Students at St Michael's Church of England High School in Rowley Regis, West Midlands, are walking more than 40 laps of their school field to raise awareness for the need of increased mental health support in schools nationwide. The school also aims to raise £12,000 to launch its own mental health early intervention hub.

Around 20 students will walk a total of 208km (129 miles), symbolising the distance from their school to parliament, while the rest of the school will complete four laps of the field. A student of St Michael's Church of England High School has expressed excitement about the "unusual" challenge and the opportunity to raise funds for the hub.

Kerry Whitehouse, the school's senior mental health lead, emphasised the importance of the hub, citing that mental health services are currently overwhelmed. She referenced an NHS survey from last year indicating that one in five children and young people in England have a probable mental health disorder. "Young people are reaching crisis point before they can get that support," Whitehouse noted.

The school runs several initiatives to support students' mental health, including the Matrix Project, which facilitates discussions among boys aged 11 to 14 about mental health issues. Students as a collective have all highlighted the benefits of these projects, stating they help normalise conversations about mental health.

People with learning disabilities in Cornwall have been given extra support to encourage them to vote. On Saturday 15^th June 2024, a workshop was held in Truro to explain the voting process and the available support.

Organized by a group of disability stakeholders in the county, the event aimed to ensure the UK's 1.5 million adults with learning disabilities can have their say. Angie Emrys-Jones from Cornwall Downs Syndrome Support emphasized the importance of understanding the reasonable adjustments available for voting. "It's crucial that people with a learning disability know that accommodations can be made. You can have someone accompany you into the voting booth, make the mark for you, or read out the list of candidates to help you better understand the options. There’s lots of help available, and it is your right to vote."

The event also saw participation from groups such as Time2Shine and Disability Cornwall. Marie Whitehurst from Disability Cornwall praised the workshop's impact, stating, "I think it's been really successful today. People who didn't know much about voting or its importance, or even how to vote, now have that knowledge."

The workshop underscored the commitment to making the voting process accessible and understandable for everyone, ensuring that people with learning disabilities are empowered to exercise their right to vote and participate fully in the democratic process.

A report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) reveals a £3.5 billion increase in school spending over the past decade due to rising special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support. The current funding system doesn't adequately address the growing number of pupils with education, health, and care plans (EHCPs).

Since 2016, the proportion of children with EHC plans in schools has increased from 2.8% to 4.3%, a 50% rise. Although the high-needs budget is only 15% of total school spending, the £3.5 billion increase since 2015 has taken up nearly half of the overall rise in school spending. The IFS stresses the need for more effective and financially sustainable ways to meet these needs.

This spending surge is largely due to a near-doubling in pupils with autistic spectrum disorders, speech and language needs, and social, emotional, and mental health needs, straining school budgets. The rise accelerated during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, with about 95,000 more pupils receiving EHC plans in 2022/23 compared to three years earlier. This increase is more notable among less disadvantaged pupils, as schools and local authorities ration support to control costs.

Appeals to SEND tribunals, mainly about EHC plans, have nearly tripled to over 14,000 per year, with a 98% success rate, indicating many initially denied families and children qualify for support. However, disadvantaged children, who may lack resources to appeal, often remain without needed support.

A coalition of epilepsy charities and organisations have developed a new toolkit to enhance social support for individuals with epilepsy. Funded by the Scottish government, this toolkit aims to improve the quality of life for people diagnosed with epilepsy by expanding social support services across the UK.

Epilepsy, a common and serious neurological condition, affects around 626,000 people in the UK. It is prevalent among individuals with learning disabilities, with about a third experiencing frequent seizures. People with epilepsy often face co-morbidities such as high cholesterol, type 1 diabetes, osteoporosis, and migraines. Mental health issues, sleep difficulties, and cognitive impairments are also more common in this group.

Those with epilepsy often struggle to find and maintain employment, with higher incidence rates in deprived areas. Social support significantly enhances the quality of life and wellbeing for people with epilepsy. This support includes resources, knowledge, and skill development to help individuals manage their condition effectively. Key types of social support include peer support meetings, epilepsy self-management courses, one-to-one support, and counselling services.

Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director of The Scottish Government, emphasised the importance of a supportive environment combined with appropriate clinical care to improve outcomes for people with epilepsy. He stated that the toolkit provides guidance for health leaders on commissioning essential social support services, promoting a holistic approach to epilepsy care and encouraging collaboration between Health Boards, Local Authorities, and third-sector providers.

NHS England, in collaboration with the government, has launched a new ADHD Taskforce to improve access to services and manage rising demand for ADHD support. Co-chaired by Professor Anita Thapar and Joanna Killian, the taskforce will focus on enhancing ADHD pathways, patient experiences, and recommending reforms.

Joanna Killian, Chief Executive of the Local Government Association, highlighted the varied impact of ADHD on daily life and the increasing need for support. She stressed the collaborative role of councils in providing care to children and adults with ADHD, working with housing, health, education, and voluntary sector partners. The taskforce aims to ensure services meet the needs of people with ADHD of all ages.

Since December, NHS England has focused on ADHD with senior clinicians and system leaders to develop a national ADHD data improvement plan, understand the provider landscape, and share best practices from innovative local health systems.

Steve Russell, Chief Delivery Officer at NHS England, acknowledged the need for timely diagnosis and comprehensive care for people with ADHD. He believes that Anita and Joanna's expertise, supported by the NHS, will be crucial in driving improvements in ADHD care and support.

Kyle Wood, a man with Down's Syndrome, moved from South Africa to the UK in 2019, seeking better job opportunities. Since September, he has been working at a diner in Faringdon, Oxfordshire. While only 4.8% of adults with learning disabilities and autism are employed in the UK, this is still higher than South Africa’s 1% rate for disabled individuals. Kyle's job has provided him with new skills and a sense of community.

Kyle trained for 18 months with Yellow Submarine, an Oxfordshire-based charity that supports disabled individuals in finding employment. After graduating, the charity helped him secure a job and continues to provide support. The charity emphasises helping trainees maintain long-term employment through simple workplace adaptations.

Rachael Blakey, Yellow Submarine’s adults’ programmes manager, mentioned employers' concerns about costs and adjusting. To address these issues, the government launched the Disability Confident Scheme in 2016 to encourage businesses to hire and retain disabled employees. Currently, 19,638 UK employers are signed up to the initiative.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson stated that the Disability Confident Scheme aims to challenge perceptions and support businesses in hiring disabled individuals. An independent 2022 survey found that about two-thirds of employers had hired a disabled employee since joining the scheme, and more than four in five offered workplace adjustments.

An autistic girl from Derby, who often ran away and put herself in danger, has had her life transformed by an assistance dog. Eight-year-old Alessa, diagnosed with autism age five, frequently bolted from her family. After a close call where she was hit by a car, her parents sought additional support.

"If there was an open door, she'd be gone—she was constantly on the go," said Donna, Alessa’s mother and Clinical Support Worker. "She ran across the road to see her grandad's van and was hit by a car. Thankfully, the driver braked just in time, but it was a close call that left us all shaken."

Mandy, a Labrador-Golden Retriever, trained by the National Charity of Support Dogs, has dramatically improved Alessa's behaviour. Research by Autism Speaks indicates nearly half of autistic children are prone to bolting or wandering. Since Mandy joined their family, Alessa has almost stopped running away. "When Alessa is upset, Mandy just sits with her, and she calms down. Mandy is her rock," Donna noted. "Before, she would throw things, scream, shout, and kick."

During lockdown in 2021, Donna applied for an assistance dog, and within a year, a match was found. When Mandy met Alessa, their connection was immediate. "As soon as Mandy sat with her, Alessa just chilled. It was amazing to watch." Mandy has not only brought calm to Alessa but also brought the family closer together.

A new report from Newlife (a charity for Disabled Children) reveals that the basic needs of disabled children are not being met, with three in five families unable to access essential specialised equipment. Waiting times are rising, with nearly one in four local authorities having waitlists of at least a year, some extending beyond three years.

Specialised equipment is crucial for the 1.6 million disabled children in the UK, a number that has doubled in the past decade. Both families and professionals are concerned about inadequate provision, with 75% of professionals blaming funding and staff shortages for the delays.

Regions like the Northwest of England face the longest waits, exceeding three years in some cases, followed by Northern Ireland, Wales, and London. The report identifies key barriers: long assessment waits, insufficient budgets, lack of government leadership, and staff shortages.

Newlife has called for a dedicated Minister for Disabled Children to address these issues by accelerating equipment provision, reducing assessment waits, and tackling staff shortages. The charity has also urged for clearer guidance for local services, expansion of the paediatric apprenticeship programme, improved staff retention and training, maximum wait times for assessments, and a ringfenced budget for equipment.

An eight-year-old girl from Cheshire, named Hayley, has made medical history as the first child to undergo a groundbreaking brain surgery designed to alleviate symptoms of her Dystonic Cerebral Palsy. Dystonia, a chronic neurological disorder, triggers involuntary and often painful muscle spasms.

In January, a team at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool conducted an advanced deep brain stimulation (DBS) procedure involving the placement of minute electrodes, as tiny as a grain of rice, into Hayley's brain region controlling movement. These electrodes are linked to a battery implanted under the skin, which sends electrical pulses to modify the problematic signals causing dystonia. This innovative surgery is aimed at reducing Hayley's pain and improving her communication abilities.

The electrodes also collect real-time data on brain activity, allowing surgeons to adjust stimulation settings for optimal results, a feature enhanced by the new BrainSense technology from Medtronic. Consultant Neurosurgeon Jonathan Ellenbogen highlighted the importance of this capability, especially for non-verbal patients like Hayley, in customising treatments.

Hayley, born prematurely at 24 weeks, has severe communication challenges due to her uncontrollable movements. Her father, Gareth, expressed the difficulties in understanding her needs, noting that traditional communication methods like Makaton or Sign Language are not viable. They hope the surgery will enable better head control, allowing Hayley to use eye-tracking technology for communication.

The Newcastle Rugby Foundation has introduced a new rugby programme designed for individuals with learning disabilities. This initiative, established in collaboration with Wooden Spoon Durham and Wooden Spoon Northumberland, kicked off this week at Kingston Park Stadium. It includes specialised rugby sessions that cater to the unique needs of its participants.

The programme, which is inclusive and open to participants of all skill levels, seeks to make rugby accessible to more people, particularly those with additional needs. It's part of a broader effort to enhance community involvement and provide a sense of inclusion and empowerment among participants and their families.

The sessions are designed to not only improve physical fitness but also to build teamwork and enhance skills, with opportunities for participants to compete in national matches against other learning disability teams.

Iain Stewart, the chair of Wooden Spoon Northumberland, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. "We are thrilled to back the Newcastle Rugby Foundation's Learning Disability programme. It aligns perfectly with our National Game Changer campaign, which is dedicated to offering young people with disabilities the opportunity to engage in rugby," he stated.