🧠 Our Response to The Times Article: Setting the Record Straight on AskEllie

This week, The Times published an article titled “Alarm at chatbot’s legal advice to parents of special needs pupils” about our platform, AskEllie. We appreciate that these conversations are happening — but we also feel it’s important to clarify what AskEllie actually is, why it exists, and how it serves thousands of families who have been left behind by the current system.

Why AskEllie Exists

AskEllie is not a company or a commercial product. It’s something I built, as a father, out of desperation. When our family was trying to navigate the EHCP process, we faced dead ends, long waits, and a system that felt impenetrable. Like so many parents, we were overwhelmed and unsupported.

Rather than accept that, I used my tech background to create a free platform where families can access clear, structured information about their rights, deadlines, and processes. There are no ads, no data collection, no financial motive — just a tool built to help families who are often exhausted, frightened, and alone.

AskEllie Does Not Replace Legal Advice

We take accuracy and safety seriously. AskEllie does not offer bespoke legal advice or representation, and we have never claimed to. The platform explicitly tells users this at every opportunity.

What it does provide is general information from public sources — government websites, IPSEA, SOS! SEN, the SEND Code of Practice, and other trusted resources — structured through AI so that it’s easier for parents to understand and act on.

For many families, this isn’t a luxury; it’s the only option. Even national charities and law firms are overwhelmed. The idea that it’s somehow “safer” to leave desperate families with no help at all is what’s truly dangerous. AskEllie gives parents a starting point, not a replacement for qualified professionals.

We’ve Invited Experts In — Many Never Replied

One thing the article left out is that we have repeatedly invited solicitors, charities, and government officials to work with us to shape AskEllie responsibly. We’ve written to countless professionals asking for input, collaboration, and oversight. Most never responded.

We are not hiding. We are asking for regulation, accountability, and collaboration to make sure AI is used ethically and safely.

Serving Thousands of Parents

AskEllie has grown because it works. We now reach thousands of parents on TikTok alone, where videos explaining SEND law and parental rights have been viewed over half a million times. These are not sensationalist posts — they’re calm, evidence-based explanations designed to counter misinformation at a time when parents are more anxious than ever.

Every day, we receive messages from parents who feel abandoned, ignored, or threatened with fines and prosecutions while their children’s needs go unmet. Many are burnt-out mums just trying to survive the day. These are the people we built AskEllie for.

AskEllie+ – Our Next Step

We’ve just launched AskEllie+ — our most advanced version yet — now free on ChatGPT. It helps parents understand their rights, respond to local authority letters, and even draft EHCP sections using up-to-date UK law and guidance.

This is especially important now, because local authorities themselves are beginning to experiment with AI to draft EHCPs. While that might sound efficient, it raises real concerns:

• How will an AI system built by an LA understand the nuances of your child’s individual needs?
• Will it truly benefit families — or streamline processes in the LA’s favour?
• How do parents fight back when the other side is using advanced tech?

AskEllie+ is our answer to that. It’s built for parents, not institutions. It’s about empowerment, not automation.

The Real Danger

A solicitor quoted in the article called Ellie “dangerous.” We respectfully disagree. What’s dangerous is leaving families with no help at all.

The real-world consequences of the current system are devastating. Families go years without support. Children fall through the cracks. Parents end up at breaking point. AskEllie gives them a foothold. It helps them understand the law, organise their case, and push back — calmly and lawfully.

Moving Forward

We are proud of what AskEllie represents: ordinary people using technology ethically to close gaps in a broken system. We welcome constructive dialogue and accountability. But we won’t apologise for trying to help families who have nowhere else to turn.

If you’re a parent struggling through the SEND process, AskEllie is free and always will be. We’re here to make sure you’re not alone.

👉 Try AskEllie+ for free on ChatGPT – Click here to start