“Navigate SEND is designed to make complex cases feel clearer and more manageable — not by oversimplifying them, but by helping families and professionals understand what matters most and what should happen next.”
Matthew Bell - Managing Director
A SEND service built to bring clarity, structure and momentum
Navigate SEND exists to help families and professionals move complex SEND situations forward with clearer thinking, stronger organisation and a more confident route through what happens next.
We are designed for the points where cases most often get stuck: EHCP requests, amendments, annual reviews, provision not being delivered, local authority requests and complex multi-stage case pathways.
What makes us different
- Structured problem-led SEND support rather than vague general advice
- A team model spanning strategy, practice, psychology, operations and legal process
- Calm, clear and structured support for families and professionals
- Strong focus on what matters now and what is likely to matter next
Why Navigate SEND exists
Families and professionals often face SEND systems that feel fragmented, hard to interpret and difficult to navigate when the stakes are already high. Important steps can become unclear. Evidence can feel overwhelming. Cases can stall or drift.
Navigate SEND was built to reduce that confusion. We aim to help people understand the situation more clearly, identify the strongest next step and move through the process with more structure, confidence and continuity.
We work at the meeting point of education, psychology, operations and legal process
Education
Understanding how needs affect access to learning, participation, provision and educational planning.
Psychology
Understanding behaviour, development, neurodiversity, functional impact and the human reality of complex cases.
Operations
Keeping the process organised, the information usable and the next steps practical.
Legal process
Supporting clearer pathways through SEND-related systems without making the service feel inaccessible or overly legalistic.
Families are our primary audience. Professionals are our secondary audience. That means our service is designed to feel accessible, human and clear for families, while still being structured and credible for professionals who need a dependable strategic partner.
Focused support across the main points where SEND cases most often need help
Our Team
Matthew Bell - Managing Director | HCPC Registered Psychologist | MSc Occupational & Business Psychology | MA Education
Matthew brings a wealth of experience as a registered psychologist, headteacher, SENCo and teacher, with cutting-edge expertise in leadership, well-being, inclusive practices, and personal and organisational development. His extensive background in education complements his passion for addressing systemic challenges, driving meaningful change, and evolving organisations for the benefit of all.
As a specialist coach in vocational rehabilitation and educational reintegration for neurodiverse individuals, Matthew is dedicated to fostering inclusion and unlocking potential. He lectures on higher education programmes and has been published in international journals. His groundbreaking Universal Framework for Skill Development reflects his commitment to evidence-based practices that enhance inclusion, diversity, and performance.
Matthew holds an MSc in Occupational and Business Psychology, an MA in Education, and an MBA in Leading Global Operations. He is also HCPC-registered, ensuring the highest standards in his professional practice.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Matthew is an adventurer at heart. He enjoys music and drumming, hillwalking, mountaineering, rock climbing, carpentry, and even crafting guitars. His passion for growth and creativity fuels his innovative leadership at Navigate.
Lucie Smerdova - Practice Manager | Early Years Practitioner | 15+ Years Experience in Child Development & SEND
Lucie is an experienced Early Years practitioner with more than 15 years of supporting children’s development, wellbeing, and learning. She is particularly passionate about early childhood, neurodiversity, and creating environments where young people feel safe, understood, and able to thrive.
Lucie brings a warm, relational approach to her work, drawing on her skills in client‑centred practice, behaviour understanding, developmental observation, and collaborative family support. She is committed to recognising each person’s unique strengths and needs and supporting them with empathy, patience, and evidence‑informed strategies.
Lucie has a strong professional and personal interest in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Her lived experience supporting her neurodivergent child through an extended undiagnosed and later diagnosed ADHD journey has deepened her understanding of neurodiversity, coping strategies, and family systems. This insight allows her to connect with families authentically and support children with warmth, sensitivity, and non‑judgemental understanding.
Outside of her professional work, Lucie values wellbeing, creativity, and time in nature. She enjoys travelling, hiking, skiing, and creative pursuits such as drawing, singing, and typography.
Warm, calm, and deeply empathetic, Lucie combines professional expertise with lived experience. She is dedicated to supporting children and families with compassion, understanding, and a strong belief in each child’s potential.
Hafsa Saeed - Paralegal and Advocate | LLB | LLM (Public International Law & Human Rights)
Hafsa is a Paralegal at Navigate, where she supports children, young people, and families as they navigate education and legal processes. She holds a LLB and is currently completing an LLM in Public International Law and Human Rights. Through both her academic work and professional experience, Hafsa has developed a strong interest in human rights and access to justice, particularly in ensuring that legal systems are understandable and responsive to the people they are designed to serve.
Alongside her role at Navigate, Hafsa has gained experience across policy, advocacy, and access-to-justice settings. She has worked on prison advocacy matters and supported legal aid charities, gaining insight into the barriers faced by individuals who are often excluded from mainstream legal support. During a parliamentary internship, she also contributed to a youth homelessness campaign, strengthening her understanding of how individual legal issues connect with wider social and policy challenges.
Beyond her professional work, Hafsa enjoys reading and spending time with friends. She brings a thoughtful, people-focused approach to her work, shaped by curiosity, empathy, and a commitment to fairness. Hafsa’s long-term goal is to qualify as a human rights solicitor and continue working in areas of law that protect dignity and promote meaningful access to justice.
Want to understand whether Navigate SEND is the right fit for you?
If you are dealing with a complex or urgent SEND situation, get in touch and we can help identify the strongest next step.