Political parties' manifestos - out now!
Posted by
Elena Goodrum
on 23rd April 2010
at 12:05
Robbie, thank you for this - I forgot to let you know that I did share this on FB & Twitter! : )
Posted by
Josie Barnshaw
on 23rd April 2010
at 13:44
............ and I have been reading them, honest!!!
Josie - Community Champion
Posted by
michaelz
on 5th May 2010
at 12:52
don't forget to vote tomorrow, folks.
--------------------------
i'll be voting labour.
Posted by
bumblebee
on 5th May 2010
at 13:28
I'm still undecided...I will have to do a lot of research this evening I think....the problem is, I dont trust any of them!!
Claire - Community Champion
Posted by
damo73
on 5th May 2010
at 14:25
On policy grounds - I think the Lib Dem's are way ahead of the others. They want to prioritise education and cut class sizes / scrap trident and ID cards / expand the minimum level before paying tax etc. They are sensible and costed. I also think we need electoral reform. Also, like Nick Clegg's soundbite says - I am tired of the old parties thinking it is their right to lead.
I will refrain from demolising the others...
Damian
Posted by
Leanne
on 5th May 2010
at 15:20
Hi
I was a bit shocked yesterday when my 'typical' 10yr old asked who I was voting for ,I said I was unsure and he said that he thought Nick Clegg would make a good Prime Minster because he liked what he said and agreed with him.. I was stunned.
I also had an interesting conversation with the 3 eldest last week over Gordon Browns 'bigot' comment. Making the kids watch the morning news programme instead of kids programmes is paying off I think ;)
Leanne - Community Champion
Posted by
damo73
on 5th May 2010
at 18:29
Hello Robbie,
My brother lives in Edinburgh + prefers the political system there. I was up all night in 97 too (at a snooker hall with a friend - playing pool and watching the results coming in) - age 23 + a student. I voted Labour then for the minimum wage, then it came in at about 3 pound something + I thought 'that was worth it!' I think I have become increasingly disillusioned with them since. My politics are more traditional socialist, yet with a first past the post system + living in the South-East - it narrows my options. In the European election I voted Green + it helped get Caroline Lucas in for a second time running (I think she is a reasonable politician). I don't think I even have a Green candidate where I am, in the general election though.
Much more interesting election than the last few though. I think I will watch the Channel 4 alternative election night special - might be a giggle.
Damian
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Posted by
Robbie de Santos
on 14th April 2010
at 16:50
Hello everyone,
I suppose you will have noticed that the General Election campaigns have started now! This week the three main political parties have released their manifestos. Each party has made specific reference to their plans for education provision of children with special educational needs.
The Labour Party’s manifesto states: “We have high expectations for children with SEN and schools will be held to account for how well they meet the needs of these pupils. We are expanding the number of specialist dyslexia teachers and improving teacher training for children with autism. The statementing process will be improved to give more support to parents, and the supply of teachers with the specialist skills needed to teach pupils with severe learning disabilities in special schools will be increased.” Read the full Labour Party manifesto here.
The Conservative Party’s manifesto states: “The most vulnerable children deserve the very highest quality of care, so we will call a moratorium on the ideologically-driven closure of special schools. We will end the bias towards the inclusion of children with special needs in mainstream schools.” Read the full Conservative Party manifesto here.
The Liberal Democrat Party’s manifesto states: “We will guarantee Special Educational Needs (SEN) diagnostic assessments for all 5 year olds, improve SEN provision and improve SEN training for teachers.” Read the full Liberal Democrat Party manifesto here.
Many other issues are touched on in the manifestos which will have an impact on the lives of children with autism and their families, including issues around pupil and parent guarantees, parental involvement in developing or setting up schools, apprenticeships, and managing behaviour and exclusions. Other issues covered include early intervention, diagnosis, short breaks and child trust funds.
Do have a look at each of the manifestos and share your thoughts on how they will work for children with autism! It is interesting to compare the proposals in the manifestos to the calls we made in our 2010 Parliamentary Briefing, which sets out the steps we believe will make a difference to the lives of children with autism and their families. Our briefing calls for:
· high quality autism education services
· early identification and effective assessment of autism
· participation of children and young people with autism and their families and carers
· national and local strategic planning for the education of children and young people with autism
You can download a copy of the TreeHouse Ambitious About Autism 2010 Parliamentary Briefing here.