AuSends Consultancy - SEN & Disability Advice and Training.

24/09/2026

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TOLD THAT PDA DOESN’T EXIST?

I have.

I sat in an educational tribunal and had a barrister tell me that PDA didn’t exist.

And families and PDA adults are still experiencing that dismissal.

That’s why NEXT Thursday we’re bringing lived experience and professional knowledge together for:

📌
Understanding PDA: Why Recognition Matters

Followed by:

📌
PDA in Practice: What Meaningful Support Looks Like

Two live discussions about recognition, what happens when PDA is misunderstood, and what meaningful support can look like in practice.

📌
Want to join us?

Ticket details are in the first comment.

24/09/2026

Looking forward to this Sunday.

24/09/2026

Can you help us reach your local councillors? 📣

We're inviting councillors to join our free webinar ‘Understanding SEN law: what every councillor needs to know’ on 20 October.

Councillors play an important role in the decisions that affect children and young people with SEND. This webinar will help them better understand the SEND legal framework and the challenges many families of children and young people face in securing support.

We're also asking councillors to complete a short survey before the webinar to help us better understand their knowledge of SEND law. The survey closes on 2 October.

We've created a template email on our website to make it quick and easy to get in touch.

Find out more: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/encourage-your-local-councillors-to-attend-our-send-law-webinar

17/09/2026

“Devon’s cabinet heard its SEND service would once again overspend as demand from families continues to rise and the costs escalate.”

We all know the reality. It’s inaccurate wording that misleads those that have no experience of SEND.

Families are only asking for the correct support and settings for their child.

Instead SENDIST appeals solicitors are outsourced averaging thousands a month for a service that fails to engage in statutory duties of appeals, resulting in LA being barred.

Devon’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) service is facing a massive £88 million overspend this year as the average cost of supporting a disabled child soars.

Devon's cabinet heard the SEND service will overspend once again as demand from local families continues to rise. The service helps ensure children with learning difficulties or physical disabilities get access to education.

Yet the average annual cost of an education, health and care plan jumped to more than £19,900 in July from just over £17,000 in March. A major reason for the high costs is students being placed in specialized SEND schools.

This has prompted a push locally and nationally to get more children into mainstream schools instead. The government previously confirmed it would pay off 90 per cent of SEND deficits accumulated up to March 2026.

But that leaves the expected £88 million overspend for this current financial year hanging in the balance.

A report prepared for the cabinet warned that if ministers do not step in, up to £79.3 million of pressure could fall directly on the council.

Officials said that would mean draining available financial reserves and taking other mitigating actions.

Devon has submitted its reform plan to the Department for Education to secure over £191 million in funding, but it is still waiting for official approval.

If no government help arrives for this financial year, the council's £42 million SEND reserve will be completely wiped out by the overspend.

Critics say the root cause goes back to a 2014 decision to extend SEND support up to age 25 without providing extra funding on the ground.

16/09/2026

We’re concerned by recent media coverage of PoTS and other chronic conditions, particularly the way people’s experiences are being dismissed or reduced to a trend.

PoTS is a real condition that can have a profound impact on everyday life.

For clarity, Dr Lesley Kavi was not interviewed by The Telegraph; quotes from a different interview were used out of context.

We’re considering what action to take and standing alongside other charities who share our concerns.


Action for ME Long Covid UK Long Covid Kids EDS-EHLERS DANLOS UK Mast Cell Action The Hypermobility Syndromes Association

15/09/2026

I’ve belonged to Sensory Spectacle for several years. Highly recommend Becky, she really knows her stuff.

Join Becky for this free webinar exploring sensory behaviours and hopefully some Q & A time.

15/09/2026

15/09/2026

A live CPD session on autism and interoception for health, social care and education professionals. Why hunger, pain, continence and emotion get missed until they become a crisis, and what works instead. Includes the full on-demand course and a CPD certificate.

15/09/2026

Statutory information sharing duty guidance for practitioners and organisations providing safeguarding and welfare services for children and young people.

12/09/2026

The Allergy Team’s inbox is crazy at the moment.

We are fielding hundreds of allergy questions from schools about implementing Benedict’s Law and the new statutory guidance.

So if you are a member of school staff and have a question or want to understand more about the new obligations, then come along to The Allergy Team’s free webinar on Tuesday 15th September.

Previous sessions have attracted over 1,000 sign ups so you can hear what everyone’s asking.

The session is at 11am and is open to all school staff. Just comment webinar and we’ll send you the link to sign up.