Parent Power

[Minx179]

I was just reading some comments on another thread about parent power www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/1085089-Iisad123-You-okay, but rather than hijacking I thought I would start a new one.

I was talking to a psychologist last week, who asked me why I don't try to get together with like minded parents, who want to expose the poor quality of SEN education, provision and dare I say it, the corruption which is regularly can be involved. Why don't I?

Now I tried to get a support/action group together about 18 months ago, but found people weren't really interested in getting political, increasing their knowledge re education and the SEN system. I understand this view, it is easier to not know/fight, accept what your told and don't question; especially if your contending with multiple issues at home.

So on here we have a number of well informed parents and professionals, including teachers. What if anything could we do to highlight the educational/health needs of our children in order to bring disability/SEN to wider public/political attention? Would you want to?

marking my space for later when i have time to read my whole thing

I do think that Mumsnet is a force in itself, informing parents and helping them cut through the layers of Bullshit and misinformation that comes their way.

I have no idea how to use this force, or what shape it could take to be more influential.

Were you thinking of anything specific Minx?

I'm up for it Minx.

I am up for it too.

Oh yes, sign me up too. With bells on

Oh yes, am very interested.

Me too.

yes I'm interested to know more

I'm up for it too

please!!

Me too.

yep, me too, been years since i did anything overtly political...

Yes please. And can we also highlight the difficulties of home educating families to get access to services that are often only available in schools?

I'm meeting with my MP next week on the same subject. It's that EVERY Child Matters, and references in govt documents to ALL children, but what they really mean is those in schools. It needs clarification.

I'll be in too

I'm in

I'm in

Im in :)

Im in, I would like to highlight the lack of same services in each area, even within the county. Im getting great support from SALT but falling at dx point, friend in other town but same county got dx with no problem but got no help from SALT!! madness.

The sytem should NOT depend on who shouts loudest and also depend on weather you have a good proffessional!

can we also focus on the social care needs of our children, not just health and education, and the dearth of leisure opportunities, respite etc.

What are you planning to do? I like the motivation for sure and am interested yes.

I'm in!

I've had the news that my son aged 10, will not be able to go to mainstream secondary school. The SENCO said that he would not survive and has "victim" written all over him. He has a Statement with 25 hours provision and a diagnosis of autism. He is bright, very articulate, good at drawing, a good reader. Has additional diagnosis of OCD and has started medication for that.

Where do we go next? The good school he SHOULD go to has a year seven nurture group but then after that, it's just every man for himself! Scary!

There is a school 25 miles away he could travel to. Has small autism unit attached to the mainstream school but the parents of a child who went through it were not impressed with the provision and moved their son.

Help! Have checked out the internet. Most private schools providing specialist autism input are all down south! What gives? We live in Cheshire and there's.........nothing!!

Count me in!! Ideas?? I'm a human rights lawyer if that angle helps. Children's rights seem to be consistently violated because they have SEN.

Shaking the dust off my old marching boots as I type...