BREAKING: Keir Starmer says his overhaul of special needs support is shaped by his late brother
'My brother Nick had difficulties learning at school, he was put to one side, he had to fight even to be seen'
The government is publishing its long-awaited Schools White Paper today
Hey, media, politicians and commentators:
Whatever happens with the SEND review next week, please be careful not to blame disabled children and their parents.
They’ve got enough on their plate already.
All we are saying is that our disabled children have as much of a right to an education as their non-disabled brothers and sisters.
Not difficult really.
Cutting the numbers of kids with EHCPs doesn’t save money. They’re just a diagnostic tool which mandate essential support. To save money you need to spend less on lawyers, bureaucrats and private equity.
No child is ineducable.
Some thoughts on SEND. www.stephenunwin.uk/thoughts-and...
16.02.2026 15:47 — 👍 4 🔁 5 💬 0 📌 0
Please watch the Giselle Pelicot interview with @vicderbyshire.
Especially if you’re a man.
“Shame must change sides”.
You’d think that the child’s inalienable right to an education would be pretty incontroversial.
Not for disabled children apparently.
A piece by me about SEND, behind a paywall I’m afraid. Basically: stop blaming the kids.
unherd.com/2026/02/who-...
My obituary for my dear father who died on January 24th.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
“A landmark book”.
John Harris in The Guardian
There is no greater duty than to the silent, the vulnerable, the powerless, the dying.
22.01.2026 15:29 — 👍 11 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 0
Relief from the shit show?
Or some new perspectives?
Anyway, it might be intriguing.
www.stephenunwin.uk/thoughts-and...
Farage: "I believe in vaccinations when they're vaccinations. I don't think what happened with Covid were vaccinations. You have to keep having them every 6 months."
Conspiratorial nonsense.
Some vaccinations like Covid shots require multiple/seasonal doses because immunity fades & viruses change.
Parents of disabled kids fighting for their child’s rights, grieving for their untimely (and often avoidable) deaths, just struggling through in an uncomprehending world.
Underestimate them at your peril.
Some good advice from a friend.
21.12.2025 23:54 — 👍 5 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Perfect Christmas present!
20.12.2025 20:00 — 👍 11 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0Utterly monstrous. The GOP deserves to lose power for a generation.
18.12.2025 00:09 — 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
This autumn I've given more than 30 talks about my book and the issues that it raises to an amazing range of groups: health professionals, universities, charities, etc.
I've got some lined up in the Spring but am happy to do more if anyone is interested.
Tell me if you'd like to arrange one.
So, responding to popular demand, but very much still reality-based, we've gone for something a bit more uplifting in our New Year edition of @BylineTimes
Subscribe to get it delivered to your box or on digital
subscribe.bylinetimes.com
We never stop hearing about how artists express themselves, but when an artist with learning disabilities wins a prize a critic says therapy and talent should not be confused.
I remember Tracey Emin winning the Turner Prize for her “unmade bed” and appearing drunk on Newsnight.
What art does.
It's the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
(Hint: this is for all of us)
Public pressure for an inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics is growing - and rightly so.
Our legal case now in the Grand Chamber of Strasbourg demands what justice requires: the government must investigate. Follow our campaign 👇
citizensreunited.substack.com/subscribe
Off to Stoke on Trent to address the Challenge to Change Conference: Advancing Best Practice in Learning Disability and Autism Support.
Better not screw it up.
Quick analysis of The Times today:
Wall to wall negative coverage of Labour’s budget. An editorial that tuts about lack of growth but takes no responsibility. And a double page ad to join Farage/Reform.
Absolutely no analysis on how rightwing ideology - including Brexit - has been utterly ruinous.
As Ukraine marks Holodomor Remembrance Day, mourning millions of victims of Stalin's genocidal famine, it feels as though the Trump administration is happy to give Putin another chance to finish off what Stalin started. Europe should do everything in its power to help Ukraine & defeat Russia.
22.11.2025 14:36 — 👍 325 🔁 119 💬 4 📌 1
Thrilled that @stephenunwin.bsky.social is speaking at our Dec Wellbeing Hub webinar. He will be discussing themes from his latest book, Beautiful Lives: How We Got Learning Disabilities So Wrong.
📅4th Dec
⏲️7-8.30pm
🛜Online
💷Free
Book here: bit.ly/4ihEROI
#disabilityhistorymonth
Pleae sign and share
petition.parliament.uk/signatures/1...
The Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children.
— The New Yorker
Why are “SEND budgets” spoken about as something different from “education budgets”?
Children are children.
