Latest News for Parents & Carers

The number of people with autism and learning disabilities held in long-term segregation has risen by more than 29 per cent in two years. The figures emerged from a House of Lords debate about plans to get people with autism and learning disabilities out of long-stay hospitals. Former psychiatrist Baroness Hollins challenged the UK Government to prevent people from ending up in hospitals when assessments recommend they live in the community.

Special Needs Jungle (SNJ) is calling for people from non-white British backgrounds to be heard in the forthcoming SEND review. It writes: “the word “inclusive” is often used in the SEND sector, and, just as often, it fails to materialise. For families from ethnic backgrounds, it’s even less likely to be their experience of additional needs support within education.

As part of its 75th anniversary, mencap commissioned some research about perceptions of the1.5 million people in the UK who have a learning disability. Two-thirds of Brits do not know what a learning disability is.

• 40% of people surveyed thought dyslexia was a learning disability.
• 28% thought a learning disability related to a mental health issue.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance have been working with EE on their PhoneSmart Licence, a free online course that ensures kids getting their first phone know how to stay safe and be kind online. The course features four modules; Online Hate, Digital Wellbeing, Staying Safe Online and Digital and Media Literacy. They have also collated some of the best online resources for parents to help the conversation about phone safety with their children. It’s completely free for parents to give to their children before they receive their first phone. It’s available no matter what network your phone is on.

Simon Minty, a disability consultant and presenter, best known for being a co-host of the disability podcast BBC Ouch!, has joined the cast of Channel 4’s Gogglebox. Alongside his sister Jane, Simon was introduced to the Gogglebox family for the very first time on Friday 22nd October 2021. The series documents families and friends around the UK who are filmed for their observations and reactions to the previous week’s television from their own homes.