The local authority was forced to engage in a constructive fashion which they had not previously done, which meant that we were able to visit and assess different school settings to make an informed decision. Ultimately our case was resolved without the need to attend an appeal tribunal hearing.
Thank you very much for a great service.
Lawyer named in this review: Emma Thompson
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Ehcp Appeal
Excellent service from Emma and her team
From the start , always prompt with reply's
Very good at explaining things in a understandable way, Would not hesitate to recommend or use again , Thankyou very much for all your help
Lawyer named in this review: Emma Thompson
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