Earlier this week, I attended a farewell lecture in London for Christine Lenehan, the long-time director of the Council for Disabled Children. Christine began her career as a social worker in 1980 and took up the role 20 years ago. A few days before, we recorded a podcast in which Christine reflected on her career, which has included the often thankless back-and-forth diplomacy between government departments and the Hesley Group’s investigation into the horror of abuse of disabled young people in special schools/institutions. During her talk, she warned that “if we don’t implement the Hesley reforms, children will be abused again.”
35 Children’s Pastors
Since then, she has seen the rotation of 35 Children’s Ministers. The most recent, David Johnston MP, spoke briefly about his brief experience of contacting Christine before the speech. “Whatever meeting she goes into, all the advice she gives is always centred on the needs of children and families. If anything is discussed that is not in their interest, she will say so. And that is exactly the advice you need.” Unfortunately, Johnston did not listen to the speech until the end, missing the opportunity to learn more about the passion and emotion of those working in this field to improve the lives of children with disabilities.
He may also have heard Carice Hoggan, a confident young person with a disability and Oxford University student, say as a member of FLARE’s youth group: “[CDC and Christine have] The young people in this organization have shaped me into who I am today, and I am so grateful to be a part of an organization that never makes me feel unappreciated.”
Kristin helped SNJ get our voices heard.
Christine has fought for us at SNJ in the past. Her tenacity got us onto key ministry SEND stakeholder advisory groups, highlighting the need for wider parent representation and not just our “official” strategic partner, the NNPCF. In her speech, Christine spoke about the power and importance of the Special Needs Jungle in holding those in power to account (although of course this is not something we have to do yet!).
Finally, here are some photos from the event.
Some are skeptical of Ms. Christine’s motives after some statements were quoted sarcastically and out of context. You are free to believe what you like, but we know her to be a fierce advocate for children and young people with disabilities. Please listen/watch the podcast and join us in thanking Ms. Christine for her years of hard work. CDC’s Amanda Allard has been promoted to Director.
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Graduation ceremony photo
Flair members including Alison Ismail, Christine Lenehan and Carice Hoggan
SEND Minister David Johnston speaks from the podium.
Linda Lascelles of Afasic, President of the Welsh Court, Judge Jane McConnell, and Tania Tirraoro, Director of SNJ
Lecture by Ms. Christine Lenehan Part 3
Ms. Christine Lenehan and SNJ Director Tania Tiraolo
Who else should we interview?
Is there someone in the SEND world you think we should talk to? A practitioner who has pioneered better practice? Someone who has worked hard to raise awareness of SEND? A politician or a parent? Let us know!
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Founder of Special Needs Jungle. Parent of two autistic young people. New grandma. Tania is a lead SEND advisor working with the Special Education Consortium, Ofsted and Whole School SEND. She is also an advisory board member for the Centre for Gene and Cell Therapy, Royal Holloway, University of London and an editorial board member of the Springer Nature Gene Therapy journal.
Tania is an experienced broadcast and print journalist and author, and also runs SocialOro Media, a PR, web and social media consultancy.
Tania is an advocate for people with rare disease Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and chronic pain.
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