So how do we change things?

[anonandlikeit]

Following on from Eva's thread (& so not to hijack) about confidence in the sen process.

Everyone is in agreement that the biggest barrier is the fact that the assessors & budget holders are one & the same, resulting in a huge conflict of interest.

So how do we change it, who do we lobby? How do we get this issue out there?

Should I start making placards or is it an impossible nut to crack?

When even its creator thinks the system stinks and it still hasn't been changed I doubt there is any poliical will to do so.

It's very clever of the Govt to devolve responsibility to LAs who also ultimately fund the system as it makes them very keen 'gate-keepers'. I doubt any Govt would voluntarily change that system as it would incur huge costs - which must fall somewhere.

I suppose implementing Lamb would be a step forward.

I'm all for campaigning for change.

I wrote to the editor of Dispatches a few weeks ago suggesting that they ran a programme exposing the impartiality and unfairness of the current system but they weren't up for it. I've written to my parliamentary candidates but not heard back yet.

I also feel that those with children without SEN would be horrified if they realised how familes were treated in trying to get the neccessary support for their children. MY DD is at a mainstream school. When i tell friends how we are having to battle they are amazed. Their assumption was that if a child needed support you merely applied and got it!

Surely there are enough of us on here to try some form of lobbying.

"Their assumption was that if a child needed support you merely applied and got it!"

I find that a lot too - even a kind of 'Of course you get so much given to your child, you're so lucky etc' . It shows that spending taxpayers money on public relations and spin in relation to SN really works and those who know the truth are too small in number to matter.

Just heard back from my Lib Dem MP - he has advised that they are going to reform the SEN system!!!

Apparently on page 34 under Your Life it states:

that they will "Guarantee SEN diagnostic assessments for all 5 year olds, improve SEN provision and improve SEN training for teachers".

He has apologised that this is only one line and doesn't explain how it will be done, but said there was a lot of detail that didn't make it into the manifesto as he knows some of the team who worked on these policy areas.

He's also said that he is aware that there is a real problem in our area with the LEA and asked me to contact him again after the election so that he can put me in touch with local SEN experts!

Not sure how the guarantee will affect me though as my DD is now 8!