Recent experiences of Allsorts Youth Project

[SociallyContagious]

Name changed just in case my colleagues are mumsnetters :o

I am proud that I managed to bring up gender in my new job recently. Our work is related to SEND and I mentioned it in relation to a project that will include social contagion. My manager clearly agreed there’s a link there (I am SO relieved!) even though she was careful about her wording.

We agreed that it would theoretically be good to support parents around these issues. But due to location Allsorts would be the expected trainer of any workshops on this subject. There is no way I’d want to be a part of anything that might encourage automatic affirmation to parents of vulnerable kids.

This isn’t an immediate issue but I wondered if anyone had thoughts on their current actions/behaviours etc.

They are strongly TWAW and believe in "trans children". I don't know how they could deliver training on social contagion because that would involve agreeing there is an element of social contagion in trans identities.
There are internet safety charities that may be better?

Thank you!
Sorry I wasn’t clear I just realised - it definitely wouldn’t be them talking about the social contagion stuff (that is part of a different project) - it was more that we discussed the idea of some general work around LGBT & SEND in the future (for which Allsorts would unfortunately be the go-to).

Internet safety charities would be a good option to look into for the other project though, thank you! We are first looking at SEND specific charities who do other stuff for us, however it’s just occurred to me that they may be “captured” and if gender comes up during the session (we’ve agreed it won’t be on the agenda but it there is the potential for attendees to bring it up)… damn. Need to look into that too.

A very long time ago I worked with someone who is now v senior at Allsorts.

All my own opinion OF COURSE but they were the most infantile, immature, snivelling and performative person I have ever met.

I was completely and utterly unsurprised when I learned that they were involved with this project because they lacked accountability and maturity then and in my view that's exactly what Allsorts also lacks.

Sadly the third sector is highly unregulated when orgs don't provide a statutory function so I'm not surprised this organisation has been able to function in the way it does.

Safetynet and Amaze might fit the bill for you locally.

Well done OP.
I'd be questioning what qualifies anyone from Allsorts (or any other lobby group) has in child psychology, special needs, child development or safeguarding that would in any way qualify them to train around SEN children.
We're in this mess because adult groups have been given uncritical access to children to push their own niche views on sex, sexuality, and other adult concepts. Until recently children have been protected from much of this until they have matured and are able to take on more complex issues, especially around sex and sexuality.

I am local to Allsorts too and also have a child with SEN. I was concerned to hear recently that the local NHS service for kids with autism has been directing parents to info from Allsorts. I don't know if Transgender Trend provide training but might be worth looking into?

OP,
In this thread there's a link to an excellent speech from a woman MP (Miriam Cates) and she mentions Allsorts for what it tells children in schools. It's only short but the speech is so worth listening to for any parent:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4397766-School-not-using-girl-and-boy

Thank you all!
I did wonder about transgender trend. We are govt funded so I’m not sure if that means we have to be extra careful (new to this sector so I really don’t know)

I think the DfE guidance on schools about not bringing in external agencies who believe that it's possible to be born in the wrong body etc would apply in this situation too.

Safe Schools Alliance has some good resoruces.