Support for SEND

23/02/2026

Proposed reforms to the schools and SEND systems in England were published today.

Now, the white paper may contain an abundance of words with positive connotations; however, I will be following Special Needs Jungle and SEND Rights Alliance - Rachel Filmer as they digest proposal by proposal, to identify if the changes put forward really are positive for our children, or if they are actually stripping children and families of their rights.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving

22/02/2026

Not SEND related, today - and I am fully aware that parenting doesn't stop at 18 - but I am just sharing how pretty darn proud I feel that we have raised one of our children to adulthood! 🥳🎈🎂🎁
Three generations of women on a (rare - for me) night out, last night.

17/02/2026

Typically, after a stress response, it takes a person's body at least 20 to 30 minutes to calm down and return to a normal state (where they can better process information).

If a child or young person has become significantly distressed (ie experienced a meltdown or a shutdown) it is advisable to allow at least 30 minutes (if not more) before attempting any form of emotional coaching/reflection.

I got it wrong the other day and when an initial attempt (after about 40 minutes) to talk through an incident was proving only to reignite strong feelings; I had to admit my error and leave the discussion, again for a much more substantial period of time.

We all make mistakes (which is positive to admit, too, when it comes to the emotional coaching!)

14/02/2026

14/02/2026

A review from a lovely parent, who just wants their child to be able to access an appropriate education, as well as achieve positive mental health and well being. 💜

14/02/2026

12/02/2026

'The Accountability Gap Report' by I.G. Advisors and Bukhman Philanthropies summarises what every parent, carer and professional, that I come into contact with, also feels.
No doubt a redesign of this nature would, in turn, also improve school staff mental health and well being, too.

The education system needs to be redesigned so that it values student wellbeing as much as academic attainment, argues a new report that analysed existing data and research on the issue.

12/02/2026

Here Contact - For families with disabled children explain what an 'inclusion base' is and how imperative it is that inclusion bases are "appropriately funded, staffed and resourced"!

The government has today announced that each mainstream secondary school in England must have an inclusion base. An inclusion base is the umbrella term for SEN (special educational needs) units, resource bases and specialist units. These are designed spaces away from the classroom where children wit...

03/02/2026

This page has been, and will be, quiet, for a little while, due to a bereavement.
I know there is so much going on in the [SEND] background right now (ie the white paper) and I care very deeply; however, I'm practising what I preach to other parent's and carers, and just stepping back from the 'non essentials' at the moment.

27/01/2026

Rachel Filmer from SEND Rights Alliance summarising the [supposed] leaks from the upcoming SEND reform white paper.
I wholeheartedly agree with what Rachel says and that - if true - these proposals would not correlate with providing the right support, for children and young people, at the right time, and any removal or reduction of SEND-based legal rights would only have a damaging effect on children and families, not a supportive one.

22/01/2026

It's very easy to assume that a child or young person 'won't' do, or stop doing, something, when it's actually the case that (for a variety of reasons) the child or young person 'can't' do, or stop doing, something.

But 'can't' can develop into 'can', with appropriate support.

'Can't' won't develop into 'can', if only ever treated as defiance.

20/01/2026

Current law regards requesting an EHC[P] needs assessment!