Latest News for Parents & Carers

The BBC has appointed Cerrie Burnell as its first disability ambassador in one of three new disability-focussed roles. As part of a specialist disability team, based in Salford, it will develop, deliver and champion the BBC’s disability agenda as part of the broadcaster’s wider diversity strategy.

Burnell is joined by new creative diversity disability lead, Kay Ashton MBE, and project manager of Elevate, Nichola Garde. Burnell, Ashton and Garde join the BBC’s creative diversity unit, led by June Sarpong, the BBC’s first director of creative diversity, and will work closely with Allan MacKillop, the BBC’s Diversity & Inclusion Disability Lead. Actress, author and former CBeebies presenter Burnell will work with commissioning and production teams over the next 12 months to champion authentic on-screen portrayal of disability.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the okay to an app designed to help clinicians diagnose autism in children, labeling it safe for use. But it’s still unclear whether the technology is effective, researchers say, raising concerns that it could actually disrupt the standard diagnosis process and, in some cases, lead to delays in starting therapy.

Young Minds is calling for a network of hubs across the country that would provide early support for young people’s mental health when their problems first emerge. Early support hubs offer drop-in support on a self-referral basis for anyone up to age 25 struggling with their mental health and wellbeing. They can be flexible to their location and what is already there, but they will be:

• Physical, dedicated spaces in local areas specifically for young people up to age 25
• Created for young people and their needs
• Bring together information and advice for young people on work, employment and sexual health alongside support for mental health

The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) Participation Team is pleased to share the findings of their latest report ‘Lessons Learnt from Lockdown: The highs and lows of the pandemic’s impact on disabled children and young people.’ Between February and March 2021, as part of the Making Participation Work programme, the CDC commissioned Kaizen to deliver the largest consultation to date with children and young people with SEND. The consultation was co-designed between Kaizen, CDC and the FLARE young advisory group, and is based on the feedback of children and young people participating in CDC and KIDS led youth groups. Over 600 children and young people, 128 parents and 110 professionals contributed their views and experiences to this report – this report is the largest consultation to date with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their lives, and to hear directly from children and young people to understand what support they need moving forward.

Educational Pathways and Work Outcomes of Disabled Young People is a 3-year research project funded by The Leverhulme Trust. They are based in the Department of Sociology at the University of Warwick. Their aim is to explore the factors that lead to disability inequalities in educational and occupational attainment in England.

They want to hear young people’s views about their experiences of disability and schooling, and their plans and aspirations for the future. The first wave of (online) interviews will take place between April-August 2021. For each completed interview, participants will receive a £20 Love-to-Shop voucher. Should you want to take part and/or discuss more, please get in touch with Dr Angharad Butler-Rees at disabled.transitions@warwick.ac.uk