Latest from me: on the dangers of new austerity, and the fight already underway for children with special educational needs, and the basic rights of their families www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... - ThreadSky

johnharris1969.bsky.social • 187 days ago

Latest from me: on the dangers of new austerity, and the fight already underway for children with special educational needs, and the basic rights of their families https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/25/new-austerity-moment-fight-rights-children-special-educational-needs

Comments

historyannics.bsky.social•187 days ago

This is such a good article outlining the crisis in the SEND system. Thank you for continuing to shine a light on this issue.

johnharris1969.bsky.social•187 days ago

Thank you!

simonknight100.bsky.social•187 days ago

It is, but the problems are not only caused by edu policy & the solutions don’t only sit there either. This requires a pan-departmental response & a vision that extends beyond statutory services (although getting them right is key) into how we better enable rich & fulfilling lives in adulthood.

historyannics.bsky.social•187 days ago

I agree with everything that you are saying here, Simon. The article is good at highlighting the SEND situation for a wider audience. However, as you say, there are multiple issues that require attention. A proper joined up approach is needed.

historyannics.bsky.social•187 days ago

Here, we’ve just navigated the ‘cliff edge’ at end of Y11. Finishing at a special school and trying to find appropriate next steps has been an eye opener. Navigating the system requires tenacity and resilience which shouldn’t be needed. I’m also aware of my privilege in being able to do that.

lisabloor.bsky.social•186 days ago

Having witnessed my friends son in terms of next steps…. It’s a mess. They put him in a collage and the lad had no idea where he was going or what he was doing. He needed one-to-one and that did not happen. It was horrendous he couldn’t cope. Even transport couldn’t manage to turn up on time.

historyannics.bsky.social•186 days ago

It is such a broken system. The impact on the young people is huge.

simonknight100.bsky.social•187 days ago

I really hope you’ve managed to secure something appropriate. You are right about the system, it creates barriers for all, but not everyone can overcome them for all sorts of reasons. I’m hoping we might begin to hear plans for change as we enter the Autumn Term.

historyannics.bsky.social•186 days ago

Yes, we eventually managed to get a place at the provision that we wanted. It wasn’t easy though.
As you say, let’s hope the system changes.

lisabloor.bsky.social•187 days ago

concerning that it seems like we're moving backwards. Children are being labelled as troublemakers and badly behaved simply because their minds work differently. Old terms like 'behavioural units' really bother me. They come with negative connotations of badly behaved children which is not true.

lisabloor.bsky.social•187 days ago

I say this as someone open about the fact I attended a 'behavioural unit' in the early 90s. The stigma attached to that still exists these days: the bad kids, the naughty ones, the ones who cannot achieve and will amount to nothing. None of which is true.

noticingclimate.bsky.social•187 days ago

@allyann.bsky.social ⬆️

gussets.bsky.social•187 days ago

This makes me livid, if anyone needs decent living standards and education it's kids, who will be our future.
The NHS was founded when the country was on its knees, so don't let anyone think we can't afford care.
Why tf won't Starmer impose a tax on bankers and the obscenely wealthy 🤔

clairecopperman.bsky.social•187 days ago

Thank you, John. The way we treat the most vulnerable says a lot about us as a society. Putting more money into SEN provision benefits everyone: the children themselves; other children in the class; teaching and support staff; and the country as a whole. The cuts under the Tories were criminal.

profmo.bsky.social•186 days ago

Excellent as always. Thank you for fighting the SEND cause.

johnharris1969.bsky.social•186 days ago

Thank you!

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