Jenny Hicken
@greatnorthmum.bsky.social
World-class procrastinator. PhD student, Inclusive Education Research Group @northumbriauni.bsky.social. Programme manager @EveryChildNENC.bsky.social. Knowledge Mobilisation Fellow @arcnenc.bsky.social. GMBPsS.
🌍 Newcastle upon Tyne
🌍 Newcastle upon Tyne
Reposted by Jenny Hicken
Thousands of NHS staff to be made redundant after funding agreed
Thousands of NHS staff to be made redundant after funding agreed
Thousands of job cuts at the NHS will go ahead after the £1bn needed to fund the redundancies was approved by the Treasury.
news.sky.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Thousands of NHS staff to be made redundant after funding agreed
Big news in NHS organisational change land this evening courtesy of a 5pm all-staff email from our ICB chief exec. Things are suddenly happening pre-Budget, rather unexpectedly. Info here via email from my union.
November 11, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Big news in NHS organisational change land this evening courtesy of a 5pm all-staff email from our ICB chief exec. Things are suddenly happening pre-Budget, rather unexpectedly. Info here via email from my union.
And this before they make tens of thousands of NHS England and ICB staff redundant - when they eventually work out how to pay for it 🙄
November 11, 2025 at 7:37 AM
And this before they make tens of thousands of NHS England and ICB staff redundant - when they eventually work out how to pay for it 🙄
Why is she slowly explaining this as if she is only just realising it now when it has always been true and they should have done something about it at the earliest possible opportunity
“I don't think that it's right that a child is penalised because they are in a bigger family through no fault of their own”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves 👏
Chancellor Rachel Reeves 👏
November 10, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Why is she slowly explaining this as if she is only just realising it now when it has always been true and they should have done something about it at the earliest possible opportunity
Every element of this story is my worst nightmare
A pitch-black cave in the Balkans is home to what appears to be the world’s largest spider web, which researchers say is a singular work of cooperation by two usually-hostile species of spider. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/s...
November 9, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Every element of this story is my worst nightmare
Reposted by Jenny Hicken
A great example of how a change in case definition can result in a substantially different measured reality.
It makes sense to take account of housing costs when measuring poverty levels.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
It makes sense to take account of housing costs when measuring poverty levels.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Almost all children in 73 areas of England live in low-income households
New official measures show levelling up attempts have failed to shift high levels of deprivation
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:27 AM
A great example of how a change in case definition can result in a substantially different measured reality.
It makes sense to take account of housing costs when measuring poverty levels.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
It makes sense to take account of housing costs when measuring poverty levels.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
So much money being funnelled into spurious "research" with the stated aim of finding obviously non-existent links between autism and [insert random unrelated factor], instead of funding literally anything else that would actually benefit autistic people.
I want to say more about this now I've read more. It's a $50m call for applications for funding to research potential links between autism and the gut microbiome, with stated goals of identifying biomarkers for early intervention to stop autism developing
It's #spectrum10k all over again
October 21, 2025 at 6:54 PM
So much money being funnelled into spurious "research" with the stated aim of finding obviously non-existent links between autism and [insert random unrelated factor], instead of funding literally anything else that would actually benefit autistic people.
Reposted by Jenny Hicken
These collaborative research partnerships are at the forefront of #knowledge #mobilisation in England, with dedicated teams of Fellows working closely with policymakers, practitioners, academics and local communities to support decision making across the integrated health and social care system.
📢We're very pleased to share that partners from the North East & North Cumbria been awarded new funding from
@nihr.bsky.social for an Applied Research Collaboration in our region (2026-2031), hosted by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust.
Read more ▶️ tinyurl.com/ARC2631
@nihr.bsky.social for an Applied Research Collaboration in our region (2026-2031), hosted by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust.
Read more ▶️ tinyurl.com/ARC2631
October 15, 2025 at 7:34 PM
These collaborative research partnerships are at the forefront of #knowledge #mobilisation in England, with dedicated teams of Fellows working closely with policymakers, practitioners, academics and local communities to support decision making across the integrated health and social care system.
Great news for @arcnenc.bsky.social 👏
Today, @nihr.bsky.social announced a £157 million investment over 5 years in 10 ARCs, that will:
🔵support transformation of the health & care system
🔵tackle pressing health & social care challenges through high-quality applied research
🔵bring new treatments & technologies
nihr.ac.uk/news/nihr-aw...
🔵support transformation of the health & care system
🔵tackle pressing health & social care challenges through high-quality applied research
🔵bring new treatments & technologies
nihr.ac.uk/news/nihr-aw...
October 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Great news for @arcnenc.bsky.social 👏
Reposted by Jenny Hicken
As a 'not anonymous' teacher.
Few things:
1. Yeah, I get wealthy parents with more time can nagivate it better.
2. That doesn't mean they don't need the help at all.
3. Being 'fine in school' to teachers' perspective isn’t being fine entirely. Ask anyone autistic.
inews.co.uk/opinion/rich...
Few things:
1. Yeah, I get wealthy parents with more time can nagivate it better.
2. That doesn't mean they don't need the help at all.
3. Being 'fine in school' to teachers' perspective isn’t being fine entirely. Ask anyone autistic.
inews.co.uk/opinion/rich...
Rich parents are using SEND diagnoses to get their kids help they don't need
We are fast reaching a stage where the SEND system is only navigable to those with privilege
inews.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 9:21 AM
As a 'not anonymous' teacher.
Few things:
1. Yeah, I get wealthy parents with more time can nagivate it better.
2. That doesn't mean they don't need the help at all.
3. Being 'fine in school' to teachers' perspective isn’t being fine entirely. Ask anyone autistic.
inews.co.uk/opinion/rich...
Few things:
1. Yeah, I get wealthy parents with more time can nagivate it better.
2. That doesn't mean they don't need the help at all.
3. Being 'fine in school' to teachers' perspective isn’t being fine entirely. Ask anyone autistic.
inews.co.uk/opinion/rich...
Reposted by Jenny Hicken
This #WorldMentalHealthDay we are sharing some mental health resources for young people on our Healthier Together website. Why not bookmark this link so you can signpost to it when the info might be helpful to support a young person's mental health: nenc-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/young-person...
Young Person
Improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people.
nenc-healthiertogether.nhs.uk
October 10, 2025 at 9:10 AM
This #WorldMentalHealthDay we are sharing some mental health resources for young people on our Healthier Together website. Why not bookmark this link so you can signpost to it when the info might be helpful to support a young person's mental health: nenc-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/young-person...
Reposted by Jenny Hicken
Starting University is exciting, but it can also be a challenging time for some students.
#MQAmbassador Dr Esther Beierl has been exploring student mental health & shares her early findings with us for #WorldMentalHealthDay
👉https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/university-student-mental-health/
#MQAmbassador Dr Esther Beierl has been exploring student mental health & shares her early findings with us for #WorldMentalHealthDay
👉https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/university-student-mental-health/
October 10, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Starting University is exciting, but it can also be a challenging time for some students.
#MQAmbassador Dr Esther Beierl has been exploring student mental health & shares her early findings with us for #WorldMentalHealthDay
👉https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/university-student-mental-health/
#MQAmbassador Dr Esther Beierl has been exploring student mental health & shares her early findings with us for #WorldMentalHealthDay
👉https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/university-student-mental-health/
Reposted by Jenny Hicken
Sharing more lovely feedback from our animations:
"This is so incredibly helpful! We need more informative content like this for autistic people. THANK YOU! ❤
I strongly suspect that I needed this today (but didn't realize until I saw it)"
youtu.be/-eDv2omDMko?...
"This is so incredibly helpful! We need more informative content like this for autistic people. THANK YOU! ❤
I strongly suspect that I needed this today (but didn't realize until I saw it)"
youtu.be/-eDv2omDMko?...
Discovering You're Autistic
YouTube video by Thriving Autistic
youtu.be
October 6, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Sharing more lovely feedback from our animations:
"This is so incredibly helpful! We need more informative content like this for autistic people. THANK YOU! ❤
I strongly suspect that I needed this today (but didn't realize until I saw it)"
youtu.be/-eDv2omDMko?...
"This is so incredibly helpful! We need more informative content like this for autistic people. THANK YOU! ❤
I strongly suspect that I needed this today (but didn't realize until I saw it)"
youtu.be/-eDv2omDMko?...
Reposted by Jenny Hicken
@autisticdoctor.bsky.social , @autisticdoc.bsky.social
and team are doing great work around this!
Autistic SPACE: a novel framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37127416/
and team are doing great work around this!
Autistic SPACE: a novel framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37127416/
“I am begging the autism research and clinical community: Please put more efforts into autism-specific medical accommodations and training so that people like my [high-support adult autistic] son can get the medical care they need.”
www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/cli... #autism #neurodiversity
www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/cli... #autism #neurodiversity
Clinicians must put more effort into autism-specific medical care
Without it, autistic adults with high support needs like my son are missing out on treatments that could reduce their suffering and improve their quality of life.
www.thetransmitter.org
October 4, 2025 at 8:20 PM
@autisticdoctor.bsky.social , @autisticdoc.bsky.social
and team are doing great work around this!
Autistic SPACE: a novel framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37127416/
and team are doing great work around this!
Autistic SPACE: a novel framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37127416/
Officially started my PhD at @northumbriauni.bsky.social this week! I'll be exploring wellbeing and academic support for university students with additional needs and disabilities so let me know who I need to follow in the inclusive higher education space!
October 4, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Officially started my PhD at @northumbriauni.bsky.social this week! I'll be exploring wellbeing and academic support for university students with additional needs and disabilities so let me know who I need to follow in the inclusive higher education space!
How's work going? Oh great, thanks for asking. Always good to have your ICB name-checked in an article about how everything is falling apart at the seams.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
NHS integrated care boards halt job cuts in row over £1bn cost
Integrated care boards in England cannot afford severance payments, leaving restructuring plan in chaos, union says
www.theguardian.com
September 20, 2025 at 8:59 AM
How's work going? Oh great, thanks for asking. Always good to have your ICB name-checked in an article about how everything is falling apart at the seams.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Jenny Hicken
It’s time to fix the SEND system. Because there’s nothing ‘special’ about an education that works for all of us.
Today parents are taking the #FightForOrdinary to Parliament.
Today parents are taking the #FightForOrdinary to Parliament.
September 15, 2025 at 8:11 AM
It’s time to fix the SEND system. Because there’s nothing ‘special’ about an education that works for all of us.
Today parents are taking the #FightForOrdinary to Parliament.
Today parents are taking the #FightForOrdinary to Parliament.
Reposted by Jenny Hicken
If you are still on X you are supporting this.
Elon Musk dials into a Tommy Robinson rally to say “whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you, you either fight back or you die”
Musk, who doesn’t live here & and never has, is trying to make people who do fear for their lives. It’s an open attempt to create a culture of fear.
Musk, who doesn’t live here & and never has, is trying to make people who do fear for their lives. It’s an open attempt to create a culture of fear.
September 13, 2025 at 6:13 PM
If you are still on X you are supporting this.
PARACETAMOL DOES NOT CAUSE AUTISM! Nobody should have to be "dissuaded" that this is not a thing!
The interim CEO and director of drugmaker Kenvue, which makes Tylenol, met with HHS Secretary RFK Jr. privately this week in an attempt to dissuade him from including the drug as a potential cause of autism in an upcoming report.
In meeting with RFK Jr., CEO of Tylenol maker stresses there is no clear link between medication and autism, WSJ reports | CNN
The interim CEO and director of drugmaker Kenvue, which makes the common pain reliever Tylenol, met with US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. privately this week in an attempt ...
www.cnn.com
September 12, 2025 at 10:05 PM
PARACETAMOL DOES NOT CAUSE AUTISM! Nobody should have to be "dissuaded" that this is not a thing!
Reposted by Jenny Hicken
New analysis of NHS data reveals regional inequality in autism diagnosis waiting times, with children in the North of England waiting up to 3 years longer than those in the South.
The new report is the first to be released as part of @childofthenorth.bsky.social #ChildrenFirst campaign.
The new report is the first to be released as part of @childofthenorth.bsky.social #ChildrenFirst campaign.
September 12, 2025 at 12:53 PM
New analysis of NHS data reveals regional inequality in autism diagnosis waiting times, with children in the North of England waiting up to 3 years longer than those in the South.
The new report is the first to be released as part of @childofthenorth.bsky.social #ChildrenFirst campaign.
The new report is the first to be released as part of @childofthenorth.bsky.social #ChildrenFirst campaign.
Reposted by Jenny Hicken
The autism assessment and support crisis is worsening.
Urgent reform is needed to prevent thousands of autistic children experiencing lifelong adverse outcomes.
Join our campaign to put #ChildrenFirst and call on the government to build a country that works for all children and young people.
Urgent reform is needed to prevent thousands of autistic children experiencing lifelong adverse outcomes.
Join our campaign to put #ChildrenFirst and call on the government to build a country that works for all children and young people.
September 12, 2025 at 8:43 AM
The autism assessment and support crisis is worsening.
Urgent reform is needed to prevent thousands of autistic children experiencing lifelong adverse outcomes.
Join our campaign to put #ChildrenFirst and call on the government to build a country that works for all children and young people.
Urgent reform is needed to prevent thousands of autistic children experiencing lifelong adverse outcomes.
Join our campaign to put #ChildrenFirst and call on the government to build a country that works for all children and young people.
Reposted by Jenny Hicken
Vaccines don’t cause autism.
Tylenol (acetaminophen) doesn’t cause autism.
Miniscule trace pesticide residues don’t cause autism.
Aluminum doesn’t cause autism.
Fluoride doesn’t cause autism.
The biggest predictor of autism?
Genetics.
And we recognize autism better today.
1/
Tylenol (acetaminophen) doesn’t cause autism.
Miniscule trace pesticide residues don’t cause autism.
Aluminum doesn’t cause autism.
Fluoride doesn’t cause autism.
The biggest predictor of autism?
Genetics.
And we recognize autism better today.
1/
September 7, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Vaccines don’t cause autism.
Tylenol (acetaminophen) doesn’t cause autism.
Miniscule trace pesticide residues don’t cause autism.
Aluminum doesn’t cause autism.
Fluoride doesn’t cause autism.
The biggest predictor of autism?
Genetics.
And we recognize autism better today.
1/
Tylenol (acetaminophen) doesn’t cause autism.
Miniscule trace pesticide residues don’t cause autism.
Aluminum doesn’t cause autism.
Fluoride doesn’t cause autism.
The biggest predictor of autism?
Genetics.
And we recognize autism better today.
1/
This is really quite something
September 2, 2025 at 10:53 AM
This is really quite something
I hate this more than I can possibly tell you. Nobody should be this enthusiastic about bunting when they are actively demonising entire swathes of humanity to appease actual racists who think flags are more important than people. Genuinely toe-curling how desperate it is.
September 2, 2025 at 8:55 AM
I hate this more than I can possibly tell you. Nobody should be this enthusiastic about bunting when they are actively demonising entire swathes of humanity to appease actual racists who think flags are more important than people. Genuinely toe-curling how desperate it is.