UK network of disabled children and young people, families, carers and allies working together to uphold the rights of disabled children and young people.
It’s official. We have now issued legal proceedings against the Secretary of State for Education and Chancellor for underfunding of SEND. Thank you to all our amazing supporters for helping us to take this unprecedented action.
#BBCSEND
Provision for disabled children is under attack. It’s not just new EHCPs that are being targeted for reduction. Existing EHCPs are also being aggressively ceased in extraordinary numbers, especially in the 16-18 age range.
Imagine if EHCPs were short enough for people to read and contained actual provision - concisely articilated, quantified and specified, adequately resourced and promptly delivered.
This wasn’t just a slip of the tongue. These comments by people in positions of privilege and influence reveal deep-seated bigotry and ignorance which cause real harm to disabled children and their parents/carers.
Thank you
@SENDcrisis
and well done to all the children, young people, families and friends who marched in the
#SendNationalCrisis
march today and supported from home or work. The march may be over, but we're certainly not done. Our amazing
#SEND
family just grew even bigger.
🧵 Clips below:
Cllr Hammersley: "Is it something in the water?"
"Why are there so many people jumping out with these needs? Where were they when I was at school?"
"Why do so many people have this badge of SEND and special needs?"
"To stop this spend fix the problem at source"
Cllr Hammersley responds to being told that children with SEND were institutionalised with "they must have had better ways of dealing with them. Let's go back to some of those ways"
For
#InternationalWomensDay
day we would like to pay tribute to all the amazing mums fighting so hard to uphold their disabled children's rights.
#SEND
Now that a General Election has been called we'll be campaigning harder than ever to keep SEND high on the political agenda. This is a critical time for our community. We need MPs that will prioritise education for all children and uphold the rights of disabled people.
NEW POST: Some exciting news we hope you will support - SNJ is linking up with SEND Action and SEND National Crisis, launching the SEND Community Alliance: An independent campaign group
Thinking of the thousands of disabled children and young people unable to attend the
#SendNationalCrisis
marches due to medical appointments, illness, anxiety and a host of other reasons.
@SendCrisis
and all of us are marching for YOU. Don't forget to
#SENDamessage
The local government association has warned councils could be forced to declare themselves bankrupt because of the soaring cost of SEND provision.
Figures due to be released tomorrow are expected to show a steep rise in the number of families lodging appeals at tribunals in
We’re fed up of MPs and councillors blaming disabled children and their families for the failings in the SEND system and local authority finances when they are the ones failing us. Enough is enough.
Good news. St Helens Council has overturned its decision to charge for
#SEND
transport. One of the reasons they cite is "the possibility of a legal challenge and the Council being subject to judicial review". It seems we're starting to make a difference.
On 26th and 27th June we are taking the government to the High Court for underfunding of support for children with special educational needs/disabilities. Watch this space for a planned event in London on the morning of the 26th.
#SendNationalCrisis
@PauletteHamilto
People with learning disabilities are residents too, or would be if others didn’t object to their presence. Imagine writing this about any other group of people.
The scandal is that the children of families on lower incomes are not able to get a diagnosis and access appropriate support. Stop blaming parents for the failing SEND system.
On 26th June we are challenging the government's special educational needs and disabilities funding policy at the High Court. If you've been affected by SEND cuts, please come along and show your support in front of the Royal Courts of Justice from 9-10am.
#SENDNationalCrisis
Just want to say a massive thank you to all those TAs, teachers, headteachers and other school staff that work so hard, despite inadequate budgets, to meet the needs of all their pupils. We know how tough it is and we are so grateful for what you do.
So grateful for the support of the many professionals who have been in contact about this. Disabled children and their parents are NOT to blame for the failings in the SEND system. MPs and councillors need to educate themselves and stop inciting hatred.
It's not the rise in special needs pupils that's putting a strain on school funds but a lack of funds that's putting a strain on disabled children, unlawfully denying thousands of them their legal right to an education.
#sendnationalcrisis
There’s no easy way to break this: the judgement didn’t go our way. It was always going to be a difficult challenge. Three disabled children and their families against the government. Endless pages of redacted documents. The odds were stacked against us.
On 26th June we took the Secretary of State for Education and Chancellor to the High Court over the government's special educational needs and disabilities funding policy. Thank you to all our supporters for making this possible. We are now awaiting the judge's decision.
No mention of the government's failure to cost or fund the 2014 reforms? Disabled children and their families are NOT the ones at fault here
@GregHurstTimes
Just FOUR days to go until thousands of disabled children, their families and supporters will be demonstrating at 28 locations (Manchester just added). If you care about the future of children with
#SEND
please join the
#SendNationalCrisis
march on 30th May.
@SendCrisis
The rapid rise of EHCPs is swamping schools - and there are major long-term social issues we have to start addressing now, says experienced Sendco
@debs_cares
We are pleased to announce the dates for our landmark hearing challenging the government regarding inadequate funding for children with
#SEND
. Huge thanks to these bold families, our amazing legal team and our many supporters for making this happen.
On 26th June we took the Secretary of State for Education and Chancellor to the High Court over the government's special educational needs and disabilities funding policy. Thank you to all our supporters for making this possible. We are now awaiting the judge's decision.
Cllr Morgan:
"It can't be that just because demand is increasing there is a genuine need"
Discussing how to reduce demand - "Not accepting the plea of a Mother saying Little Willy has ADHD when Little Willy is just really badly behaved & needs some form of strict correction"
Massive shout out to Poppy, Nadia and Sharon at
@SendCrisis
and all the local co-ordinators and supporters who have organised the
#SendNationalCrisis
march. They are truly amazing.
Families of disabled children vs the Secretary of State for Education. Please support us to challenge the government on inadequate funding for children with special educational needs/disabilities.
#SEND
Where is the accountability here for the schools refusing places, for the commissioning failings, for the failure to provide full time education? Parents are not to blame.
@GillianKeegan
@educationgovuk
Madeleine, 8, was rejected by every school her council approached - because she has autism.
She has now joined a growing number of children whose parents are instead given money to pay for educational activities outside of school.
We’re fed up of MPs and councillors blaming disabled children and their families for the failings in the SEND system and local authority finances when they are the ones failing us. Enough is enough.
Over 13,000 signatures in two days. This sends a strong message that comments like these and the culture that lies behind them are not acceptable. Disabled children are not to blame for local authorities’ funding deficiencies.
When LAs are losing 98% of tribunal cases there’s something very badly wrong with the decision making. No one is winning here, especially not disabled children.
Today's
@MoJGovUK
stats = 12k SEND appeals outcomes in 22/23 & the vast majority decided by the FtT were against LAs. This means:
1. Parents were absolutely right to bring appeals👏🏽
2. LAs are still massively failing to make the right decisions 🤦🏾
3. Still no accountability 🤷🏽
There is nothing “natural” about the reduction in EHCPs. These are targets set by consultants to reduce expenditure. Enough lies. “Naturally, we’d expect to see a reduction in the number of EHCPs issued as children’s needs are met earlier.”
Provision for disabled children is under attack. It’s not just new EHCPs that are being targeted for reduction. Existing EHCPs are also being aggressively ceased in extraordinary numbers, especially in the 16-18 age range.
“Parenting a disabled child is one part loving and looking after them, one part admin and four parts going into battle to secure support from authorities who break the law every single day by depriving them of that support.”
@samcarlisle
Please come along and support the three families challenging the government on its special educational needs and disabilities funding policy.
#SENDNationalCrisis
#SENDLegalAction
Today is the day. Whatever happens, we are so proud of the three remarkable families who took this action on behalf of all disabled children in England and so grateful to all our supporters for standing with us to defend our children's rights.
On 26th June we took the Secretary of State for Education and Chancellor to the High Court over the government's special educational needs and disabilities funding policy. Thank you to all our supporters for making this possible. We are now awaiting the judge's decision.
When we talk about culture change in
#SEND
this is what we mean. There are too many people like this in positions of power and influence. They have zero experience or knowledge of the issues they are talking about. It’s pure bigotry.
Disabled children and young people (and their parents/carers) are not to blame for poor inclusion and commissioning failures that lead to increased transport costs. Let’s have a grown up conversation about their right to education.
"Every day in our country there are thousands of parents struggling who have children with special educational needs, literally struggling, wading through treacle trying to get the right provision, the right care, the right education...and it's wrong."
#SendNationalCrisis
In the same week that desperate parents of disabled children protest in Parliament Square about woeful SEND provision the CCN and a former DfE special advisor go all out with inflammatory language about disabled children.
Extremely disappointed to hear that the national
#disability
hustings has been cancelled due to inability to secure attendance from all the main parties. Our children matter too, and so do our votes.
#VoteSEND
#GE2019
Wow. We just hit 4000 followers. That’s 4000 people/organisations who care about the rights of children and young people with special educational needs/disabilities.
#SEND
Personal post: Happy World Down Syndrome Day. We’ll be ‘celebrating’ at the first tier tribunal so that this little guy can live his best life in his own fabulous way.
#WorldDownSyndromeDay
So much political noise about
#Farage
and
#Natwest
and so little about the 80,000 disabled young people still unable to access money in their own trust funds.
I wrote to Children's Minister
@ClaireCoutinho
to ask her to do more to help 80,000 teens with special ed needs to unlock their Child Trust Fund money. She's written back... and effectively said no.
My letter and her reply here...
On 30th May thousands of disabled children, their families and supporters will be demonstrating at 25+ locations across the country in a SEND National Crisis March. Please contact local co-ordinators to confirm march times and locations.
#SENDnationalcrisis
£12,780 per child. This is the cost of fighting families at Tribunal (and losing in almost all cases). Incalculable stress and damage caused in the process. Wouldn't it be better to engage positively with families and invest this money in supporting disabled children?
On 26th June we took the Secretary of State for Education and Chancellor to the High Court over the government's special educational needs and disabilities funding policy. Thank you to all our supporters for making this possible. We are now awaiting the judge's decision.
One of the worst comments was not included here: “I just look back at years gone by. Those people were dealt with by whatever means. It was right at the time.”
Whoever you are, however limited your resources, whatever your manager says, if you want to improve things for disabled children please start by telling the truth.
On 26th June we are challenging the government's special educational needs and disabilities funding policy at the High Court. If you've been affected by SEND cuts, please come along and show your support in front of the Royal Courts of Justice from 9-10am.
#SENDNationalCrisis
It's a year since we started our national campaign on
#SEND
. We have taken the government to the High Court, raised awareness of the
#SENDcrisis
and helped to secure a promise of over a billion pounds (extra?) funding. We've also made a lot of wonderful new
#SEND
friends.
Despite the allocation of an additional 780 million for high needs, the
#SEND
Crisis is far from over. Over the next few weeks we'll be taking a look at the funding shortfall in local authorities AFTER the increase.
Thank you to the 500+ people who donated to our crowdfunding campaign. SEND Action is run by families. We have no funding and we could not have brought this legal action without your generosity.
In the last three years there has been a 41% increase in the number of children with special educational needs/disabilities being "home educated". These are just the official figures. They don't include off-rolling, part-time timetables and all the other dodges.
#SEND
#SENDCrisis
Did you know that over half of local authority special educational needs/disability services have failed their Ofsted/CQC inspection? That's why disabled children, their families and supporters are marching on Thursday 30th May at 28 locations.
#SendNationalCrisis
@SendCrisis
So angry that the resource base at this wonderful school is under threat due to lack of funding. This is why we are taking the government to court on 26th June. Please support us at the Royal Courts of Justice from 9am.
#SENDNationalCrisis
#Birmingham
Tomorrow we are heading to the High Court to challenge the Government's special educational needs and disabilities funding policy. Come and join us if you can.
#SENDNationalCrisis
On 26th June we are challenging the government's special educational needs and disabilities funding policy at the High Court. If you've been affected by SEND cuts, please come along and show your support in front of the Royal Courts of Justice from 9-10am.
#SENDNationalCrisis
To all the children and young people without school places and to those struggling to access the right support, thinking of you this week especially and sending strength and love.
#SEND
“The key to resolving the SEND crisis lies in finding a way to ensure that local authorities fulfil their obligations to children and young people and their families, not in enabling them to get around these.”
@catrionamoore13
@IPSEAcharity
Our new year wishes: for all those working with disabled children and young people to listen to them, genuinely act in their best interests and to respect and uphold their rights by complying with legislation.
Last year
#SEND
families rose up and demanded change. This year we’re determined to work together to make that happen. New year, new start.
#SENDchange
Thank you to the 22,000 people who have signed in just 3 days. This isn’t just about these councillors. It’s about integrity and responsibility in public office. It’s not ok to use your platform to ridicule disabled children and suggest they belong in institutions.
We’re fed up of MPs and councillors blaming disabled children and their families for the failings in the SEND system and local authority finances when they are the ones failing us. Enough is enough.
@SchoolsWeek
@SCHOOLSNE
Appallingly irresponsible and divisive narrative from Ms Keegan. Tribunals apply the law. Stop blaming parents for inadequate SEND provision and commissioning, which btw is her responsibility.
Madeleine, 8, was rejected by every school her council approached - because she has autism.
She has now joined a growing number of children whose parents are instead given money to pay for educational activities outside of school.
We are exploring legal action against the Secretary of State for Education and Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding inadequate funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Please support us.
@DamianHinds
- The attainment gap between
#SEND
and non-SEND pupils has increased.
- Thousands of children with
#SEND
are receiving no education at all.
- The demand for specialist provision is increasing rapidly due to inadequate provision in mainstream.
@JayneMcCubbinTV
@Anne_MarieIrwin
@BBCBreakfast
It’s official. We’ve issued legal proceedings against Sec of State for Education and Chancellor for underfunding of SEND. Thank you to all our supporters for helping us to take this unprecedented action.
Parents should not have to give up their jobs so that disabled young people can access education. It's time to close the 16-18 SEND transport loophole.
#closetheloop
Personal post: Happy World Down Syndrome Day. We’ll be ‘celebrating’ at the first tier tribunal so that this little guy can live his best life in his own fabulous way.
#WorldDownSyndromeDay
Our legal team Jenni Richards
@SteveBroach
@Anne_MarieIrwin
and
@irwinmitchell
did a fantastic job, presenting extensive evidence of the failings to children with
#send
. Court 66 was so packed that people overflowed onto the steps and floor.
Personal post (as the parent of a child with DS who has not been able to access social care/short breaks and has had to fight to get an EHCP): this is propaganda of the worst order.
@GillianKeegan
@TheSun
@BBradley_Mans
This is a complete misrepresentation of the reality on the ground. What most disabled children are accessing is far below bronze standards and far far below statutory requirements. Even the bare minimum is only obtained by families fighting constantly.
In a partnership disabled people and parents/carers should not be expected to volunteer their expertise for free while professionals and consultants are paid.
Massive thanks to
@SurreySENCuts
for campaigning relentlessly against
#SEND
cuts. Not long ago the SEND crisis was regarded as local news. Now it's a national issue being debated in parliament and featuring regularly in local and national media. We've come so far.
Lists are not provision. It’s the lack of provision that’s the problem, not just for children with Down syndrome but for all disabled children. This is what needs to be addressed, along with the lack of accountability.
Absolutely delighted that
@EmmaHardyMP
has been appointed as chair of APPG
#SEND
. She is a real champion for SEND and has a thorough understanding of the issues affecting families. This gives genuine hope for continuity and progress.
Delighted to announce that
#Manchester
is joining the
#SENDNationalCrisis
march on 30th May. Please join disabled children and their families from 1pm at Central Library. Please retweet and tag any groups in the area to help to spread the word quickly.
#SEND
#SENDCrisis
Disgusting, unevidenced parent blaming from a cowardly unnamed source. Parents of disabled children are NOT responsible for the government’s failure to provide adequate funding to local councils to meet their legal responsibilities to disabled children.
@FoxNikkiFox
Deflecting from councils’ failure to meet their statutory duties by blaming disabled children and their families for government underfunding, financial mismanagement and poor commissioning is truly morally bankrupt.
If you care about what's happening to disabled children please support our legal case against the government and join the
@SendCrisis
march on 30th May. We need your help. Please retweet.
#SEND
#SENDCrisis
#schoolcuts
A reminder: “A report by the Learning Disabilities Mortality Review Programme found almost half of people with learning difficulties who died from Covid did not receive good enough treatment and 81 per cent had a Do Not Attempt Resuscitation order placed on them.”
1/2: We're sad to read these stories & our thoughts are with families & friends. In the case of Susan Sullivan, neither Down’s syndrome or any other learning disability should ever be reason for a ‘do not resuscitate’ order. The fact this could occur in a 21stC NHS is wholly..