C.E. Jottings

And while you're at it ....

Coincidentally with my previous ePetition posting, I have notice of another campaigning action you can take while you're at it .... this from the Every Disabled Child Matters people, via a colleague: "Do you live in one of the 51 councils signed up to the EDCM Local Authority Charter? If so, we need you to make sure your council delivers on the key commitment they made when they signed the Charter - to make disabled children a local priority. Please... Read more →

ePetition - Cerebral Palsy, Conductive Education

My attention has been drawn to an ePetition on the Number 10 website. We might question the effectiveness of ePetitions in principle; we might argue with the drafting of a particular petition. However, ePetitions give some airing to a cause that, with sufficient signatories, might just catch someone's attention. They also provide a perfectly legitimate reason for writing to your local MP, to draw his or her attention to the issue. The LEA concerned is Barnsley. The person who submitted... Read more →

A dislocated life

The comedian Rob Brydon, interviewed for a feature in yesterday's Times magazine section, "Rob Brydon's Identity Crisis" said this of his divorce: “However happy I am now, something is broken in my life, and I will have to live with that for ever.” I know how he feels. As I suspect does every parent caring for and supporting a child of whatever age, with a disability; and leading, as a consequence, a life "displaced from one's own life". Something, if... Read more →

How many Education Officers (SEN) does it take to change a light bulb?

Some say old jokes are the best jokes. Here's a variation on a humorous tale that's been around a while, but brings a knowing smile for most parents nonetheless. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How many Education Officers (SEN) does it take to change a light bulb? First, a parent has to report that the light bulb doesn't seem to be working as it should. They will be told to put their concerns in writing to the Education Department. Only then, and after a... Read more →

Re:Lease / Release

I read, alerted by a posting on Andrew Sutton's blog, that efforts are being made to secure the future of the Buddy Bear School in Northern Ireland. The Motion before the Northern Ireland Assembly was due for Tuesday 19th February and I hope shortly to read of a positive outcome. Meanwhile, on Wednesday next, 27th February, the Cabinet of Sheffield City Council, is scheduled to decide whether to approve the granting of a lease to High Green Development Trust which... Read more →

Where can I find the debate on the education of children with cerebral palsy?

On Friday I attended a "third sector" event at SCEDU (Sheffield Community Enterprise Development Unit) - a seminar entitled "‘Get Ready for that Local Authority Contract". Part-hosted by Pelican, the seminar included a presentation from Catherine Tyack of the Government's Office of the Third Sector – Public Sector Partnership Team and two workshops: "Plan for Growth and Change" led by Brian James of SHIELD and "Networking" led by Ruth Livesey of Pelican. Feeling somewhat 'under par', I wasn't able to... Read more →

A little encouragement

Andrew Sutton,in his posting "Blogs I Like" on his own blog, makes some kind remarks about my efforts here. He also writes, "The sort of things that concern him are the egregious ignorance of motor-disorder amongst decision-makers and bureaucrats responsible for providing the services". For the past three months, and following on from our Trustees adoption last September of a new strategic plan, Paces has commissioned a researcher, Ann Menzies-Blythe of Circle Consultancy, to review perceptions of Paces in our... Read more →

Pirate on the beach

While England were building up a half-time lead against Wales, Maisie and Billy sailed their pirate ship across the seven seas. They captured treasure ships and rode out great storms until they came to a tropical island. The sun shone high in the sky over a beach with glistening white sand. Maisie started to pull her socks off. "Maisie! Maisie!" cried the pirate captain, her grandmother, fearing she'd catch a chill, as 2-year old pirate Maisie had had a stomach... Read more →

Antidote to Strategic Planning

A month has slipped by since I last posted. A month of being very busy. In a moment of breath-catching, I found this, a humorous greetings card from the wonderful collection "the interesting thoughts of Edward Monkton". A drawing shows a line of figures walking a low horizon stretching from left to right. The caption reads: "Where are we going?" "I don't know. Maybe he knows." "No. He definitely doesn't know." Pause. "Maybe no-one knows." Pause. "Oh well. I hope... Read more →