John Furlong
@john-furlong.bsky.social
Cerebra LEaP team - providing information and support about disabled children's social care to families. Some policy stuff. All views my own.
Reposted by John Furlong
On SNJ Today: Will your school speak out on what @chriscoghlanmp.bsky.social calls councils’ "systematic, moral, and ethical” abuse of #SEND law? He commits to defending children's rights—ask your MP do the same! www.specialneedsjungle.com/m...
December 22, 2025 at 6:02 AM
On SNJ Today: Will your school speak out on what @chriscoghlanmp.bsky.social calls councils’ "systematic, moral, and ethical” abuse of #SEND law? He commits to defending children's rights—ask your MP do the same! www.specialneedsjungle.com/m...
Reposted by John Furlong
NEW POST: How teachers are providing the missing evidence illustrating systemic SEND maladministration by councils. Accountability investigators, Measure What Matters, are urging schools and educators to share their experiences anonymously: www.specialneedsjungle.com/t...
December 17, 2025 at 6:02 AM
NEW POST: How teachers are providing the missing evidence illustrating systemic SEND maladministration by councils. Accountability investigators, Measure What Matters, are urging schools and educators to share their experiences anonymously: www.specialneedsjungle.com/t...
Reposted by John Furlong
Running the numbers, looks like ~2,500 planned special school places have definitely been axed, with a further ~6,900 places subject to an undefined CeX-style trade-in
Breaking: Leaders describe 'nightmare before Christmas' as 28 mainstream and 18 special free school projects face the axe, with 58 more specialist settings thrown into limbo after a year-long government review
schoolsweek.co.uk/nightmare-be...
schoolsweek.co.uk/nightmare-be...
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Running the numbers, looks like ~2,500 planned special school places have definitely been axed, with a further ~6,900 places subject to an undefined CeX-style trade-in
Reposted by John Furlong
Over the last year, myths about the Motability scheme have spread online and in the right wing media. Now, some of it is government policy.
In today’s Guardian, I set about finding the facts and why the idea of “free cars for the disabled” has taken hold. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
In today’s Guardian, I set about finding the facts and why the idea of “free cars for the disabled” has taken hold. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Disabled people driving luxury cars on your dime? Just the latest rightwing lie peddled by Labour | Frances Ryan
Starmer’s ailing government is happy to pursue ideas like cutting Motability, but all ministers will do is damage lives and themselves, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Over the last year, myths about the Motability scheme have spread online and in the right wing media. Now, some of it is government policy.
In today’s Guardian, I set about finding the facts and why the idea of “free cars for the disabled” has taken hold. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
In today’s Guardian, I set about finding the facts and why the idea of “free cars for the disabled” has taken hold. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by John Furlong
📈 #IFSSatStat: The number of children in the UK is expected to decline by about 7% or 800,000 between 2025 and 2035.
These declines are expected to be fastest in Scotland (8%), Wales (10%) and Northern Ireland (15%).
These declines are expected to be fastest in Scotland (8%), Wales (10%) and Northern Ireland (15%).
December 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM
📈 #IFSSatStat: The number of children in the UK is expected to decline by about 7% or 800,000 between 2025 and 2035.
These declines are expected to be fastest in Scotland (8%), Wales (10%) and Northern Ireland (15%).
These declines are expected to be fastest in Scotland (8%), Wales (10%) and Northern Ireland (15%).
Reposted by John Furlong
THREAD: SEND costs to hit central government budgets
The cost of SEND support will shift entirely onto central government from 2028, and the OBR warns the DfE has no plan for how to pay for it, according to the OBR's Economic and fiscal outlook, published in error.
The cost of SEND support will shift entirely onto central government from 2028, and the OBR warns the DfE has no plan for how to pay for it, according to the OBR's Economic and fiscal outlook, published in error.
November 26, 2025 at 12:44 PM
THREAD: SEND costs to hit central government budgets
The cost of SEND support will shift entirely onto central government from 2028, and the OBR warns the DfE has no plan for how to pay for it, according to the OBR's Economic and fiscal outlook, published in error.
The cost of SEND support will shift entirely onto central government from 2028, and the OBR warns the DfE has no plan for how to pay for it, according to the OBR's Economic and fiscal outlook, published in error.
Reposted by John Furlong
🎉The Department is delighted to announce the second public seminar of Michaelmas term:
Solving the SEND Crisis: a public seminar about the Education Select Committee report.
Speaker: Helen Hayes MP
📅3 Dec
⌚5pm – 6.30pm
🏢Dept of Education and MS Teams
Register now 👉 shorturl.at/eJnJR
Solving the SEND Crisis: a public seminar about the Education Select Committee report.
Speaker: Helen Hayes MP
📅3 Dec
⌚5pm – 6.30pm
🏢Dept of Education and MS Teams
Register now 👉 shorturl.at/eJnJR
November 18, 2025 at 9:10 AM
🎉The Department is delighted to announce the second public seminar of Michaelmas term:
Solving the SEND Crisis: a public seminar about the Education Select Committee report.
Speaker: Helen Hayes MP
📅3 Dec
⌚5pm – 6.30pm
🏢Dept of Education and MS Teams
Register now 👉 shorturl.at/eJnJR
Solving the SEND Crisis: a public seminar about the Education Select Committee report.
Speaker: Helen Hayes MP
📅3 Dec
⌚5pm – 6.30pm
🏢Dept of Education and MS Teams
Register now 👉 shorturl.at/eJnJR
Reposted by John Furlong
"Despite widespread claims linking gut health to autism spectrum disorder, a comprehensive analysis published in the journal Neuron has found no scientific evidence supporting the hypothesis that the gut microbiome causally contributes to autism."
No, Your Gut Microbiome Doesn't Contribute to Autism—New Study Dismantles Decades of Misleading Claims
A comprehensive analysis has found no scientific evidence supporting the hypothesis that the gut microbiome causally contributes to autism.
thedebrief.org
November 17, 2025 at 9:28 PM
"Despite widespread claims linking gut health to autism spectrum disorder, a comprehensive analysis published in the journal Neuron has found no scientific evidence supporting the hypothesis that the gut microbiome causally contributes to autism."
Reposted by John Furlong
In other news look at councils projected cumulative deficit just on special needs costs over the next few years. Yikes.
November 17, 2025 at 9:27 AM
In other news look at councils projected cumulative deficit just on special needs costs over the next few years. Yikes.
Reposted by John Furlong
Open justice is supposed to enhance public trust + confidence in the justice system - but in this case it had the opposite effect.
What does the Supreme Court need to do differently to make sure COP observers have a better experience next time?
openjusticecourtofprotection.org/2025/11/10/w...
What does the Supreme Court need to do differently to make sure COP observers have a better experience next time?
openjusticecourtofprotection.org/2025/11/10/w...
When open justice undermines public confidence: Scrutinising the Supreme Court
Justice is not a cloistered virtue; she must be allowed to suffer the scrutiny and respectful, even though outspoken, comments of ordinary men
openjusticecourtofprotection.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Open justice is supposed to enhance public trust + confidence in the justice system - but in this case it had the opposite effect.
What does the Supreme Court need to do differently to make sure COP observers have a better experience next time?
openjusticecourtofprotection.org/2025/11/10/w...
What does the Supreme Court need to do differently to make sure COP observers have a better experience next time?
openjusticecourtofprotection.org/2025/11/10/w...
Reposted by John Furlong
NEW POST: @catrionamoore.bsky.social dissects a new report from the @nao.org.uk that tells the Government to improve its data on schools and SEND transport—and ensure any coming changes don't make it harder for disabled children to attend: www.specialneedsjungle.com/n...
October 31, 2025 at 6:02 AM
NEW POST: @catrionamoore.bsky.social dissects a new report from the @nao.org.uk that tells the Government to improve its data on schools and SEND transport—and ensure any coming changes don't make it harder for disabled children to attend: www.specialneedsjungle.com/n...
Reposted by John Furlong
New transport survey for 16-19 year olds has launched! 📝
Complete the survey here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/zioiykibzm
Read more here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/zzekogukbq
Complete the survey here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/zioiykibzm
Read more here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/zzekogukbq
October 28, 2025 at 10:03 AM
New transport survey for 16-19 year olds has launched! 📝
Complete the survey here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/zioiykibzm
Read more here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/zzekogukbq
Complete the survey here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/zioiykibzm
Read more here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/zzekogukbq
Reposted by John Furlong
“We need to take the time to get [SEND reform] right and to ensure we are designing a system which is protected against unintended consequences.”
Minister of State for Children & Families, July 2021
Minister of State for Children & Families, July 2021
Breaking: The government has delayed the publication of its schools White Paper, which would detail its SEND reform plans, until early 2026.
More to follow.
More to follow.
October 22, 2025 at 3:28 PM
“We need to take the time to get [SEND reform] right and to ensure we are designing a system which is protected against unintended consequences.”
Minister of State for Children & Families, July 2021
Minister of State for Children & Families, July 2021
Reposted by John Furlong
If you’re a parent of a young person with #SEND aged 16-19 and in receipt of home to school transport, please take a moment to fill in this short survey.
Contact particularly wish to hear from families who have been refused transport. Thank you.
contact.org.uk/about-contac...
Contact particularly wish to hear from families who have been refused transport. Thank you.
contact.org.uk/about-contac...
16-19 transport – does it work for you?
We’re running a survey to find out how your young person’s transport is working right now. It will take a few minutes to complete.
contact.org.uk
October 21, 2025 at 12:15 PM
If you’re a parent of a young person with #SEND aged 16-19 and in receipt of home to school transport, please take a moment to fill in this short survey.
Contact particularly wish to hear from families who have been refused transport. Thank you.
contact.org.uk/about-contac...
Contact particularly wish to hear from families who have been refused transport. Thank you.
contact.org.uk/about-contac...
Reposted by John Furlong
“This is not an argument against people having needs; it’s an argument against the idea that the categories we use will help us to understand what those needs are.”
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
www.tes.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:14 AM
“This is not an argument against people having needs; it’s an argument against the idea that the categories we use will help us to understand what those needs are.”
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Reposted by John Furlong
Wow: Helen Hayes, committee chair, says: "All of us, as constituency MPs, see children not being offered places at schools of their choice, because of their additional needs." That's a massive criticism of the schools system.
October 14, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Wow: Helen Hayes, committee chair, says: "All of us, as constituency MPs, see children not being offered places at schools of their choice, because of their additional needs." That's a massive criticism of the schools system.
Reposted by John Furlong
Around 80% of children's homes are run by for-profit companies, but there is uncertainty if the Human Rights Act always applies to them. This week Peers debated this and we provided a detailed briefing. [1/3]
September 19, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Around 80% of children's homes are run by for-profit companies, but there is uncertainty if the Human Rights Act always applies to them. This week Peers debated this and we provided a detailed briefing. [1/3]
Cerebra’s response to the LGA/ISOS report on ‘The future of home to school transport’
cerebra.org.uk/legal-rights...
cerebra.org.uk/legal-rights...
Cerebra’s response to the LGA/ISOS report on ‘The future of home to school transport’ - Cerebra
ISOS Partnership has recently published a report, commissioned by the Local Government Association, on "The future of home to school transport" in England. The Local Government Association is a campai...
cerebra.org.uk
July 28, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Cerebra’s response to the LGA/ISOS report on ‘The future of home to school transport’
cerebra.org.uk/legal-rights...
cerebra.org.uk/legal-rights...
Reposted by John Furlong
Phenomenal journalism investigating the FII crisis for families with disabled, ill & vulnerable children by Emily Dugan.
We know this is negatively impacting #LongCovid families & urgent change is needed to the @rcpch.bsky.social FII guidelines. 🧵1/7
TW
🗞️🖇️ tinyurl.com/bdcrsxrj
We know this is negatively impacting #LongCovid families & urgent change is needed to the @rcpch.bsky.social FII guidelines. 🧵1/7
TW
🗞️🖇️ tinyurl.com/bdcrsxrj
July 20, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Phenomenal journalism investigating the FII crisis for families with disabled, ill & vulnerable children by Emily Dugan.
We know this is negatively impacting #LongCovid families & urgent change is needed to the @rcpch.bsky.social FII guidelines. 🧵1/7
TW
🗞️🖇️ tinyurl.com/bdcrsxrj
We know this is negatively impacting #LongCovid families & urgent change is needed to the @rcpch.bsky.social FII guidelines. 🧵1/7
TW
🗞️🖇️ tinyurl.com/bdcrsxrj
Reposted by John Furlong
Big news: Guardian story and multi-signatory letter about fears about how the govt will follow the disability benefits fiasco: with drastic moves on the educational rights of children & young people with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities 1/2 www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Government faces battle over Send overhaul as campaigners voice fears
MPs and parents worry shake-up may abolish vital education, health and care plans that SEN children rely on
www.theguardian.com
July 6, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Big news: Guardian story and multi-signatory letter about fears about how the govt will follow the disability benefits fiasco: with drastic moves on the educational rights of children & young people with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities 1/2 www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by John Furlong
NEW POST: @captaink77.bsky.social deconstructs the new #EHCP figures for 2025 that show a 10.9% annual increase but a 22.5% rise for pupils “educated elsewhere” than in schools. Plus, check out our annual LA Hall of Shame and infographics @tanialt.bsky.social www.specialneedsjungle.com/e...
June 27, 2025 at 5:02 AM
NEW POST: @captaink77.bsky.social deconstructs the new #EHCP figures for 2025 that show a 10.9% annual increase but a 22.5% rise for pupils “educated elsewhere” than in schools. Plus, check out our annual LA Hall of Shame and infographics @tanialt.bsky.social www.specialneedsjungle.com/e...
Reposted by John Furlong
The thing with the disabled people of the future is they can't write to their MP by Tuesday.
But if this goes through, one day they will.
But if this goes through, one day they will.
NEW: I understand some of the concessions being floated with rebels on the welfare bill alongside the 3 point threshold includes allowing existing PIP claimants to keep their PIP even if they don’t score above 4 in any criteria, and bringing forward employment support
June 26, 2025 at 6:11 PM
The thing with the disabled people of the future is they can't write to their MP by Tuesday.
But if this goes through, one day they will.
But if this goes through, one day they will.
Reposted by John Furlong
I wrote this. I kind of had to. maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/is-the-gov...
Is the government going to take away the rights of children with Special Needs?
It is beginning to look like it.
maybeimamazed.substack.com
May 30, 2025 at 11:27 AM
I wrote this. I kind of had to. maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/is-the-gov...