Snapshots from the world of SEND

April

• The National Autistic Society focused on sensory differences for Autism Awareness Month, plus the NAS has produced a new film that gives real insight into the experience of autism.
• Steve Silberman (interviewed in issue 14 of The SEND Practitioner) gave a keynote speech at the UN: ‘Let’s move beyond shallow autism awareness and appreciate autistic people in the fullness of their humanity’.
• The WHO reported that global access to services and support for people with ASD is inadequate.
• In April’s forthcoming issue of The SEND Practitioner, we speak to Dr Temple Grandin and our resident autism expert Dr Sue Sheppard. We also feature a piece from Brian Lamb OBE on the government’s current plans for academisation and the particular implications for those with SEND.
• In the Council for Disabled Children’s spring digest, Ofsted’s national director wrote about the new local area inspections starting this May.

March

• Kay Bedford OBE retired from 21 years of leading the outstanding Swiss Cottage School.
• The House of Lords debated autism diagnosis waiting times on the afternoon of 22 March.
• Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission announced that they will inspect local areas’ responsibilities to children with SEND.
• Charities called for mandatory training on autism for all teachers.
• We hosted a fruitful NASENCO Provider Group meeting in London on 19 March.
• The DfE published its White Paper entitled Educational Excellence Everywhere on 17 March. This document maps out the next five years and has additional information on the recent announcement about making each and every school an academy.
• The 1st National Centre for Advanced Training for young SEND musicians announced for 9 November.
• A government consultation on high needs funding reform opened on 7 March.