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Just came across this. http://www.lgo.org.uk/news/2012/dec/buckinghamshire-cc-criticised-insufficient-education-boy-special-needs/ Buckinghamshire CC criticised over insufficient education for boy with special needs Date Published: 06/12/12 Buckinghamshire County Council did not provide enough education for a boy with special needs for over a year finds Local Government Ombudsman, Anne Seex. In her report, issued today, she says: "The boy received no education at all between February and May 2010, and then only a little over five hours a week until April 2011. There is no evidence that the Council ever tried to establish what education would be suitable for him and what he could cope with in his medical condition." She added: "The Council's position at the time seems to have been the Education Act 1996 requires only five hours tuition on medical grounds. This is wrong – as a child's health improves, the hours should normally be increased." Mr and Mrs A have looked after their 15-year-old grandson, Z, since he was seven years old. At 13, he stopped attending school because of anxiety related to autism. Z's GP referred him to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). CAMHS told the Council that Z was autistic and would be unable to cope in a mainstream school. CAMHS offered Z some education at an attached School Room, but it only had capacity to offer 5.5 hours of education per week. He received education there for almost a year. During this period, Mr and Mrs A had to take on the task of caring for him almost full time. Although the Council was aware from March 2010 that it was likely that Z had special educational needs, it did not use its powers to assess these. Nor did it tell Mrs A that she could ask for an assessment. Eventually she found out and requested one immediately. Z was assessed in November 2010 and found to need specialist education, but he did not start at a special school until April 2011. The Ombudsman found maladministration causing injustice because the Council failed to provide Z with suitable education between February 2010 and April 2011 and failed to fulfil its duties under the Education Act 1996. The Ombudsman recommends the Council to: create a fund equal to the cost of private tuition for the hours of education that Z lost, to be held for him until he is 21 and to be used to provide him with additional tuition, educational opportunities or equipment that an educational psychologist recommends would benefit him, but not for any provision to which he would be entitled as part of his statement of special educational needs, and apologise to Mr and Mrs A and pay them £2,000 in recognition of the impact its maladministration had on them. On behalf of the Council, the Chief Executive has indicated that it will agree to this remedy. Report ref no 10 010 281

The government has announced that to many children are classed as having SENs. That it want to reduce this number. They say it is not to do with cutting cost but to deliver the right support to the right children. Also they talk about children with the severest disabilities having an individual educational budget under the control of parents to be spent on what services they decide. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-18061348

LINKS UK Specialists Ltd is hosting a series of important half day seminars designed specifically for Frontline Education staff. These include topics such as … Ø An introduction to Autism and other related diagnosis Ø Differentiating topic for children with Autism/ADHD within a classroom setting Ø Behaviour Management Ø Effective Communication for children with Autism Ø Individual Education Plan (IEP) creation and delivery LINKS UK Specialists Ltd has secured the force behind The Island Project School as key speakers for a number of events to share best practice and effective strategies. Ofsted has recognised The Island Project as ‘outstanding’ in all areas of SEN provision. The school serves five local authorities and accommodates children with the most complex needs. “The school’s use of multidisciplinary staff to support learning, so that all areas of the pupil’s development are targeted, is a fundamental aspect of its impressive work” “Pupil’s behaviour is outstanding and no disruption to learning was seen during the inspection. Although pupils enter school, often with challenging behaviour, they are quickly given respect for what they bring to the school community and clearly established routines and strategies rapidly encourage positive behaviour” “Staff are very skilful at following the highly individualised behaviour plans so that any initial signs of discontent are identified and pupils are not distracted, or their behaviours de-escalated, before any learning is lost.” – Ofsted 2012 Please contact me for a booking form and a copy of our brochure outlining the workshops currently on offer and prices. The next available dates are in April 2012 so please email your booking form to reserve a place immediately as interest is high. Course dates will be confirmed as soon as places have been reserved. Kind Regards Mr Chris Gardner Director LINKS UK Specialists Ltd Tel: 07565852118 Email: chrisgardner.linksukspecialistsltd@hotmail.co.uk