Plans and promises: Will the new NHS really be brighter for disabled children?
Earlier this week the NHS’s Long Term Plan was published. It’s a pretty big document and, as I’ve been away, I’ve not had much chance to investigate in depth about …
I think my child has a special educational need. What can I do?
So often on SNJ we talk about the difficulties faced when getting SEND help. But if you’re new to the area and you’ve only just discovered that your child might …
The SEND Jungle 2018: The year parents roared
It’s been an incredible year in the SEND world, but not because the system has started to work better, or because families are routinely at the centre of decision-making. It’s …
School can demoralise autistic students, help me celebrate our neurodivsersity!
Tania’s note: We recently featured a post from autistic teenager, Siena Castellon, about her fabulous anti-bullying work. Siena is now pulling in schools and organisations across the country to support …
A new SEND future promised…but councils are still parent-blaming
When I wrote the Sunday article, the LGA report had not yet been released, but perusing it since has brought to light some astonishing assertions. The Local Government Association research …
Early Christmas for SEND, or Scrooge dressed up as Santa?
The Department for Education has announced a £350 million funding package to support children with complex needs and disabilities, along with a number of other interesting initiatives. The surprise cash …
What costs £103.7 million and makes disabled children miserable?
Whether you’re a SEND parent or SEND professional, you’re probably running on vapour right now as we come to the end of the longest term. If you can though, spare …
Using the Monitoring Officer to hold councils to account for housing, education and social services
If you’re wondering how you could to hold your local authority to account for not obeying the law or refusing to carry out its statutory duties, we have a post …
Why consistency in parenting is vital, especially for children with challenging behaviours
We have adopted a cat, or rather he has adopted us. We’ re no strangers to owning cats, but this is the first time in our renovated home. There is …
The struggle in SEND hurts us all. It’s a sign of society gone wrong
Yesterday I was interviewed by BBC TV news about the Ofsted Annual report. It’s not an unusual occurrence, being contacted by various news organisations to talk about the crisis in …
My “control freak’s guide” for my disabled daughter’s dignity and care in hospital
The thing that worries me most about my disabled daughter as she gets older is who will understand her. Who will really get to know who she is, and what …
The devastating impact of the SENCo workload
Tania’s note: 70% of SENCOs responding to a national survey said they don’t have enough time to complete the demands of the role. Almost three-quarters (74%) said they frequently feel …
Misinformation and misconceptions: Busting some SEND law myths
As many of you will know, half of the battle of getting support for your disabled child is getting people to listen to you. By people, I mean schools, professionals …
ATU Autism scandal: PDA Society calls for Rescue Mission. You can help
If you’ve been following the horrific stories of young people with autism who are locked away or who have died while “resident” in Assessment and Treatment Units or ATUs, you …
Will teachers strike over cuts to SEND and schools? Education union leaders tell us ‘Enough is enough’
Earlier this week an estimated one-thousand parents, teachers and teaching unions took part in a march and rally, through the cold November evening, to the Department for Education in London. …
Nine out of 10 parents fear for their deaf child’s education amid the SEND crisis
Let’s walk in a parallel world for a bit. A world where there’s never been a better time to be a deaf child than right now. In this world, deafness …
Half-a-billion pound funding gap for SEND says Local Government Association
Councils are facing a projected shortfall in SEND funding in England of £536 million for this year, according to the interim findings of new research by the Local Government Association. …
“I’ve been bullied at school for most of my life” How Siena’s helping other autistic young people like her
Tania’s note: I really value being able to feature the voice of young people with SEND on SNJ, as we recently did with Lucy, from Ambitious About Autism. Today we’re …
Reviews: Maths for SpLD, + 101 inclusive Science and Computing lessons GIVEAWAY!
A new giveaway today – in fact, TWO! Two SEN books for one for maths, and one covering science and computing, both from Jessica Kingsley Publishers* Plus, JKP are offering …
Are Early Years funding changes destroying nursery SEND provision?
There have been a number of surveys recently about funding for council-run nurseries, with fears that their SEND provision is suffering in availability and quality. A lack of additional SEND …
