So we are now 3 weeks back into the education routine? I do have lots to share with you but for some of it I am unable to share yet.

Charlie has settled back really well with his tutor and he is currently planning a trip to London with him. I mean, not physically with him but as a project. If you have followed us for a while you will know that Charlie struggles with any form of education and learning and anything he does is a bonus. I am under no illusions regarding his struggles.

So far, he has 6hrs of tutoring a week. He is supposed to have so much more provision than this, but it has been difficult to secure it and deliver it. Other parts of his EHCP include speech and language therapy which has not been active since September, an occupational therapist, again we have not had input since September. Drumming lessons which was difficult to engage, swimming lessons that was not quite manageable for him. The swimming and the teacher was fantastic, but it’s all the other stuff, the dressing and undressing Charlies really struggles with this, especially when his body is wet. And this causes quite a high level of dysregulation and that is not fun for anyone.

He is also supposed to have equine therapy, that has not been organised yet. Mentoring, again waiting to complete on this. And further to that he has trampolining and rock climbing. This we are currently accessing around once a term. So as you can see we still have a lot more to access and a lot more to get involved in the community and my heart is praying that this will happen and Charlie can finally have some well needed education package but some enrichment activities which will help promote his self esteem and wellness.

We’ve had a good Christmas, it was calm and easy going. We did our own thing (as we normally do) and don’t stick to any commercial activities. We find them too difficult and stress enduring. I don’t know why but the energy around Christmas changes, everything is so busy and stressy and not how we live our lives at our low pace, low demand lifestyle.

We almost have a conclusion to the LGO complaint I submitted last year. This is positive news, and I must say, it is definitely in Charlie’s favour.

Myself, I have a busy few weeks coming up. Work has some very tight deadlines I need to stick to so I have to stay focused and work hard for the next few weeks, before we take a well deserved break to Centre Parks. We’ve never been to Centre Parks before so I am really looking forward to it.

Charlie also wants to join a gym. So we are looking at some options and seeing what will work best for us. Because of Charlie’s unpredictable nature I don’t want to get something that will not get the full use out of it.

The calendar project is moving forward after being stagnant. The Tesco community fund campaign has now closed so we are waiting for the results of that. We still have so much to organise and sort out. 9 months until launch but I am sure it will fly by!

Charlie has a new interest in cruises. So, if funds allow we will be off on a mini cruise UK based to begin with. Slow and steady always wins our race!

I think we are all caught up for now. Looking forward to lots of exciting things this year, but, DLA is up for renewal, we will have our first EHCP AR under Charlie’s EOTAS plan, and I will have to audit the work I do in order to demonstrate my capabilities in my working role.

Hope to have some positive updates soon.

Georgina