At 2 we had a presentation/information session at the Parent Advice Centre. This was really cool!!! It helps parents who have children with learning exceptionalities, and/or physical, mental, and behavioral needs. Jenny Miller, PAC Manager, told us that this coming fall there will be a dramatic change in the way they provide services to families and to children, teens, and young adults. The age statute changes from 0-19 years of age to 0-25 years of age, and the name will change to: Family Advice Centre and Personal Advice. As well, from ages 16-25 teens/young adults will have their education, health and social care services to them.
In just this "borough" of Tower Hamlets there are extremely high levels of people with a disability, there are roughly 250,000 people with in 5 miles from the office of PAC. 18,000 of the children deal with some sort of special need. Only about 200 parents actually come and say what they want for their child.
Government Aims
- To support better life outcomes for young people
If needed the person/student will be given a personal budget (or to their school) to help get the services the child needs, and most things apply. (i.e. an iPad for communication)
- A new single assessment process and "Education, Health, and Care Plan"
Essentially this is an IEP
-To give parents confidence by giving them more control through a personal budget (see above)
- To transfer power to professionals on the front line and to the local communities
PACSEN is a group that is ran by parents, and is for parents and caretakers of children/young people with special needs in the Tower Hamlets. It's a support group for parents and caretakers that live in this borough that reflects a range of needs (ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Epilepsy, and other various disabilities and complex needs).
- There are also organized events for parents and families like
- relaxation sessions
- invited speakers
- fun days and events
- and training sessions requested by parents and caretakers.
Their Public Schools here are more private than anything, and can be very selective on if they want to accept a student who has a learning exceptionality or not. Where as the Private schools are considered to be "State" schools and are more public and accommodating to all students with a learning need.
There was a TON more information.... But I'm not going to type it all up.
I met up with a friend from High School, Natalia.... I haven't seen her since I graduated.... 14 years ago!!!!! I also was able to meet her boyfriend, Chris, while she was here.
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| The Love Festival was going on this day also!!! |
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| After Dinner with Natalia and Chris, I met the gang at the Phoenix Theater for the production of "Once" I was late getting there by like 15 minutes because the worker at the Tube station told me to go left when I should have gone right. I had to wait another 15 min to be seated. So I missed the first 30-45 minutes of the production. |
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| The theater was like an "Off, Off Broadway" performance atmosphere, but it was really good!!! |
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