Connected - Parent's Support Group for Autistic Teenagers

22/07/2025

An insightful article about Dyspraxia. There is little awareness or knowledge about Dyspraxia.

Nearly one in 20 UK children have DCD, also known as dyspraxia, but most wait years for a diagnosis.

22/07/2025

Update on EHCP annual reviews …

We have had feedback about Annual Reviews and them not taking place, plans not being updated etc so we wanted to share with you the information that has been sent to schools to try and improve the process.

If there is any information that would support you as a parent carer preparing for your annual review please do let us know.

07/07/2025

New inclusive tag sessions at Stratford Leisure Centre. The 3rd Saturday of every month.

To find out more or to book your place visit https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/stratford-leisure-centre/stratford-tagactive/ #:~:text=Inclusive%20TAGactive,or%20long%2Dterm%20health%20conditions.

07/07/2025

It’s vital we all get behind this campaign. The government seem intent on targeting the most vulnerable in our society; old people then disabled people now kids with Special Needs. 😞 Even if your child has moved through the education system as mine has, please think of those that this will affect in the future and make our voices heard.

Today, we launch the Save Our Children’s Rights campaign.

It’s been widely reported that the government is considering SEND reforms that could remove EHC plans and weaken children’s legal rights.

We cannot let that happen.

We’ve joined with Special Needs Jungle, SOS SEN, SEND National Crisis, SEND Rights Alliance and Learning Disability Today to defend the legal rights of children and young people with SEND.

The law isn’t the problem - failure to follow it is.

Read our open letter in The Guardian. Join the campaign.

🔗 www.saveourchildrensrights.org.uk

07/07/2025

If your Young Person is heading off to Uni & has a current EHCP this may be a valuable help.

We’re thrilled to announce a special summer promotion for our pre-recorded webinar, Preparing a Young Person with an EHCP for University. This session is designed to guide families through the transition to higher education, offering practical tips and key insights to help young people thrive in their university journey.
👪 Parents and carers can enjoy 50% off by using promo code UNI50 at checkout.
To purchase the webinar and slides please click here: https://buy.stripe.com/8wM01d1PY56lcE0cNX
We’d be extremely grateful if you could help spread the word! Please share the attached poster and promo code with any SEN families you’re connected with—especially those with students preparing to start university in September. Whether they’re entering halls, navigating support services, or just hoping for a smoother start, this resource could make a real difference.
Thank you for helping us reach the families who need this most!

07/07/2025

If you've been following the proposed EHCP reform changes, then take a look at this open letter in the Guardian today which has been sent by over 100 SEND campaigners.

It's great to see such publicity and a really clear explanation of the risks of the changes being discussed, you can take a read here: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/jul/06/the-right-to-an-education-health-and-care-plan-must-be-retained

We still don't know what the Government are planning and it's thought formal plans won't be announced until the Autumn. Yesterday Bridget Phillipson was asked about the concerns and said 'What I can say clearly is that we will strengthen and put in place better support for children."

01/07/2025

What a shambles !

Tonight MPs voted on the Government’s Pathways to Work Green Paper, which proposes changes to make claiming Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit health element harder.

Despite a lot of disquiet among MPs and lots of last minute changes, the bill passed.

Anna Bird, CEO at Contact, said: “The families we support will feel despair and continuing fear after tonight’s vote. While the government made important concessions at the 11th hour, the chaotic way the bill was brought forward has added to a feeling of concern and lack of trust. It is essential the government follows through on their promise to listen and work with disabled people in their review of these proposals.

“Although there will be a review of the assessment for Personal Independence Payment we don’t know the outcome of that. And in addition new claimants for the Universal Credit health element who do not meet severe conditions criteria will still be receiving lower payments of that element which will also be frozen for 4 years. This is scheduled to happen from April 2026. So many people with disabilities and health conditions and their families will be substantially worse off.

Our own research shows that families with disabled children are among the poorest in the country and 44% of parents of disabled children or their partners have a disability or health condition themselves. It is essential that the review fully understands the impact of these proposals on them and make positive changes that protect some of the most vulnerable in our country.”

https://contact.org.uk/about-contact/news-and-views/contact-responds-to-welfare-reform-bill-vote/

01/07/2025

This may be of interest if your young person is transitioning to University.

We are pleased to announce that we have a summer promotion running for our 'Preparing a Young Person with an EHCP for University' webinar, hosted by SEN Legal Officer Eleanor Wright, to help you support your child with this transition.
Enjoy a 50% discount by using code: UNI50 at the checkout.
The recording will allow you 60 days access.
To purchase the webinar and slides please click here: https://buy.stripe.com/8wM01d1PY56lcE0cNX

30/06/2025

NEW POST: Matt deconstructs the new figures for 2025 that show a 10.9% annual increase but a 22.5% rise for pupils “educated elsewhere” than in schools. Plus, check out our annual LA Hall of Shame... https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/ehcps-2025-show-22-rise-pupils-educated-elsewhere-schools-la-hall-shame/

23/06/2025

Our online autism courses for health professionals help you better support patients on the spectrum in healthcare settings.

23/06/2025

We all lose our cool sometimes — we’re human.

But what matters most is what comes next.

Repair builds trust, connection, and emotional safety.

This visual is your gentle reminder: it’s never too late to say, “I’m sorry.”

23/06/2025

SENDIAS Advisors are offering free training sessions for parents and carers across Warwickshire, both online and in-person. Sessions are designed to educate parents and carers about the support available in schools through SEN Support.