C.E. Jottings

Not a physical disability

Cerebral palsy is a physical disability, isn't it? Search for definitions of cerebral palsy on the internet and you'll find something like "cerebral palsy is a non-progressive disorder of movement or posture due to a malfunction or damage of the brain at or around birth". In other words, a physical disability. Sometimes that's it. Sometimes there will be mention of "associated" impairments. This is the traditional perspective. The danger is that services for the child with cerebral palsy focus only... Read more →

The Education of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Now it is time to consider the education of children with cerebral palsy. In the UK, we do medical and surgical interventions, pharmacological regimes and care support more or less well. The professionals who deliver these services have an understanding of cerebral palsy from a medical perspective in varying degrees and are trained. Not so the education professional. To teach children with cerebral palsy in the UK, there is no requirement that teachers have a prior understanding of cerebral palsy;... Read more →

A world class institution?

Prompted by a strategic review initiated by the charity's Trustees, in which it was suggested that our Vision should be the aspiration to become a 'world class institution', I have been contemplating what it might mean to be a "World Class Institution" as far as Paces is concerned. Just what is a "World Class Institution"? I would first of all suggest that it is a matter of recognition: that is, a world class Institution is simply one that other people... Read more →

VIPs Visitors and Friends

I don't know whether we were VIPs but we were certainly made welcome at the Percy Hedley Foundation on Wednesday by Head of Children's Services, Norman Stromsoy and CEO, Jim Ferris. The scale of redevelopment of premises and services is awe-inspiring. A lesson in what Paces too can achieve by focusing on strategic essentials. People first and foremost. And getting people to work together for a common purpose. I've been experimenting recently with wikis to bring Trustees together drafting a... Read more →

Just Passing Time

I've an appraisal due. For some reason, no-one's ever thought to set up a Paces CEO appraisal before now. Although a first appraisal can only set future targets and not assess performance to date, it's led me to reflect on the past year. Three key points emerge: 1. In my mind, the single most important driver, for which I have felt most accountable to everyone, has been the agreed strategic objective to deliver a robust business model. I have interpreted... Read more →

Crocodiles

"When you're up to your neck in crocodiles, they say, it's a helpful reminder why you set out to clear the swamp." Been one of those extreme bi-polar days: between being in a meeting listening to the Head of Paces School's really positive proposal for staff training in Paces School - an innovative breakthrough in the UK, if he can pull it off; then miserably dealing with lease issues as Chair of the Trust that manages our building (we've only... Read more →

For Starters

There's 15 years of history behind Paces, 10 of them at Paces Campus. That makes this is our 10th anniversary year. But this blog isn't for a history lesson. It's for news to share with Paces' People first and our many friends too. So you can keep up with what's going on. We've not been too good at that up to now. Let's make a fresh start then. Take today for instance. Paces is about changing public policy, amongst other... Read more →