Mending Bridges -- an attempt to bring about change for the good of our children

I have recently been talking to several parents who homeschool their children because their children's Special Needs are not being met by the schools they started in.  What saddens me is the stories they are telling me of being led up the garden path, being promised quick fixes and being passed from pillar to post by authorities and therapists, and even neglect by schools and teachers.

I have also been talking to the Department of Education as part of work I do with a SEN child that is being partially funded by the Department.  Representatives of the Department have acknowledged to me that they are becoming more and more aware that the current provision is insufficient and that there is a need to address this.

And so now I see that there is a HUGE gap between what is offered, what is needed and how Special Needs has been handled thus far.

I have been touched a great deal by all of this and am now looking at how I can try to help work towards possibly mending some bridges and maybe even getting new provision put in place while I'm at it.

But I cannot do it alone.  I need the help of parents, fellow teachers, therapists and government.  And only from those who are not in this to make a quick buck or promise a magic bullet.  Too many of these children have been promised quick fixes that didn't work and damaged their self esteem even further.

I do NOT promise to fix any problems.  I do promise to try and help where I can.  I do NOT want to cause any further harm.  I do want to use this as a starting point to allow flexibility in provision so that parents have choices.  No one should be forced to work within Department structures.  However, there should be government funded provision for those families who cannot afford to homeschool.

As a parent, you may not want to ever have anything to do with any authorities again.. You may feel you need all the help you can get.  You may even have the connections we need to set up a successful forum to help all the SEN children in this country in some way.

If you feel that you can help me in any way, be it by allowing me to use your story (anonymously) as part of the evidence needed to show where there have been significant failings, or by working more closely with me to set up such a forum, plea let me know.

This is not a one family problem.  It is bigger than any one of us and we need to work collectively to help each other and others.

From the meetings I have had with the Department, my success with the experimental programme they have allowed me to put in place has gone some way to get them to listen.  And to see that there is space for differentiated curricula.  Discussion with teachers of other pupils I work with has also shown that there are many many teachers who need training.  And who better to provide this training than a diverse group of experts -- ranging from therapist to parents (yes -- you as a parent are an expert in your child and his/her difficulties and one I and all other professionals will benefit from listening to).

 

If you are in any way interested, please contact me so we can start working together for our children.