Getting help - or not

From a previous life, on an operational tour in the army, I recall my boss returning from a visit to Headquarters, where he was seeking support for a particular task the regiment had been given.

Looking totally frustrated, he reported that he had been offered all possible assistance - apart from any practical help.

Why is it that so often this seems to be what happens to us, as the parents of a school refuser? Reading a recent entry in the Forum, I see that this is once again the case.

Oh dear!

Anxiety Action - giving support by email.

Anxiety Action was founded 21 years ago with the help of some very dedicated volunteers. They have helped many people suffering from Anxiety, be it Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia, Social Phobia or free floating Anxiety. A non profit making voluntary organisation, Anxiety Action has helped many people towards recovery.

Support is provided via email, with one to one contact, helping towards recovery.

Support for Learners - Scotland

All children and young people from birth-25 are entitled to support with their education, wherever they learn. Some children need support throughout their education linked to disability or health needs, social or emotional factors. Others may need help at a specific time, for a short period or a number of years. It doesn’t mean they lack skills and abilities.

A new leaflet has been issued by the Scottish Government outlining the support learners are entitled to.

Factfile - Supporting learners

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Parent Partnership Services (PPS

Parent Partnership Services (PPS) are statutory services offering information advice and support to parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs (SEN). PPS are also able to put parents in touch with other local and national organisations.

PPS have a role in making sure that parents’ views are heard and understood and that these views inform local policy and practice.

PPS are based with a voluntary organisation, with the Local Authority (LA) or Children’s Trust.

All Parent Partnership Services, wherever they are based, are at ‘arm’s length’ from the LA and the services they provide are confidential and impartial.

The services offered by individual PPS will vary but all will be able to provide information and advice about:

How special educational needs are identified and assessed by schools and the local authority

Who parents can talk to in a school or LA about their concerns

The SEN Code of Practice, the statutory assessment process and statements

Parents/carers rights and responsibilities

Meetings and reviews about a child’s needs

How progress is monitored and reviewed

What parents can do if they are not happy with a decision made about their child’s SEN

Each PPS develops its own local aims based on national guidelines.

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Nicknames

40 years ago, I was given a nickname. It was not unusual for my peers to have and to use nicknames, but, although it was not especially unkind, I found it embarrassing and unpleasant.

I was reminded of this reading through 'a site for children/teenagers who are scared of school for various reasons, or anyone who has been affected by the fear of school'. One of the people who run the site, Lisa, suffered bullying at school with her peers chanting her nickname.

Scared-of-school.webs.com is a well laid out site with a forum and chat room. How well the latter is used, I cannot say, but this may well be a place for our children and young people to go when they are looking for peer support.

One of the problems they face is the loss of contact with their friends. At Scared-of-school.webs.com there is a chance they might build new relationships with people who can help.

Of course, we need to be careful that other users are who they say they are, and normal safety rules for using network sites must apply.

That nickname? Walking along a street last year with friends, I saw a beggar, who recognised me, and called out to me using my nickname! Ouch!