Why the next government must make investing in new teachers of the deaf a priority
with Ian Noon of the National Deaf Children’s Society I’ve got two deaf sons. They’re brighter than I am. They’re more focused than I am. They work harder in the …
Category: special needs
SEND Tribunal trial extended – but it needs more than just time to be a success
Plans have been announced to extend the current trial that gives the SEND Tribunal powers to make non-binding directions for appeals against EHCP health and social care decisions as well …
Launching the SEND Community Alliance: An independent campaign group
with SNJ’s Renata Blower, Gill Doherty (SEND Action) and Nadia Turki & Poppy Rose (SEND National Crisis) An exciting announcement today! After a very busy year for a number of …
When is a significant injustice to a disabled child, not a significant injustice?
with Claire Ryan Every week the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) publishes the latest set of decisions for complaints its investigated from parents against (some) schools and local …
SEND Inquiry report Part 2: No more reviews, it’s time to ACT
This is the second part in our SEND Inquiry report coverage. See Part one from Matt Keer here It has been a long time coming, but the Education Select Committee’s …
SEND Inquiry Report: Education committee blasts DfE, LAs and Ofsted over multiple SEND failures
Eighteen months ago, the House of Commons Education Select Committee launched a formal inquiry into SEND. The Committee (made up of 11 MPs) published its report today (report links at the …
SNJ Webinar: Successful strategies for EHCP Appeals
Today we’re announcing our first SNJ webinar! Expert lawyer and SNJ columnist, Hayley Mason of SEN Legal will be explaining how to successfully prepare your child’s case for appeals to …
Exemplary Practice: Creating a positive future of meaningful work for young people with SEND
with Matt Silver, Head Teacher, Shaftesbury High School, Harrow Recently I put out a call for positive stories of great practice in education, health and social care that we could …
Ofsted finds home education is most often not a choice – and off-rolling is a key culprit
More evidence that inclusion isn’t working has come from Ofsted, which has published research to show home education is often a last resort for families, rather than a lifestyle choice, …
The DfE wants to stop LAs filling SEND funding gaps
with Gillian Doherty, SEND Action Last week, the High Court found against campaign group, SEND Action in their judicial review into SEND funding against the Government. You can read about …
#WMHD: Preventing suicide in young people
‘You will be too much for some people – Those aren’t your people’ Meme It’s #WorldMentalHealthDay 2019 and the focus this year is Suicide Prevention. Suicide devastates families and the …
A setback at the High Court, but parents’ SEND Action goes on
Today on SNJ we want to pay tribute to the SEND Action parent campaigners who took the Government to the High Court in a judicial review over SEND funding. Ultimately, …
Disabled children “increasingly failed” as nearly 9 in 10 EHCP Ombudsman complaints upheld
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, says 87%, or 9 in 10, of complaints about the Education, Health and Care plan process are found in favour of parents, describing …
It’s back! Put your burning questions about SEND to the Department for Education
It’s back! Once again we are giving you the chance to ask the Department for Education the questions you want to know answers for about special educational needs and disability. …
Jenna’s 10, has missed two years of school, and is campaigning for SEND inclusion
I’d like to introduce you today to 10-year-old Jenna, who has anxiety and ADHD and has missed two years of school. She is still waiting for her council to find …
Public Accounts Committee launches SEND Inquiry (yes another one)
Another day, another SEND inquiry. It seems that inquiries into SEND are like buses. None for ages then three come along at once. As soon as MPs were back in …
We won a legal point on unlawful exclusion and cleared my disabled son’s name
Adoptive parents expect their new child may deal with issues such as attachment, after living through prior traumatic circumstances, both pre and post-birth. It’s also not unusual for adopted children …
Are Access Arrangements given unfairly? Three reasons why we need a review of the system
Access Arrangements are a way to level the playing field in exams when someone has a disability or special educational need. Common support mechanisms are extra time or a reader, …
A free SEND legal advice clinic to guide you through the jungle
When you find yourself at the start – or even stuck in the middle – of trying to secure the support your child with special educational needs requires, it can …
I chose mental health over a prestigious Sixth-Form, that refused to recognise my autism
A lesson I recently learned is that sometimes admitting defeat is the best decision you can make. This time last year, I was elated about starting at a state sixth-form …
