A new name for Contact could be on the table – please pull up a chair… Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey. The survey is open until Friday 24 October 💚

The voluntary and community sector doesn’t need or want migrants to do forced labour for us in a form of state exploitation. We do need the govt. to stop targeting the groups we serve and fund us to do the jobs the state relies on us for. And to like end poverty and the economic crisis.

Wow! Thank you to everyone who joined us at Parliament for the #FightForOrdinary rally and MP drop-in. Your voices were powerful, passionate, and impossible to ignore. 💬📢 (1/4)

The SEND system is failing a generation. Every child deserves support to thrive at school.  Ask your MP to act 🔗 https://f.mtr.cool/ibglzctkhj

This is great - all about the benefits of flexible working to everyone, and especially carers. And there’s lots to say, too, about the absolutely brilliant people that we are so lucky to get to work with, and the huge benefits their lived experience, commitment and skill bring to our work.

The government is proposing to remove access to the health element (currently called the limited capability for work and work-related activity – LCWRA element) of Universal Credit for most young adults aged 16 – 21 once they claim Universal Credit in their own right.

Meet Sunny, our newest colleague!

Do you think your child might be eligible for free school meals in England? Make sure you check before Monday. Please share. gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

96% of the SEND complaints that the LGSCO investigated in this period (the calendar year 2024) were upheld One in four of all complaints that the LGSCO investigated in 2024 were about local authority SEND maladministration And this is a lagging indicator

An utterly chilling and incomprehensible chain of events, told with grace and vulnerability, thank you @ellychapple.bsky.social and @georgejulian.bsky.social.

Ah loves, just noticed this weekend is #Imbolc marking the beginning of spring. Imbolc symbolizes the halfway point between the winter solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox (Ostara). Imbolc is often celebrated with fire rituals. Look out for snowdrops, miraculous light in the dark times.

Could not agree more @simonknight100.bsky.social.

***DEADLINE EXTENSION*** You may have had an email from us yesterday about the looming deadline (20 Jan) for the Law Commission consultation on disabled children's social care. However, we've just heard that this is being extended until 31 Jan: so a bit more time to respond!

My latest: Labour's employment plan could trigger a reimagining of how the state perceives those denied full citizenship. Starmer wants to get Britain working and cut the 'bulging benefits bill' - a problem for anyone relying on benefits to find and keep a job. #LearningDisability #HumanRights

How do special educational needs vary across areas in England? 📊 Use our new tool to compare how special educational needs prevalence, funding, and spending differ across local authorities, and changes over time: https://ifs.org.uk/calculators/how-do-special-educational-needs-vary-across-areas

Families with disabled children are unable to afford basics and forced out of work. They are among the poorest in Britain. In the words of one of our brilliant parent speakers: poverty seeks out the vulnerable like a stealth missile @contactfamilies.bsky.social

Honoured to launch @contactfamilies.bsky.social report into huge additional costs of raising a disabled child and to host moving, powerful discussion with parents about improving services. Thx to Sir Stephen Timms MP for hearing how disabled children need to be at heart of Child Poverty Strategy.

Brilliant article and so important. The unequal burden and sacrifices being forced on women are shameful.

Have updated starter packs today, will thread here in case of interest. Shout if you'd like added to any of them and please share so I can find others Currently I've one on #learningdisability one on #OpenJustice and one of people writing/reporting about #health / #socialcare go.bsky.app/J6k8Rsr

If you’re a parent/carer of a disabled child or young person who uses school/college transport services, please consider completing Contact’s survey www.surveymonkey.com/r/TransportM...