We have set up a new Facebook page because ACE (The Advisory Centre for Education, England) has lost funding, please like the page and share with your friends - this is the situation:
ACE’s Department for Education (DfE) Helpline Grant funding ends on 30th June 2011, which will mean much of the free advice service, will have to close.
The Government has repeatedly said that it wants to protect the vulnerable and yet by cutting the funding to ACE and therefore services that ACE offers, it is set to hurt and impact on some of the most vulnerable families right across the special needs spectrum.
Any reduction to a service that is tried and tested and is working well for parents who have children with special needs can only hurt who needs that service most. If it’s not broken then why fix it?
ACE was named in the proposals to reform Legal Aid in England and Wales as a source of expert free advice for parents. And yet the Government have decided to cease funding this service. The first cut to disempowerment is always the deepest and unless we stand together to support ACE the knife will continue to cut away at our services.
Important Note: Advice will reduce to a minimal service (with an increase in digital approaches) but the other elements of ACE; training, membership publications etc, will continue.
BY LIKING THIS PAGE YOU ARE SUPPORTING the letter we are going to send to Sarah Teather MP to discuss all of the above concerns. We will be explaining how disempowering this will be for parents of all children with additional support needs but particularly for those with children who have ASD's.
Please invite your friends; we need to make sure Sarah Teather knows how important and valued ACE is as a service. ACE has been running for 50 years and now seems to be a victim of its own success. Power is being taken away from parents with this vicious cut in funding to an as yet unproven service.
Key Message’s:
1) There is unprecedented change in the educational landscape, which parents and families will find incomprehensible (Education Bill, SEN Green Paper and Admissions code)
2) Short time scale has placed at risk the continued provision of the high quality advice services that ACE provides to parents and carers.
3) No organisation has been commissioned to date to progress this area of work.
4) Web based solutions is one method to assist parents and families, but many families from disadvantaged and vulnerable communities want and need somebody to talk through their complex situation.
5) ACE’S expertise enables them to give advice of the highest quality on complex and challenging issues that otherwise would result in social exclusion.
6) The Department for Education (DfE) acknowledges that ACE is the expert in our field.
7) Guidance to schools and Local Authorities on the exclusion of pupils from schools and pupil referral units, names ACE as the first stop for parents when their child is excluded from school.
8) ACE was named in the proposals to reform Legal Aid in England and Wales as a source of expert free advice for parents.
9) Many Local Authorities, charities and professional networks know of our expertise and direct parents and families to us for help.
PLEASE LIKE THE PAGE AND SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS: ACT NOW supports ACE
Showing posts with label SEN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SEN. Show all posts
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Friday, 22 April 2011
Lots to do - we're MARCHING ON!
On Wednesday 27th April the All Party Parliamentary Group for Autism (APPGA) is holding a meeting in the House of Commons to discuss the Welfare Reforms. Iain Duncan Smith has been invited to attend. Carole Rutherford (our campaign manager) is an advisory group member of the APPGA has been invited to speak at the meeting - she has accepted the invitation. She will be speaking as a parent of an adult with autism who may be affected by the welfare reforms and will discuss the potential impact on her son’s life. Anna Kennedy and Mavourneen Moore will be attending this very important APPGA meeting on behalf of ACT NOW.
Anna Kennedy will also be attending the live Channel 4 debate on May 11th 'SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS STATEMENT: IS A NEW APPROACH NECESSARY?' The new system aims to empower parents and remove unnecessary bureaucracy: however, will replacing statements give parents more control over their child’s care and development, or does it remove a supportive infrastructure that helps them navigate services and find the right help for their child? A panel of MPs including Sharon Hodgson (Education Minister) will debate this important issue.
Lots to do - we're MARCHING ON!
Anna Kennedy will also be attending the live Channel 4 debate on May 11th 'SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS STATEMENT: IS A NEW APPROACH NECESSARY?' The new system aims to empower parents and remove unnecessary bureaucracy: however, will replacing statements give parents more control over their child’s care and development, or does it remove a supportive infrastructure that helps them navigate services and find the right help for their child? A panel of MPs including Sharon Hodgson (Education Minister) will debate this important issue.
Lots to do - we're MARCHING ON!
Saturday, 27 November 2010
Every Disabled Child Matters Campaign responses
One of our Facebook group members has received a reply from her MP about SEND and EDCM campaign. Basically its a standard reply letter as I myself have just received the exact same one from our MP David Gauke, both Conservatives. So if you signed up to support the campaign, this is the bog standard response you will get! Our response is that this letter is corporate bullsh*t. These people really do believe their own spin. Only time will tell how much difference the Childhood and Family Task Force are going to make. Very little we would imagine. Maybe we should start writing to Labour MPs and the Band of Brothers guy who is leading them saying that we are in the mess that we are in because of them. Would they come out fighting do you think? Maybe not.......
Dear
Thank you for taking the time to contact me about children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and the Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) campaign.
I understand your concerns regarding the difficulties faced by families with children with SEND. It is clear that life can often feel like an uphill struggle for young disabled people and their families. Moreover, I am very concerned about the provision of education in this country for children with SEND. Unfortunately, the sad reality for too many families is that the provision for SEND is designed to fit the money and resources available to a local authority, rather than a child’s specific special educational needs.
I believe that people needing care deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. I am pleased therefore, that the Government is also determined to ensure that disabled children are a key priority. The Prime Minister, David Cameron MP, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg MP, will both be taking part in the Childhood and Family Task Force. The Task Force will look at the challenges that face disabled children and their families. Challenges like poverty and relationship breakdown.
I realise that this Government has had to make tough spending decisions. This is a result of the previous Government leaving the largest peacetime deficit in history. However, both this Government and I are committed to reducing the deficit, ensuring that our children do not pay the price for this generation’s mistakes.
I have always believed that the most vulnerable children deserve the very highest quality of care. I am pleased therefore, that the Government has announced that it will be bringing forward a Green Paper which aims to improve radically the entire SEN system and will cover issues including school choice, early identification and assessment, funding and family support.
Yours sincerely
GORDON HENDERSON MP
However, if you signed up in support of this campaign we would like to hear from you if you have a Labour MP. Our Campaign Manager Carole has received a reply this morning from her own Labour MP:-
Julie has written to Michael Gove and Andrew Lansley on the matter and when we receive a reply, we will get back to you.
With best wishes.
GRAHAM MARCH
Senior Parliamentary Affairs Assistant to Julie Elliott MP
With best wishes.
GRAHAM MARCH
Senior Parliamentary Affairs Assistant to Julie Elliott MP
Tory Response
Dear
Thank you for taking the time to contact me about children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and the Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) campaign.
I understand your concerns regarding the difficulties faced by families with children with SEND. It is clear that life can often feel like an uphill struggle for young disabled people and their families. Moreover, I am very concerned about the provision of education in this country for children with SEND. Unfortunately, the sad reality for too many families is that the provision for SEND is designed to fit the money and resources available to a local authority, rather than a child’s specific special educational needs.
I believe that people needing care deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. I am pleased therefore, that the Government is also determined to ensure that disabled children are a key priority. The Prime Minister, David Cameron MP, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg MP, will both be taking part in the Childhood and Family Task Force. The Task Force will look at the challenges that face disabled children and their families. Challenges like poverty and relationship breakdown.
I realise that this Government has had to make tough spending decisions. This is a result of the previous Government leaving the largest peacetime deficit in history. However, both this Government and I are committed to reducing the deficit, ensuring that our children do not pay the price for this generation’s mistakes.
I have always believed that the most vulnerable children deserve the very highest quality of care. I am pleased therefore, that the Government has announced that it will be bringing forward a Green Paper which aims to improve radically the entire SEN system and will cover issues including school choice, early identification and assessment, funding and family support.
Yours sincerely
GORDON HENDERSON MP
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Will the evidence come too late for those of us living with autism and disability?
The Treasury published an ‘Overview of the impact of Spending Review 2010 on equalities’ on October 20th the same day that the second round of cuts were announced and disability even comes last on this list. I am not sure that I am happy with the way some of this overview is worded. Then again maybe I am just being overly sensitive. I have made some observations on the review and my thoughts.
1.4 The Spending Review makes choices. Particular focus has been given to reducing welfare costs and wasteful spending. This has enabled the Coalition Government to prioritise the NHS, schools, early years provision and the capital investments that support long-term economic growth, setting the country on a new path towards long-term prosperity and fairness.’
1.8 For tax and welfare measures, a screening exercise was undertaken to assess whether the change would have a particular impact on women or men, people of different ethnic origin or people with disabilities. The results of these screening exercises, and the ways in which these could be mitigated, were considered when policy decisions were taken. Full impact assessments will be considered and published by the relevant departments in due course, as the full details of these policies are worked out.
Approach
1.11 Spending which directly promotes equality of opportunity, such as that on education, is more significant for future life chances than spending which funds other services, even if these are consumed unevenly across the population.
People with Disabilities
2.15 People with disabilities use some public services more than people without a disability, in particular:
2.17 Measures targeted on people on low incomes, in particular the extension of childcare to disadvantaged two year olds and the Pupil Premium will benefit young people with disabilities, who are over-represented in the target groups for these policies. The confirmed increase in funding for short breaks for disabled children will also help to improve the quality of life for children and young people with disabilities and their families.
2.18 In order to protect these areas, savings have needed to be made in other areas of Government spending. Some people with a disability will be affected by the time limit for contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). However, this will be mitigated for the most severely disabled and those on low incomes as the Support Group in ESA and Income Related ESA will not be subject to the time limit.
Section 2 What is an Equality Impact Assessment?
Carrying out an EIA involves systematically assessing the likely (or actual) effects of policies on people in respect of disability, gender and racial equality, and, where authorities choose, wider equality areas.This includes looking for opportunities to promote equality that have previously been missed or could be better used, as well as negative or adverse impacts that can be removed or mitigated, where possible. If any negative or adverse impacts amount to unlawful discrimination, they must be removed.
An EIA has four possible outcomes (examples can be found in Section 4). More than one may apply to a single policy:
Outcome 1: No major change: the EIA demonstrates the policy is robust and there is no potential for discrimination or adverse impact. All opportunities to promote equality have been taken.
Outcome 2: Adjust the policy: the EIA identifies potential problems or missed opportunities. Adjust the policy to remove barriers or better promote equality.
Outcome 3: Continue the policy: the EIA identifies the potential for adverse impact or missed opportunities to promote equality. Clearly set out the justifications for continuing with it. The justification should be included in the EIA and must be in line with the duty to have due regard. For the most important relevant policies, compelling reasons will be needed.
Outcome 4: Stop and remove the policy: the policy shows actual or potential unlawful discrimination. It must be stopped and removed or changed (the codes of practice and guidance on each of the public sector duties on the Commission’s website provide information about what constitutes unlawful discrimination).
Why impact assess?
The simple answer is that for many it is a legal requirement. But more importantly, it is an effective way of improving policy development and service delivery, making sure that organisations consider the needs of their communities, identify potential steps to promote equality and don’t discriminate. It enables evidence-based policymaking, which is at the core of modern public policy, and can allow efficiency savings through more effective services.
Evidence-based policymaking
The 2010 Spending Review
Ouch! Whilst this does not directly state that welfare costs actually constitute ‘wasteful spending’ could the implication here be that welfare costs ARE ‘wasteful spending’? People with disabilities have not asked to be disabled and is it entirely fair to punish them because they are disabled?
1.8 For tax and welfare measures, a screening exercise was undertaken to assess whether the change would have a particular impact on women or men, people of different ethnic origin or people with disabilities. The results of these screening exercises, and the ways in which these could be mitigated, were considered when policy decisions were taken. Full impact assessments will be considered and published by the relevant departments in due course, as the full details of these policies are worked out.
Approach
1.11 Spending which directly promotes equality of opportunity, such as that on education, is more significant for future life chances than spending which funds other services, even if these are consumed unevenly across the population.
The education of children with autism and special educational needs leaves a great deal to be desired. It has been declared ‘not fit for purpose’ on more than one occasion by the Government’s Educational and Skills Select Committee and Sir Al Aynsely Green, who was at the time the Children’s Commissioner for England. Brian Lamb’s review only last year commented on the lack of attainment by children with SEN which would suggest that life chances for that group of children are not great.
People with Disabilities
2.15 People with disabilities use some public services more than people without a disability, in particular:
- Health: People with long-term health conditions account for around 70 per cent of the NHS budget. Many within this group will also have a disability
- Social care: people with disabilities are more likely to be users of social care
- Service targeted on people on low incomes: people with disabilities are more likely than average to be in households on low incomes; and
- The Disabled Facilities Grant.
There are often no healthcare services available for adults with autism and therapies and interventions are already a postcode lottery for children with autism. So what will be protected for us in 'real terms'?
While maintaining the current levels of care (which will remain to be seen) in social care is good news for those who have been able to access social care, what does that mean for anyone who has not been able to access it? Leaving it to local government does not inspire me to think that everything will be just fine.
2.17 Measures targeted on people on low incomes, in particular the extension of childcare to disadvantaged two year olds and the Pupil Premium will benefit young people with disabilities, who are over-represented in the target groups for these policies. The confirmed increase in funding for short breaks for disabled children will also help to improve the quality of life for children and young people with disabilities and their families.
2.18 In order to protect these areas, savings have needed to be made in other areas of Government spending. Some people with a disability will be affected by the time limit for contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). However, this will be mitigated for the most severely disabled and those on low incomes as the Support Group in ESA and Income Related ESA will not be subject to the time limit.
(Mitigate - to make something less harsh or severe). Who will decide who are the most severely disabled? If someone who needs 24/7 round the clock care after being paralyzed by a car accident is assessed as being fit for work, then it is difficult to imagine what severely disabled will be decided as.
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Section 2 What is an Equality Impact Assessment?
Carrying out an EIA involves systematically assessing the likely (or actual) effects of policies on people in respect of disability, gender and racial equality, and, where authorities choose, wider equality areas.This includes looking for opportunities to promote equality that have previously been missed or could be better used, as well as negative or adverse impacts that can be removed or mitigated, where possible. If any negative or adverse impacts amount to unlawful discrimination, they must be removed.
An EIA has four possible outcomes (examples can be found in Section 4). More than one may apply to a single policy:
Outcome 1: No major change: the EIA demonstrates the policy is robust and there is no potential for discrimination or adverse impact. All opportunities to promote equality have been taken.
Outcome 2: Adjust the policy: the EIA identifies potential problems or missed opportunities. Adjust the policy to remove barriers or better promote equality.
Outcome 3: Continue the policy: the EIA identifies the potential for adverse impact or missed opportunities to promote equality. Clearly set out the justifications for continuing with it. The justification should be included in the EIA and must be in line with the duty to have due regard. For the most important relevant policies, compelling reasons will be needed.
Outcome 4: Stop and remove the policy: the policy shows actual or potential unlawful discrimination. It must be stopped and removed or changed (the codes of practice and guidance on each of the public sector duties on the Commission’s website provide information about what constitutes unlawful discrimination).
Why impact assess?
The simple answer is that for many it is a legal requirement. But more importantly, it is an effective way of improving policy development and service delivery, making sure that organisations consider the needs of their communities, identify potential steps to promote equality and don’t discriminate. It enables evidence-based policymaking, which is at the core of modern public policy, and can allow efficiency savings through more effective services.
Evidence-based policymaking
Modern public services should be shaped by evidence-based policymaking. This means using evidence to design policy that we know, or at least have strong objective reasons to believe, will work. Without evidence, it can be impossible to tell if good intentions will turn into good outcomes. EIAs provide a clear and structured way to collect, assess and put forward such evidence.
‘should’ be shaped by evidence based policymaking?
The evidence that the cuts to budgets that will impact on our services, provisions and support and the benefit assessments and their outcome for adults with autism will only become obvious during the coming months and years. For many families and adults living with autism the evidence will come too late to stop them from reaching crisis point.
ACT NOW will continue to campaign for the Government to find the evidence before many more families and adults with autism find life any harder than they already do.
Written by Carole Rutherford, Campaign Manager
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