By law every child is entitled to an “appropriate education” regardless of ability. The Council, legally, has to take the necessary steps to provide schooling that recognises the needs of the individual […]
3.5 years ago, all Councils were mandated by Government to convert all old-style Special Educational Needs (SEN) Statements into a new, more comprehensive Education Heath and Care Plan (EHCP); this document is […]
In response to the last Derby News article on, “Council now misleading Department of Education on Special Needs Children Plans …”to avoid being in the headlines”, a parent from Sinfin contacted me, […]
The transfer of Statements to Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for Special Needs Children is a programme that has to be legally completed by 31 March 2018. It started in September […]
The Council’s many thousands of employees work throughout the year to keep the myriad of services operating, despite the shifting ground beneath them, the fluidity of leadership and the constant uncertainty of […]
For the Parents of the 1200+ children who require a statement of Special Educational Needs it is a daily grind to ensure that they get what they are entitled to from the […]
Last week, David Hall, the Head of Brackensdale Junior School made a presentation to parents and members of the community on Derby City Council’s proposed changes to the Vision for Special Needs […]
Over a 1000 children in Derby have Special Educational Needs (SEN). A document is compiled by Derby City Council which specifies the nature of their needs, and the provisions that will be […]
Open Letter to Cllr Russell – Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, copied to all other 50 Councillors Dear Cllr Russell You will recall that just after the Council Cabinet on 12th […]
Time is running out for Derby City Council on children with Special Educational Needs (SEN)! The Government gave all Local Authorities 3.5 years to convert existing SEN statements to the new, and […]
The Fun-abil8y project at the St James Centre, in Normanton, is one of the leading groups in Derby supporting young disabled people to “live life to the MAX”. I wrote previously that […]
Derby City Council do not make it easy for Parents with Special Educational Needs (SEN) children, and it is about to get a lot worse for those whose children are over 16. […]
Dear Cllr Banwait Being booed by a public gallery full of parents of children with special educational needs must be a first for a Leader of Derby City Council! These were not […]
The Derby Parent / Carer Forum ( an organisation led by, and for, parents of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in the City – funded by Department of Education) ran a […]
Tomorrow will be another day of strikes across the City as a result of the Teaching Assistant dispute over pay cuts. It is important that there is a plan in place which […]
Children with Special Educational Needs are a declared priority for Derby City Council, and specified as a “Must Do” in its 2015-18 Plan: “… responding to the demands of legislative changes including; […]
Derby City Council Cabinet will be discussing on Wednesday 13th July a proposal to change the administration of the Schools Top-Up Funding for the education of children with SEND. The report being […]
Careful planning for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is one of Derby City Council‘s critical “Must Do’s” ( 2015-18 Plan) In my article last year “Special Educational Needs : Derby City […]
When Ranjit Banwait was asked by a fellow member of the Council Chamber whether he was planning to audition for the role of “Wishy-Washy” in this year’s pantomime – I was reassured […]
Derby City Council’s Plan for 2015-18 declares that Special Educational Needs (SEN), education and safeguarding children are all “Must Do’s”. This is an explicit commitment that resources will be prioritised to ensure […]
