Empower:ED Scotland
@empoweredscotland.bsky.social
Advocating for inclusive ASN Education in Scotland. Podcast link. 🔗 https://youtu.be/8wAUDDEUOJM
empoweredscotland@gmail.com
empoweredscotland@gmail.com
Pinned
You can now watch @bethmorrison.bsky.social podcast. Link 🔗 available in bio. Please take time to watch , share and think about the restraint and seclusion of children with disabilities and additional support needs and what #calums law would mean to those children and young people who need it.
This will be the focus of our work as we move into election year. We are hearing from parents who are receiving correspondence stating that they took their children out of education when it’s not been the case. The ghost children need representation. Non biased representation, they have no unions.
When a child does not want to go to school, it's important for everyone to try to understand the reasons why and work together towards a solution.
Our pages on #attendance offer advice and practical tips to help support children and young people missing school for a range of reasons.
#FAQFriday
Our pages on #attendance offer advice and practical tips to help support children and young people missing school for a range of reasons.
#FAQFriday
November 21, 2025 at 1:18 PM
This will be the focus of our work as we move into election year. We are hearing from parents who are receiving correspondence stating that they took their children out of education when it’s not been the case. The ghost children need representation. Non biased representation, they have no unions.
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
Whoever is advising Jenny Gilruth needs to ask themselves if they're in the right job, because this wildly cynical announcement about cutting contact time is going to backfire.
November 20, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Whoever is advising Jenny Gilruth needs to ask themselves if they're in the right job, because this wildly cynical announcement about cutting contact time is going to backfire.
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
I've seen this story in a number of different platforms today but still have no idea how govt is planning to implement this. Anyone got any ideas?
@jennygilruth.bsky.social
www.gov.scot/news/deliver...
@jennygilruth.bsky.social
www.gov.scot/news/deliver...
Delivering reduced class contact time
Improving attainment and wellbeing in schools.
www.gov.scot
November 20, 2025 at 9:51 PM
I've seen this story in a number of different platforms today but still have no idea how govt is planning to implement this. Anyone got any ideas?
@jennygilruth.bsky.social
www.gov.scot/news/deliver...
@jennygilruth.bsky.social
www.gov.scot/news/deliver...
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
The SNP have had years to make good on their 2021 manifesto promise to reduce teacher class contact time by ninety minutes per week but have yet to deliver it. Now they have to show that the education secretary's new plan is serious and can prevent strikes.
November 20, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The SNP have had years to make good on their 2021 manifesto promise to reduce teacher class contact time by ninety minutes per week but have yet to deliver it. Now they have to show that the education secretary's new plan is serious and can prevent strikes.
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
Now Hear This:
Neurodivergence is Normal
It's society that excludes Neurodivergent people
Start making room
Neurodivergence is Normal
It's society that excludes Neurodivergent people
Start making room
We oppose cure
To divide us is only an attempt to diminish the force of the argument that we deserve to be here
To allocate and gatekeep resources that many of us need, whether or not you believe us
To try to keep a narrative of our natural neurotype being a plague
it's nonsense
We oppose cure
To divide us is only an attempt to diminish the force of the argument that we deserve to be here
To allocate and gatekeep resources that many of us need, whether or not you believe us
To try to keep a narrative of our natural neurotype being a plague
it's nonsense
We oppose cure
November 20, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Now Hear This:
Neurodivergence is Normal
It's society that excludes Neurodivergent people
Start making room
Neurodivergence is Normal
It's society that excludes Neurodivergent people
Start making room
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
NEW: Reduced class contact time measures announced in Scotland www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reduced class contact time measures announced in Scotland
Four-day teacher working week, dedicated day for professional activities and minimum pupil learning hours proposed, but union expresses 'deep disappointment' at handling of announcement
www.tes.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:08 PM
NEW: Reduced class contact time measures announced in Scotland www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
New @eurochild-org.bsky.social report out today: 'Unequal Childhoods: Rights on paper should be rights in practice'. Based on data from 84 members in 36 countries, it reveals the real state of #ChildRights & #ChildPoverty in Europe. #WorldChildrensDay 👉 buff.ly/aKSWaOO
November 20, 2025 at 10:44 AM
New @eurochild-org.bsky.social report out today: 'Unequal Childhoods: Rights on paper should be rights in practice'. Based on data from 84 members in 36 countries, it reveals the real state of #ChildRights & #ChildPoverty in Europe. #WorldChildrensDay 👉 buff.ly/aKSWaOO
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
Austerity has a powerful impact on children’s mental health centralbylines.co.uk/news/health/...
Austerity has a powerful impact on children’s mental health
The legacy of British austerity can’t be understood without considering the effects on mental health, especially childhood trauma
centralbylines.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Austerity has a powerful impact on children’s mental health centralbylines.co.uk/news/health/...
Please read and share
With another lot of nonsense coming out of America about #Autism, it's well worth another post of this article.
Understanding autism and dispelling dangerous disinformation
Bylines Scotland asked the National Autistic Society Scotland for their response regarding the disinformation about the causes of autism
bylines.scot
November 20, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Please read and share
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
Today we publish “State of Caring: The Cost of Caring in Scotland 2025”, painting a troubling picture for Scotland’s 627,000 unpaid carers, with significant costs to their financial security, health, employment and opportunities.
November 20, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Today we publish “State of Caring: The Cost of Caring in Scotland 2025”, painting a troubling picture for Scotland’s 627,000 unpaid carers, with significant costs to their financial security, health, employment and opportunities.
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
This week marks Transgender Awareness Week, a time to honour trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people, and to commit to meaningful change. For racialised Autistic individuals who are also trans, the layers of exclusion can be compounded: gender identity, neurodivergence, race, faith, culture.
November 19, 2025 at 12:52 PM
This week marks Transgender Awareness Week, a time to honour trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people, and to commit to meaningful change. For racialised Autistic individuals who are also trans, the layers of exclusion can be compounded: gender identity, neurodivergence, race, faith, culture.
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
“Not all men are violent. Most men are silent about other men’s violence”.
Yes. This.
Silence is complicity.
It’s also why so many of us speak out and refuse to be silenced.
If you’re a survivor, you’re not alone.
If you’re a man, speak out.
We need your voice.
Yes. This.
Silence is complicity.
It’s also why so many of us speak out and refuse to be silenced.
If you’re a survivor, you’re not alone.
If you’re a man, speak out.
We need your voice.
November 20, 2025 at 3:41 AM
“Not all men are violent. Most men are silent about other men’s violence”.
Yes. This.
Silence is complicity.
It’s also why so many of us speak out and refuse to be silenced.
If you’re a survivor, you’re not alone.
If you’re a man, speak out.
We need your voice.
Yes. This.
Silence is complicity.
It’s also why so many of us speak out and refuse to be silenced.
If you’re a survivor, you’re not alone.
If you’re a man, speak out.
We need your voice.
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
Well, well...
"Proposals include exploring options like a flexible four-day teaching week, as well as nationally agreed minimum standards for pupil learning hours. These could enable later start times, extended breaks, or restructured school days."
www.bbc.com/news/article...
"Proposals include exploring options like a flexible four-day teaching week, as well as nationally agreed minimum standards for pupil learning hours. These could enable later start times, extended breaks, or restructured school days."
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Scottish ministers announce plans for reduced teacher contact time
Two teaching unions are currently holding strike ballots over how long their members spend in the classroom.
www.bbc.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Well, well...
"Proposals include exploring options like a flexible four-day teaching week, as well as nationally agreed minimum standards for pupil learning hours. These could enable later start times, extended breaks, or restructured school days."
www.bbc.com/news/article...
"Proposals include exploring options like a flexible four-day teaching week, as well as nationally agreed minimum standards for pupil learning hours. These could enable later start times, extended breaks, or restructured school days."
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
Choosing a learning environment for your child can be daunting, particularly if they have #additionalsupportneeds.
Our pages explain everything you need to know, including what to do if you feel the intended #school isn't the right fit.
Visit: enquire.org.uk/parents/choo...
#PlacingRequests
Our pages explain everything you need to know, including what to do if you feel the intended #school isn't the right fit.
Visit: enquire.org.uk/parents/choo...
#PlacingRequests
Choosing the right school - Enquire
It’s important you feel your child is going to a school that is able to meet their support needs, and where they’ll feel safe, included and happy. Find out more about choosing the right school.
enquire.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Choosing a learning environment for your child can be daunting, particularly if they have #additionalsupportneeds.
Our pages explain everything you need to know, including what to do if you feel the intended #school isn't the right fit.
Visit: enquire.org.uk/parents/choo...
#PlacingRequests
Our pages explain everything you need to know, including what to do if you feel the intended #school isn't the right fit.
Visit: enquire.org.uk/parents/choo...
#PlacingRequests
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
NASUWT warn the government's failure to reduce class contact time is leaving teachers 'burned out and overwhelmed'.
Members are to be asked to vote on both strike action and action short of strike, with the vote closing on Wednesday January 14.
news.stv.tv/politics/tea...
Members are to be asked to vote on both strike action and action short of strike, with the vote closing on Wednesday January 14.
news.stv.tv/politics/tea...
Teachers to be balloted on strike action over class contact time
NASUWT warn the government's failure to reduce class contact time is leaving teachers 'burned out and overwhelmed'.
news.stv.tv
November 19, 2025 at 12:43 PM
NASUWT warn the government's failure to reduce class contact time is leaving teachers 'burned out and overwhelmed'.
Members are to be asked to vote on both strike action and action short of strike, with the vote closing on Wednesday January 14.
news.stv.tv/politics/tea...
Members are to be asked to vote on both strike action and action short of strike, with the vote closing on Wednesday January 14.
news.stv.tv/politics/tea...
Dick Tice.
November 19, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Dick Tice.
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
“It is a painful truth that many disabled children and their families are being traumatised - not by illness, not by accident, but by the very public services that are meant to be their lifeline” 😔
#SEND
#SEND
NEW POST: A shocking new report by Cerebra reveals widespread ‘systems-generated trauma’ by public bodies that’s breaking vulnerable families who’ve asked for support. In a post for SNJ, Cerebra CEO Jess Camburn Rahmani is calling for urgent action:
www.specialneedsjungle.com/r...
www.specialneedsjungle.com/r...
November 18, 2025 at 8:34 AM
“It is a painful truth that many disabled children and their families are being traumatised - not by illness, not by accident, but by the very public services that are meant to be their lifeline” 😔
#SEND
#SEND
An everywhere issue
Let’s not use words like ‘system’ let’s talk about the children, young people and the parents and carers that are directly affected instead. This is about people’s lives and life chances not some remote administration problem.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Special needs services in England face ‘total collapse’ from increasing demand
Councils say 59 authorities could go bankrupt by March 2028 without urgent structural reform
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:55 PM
An everywhere issue
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
Today in #BetterWaysThanABA: yep, ABA is indeed implicated in long-lasting and serious mental health crises for young people, according to in-depth new research. But go ahead and tell us how ABA is the "gold standard" again? @nahime.bsky.social et al:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism
Mental health outcomes associated with applied behavior analysis in a US national sample of privately insured autistic youth - Nahime G Aguirre Mtanous, Jamie Koenig, Melica Nikahd, Sarah E Effertz, S...
Applied behavior analysis is a widely used intervention for autistic youth, though its mental health impacts remain under-researched. This study aims to investi...
journals.sagepub.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Today in #BetterWaysThanABA: yep, ABA is indeed implicated in long-lasting and serious mental health crises for young people, according to in-depth new research. But go ahead and tell us how ABA is the "gold standard" again? @nahime.bsky.social et al:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
#Oliverscampaign Why does society place so much STIGMA on differences, particularly learning disability, mental health & autism People almost whisper that someone has these needs as though it’s shameful to have them We MUST educate & change culture, opening up hearts & minds
November 17, 2025 at 10:04 PM
#Oliverscampaign Why does society place so much STIGMA on differences, particularly learning disability, mental health & autism People almost whisper that someone has these needs as though it’s shameful to have them We MUST educate & change culture, opening up hearts & minds
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
@hospiceuk.bsky.social
#Oliverscampaign
Hundreds of hospice beds are unused amid financial crisis
Why are the government not investing in hospice care allowing people to have a Good Death instead of pushing for Assisted Dying
SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG
#AssistedDying
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#Oliverscampaign
Hundreds of hospice beds are unused amid financial crisis
Why are the government not investing in hospice care allowing people to have a Good Death instead of pushing for Assisted Dying
SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG
#AssistedDying
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Hundreds of hospice beds unused amid financial crisis
Some 380 hospice beds lie empty in England because of financial pressures, say bosses.
www.bbc.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:56 AM
@hospiceuk.bsky.social
#Oliverscampaign
Hundreds of hospice beds are unused amid financial crisis
Why are the government not investing in hospice care allowing people to have a Good Death instead of pushing for Assisted Dying
SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG
#AssistedDying
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#Oliverscampaign
Hundreds of hospice beds are unused amid financial crisis
Why are the government not investing in hospice care allowing people to have a Good Death instead of pushing for Assisted Dying
SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG
#AssistedDying
www.bbc.com/news/article...
This is a sad thread. How can children with ASN particularly neurodivergent kids be properly understood and supported by adults who feel like this. No wonder “ ghost” children are forgotten. Terribly sad.
Excessive workloads, poor mental health, and a lack of support are entrenched features of our education system.
Check out these statistics in relation to Scotland's workforce. A thread 🧵
No wonder NASUWT has been calling for a #betterdeal - reduce class contact time now!
Check out these statistics in relation to Scotland's workforce. A thread 🧵
No wonder NASUWT has been calling for a #betterdeal - reduce class contact time now!
The Education Support Teacher Wellbeing Index 2025 reveals a stark truth: the wellbeing of our education workforce is at crisis point.
If we want every child to thrive, we must ensure that those who teach and support them are thriving too.
📣 Read and share the report: 👇
https://ow.ly/sVm950XsXHJ
If we want every child to thrive, we must ensure that those who teach and support them are thriving too.
📣 Read and share the report: 👇
https://ow.ly/sVm950XsXHJ
November 18, 2025 at 5:29 PM
This is a sad thread. How can children with ASN particularly neurodivergent kids be properly understood and supported by adults who feel like this. No wonder “ ghost” children are forgotten. Terribly sad.
Reposted by Empower:ED Scotland
The autistic experience of having far too many co-occurring conditions, all of which worsen with stress…
Including the neverending stress of being autistic in a neurotypical society
E.g.
- migraines
- gastrointestinal issues
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- anxiety disorders
- sleeping problems
Including the neverending stress of being autistic in a neurotypical society
E.g.
- migraines
- gastrointestinal issues
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- anxiety disorders
- sleeping problems
November 18, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The autistic experience of having far too many co-occurring conditions, all of which worsen with stress…
Including the neverending stress of being autistic in a neurotypical society
E.g.
- migraines
- gastrointestinal issues
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- anxiety disorders
- sleeping problems
Including the neverending stress of being autistic in a neurotypical society
E.g.
- migraines
- gastrointestinal issues
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- anxiety disorders
- sleeping problems