Slater and Gordon partner with not for profit, Seen and Heard

Slater and Gordon are proud to announce a new partnership with not for profit, Seen & Heard, marking a pivotal step in supporting those who were cared for in institutions.

Slater and Gordon are dedicated to supporting individuals and families facing difficult times, helping them overcome barriers towards a better future. This partnership will allow Seen & Heard to connect its service users to legal support and advice.

Seen & Heard, formed in 2023, are a committed group of ex-boarding school pupils who understand the unique experience of being raised in these institutions and are dedicated to offering support to adults affected by such experience, as well as advocating for good pastoral care and wellbeing in boarding and independent day schools, for current pupils and staff.

Seen & Heard understands that the consequences of trauma for children can be devastating and can affect adults throughout their lives. They offer counselling, coaching and group sessions to those seeking better wellbeing and resolution. Seen & Heard’s goal is to help those who have been affected to heal from their experiences, regain their confidence, and begin to rebuild their lives by building a support network of those who understand.

Richard Scorer, head of abuse law, said of the partnership: “The work Seen and Heard does is critical in helping those who have been affected by these educational institutions and enabling them to move forward with their lives. I’ve witnessed firsthand the lasting impact abuse has on those affected, as well as their families. Through this partnership, we aim to provide both legal and emotional support to help survivors through challenging times. We are proud to support their vision and wider ambitions to offer advice and guidance to not only individuals affected, and their families, but to institutions, governing bodies and policymakers.”

Chris Braitch, founding director at Seen & Heard, said: “We are very proud to be working with Richard Scorer in his role as a legal ambassador for Seen & Heard. Richard’s track-record in supporting the victims of abuse with compassion and dedication is unsurpassed. His knowledge of the subject allows Seen & Heard to be better informed and guided on our campaigning and working with institutions and supporting survivors. We are aligned on our values to introduce statutory mandatory reporting, and in removing the statute of limitations for civil claims in abuse cases.

"Both of which would represent meaningful change to better safeguard young people at present, and to acknowledge, heal and allow closure, for survivors of non-recent abuse. We are excited to have the support of one of the top abuse lawyers in the country, and a man that has the passion and courage of his convictions to advocate for victims’ rights, and meaningful change.”

Seen & Heard offers a range of trauma-informed services to assist survivors of abuse, neglect, and institutionalisation, along with their families. These include connections and funding support for people to access specialist counselling, therapeutic and coaching services, online connection groups, self-help and learning resources, and outreach programs to schools and universities.

Seen & Heard advocate for meaningful change in their support for campaigns to act on the IICSA recommendations, introduce mandatory reporting, changes to childhood sexual abuse limitation laws, the introduction of a code of conduct for schools in their handling of abuse complaints, for schools to provide wellbeing services for ex-pupils, and for the introduction of emotional health education provision in schools.