What is it like to be a child with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) in schools today? What is it like to be a parent to four such children and fight for their rights?

Carrie Grant’s children have – like all of us – complex identities. Of the four of them, two are autistic, three have AD(H)D, one is adopted, all are of dual heritage, and three hold various queer and trans non-binary identities. In this inspiring and at times heartbreaking book, the presenter, coach, and advocate shares stories from her family’s experiences with education, schools and mental health services, as mum to children who are classified as SEND (Special Education Needs and Disabilities). These stories explore how school – when those delivering and managing education are poorly trained and ill equipped for a diverse population – can be at best ineffective, and, at worst, traumatising.

An inspiring call to action, this book is essential reading for:

• Teachers and aspiring teachers who want to know more about how to meet the needs of a diverse classroom.
• SENCOs (Special Education Needs Coordinators) and those training to work in SEND support.
• GPs, community health workers, and workers in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
• Parents of children with SEND, who want to know how they can engage with formal education to advocate for their child’s needs.

Introduction
Learning objective: Language about diversity
Chapter 1: The landscape
Learning objective: Leadership in all its forms
Chapter 2: Leadership
Learning objective: Parenting a child with non-dominant identities
Chapter 3: Collaboration
Learning objective: Holistic education plan
Chapter 4: Strategy - Who is the plan for?
Learning objective: Parental toolkit
Chapter 5: Strategy - Tools, techniques, and tips
Learning objective: Wider inclusivity
Chapter 6: The future
Recommended discussion topics

Carrie Grant MBE PhD (h.c.) is an award-winning broadcaster, coach, and advocate. In 2020, she was granted an MBE for services to Music, Media & Charity. In 2018, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Bedfordshire in recognition of her outstanding work for charity, especially her advocacy of children with additional educational needs. An active campaigner, she is ambassador for various groups and charities, including Crohn’s & Colitis UK, The Diana Award, The National Autistic Society, and Adoption UK. Along with her husband David, she is parent to four children, all of whom have special needs.