Parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have expressed concerns that their children will be unable to attend school due to the failure of the council to provide adequate transport. Nicola Leadbetter is a parent who relies heavily on home to school transport for her daughter with SEND. She says that transport is imperative for her child to get to and from school. “I have had to fight to get transport for my daughter. She has met criteria because of her educational health care plan (EHCP), but nothing made a difference, I was still turned down.” A…
Author: Charlotte Brindley
A head teacher in Walsall has said that home-to-school transport is now more successful for special educational needs pupils, after safeguarding concerns for independent travel. Listen here to an interview with headteacher Lee Cross, who says that after being allocated one travel company by Walsall Council, the school delivered safeguarding training for allocated drivers and escorts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h39BJpNMDXI
If you are someone who has autism or know someone who is struggling to cope, the sudden change in structure to daily life is less than ideal. Experiences will vary in each individual, but changes in routine can cause an autistic person to feel high levels of stress and anxiety. Here are a collection of tips shared by experts, carers and people with autism on how they are adapting to the lockdown. “Challenges could be more pronounced” Adele O’Halan, a child and adolescent psychotherapist and spokesperson for ACP (Association of Child Psychotherapists) said: “The autistic spectrum is vast and people…
As lives grind to a halt due to the current coronavirus pandemic, many people are finding it difficult to adjust to the sudden change in routine, including working from home and home-schooling. The current lockdown has caused disruption to everybody’s lives, including 700,000 autistic people and their families living in the UK, leading to high levels of stress and anxiety. Autism Awareness Week The National Autism Society are also adapting the way they reach people to raise awareness of the challenges autistic people face every day. The focus of this year’s awareness week includes focusing on providing support and information…
The first UK-wide climate assembly is taking place in Birmingham from today. Sir David Attenborough is urging politicians and the public to listen to the recommendations that the climate assembly will make, when it gets underway this weekend. Birmingham Friends Of the Earth have said the assembly in Birmingham is important for the city. Campaigner for Birmingham Friends Of the Earth, Jodie Ethridge said: “The UK urgently needs to reach to net zero emissions, if we are to address climate change. People should be at the heart of discussions as climate change affects everyone.” This weekend, there will be discussions…
A Birmingham based women’s charity are supporting the call for central government to implement domestic violence prevention programmes for both victims and offenders. Women Acting in Todays Society (WAITS) are just one of many charities across the UK, that are calling on the government to set up domestic violence schemes for people at risk of domestic violence. CEO of WAITS, Marcia Lewinson said: “Putting people onto these programmes, whether they are male or females, is really important. It also helps with low risk cases to have intervention at that level before it escalates.” The success of a pilot scheme project,…
High bus fares in the West Midlands are said to be putting people off from taking the bus in the West Midlands. It has been highlighted in a transport council meeting that expensive travel costs are eating into people’s salaries, and therefore some people are having to choose alternative ways of getting around. Head of customer experience for National Express, Adam Rideout said: “Its not about the actual cost of the ticket that’s the problem, it’s about if people are getting value for money with the service that is currently provided.” More people are being encouraged to use public transport…
Sustainability and transport overview meeting at Birmingham City Council A council meeting was held today for a sustainability and transport overview at the Birmingham City Council House. One of the main issues highlighted, was that users of public transport felt ‘put off’ by taking the bus due to fears of safety. Conservative Councillor, and former bus driver Eddie Freeman said: “Attracting more passengers is addressing the safety issues.” Issues of safety include inadequate lighting at bus shelters, violence and common assaults. Inspector Rachel Crump from the West Midlands Police Safety Travel team said: “Violence, criminal damage and common assaults, are…
A group of Jewish students staged a peaceful protest outside the venue where the leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn was set to unveil the party’s new manifesto. Protestors gathered at the main entrance, making their feelings to know to the hundreds of guests and members of the media who were arriving for the main event Jewish students protesting outside Birmingham City University. “As a Jew, Labour is institutionally anti-Semitic. He allowed anti-Semitics to flourish in this Labour Party and I believe he would do the same in the country as a whole.” Protestor who wanted to remain anonymous Prominent…
Adults in Walsall are being encouraged to make small changes to their lifestyles in order to manage their health. The Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is organising three public events across Walsall, as part of a national Self-Care Awareness Week. Louise Mabley, lead for the self care programme said: “It has already been incredibly busy. Many people don’t know what is available to them or don’t necessarily know how to access what is available to them.” The awareness week is part of the NHS campaign to push the importance of self care as a preventative measure, in reducing the amount of…