The fight has been ongoing. As a society we need to look across the horizon too. Those SEND youngsters missing an education become tomorrows NEET. Some will never find independence. And then there is family trauma. See www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2024/mo...

This was a really good read, thanks for sharing.

My own kids stress out at the pressure of h/w. They'll play tt rock starts till the cows come home but if you had them a h/w sheet with the same TT on they have meltdowns. I know it has the same effect on kids I work with and I just don't think it's worth it. ends up having a detremal effect on some

I'm going to be controversial. I think there is too much h/w, kids spend all day concentrating and behaving, by the time kids get home they are burnt out and then we get them to do more. it just increases their stress and anxiety.

Its just too much for him to consider maybe?

ADHD maybe? They want to cook and do enjoy but they could have problems with their executive function. so they may not have planned what to cook and then there are too many options, they might not have the time or ingredients, they then become overwhelmed and default to takeaway.

I agree, there are some kids who's needs are just too complex for mainstream and need specialised care; the environment of a large secondary isn't reasonably practicable.

There is so much pressure on staff and pupils to get results but some times they just need to leave well rounded functional members of society with a skill. When I first started we used to do practical subjects that some of our SEN kids absolutely loved hopefully they will return

I agree mainstream needs to be more flexible with what and how they teach, but I don't think it would necessarily reduce the need for EHCPs.

There is definitely a need for current staff to have CPD in this area. Being an LSA in secondary school I go into all manner of lessons, something many teaching staff have said to me is "I wasn't trained for this" because when they started teaching there wasn't as much focus on SEN.

I think there are definitely a lot of factors at play, the curriculum, COVID, policies and CPD. However we've got better at identifying those in need, who may previously have been unsupported and struggled. With an EHCP we can start to help those pupils thrive not just survive the education system.

It does depend on which LA your in, our school is on the border of two and there is such a difference. It's a postcode lottery which isn't fair on the pupils. They definitely do have a lot to answer for.

I agree that not all SEN pupils need a EHCP and more funding for SENDs would help. But those that need an EHCP really shouldn't have to go through this long process of mediation, tribunals and appeals to get one. Hopefully some things will change soon.

Hello 👋 #EduSky

I didn't know that, that's really interesting.

I agree they need more funding. I've noticed that councils are refusing to assess first, then people are going through mediation, then tribunals to get their assessment for an EHCP. Time could be saved in this process, it's just adding to the cost in the hope parents will just give up.

More provision and training for SEMH.

The EHCP process needs to be improved to make it easier to assess pupils, so there isn't a massive back log.

SEN training for both teachers and support staff to increase understanding of how pupils work in different ways.

Gutting

Well that box is ticked now, did you at least get a good lunch out of it?