Join the SNJ Squad as a “Patron” and get exclusive content!
Running SNJ takes time and money. As volunteers, we don’t mind spending time making the site as useful as possible, but we need your help to keep it online. We …
Maths for Life – *Giveaway*
A lot of children struggle to engage with maths taught in ‘traditional’ ways, especially those with additional needs. Karen McGuigan recognised this when she was working with her middle son …
The new “rights-based” Additional Learning Needs system in Wales
with Rukhsana Koser, Senior Solicitor, Education Lawyers, part of Langley Wellington Solicitors LLP While we usually talk on Special Needs Jungle about SEND education, this only applies to England. In …
Mr Zahawi: Publish the SEND Review—but make sure it solves the RIGHT problem
A government reshuffle: it’s as good as anything else for a temporary distraction. There’s always the hope it might result in a minister who really knows and cares about the …
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: What doctors and schools need to know
With Sandra Butcher, Chief Executive of The National Organisation for FASD and Brian Roberts, consultant and former Virtual School Head We assume that most women know that drinking alcohol in …
Dear Boris, you must act now to help disabled children #LetUsLearnToo
On Monday, we ran an article coinciding with the launch of the #LetUsLearnToo video. The campaign is urging the SEND Review not to erode disabled children’s rights as the Department …
#LetUsLearnToo: Don’t dilute disabled children’s rights!
With Hayley Harding, Founder, Let Us Learn Too As part of SEND Community Alliance, SNJ has joined with a new parent-led campaign, Let Us Learn Too, developed out of frustration …
Six top tips for managing meltdown triggers for autistic pupils in school
with @Cherrylkd, Special school assistant headteacher Twitter seems to be a popular hangout for teachers, and I’m pleased to see many proudly specialising in SEND. @Cherrylkd is a popular SEND …
Invest More in Social Care Support for Disabled Children: A Mother’s Open Letter to the Chancellor
with Stephen Kingdom, Campaign Manager for the Disabled Children’s Partnership The Disabled Children’s Partnership (DCP) is asking the public to add their names to a letter from parent carer and …
nasen LIVE 2021: Inclusion beyond COVID. An Unmissable Event!*
Sponsored post from nasen LIVE Are you ready for the return of the SEND events? nasen LIVE 2021 – Join us September 24th for this unmissable, SEND CPD Conference, suitable …
Exploring the “subtle spectrum” of autistic discovery
What is The Subtle Spectrum of autism? People looking for the genetic roots of autism have identified around a hundred genes linked to being autistic. The combination of these genes …
What schools need to know to support learners with hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
with Jane Green Ehlers Danlos syndrome comes in many guises and as such, it often takes a long time for people with this multi-symptomatic condition to be diagnosed. …
The SEND Tribunal single appeal route works. DfE must give families certainty it’s here to stay
Tribunal’s powers to make recommendations on health and social care ‘to continue’ – but why has it not been made ‘permanent’? The national trial of extended powers for the SEND Tribunal to hear …
What does the Government’s new Autism Strategy actually mean for autistic children and young people?
With Tim Nicholls, Head of Policy at the National Autistic Society If you’re seeking an NHS diagnosis for autism for your child or yourself, you are still almost certain to …
Failure to specify and quantify SEND reports – what options do families have?
with Emily Chalke, caseworker at Duncan Lewis Solicitors During the special educational needs assessment that can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan, expert advice and information must …
Will the Judicial Review Bill torpedo SEND claims or is it damp squib?
With Eduardo Reyes, Features Editor, The Law Society Gazette Judicial review is the process of asking a court to look at the decision of a public body – such as …
Urgent change is needed to stop the institutional culture of parent-carer blaming
and Dr Ana Laura Aiello Disabled children and their families are one of the world’s most severely disadvantaged groups and the UK is no exception. Why should this be – …
Dame Christine: I’d like to set the record straight
With Dame Christine Lenehan, Council for Disabled Children Now and again, someone says or writes something that’s so surprising, that’s the very opposite of what you’d expect them to say, …
Is the DfE’s SEND funding “safety valve” on a collision course with schools and families?
It’s a strange time out there, and it’s a strange time in the world of SEND too. Some sort of big change is on its way in England — via …
Five years at Number One for SNJ
We don’t often brag about ourselves…but today is an exception so please forgive us… We are delighted to have been ranked the Number One UK Healthcare blog by influence- measuring …
Pupils in special settings suffered significant effects of the pandemic but the “Recovery Plan” won’t help them
Throughout the pandemic, we have been monitoring what has been happening with special schools and colleges and the pupils who attend them. Our previous research, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, …
