“It has helped her to engage in education whilst waiting for a placement. Otherwise, it would have been even more difficult for her to engage in a new setting after such a long break from education.”

When it comes to education, health and care, time is the thing we could all do with most for the benefit of the children we work with. I say with confidence that time is the thing that has been a barrier to progress in every tricky panel, appeal, appraisal, review, meeting, assessment, deadline, quandary and parents evening I’ve sat in.

In education and SEND leadership, it’s not unusual to be surprised and touched when a colleague offers recognition for something you’ve done. We take for granted that when leading and managing an organisation or team, it is us who provide the praise and support for our teams and are programmed not to hope for the same in return.

I shared a quote on social media last week which began some passionate and possibly therapeutic conversations at BCE. This wasn’t my intention, however, a thought provoking quotation is a super simple way to engage and ignite your team.

When it comes to helping our children to not only engage in learning but to begin to love it, there are things parents and carers can offer at home to make that love of learning accessible - for young people who are home educated, attending school or college, or becoming a part of their community after education.

Much thought and care is invested in helping our learners step into their next destination and when done well, they can take that step with ownership and clarity, bringing quiet confidence and a welcome exhale. It’s a piece of work in itself and becoming part of that new place so that it sticks, they can stay and grow into it, is what our hopes and efforts are pinned to.