Amber Windsor

🧵1/8 Personal/Professional update: After years working in the drugs field, I've shifted my focus to Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) advocacy. This wasn't a random change - both areas showcase how system failures disproportionately impact vulnerable populations.

Opinion | "We should be asking: why is anyone having to fight this hard in the first place?" writes Amber Windsor trib.al/MBJT8Cn

[8/8] If you're experiencing similar challenges in the SEND system, you're not alone. DMs open for connection and support. Follow for regular updates on: • System navigation • Rights awareness • Pattern recognition • Collective advocacy

[7/8] While this might seem far from drug policy, the core issues remain the same: • Systemic inequalities • Power imbalances • Failed accountability • Punishment over support • Lives being damaged

🧵1/8 Personal/Professional update: After years working in the drugs field, I've shifted my focus to Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) advocacy. This wasn't a random change - both areas showcase how system failures disproportionately impact vulnerable populations.

@BrightonHoveCC @mmchugh1978 Same on Florence Road

@mmchugh1978 Thank you Michael, I have followed up with Cityclean on this for you. Best wishes, Amelia.

Recycling and rubbish collection days move back a day next week. ➡️ Check your collections and more info on recycling at Christmas at ow.ly/Iksa50M4OmN ♻️ 🌲 If you have fortnightly recycling collections, you can also download your 2023 calendars.

Want to help your students understand #UCURising? @wawisloyola has got you covered with this brilliant slide deck. Use it in class or send your students an e-mail to start the conversation: canva.com/design/DAFSAUP…

@Dkgjoehg @naomicfisher Where are you getting this information please? The doctor has made requests but CAMHS come back and say the school need be able to meet the assessment criteria threshold but that’s never going to happen

@AmberWindsor7 @naomicfisher If your doctor writes a letter saying what they have seen and supporting your request for testing it lays a legal precedent.

One of the most significant things we could do to change education for the better would be to really acknowledge difference. We could simply accept that not all five year olds are ready to read, and not all 16 year olds are ready to do high stakes exams. 1/

@Dkgjoehg @naomicfisher “To ‘mask’ or to ‘camouflage’ means to hide or disguise parts of oneself in order to better fit in with those around you. It is an unconscious strategy all humans develop whilst growing up in order to connect with those around us.” This is what I mean by masking

@AmberWindsor7 @naomicfisher Masking as in hiding or as in wearing a mask?

@Dkgjoehg @naomicfisher We are SE England. We’ve spoken with a variety of professionals who all say the same thing… that regardless of how she is at home, the school needs to be able to evidence potential adhd/autism etc to trigger an assessment

@AmberWindsor7 @naomicfisher May I ask what state you’re in?

@Dkgjoehg @naomicfisher Eventually got diagnosed with ADHD two years ago but I suffered throughout primary and secondary school.. and not just academically. I’m terrified that it will be the same, or more likely worse for her but we can’t afford to go private so don’t know where else we can go from here

@Dkgjoehg @naomicfisher We’ve tried and we just keep getting pushed back because the school “don’t see it”. I’ve literally pleaded with them but they say their hands are tied. I know how this is likely to go for her because I had a similar experience myself as a child,

@Dkgjoehg @naomicfisher We have spoken with her GP and other professionals who all agree that there is something more going on for her. But as the school say they “can’t evidence” any of it (due to her masking) we haven’t even been able to get her an assessment.

@Dkgjoehg @naomicfisher We are in the U.K. we’ve been trying to get help from the school for years now and they just continue to push back and only focus on the “getting her up to standard”. It’s really disheartening.

@Dkgjoehg @naomicfisher The issue is she is SO acutely aware of her “difference” and desperate to not stand out or make a fuss. The school have described her as a “compliant child” which to me just screams making and trying to fit in

@Dkgjoehg @naomicfisher She says she needs someone in every lesson to sit with her and help her with the work. She has got severe anxiety related to school. We and other professionals suspect potential autism and/or adhd, perhaps dyslexia too but the school say they don’t see it.