A warm welcome to you all, and I hope this new year finds you healthy and well.

As many of us know, the state of SEND provision in the UK is currently facing immense challenges.  Parents, teachers, and broader educators are deeply concerned about how we will continue to support children who need additional help, especially as demand rises and resources decline.

More recently, there have been concerning discussions about reducing support for children with neurodiversity and learning differences. For families without access to private resources, this is especially alarming.  When support becomes a privilege rather than a right, the impact is felt not only by the child but also by their parents, siblings, and teachers.

And teachers themselves are under unprecedented pressure. As reported in the Teacher Wellbeing Index 2025, the education workforce is at “crisis point”.  The report highlights that unwell teachers simply cannot deliver high-quality education, and this year’s overall wellbeing score is the lowest since recording began in 2019.  Key findings include:

•      76% of staff are stressed
•      36% are at risk of probable clinical depression
•      77% experience symptoms of poor mental health due to work.

The report calls for targeted interventions, such as professional supervision and reflective practice, to reduce burnout and improve leaders’ well-being. The findings are not just alarming; they are instructive. They highlight where the system is breaking, why staff are struggling, and what schools can realistically do to protect their workforce.

Against this backdrop, many families are left asking: If schools don’t have the resources to support neurodiverse children, what will happen to them? And what can we do as a community to ensure they are not left behind?

Best wishes

Maria Chivers

Writing by hand is more than putting letters on paper; it connects motor skills, memory and expression.  Through our awareness campaigns (including International Dysgraphia Awareness Day), we invite schools, parents and children to explore the joy of writing, even when writing feels hard.

Check out how simple puzzles can really help with handwriting.

How Puzzles Support Handwriting Development

·       Strengthen fine motor skills – build finger muscles for pencil grip

·       Improve eye–hand coordination – copying shapes and letters

·       Develop spatial awareness – letter orientation & spacing (e.g., b vs d)

·       Boost focus and perseverance – staying on task during writing

Encourage

“Puzzles are a playful yet practical bridge into handwriting.
They build the finger strength, coordination, spatial skills, and focus that underpin confident writing.”

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