Beth Phillips - Education Consultant SEND and ALN

I'm hoping parents experiencing the Welsh ALN system will complete this. It's from the Welsh Government about advocacy.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Ug4_TzS3ZEGUCRtgHRR5kyiM8I32989BtUBHwntvYZ5URUFVQ0ZBWjgzU1FUUlAyUzAwRUZBTkRNQi4u&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Orlo&fbclid=IwVERDUAP3T-FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR7ssqs5Qg0oJfKjn0yj663ildaPKMoycP6cGTIvl7ALgIukbt4vZBUKyuGVng_aem_djlCLhyZNsy4G4h5QneabQ

forms.office.com

Sometimes, when I'm looking through paperwork, I think I've already seen it all, but every now and then an LA or school manages to shock me.

Tonight, I've been working on a Welsh IDP for an autistic child who has a handful of spoken words at the age of 7. It has been written by a teacher in a specialist speech and language unit (because in Wales, schools often have the responsibility to write IDPs - the Welsh equivalent of an EHCP in England).

In section 2A, the document must explain the child's additional learning needs. Section 2A in this IDP does not mention autism or expressive language or social communication difficulties.

In section 2B, speech and language therapy has been removed without discussion with the parents despite the fact that it says the child's communicative intent is developing.

I despair..

I've had an enquiry from a family in Swansea by email, but I can't reply because their inbox is full. If anyone has emailed me for support in the last few days and not had a reply, please feel free to message me on here and I can reply directly. (I have tried to look up the person's name on Facebook, but I can't think of other ways to get in contact.)

I've just been at Neath Port Talbot hospital and spotted this lovely communication board high up in a completely unusable spot behind the information desk. The facilities manager happened to be walking past the desk while I was explaining about it to the wonderful volunteers. I introduced myself, explained its purpose to her, and why it needed moving, and she is going to get it moved. I suggested that the speech and language department could help explain more about its use too. No-one I spoke to had ever noticed it!

Haa anyone else spotted one that needs repositioning?

I love Jonathan's poem. Don't forget to follow the last line to the letter..

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BGYd2Neqq/

PMLD video Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Yugq9d7gP/

I just had the lovely task of informing a parent that their LA has agreed to fund a place at the college they wanted for their young person after all. We can conclude the appeal by consent today, 6 months before the hearing date. The relief and excitement in the parent's voice was wonderful to hear. 🙂

I'm really sad to hear of the passing of this amazing young man. He has taught people a lot about the importance of literacy for all and not making assumptions about what someone can or can't do. Rest in peace Jonathan.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19dpGYFnAm/

This week I have been working on a Tribunal case where the solicitor for the LA has been so rude, and resorted to bullying tactics, in their emails that I have agreed with the parent I will only share information needed from now on to protect them from the stress of it. In the last case I did that reached a hearing, the barrister reduced the parent to tears and made completely baseless accusations. These are parents (not criminals) who are already at the end of their tethers and legal professionals involved would do well to keep that at the forefront of their minds.

I'm so busy supporting families at the moment that I don't post much on here, but Professor Maggie Woodhouse is a true hero so I wanted to share this.

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1107728644728286&id=100064734814445&post_id=100064734814445_1107728644728286&sfnsn=scwspmo

Prof Maggie Woodhouse has created a factsheet of recommendations for vision issues in EHCPs, Statements or Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for children who have Down’s syndrome. Click here -https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Vision-issues-EHCPs-statements-IDPs-FINAL-24.02.25.pdf - to download.

I had a disturbing conversation with a barrister who works in SEND and ALN today. While 98% of parents are getting some of their requested provision in place via appeals to the English SEND Tribunal, only 30-something percent of parents are currently achieving it via the Education Tribunal for Wales. His advice was that parents should try very hard to avoid appealing.

My experience is that we can often avoid an actual hearing by working with an LA earlier in the process, but it is certainly costly and stressful for families and requires more work (and therefore cost) at the beginning of the appeals process in Wales than in England.