Transparent pricing
How I work & what it costs
Straightforward, honest pricing, tailored to your school, college or trust and agreed in writing before any work begins.
No surprises. No open-ended commitments.
Every engagement starts with a conversation
I listen to what you need, agree a clear scope, and provide a fixed fee proposal before any work begins. You always know exactly what you are getting and exactly what it will cost.
Pricing
Three ways to work with me
Choose the arrangement that suits your setting best.
Ad Hoc
Pay as you go
For one-off pieces of work, for example, a policy review, a governor training session, or a specific issue that comes up during the year.
- No ongoing commitment
- Fixed fee agreed before work begins
- Half and full day rates available
- Invoice on completion
Retainer
Ongoing partnership
For schools and colleges that want guaranteed, regular access to SEND inclusion input from an objective third-party throughout the year.
- Agreed number of hours per month
- Priority response and scheduling
- Available for policy questions and emerging issues
- Compliance awareness and governance guidance
- Reform updates as the landscape changes
- Invoiced monthly in arrears
Packages
Scoped & fixed
For defined pieces of work with a clear scope, deliverable, and timeline, agreed in writing before anything begins.
- Inclusion Practice Audits
- Reform Readiness Reviews
- Policy development packages
- Training on SEND
- Clear proposal and fixed fee upfront
What you always get
Included in every engagement
Regardless of how we work together, these things never change.
Written proposal first
Every engagement starts with a clear written proposal setting out exactly what will be delivered, when, and for what fee. You sign off before any work begins.
Fixed fee. No surprises
The fee agreed in your proposal is the fee you pay. No hidden costs, no open-ended billing, no unexpected extras. If scope changes, we agree a new proposal first.
Legally informed perspective
Every piece of work is informed by legal knowledge and IPSEA-qualified SEND law expertise, offering a perspective that combines legal understanding with genuine practical experience of the SEND system.
Where I work
Based in Essex, I work primarily with settings across Essex and the surrounding areas. Much of my work can also be delivered remotely. For on-site work within Essex, travel is included at no additional charge. For settings outside Essex, travel expenses are agreed in advance as part of the proposal.
The process
Getting started is simple
Three steps from first contact to work beginning.
Tell me about your setting
Drop me an email or use the contact form. Tell me a little about your school or college and what you are working on. No lengthy forms, no obligation.
We have a conversation
I will get back to you to arrange a free, informal 30-minute call — no pitch, just a genuine conversation about your needs and what would be most useful.
I send a clear proposal
A written proposal with a fixed fee, clear scope, and timeline. You decide whether to proceed. No pressure, no obligation.
Common questions
Things schools often ask
- Do you work with individual schools or academy trusts?
- Both. I work with individual primary and secondary schools, colleges, and multi-academy trusts (MATs). For MATs, I can deliver work across multiple schools with a single proposal and point of contact — which is often more cost-effective than commissioning separately for each school.
- What does a typical audit cost?
- An inclusion practice audit is scoped and priced individually based on the size and complexity of your school. The fixed fee is agreed in writing before any work begins so there are no surprises. Please get in touch for a proposal tailored to your setting.
- How much notice do you need?
- I aim to be as flexible as possible. For training and on-site work I recommend at least two to three weeks' notice to ensure proper preparation. For advisory retainer work I can often start within a week of signing the engagement letter.
- Do you provide legal advice?
- No. I am a qualified solicitor who is not currently practising. All services are consultancy, training, and advisory in nature and are in no way intended to constitute legal advice or legal services as defined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Schools requiring formal legal advice should consult a practising solicitor.
- Are you insured?
- Yes. I hold professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance. Certificates are available on request.
Ready to find out more?
The first conversation is free and there is no obligation. Tell me about your school and I will get back to you within one working day.
CDS SEND Inclusion is founded by Cristina Di Santo, a qualified solicitor (non-practising). Services are consultancy, training and advisory in nature and are in no way intended to constitute legal advice or legal services as defined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.