Common's Education Committee Inquiry, Parentkind survey and more ...
A brief update from Nick, the Director of Policy for Genetic Alliance UK about our planned response to the Commons Education Committee’s inquiry
Covid-19 has caused severe disruption to education provision for the genetic, rare, and undiagnosed community. The return to schools for some children in the coming weeks poses additional risks and challenges.
We are developing our messages for the inquiry based on the check-in conversations we have had so far. Our response will include these topics:
- Less local government provided educational support in the home, following relaxations of requirements by the Coronavirus Bill.
- Increased need for educational support in the home, given the need for many children with SEND needs to continue to shield.
- Challenges of schools restarting, with no clear message about how to manage the education of siblings of shielded children.
- Challenges of returning to school for children with SEND, both with respect to managing routines and consistent experiences, and with the potential of reduced support staff.
At our community check-in on 2 June we will present the themes we’re focusing on, and ask for case studies and quotes. We will also give advice for those who would like to make their own submissions. We will also joined again by Parentkind to feedback on suggested questions for their next survey.
If you would like to share your experience of how Covid-19 has affected education and child services for people living with rare diseases, then please email education2020@geneticalliance.org.uk.
We are looking for short personal stories that illustrate this issue well.
Information collected through this route will be used for our policy work. We will inform you if we would like to use your submission to seek your consent. Anonymous contributions are welcome. The scope of potential uses include: submission to consultation, inquiries and other public affairs work, coverage of this topic on our website and potential media work. Your stories or your personal information will not be shared without your consent.
If you have any specific issues relating to England or policy more generally please email me, nick@geneticalliance.org.uk.