Tracy Winchester

Whilst even the course may seem ‘woke’ to ‘traditionalists’, even this is simply, largely a tick box exercise, for the majority of children/young people not able to attend school. Of course I would have liked my children to attend school, but they can’t! Why would I choose this?! 3/ and final.

He has missed years of school through his ‘career’ but now is finding his way of learning in a different way. However, no kind of course for parents would have made that situation different! Blaming us or nagging us simply covers up the systemic failings and underfunding in #SEND! 2/

@mrjamesob.bsky.social James, I can’t call in re: ‘truancy’ as I’m busy supporting my son with his education out of a school setting as he COULDN’T attend. His needs are such that his anxiety peaks in such environments due to his reduced autonomy and sensory processing differences. 1/

Quite a week for #SEND. Rally in London #FightforOrdinary, Parliamentary debate #saveourchildrensrights later that day. The Education Select Committee report on Thursday.

I was invited to be on the panel on BBC Politics Midlands to discuss SEND. An opportunity to represent unheard parent carers.

Is it not time to revolutionise mental health services? OT takeover….

Until society becomes more inclusive towards difference of all types, true inclusion would be very hard to achieve. It also needs to be remembered that some kids/YP will NOT cope in a mainstream environment. Needs are not necessarily complex but large, social, noisy environments are not possible!

Just separate buildings with kids in them that are different and they will be ‘othered’. Much like now. Some Autism Bases, being nearest example in existence, work well, for some. But it is only some. And often operate entirely separately but are located there. That is not inclusion….

allowing for different learning styles, differentiation of work, more integrated opportunities for ‘hands on’ learning including outdoors, and more… and all this will need more staff, more money, different environments, smaller class sizes… otherwise they are…

It is so difficult to achieve in hindsight. I think this sort of approach grows organically to be truly inclusive and comes more from the ethos and societal values. It’s not inclusive just because you say it is! Effectively the whole education model needs to be different…