Government seeks views on SEN Green Paper

 You can let the government know what you think of the recent Green Paper by visiting the following Department for Education webpage. The Green Paper is also available to download.

http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/sen/a0075339/sengreenpaper

The deadline for responses is 30 June 2011.

Email your MP! Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) Action:

EDCM has published a new report 'Close to Crisis - frontline service cuts for disabled children' that highlights the impact of service funding cuts on families with disabled children. 

One of the key findings was that parents and professionals felt they were being kept out of the loop about why these cuts were taking place, and what would happen in the future. The report also provides clear evidence that local areas are making cuts now due to the perception that funding will not be available for frontline services when Aiming High for Disabled Children comes to an end in March 2011.

That's why EDCM are asking you to email your MP and ask them to write to Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury to ask that the 2010 Spending Review Report should give a clear, unambiguous message to local authorities, and to disabled children and their families, about the funding that will be available for disabled children's services over the next five years.

 Click here to email your MP http://e-activist.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=6&ea.campaign.id=7771&ea.param.extras=urltracker:supporteremail

Childcare Provision For a Child With a Disability or SEN 

Childcare providers have a legal duty to offer extra support to meet the needs of a child with a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. This might include installing a ramp to allow wheelchair access to their premises or training staff to use special equipment. They must also take into account the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Code of Practice, which requires them to meet the needs of children with special educational needs.

The Surrey County Council Early Years Service are currently looking at a variety of ways to help parents of disabled children to have better information and ultimately better choices about their childcare options. They have a short survey about the information that is currently available to you about childcare.

For further information go to www.surreycc.gov.uk/SCCWebsite/sccwspages.nsf/searchresults/103e63f57406f6ee802570b90032d97d?OpenDocument

To fill in the five minute survey visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/KQGRN72

To find out we will soon be producing a survey for you to complete. Watch this website for

details. If you would like the link emailed to you and are not already on our contact list please send us your email address so that we can add you to our email distribution list.