We Are Not Seeing It: How and Why Mainstream Schools Break SEND Kids

by Luisa Gray

“It’s a behaviour problem”
“It must be a home problem”
“We are not seeing it”

These words are used like weapons against SEND families.

More and more children are struggling in UK mainstream schools – and most of those children have Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND).
But while policy makers, schools and the media have spent years trying to blame parents for the huge numbers of children “disappearing” from schools, no-one has looked at the deepest root of the the mainstream school system itself.

Until now.

In “We Are Not Seeing How & Why Mainstream Schools Break SEND Kids”, blogger and parent Luisa Gray (aka. @LongRoadSENDMum) explains what the drivers of the SEND emergency in mainstream schools REALLY are - and how UK schools and Local Authorities are routinely causing harm to SEND harm that is massive, with potentially life-long effects.

In "We Are Not Seeing It" you'll read anyone can be a SEND parent (and not know it yet!)"The Social Contract" we enter when we send our kids to school“Quality First Teaching” and how it fails to meet most kids'needs"Command & Control" discipline that's gone out of controlSEND law, and how it’s routinely ignoredParent blame, child blame and gaslightingThe devastating mental health impact on kids and parentsAnd how all these factors have created the perfect storm in mainstream schools.

“We Are Not Seeing It” is the book every parent needs to read - because you might be a SEND parent and not know it too!


What readers

"A must read" - Bristol SEND Justice

"We Are Not Seeing it is an honest and compelling read .. in my opinion, quite simply the must-read book of the year for anyone who has anything to do with the education system. Which means most parents, whether you have SEND children or not" - Steph Curtis - Steph's Two Girls

"It’s amazing. So much information you feel like you have to digest it and stand back .. it’s got all our names on it” – SW, SEND Parent

“OMG absolutely love this book, it covers so much I’d never thought about before. I wish I’d had it when I was just starting out, I wouldn’t have thought I was going mad” – SK, SEND Parent

"I'm ADHD and haven't been able to read a book in years, but the layout in Luisa's book is really accessible and easy to navigate. Great job!" EJ - SEND Parent

“It’s brilliant and such an eye opener – the QFT ("Quality First Teaching") especially. I really enjoyed reading it but now also feel really angry with how the “system” is set up” – AR, SEND Parent

“It's the enigma machine of SEND. If you wonder why school isn’t working for your kid this is the code breaker we’ve been waiting for” – MA, SEND Parent

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2024

Reviews

[Mo Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a teacher, a parent of neurodivergent children and someone who has tried to get the right support for their children, this book was an astonishing read as it was such an accurate reflection of our experiences. It’s horrifying that this is the system set up for our children. A really important book for teachers and all people involved in the education system to read!

[Samantha Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be recommending this book to all the parents and anyone who is fighting the terrible system.
It is so heartbreaking but completely relatable all at the same time. Some shocking figures but also not surprising for us who are living it.
An absolutely must read