Government doesn't care about our children's education, health & care plans, #EHCP; having signed a contract targeting 20% cuts to the number of new education plans for children with special educational needs and disabilities, #SEND, to bring down costs.'
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/10/revealed-covert-deal-to-cut-help-for-pupils-in-england-with-special-needs?CMP=share_btn_tw

Government "quietly" targets a 20% cut in new EHCP plans, according to information in today's Guardian.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/10/revealed-covert-deal-to-cut-help-for-pupils-in-england-with-special-needs

It's part of an deal signed with a company called Newton Europe to develop a programme called Delivering Better Value in SEND (DBV) involving 55 councils in England.

This is Newton Europe's website:

https://www.newtoneurope.com/about

Newton Europe describe themselves as a "consultancy company" (and its board of directors show that their experience comes from retail and financial sectors).

Publically, the government says it is increasing fundng and support for special needs - which is now shown to be an utter lie.

Absolute scandal that needs to be known. Especially at a time when we all know the growth in mental health issues among children.

#SEND #ehcp #ukeducation #uk #schools #tories #scandal #specialneeds

Unbelievably relieved that we finally have confirmation that my son can stay at his school when he transitions into year 7 (and the senior part of his current school) in September. Our LA has dealt with this with their usual aplomb, so it has been a stressful few months to say the least. The process is cumbersome, unfit for purpose and puts the onus on families to fight and fact check at every turn. The distress caused to children like my son isn’t forgivable. #SEND #EHCP #cerebralpalsy

#EduGlow

We got a really good transition in place for a student that the student and family are happy with. We’ve also set up bereavement counselling for them as it’s been a huge loss they have gone through that has understandably hit their education. The family came on board with them accessing it as they’re all grieving in their own way. We’re glad we can make it happen for them as getting any kind of counselling for young people is like gold dust.

#EduTooter #EHCP #SEND

Meeting with LA tomorrow regarding my son’s #EHCP where we try to “encourage” them to include the provision recommended by their very own EP. You couldn’t make it up half the time #SEND #SENDreality #PreparingforAdulthood

Excellent thread #SEND #Inequalities It took a long time for my son’s #EHCP to be completed. I went on legal training after receiving the wrong advice. We had an excellent educational psychologist through the LA at the end but the process itself was draining-took a lot out of me!

One week after scheduling a Case Management Hearing, SENDIST has cancelled it.

#SEND #sendist #education #EHCP

Completed the painful task of filling in my son’s Sensory Processing Measure for the purposes of the #EHCP process. I feel like writing a qualifying paragraph after each tick box answer. Completely deficit led and not at all affirming of difference. Remind me what century we are living in? #Autism #SEND

When you chase #ehcp caseworker after a month of no updates & he says he's been too uncomfortable to call bc he's not looked at case yet.
I dare to suggest he is likely not as uncomfy as my son, unable to physically attend sch for weeks.
Seems this comment also discomforts caseworker.
Asked him, between his apologies, if he was looking for absolution...

#EduGlow

Really good EHCP reviews. We’ve extended provision for two students as we can work with them more to get them to where they want to be. We’ve showed some really good options to a family who thought they had none for their kid to move on to. We’ve had parents in tears and lots of positive outcomes. It was intense but very good. Now breath.

#EduTooter #SEND #EHCP

So what should be happening after an EHCP has been finalised? We went from waiting and pushing for so long and now it feels like we’ve gone over the post diagnosis cliff edge again and hearing nothing from school #send #ehcp #autism #dyspraxia #education

Today I’m getting myself in the zone for four EHCP reviews. I’ve prepared well with lots of tutor time with the students with materials I’ve developed to elicit their voice. I’ve got a good idea of the progress they are making. It will be a good opportunity to hear more from others to get a more rounded picture of our students. It’s just very out of my comfort zone this part of the job.

#EduTooter #EHCP #SEND

I’m just aghast at the amount of parent blaming going on from local authorities at the moment, professionals working within these systems, in my view, have lost touch with what they are there for.
Accountable to the money, the referral, their manager but not the child or family, who are being blamed for their failing’s.
#send #specialneeds #EHCP #socialcare

#EduGlow

A really positive EHCP meeting where I used the resource I made to elicit student voice with a student in tutor time previously to bring their voice into the meeting better worked well. We’re looking at extending their course so they can get some work experience.

#EduTooter #SEND #EHCP

Bloody awful and unsurprising.

"special schools are being starved of extra cash that instead is being passed on to their mainstream counterparts...

"the £325 million funding increase allocated for special and alternative provision schools goes to councils as part of their high-needs budget. These schools were told to “discuss” potential increases with their local authority... the government has said councils can ask to keep the cash to plug black holes."

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/councils-seize-millions-earmarked-for-special-schools/

#SEND #EHCP

@Obeide @mustntgrumble you’ll be amazed how quickly that secondary transition comes around - hope you get an #EHCP sorted well before then. Glad the little one is being well provided for.

Well my son’s post-19 #EHCP has given us a good laugh if nothing else #SEND
#PreparingforAdulthood #Autism

#EduTooter

Things I’m problem solving at the moment.

- How to get students voice better integrated into the #EHCP process ready for their reviews so they’re more personal and helpful for them. So far I’ve got some talking mat style resources I’m developing but I’m not quite feeling it yet with them.

- How to further integrate a student with #SelectiveMutism who is also #Autistic with their peers in a comfortable positive way as is their wish.

Any ideas or links welcome!

#SEN