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Last week, the government announced that funding has been extended to help improve services and provide practical support to disadvantaged families and children with SEND. Organisations including Contact, Family Fund, the Council for Disabled Children and the National Network of Parent Carer Forums will share the £42 million to run projects in local areas.

Healthwatch continues to hear concerns about dentistry, which were first highlighted in the “Dentistry and the impact of COVID-19” report following a 452% rise in calls and complaints to local Healthwatch. In a follow-up review of people’s feedback on dentistry, we looked at a further 1,129 people’s experiences of accessing dental care, received between October and December 2020.

There are currently two thousand people with autism or a learning disability detained in secure inpatient settings, the majority of whom could be managed in the community according to evidence presented at a Health and Social Care Committee inquiry.

ITV want to hear from you for their show ‘Eat, Shop, Save’ which airs in the summer. The programme helps families facing ‘modern life burnout’ by looking at their diet, finances, fitness. ITV believe looking into the dietary requirements of a disabled child may be able to help other families that have a child with the same or similar condition. The closing date for entries is 31st March 2021.

During the UK lockdowns, many people have felt isolated, frustrated and have found it difficult to express how they are feeling to the people around them. Bottling up emotions can have a negative impact on your wellbeing, but if you want to vent without voicing your private thoughts – what should you do? Emma West, an online counselor who has Kniest Syndrome, illustrates how journaling has supported her mental health during the Coronavirus pandemic. Emma describes journaling as a ‘form of therapy’ that has helped her through a number of difficult stages in her life.