Tina Cockram, SEND Family Support

03/11/2026

What can I say…. This film is going to really hit home for every SEND parent, let’s hope it has the same impact on those that need to see the changes that need to be made in education. There is nothing more powerful than a visual. It’s going to be available to screen from the 10th November, there is the trailer attached below.

🥁🥁 IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING!! 🥁🥁

We are proud to announce that Unauthorised Absence will be available for EVERYONE to watch from Tuesday 10 November.

So many of you have waited a long time to see this film. Thank you so much for your patience, your ongoing support and everything you’ve shared with us. We’re so glad we can finally share it with you!

Here’s how you can see the film:

FIND A LOCAL SCREENING
Come together with your local community to watch the film. Explore our screening map for dates, venues and booking details. More screenings are being added, and we’re very open to hearing from anyone who might be able to host one - either on launch day or in the weeks that follow. Gatherings can be big or small.
🔗 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1M7-j6lkokmGGw67toHClV8f8gJ2r_xk&hl=en&usp=sharing

STREAM THE FILM ONLINE
Watch the film free on YouTube from 10 November: at home, with friends or in whatever way works for you.
🔗 https://youtu.be/LbXqRGjnSS8

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON ZOOM
To mark the launch, from 7:30pm on Nov 10th, we’re hosting on a free online conversation with the filmmakers and special guests. Watch the film beforehand, then join us. You’re very welcome simply to listen, there’s no pressure to contribute. Register for your free place on Eventbrite!
🔗 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unauthorised-absence-free-zoom-webinar-tickets-2004039893268?aff=oddtdtcreator


You can enquire about hosting, find the screening map, YouTube link and Eventbrite registration through our link in bio or at www.mimesic.com

Lastly, some important notes from us 💛

We made Unauthorised Absence because we believe film can help people feel seen, help others understand, and inspire change. Whether you watch at home or come together alongside your community in your area, we hope it opens up conversations that matter.

The film is rated 12A for distressing scenes, threat and self-harm. It may bring up strong feelings, particularly for people whose lives it reflects. Please watch in whatever way feels right for you, and pause, take a break or stop whenever you need to.

For information about attendance difficulties and support, please see Define Fine, Not Fine in School and Special Needs Jungle.

If you need someone to talk to, the Samaritans offer free emotional support, day or night, on 116 123.

Thank you so much for helping this film reach the people who need it. Please share this far and wide!! 🥳🥳

Natalie & Jo ###
www.mimesic.com

30/10/2026

Yes!!!! It’s a step in the right direction!

10/10/2026

Great post from Voice of a SEND Parent on phased transfers, these do not always take place automatically and be proactive as the parent to make sure they are adhering to the timelines.

Guys, I thought I’d do a helpful post for a change. One where I actually behave myself. 😂🙈

PHASE TRANSFERS 2027! 🧾

For anyone wondering, a phase transfer is when a child or young person with an EHCP moves between particular stages of education:

• Early years education to school
• Infant to junior school
• Primary to middle school
• Primary to secondary school
• Middle to secondary school
• Secondary school to a post-16 institution

If your child is due to transfer in September 2027, you should now be preparing for their phase transfer review.

For school transfers, the local authority must issue the final amended EHCP naming the placement by 15 February 2027.

For transfers to post-16 institutions, the deadline is 31 March 2027.

And please remember, your local authority’s INTERNAL deadlines are NOT statutory deadlines!

If your LA is asking you to name your preferred school by a particular date, that’s an internal administrative deadline, not one imposed by SEND legislation.

That doesn’t mean you should ignore it, but it’s important to understand the difference.

The LA also has legal duties and timescales following the phase transfer review. They cannot simply ignore those and wait until February.

Now, we all know how this goes, don’t we? 😂🙈

15 February 2027 falls on a MONDAY.

I can already picture those final amended EHCPs landing in parents’ inboxes at precisely 17.00. 😂

And let’s face it, some of us will probably be preparing for yet another SEND Tribunal appeal because the school named isn’t the one that can meet need.

But hopefully, for many families, it’ll all go smoothly. 🤞💜

My advice? Start preparing now. Read your child’s EHCP, check whether it accurately reflects their current needs, and gather any relevant professional evidence.

And please read IPSEA’s guidance. It explains the phase transfer process, legal deadlines and your rights:

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/phase-transfer-reviews

Look at that. I started with a helpful post, managed to mention local authority deadlines AND Tribunal, and almost behaved myself.

Personal growth. I’m getting there. 😂🙈💜

03/10/2026

I have had such a busy week of learning, collaboration and sharing the voice of families and parent carers.

This week I attended the British social work event at Manchester’s Deansgate Hotel, sharing the challenges faced by the SEND families I support, alongside some really interesting seminars.

I’ve also had a Teams meeting with Manchester CAMHS to learn about changes to the new Neurodevelopmental Pathway across Greater Manchester.

Did you know the social communication. Pathway is changing?

The focus is moving towards a more needs-led approach, with greater emphasis on early support for children and young people, whether or not they have an autism or ADHD diagnosis. Changes also include a new process for reviewing assessment requests and a developing range of support for families.

The real difference, of course, will be how these changes translate into meaningful support for children and families in practice, so it will be interesting to hear from families what this means to them.

As always, behind every referral and assessment is a family who deserves to feel heard and we all know too well how long them waiting lists are, usually with EHCP’s in place and no formal diagnosis for years, which I know we do welcome needs led before diagnosis, but we need better/quicker pathways to understand and knowledge of a persons presentation.

Do you would like to hear more amount the changes, please click on the link

Find out more about the changes here:
https://gmintegratedcare.org.uk/keep-well/greater-manchester-autism-adhd-assessment-changes-2026/

29/09/2026

I wanted to give a special shout out to Rachel, who has been an amazing tutor for our SEND/home educated children, she has lots of SEND experience and has a very nurturing approach .

Rachel has a great deal of experience on how to keep the student engaged in learning. She has a neuroaffirming approach to pupils and has a great deal of knowledge on supporting students with a PDA profile, who would otherwise struggle with any sort of learning demands.

Take a look at Rachel’s page Little Learners Online Tutoring

26/09/2026

Very powerful trailer and actually a really difficult watch. It couldn’t be more accurate for a SEND family. Parents fighting every which way on little sleep and little energy.

Thanks to Unauthorised Absence Film for documenting this, they have nailed it!

24/09/2026

Interesting post by Andy Burnham on our education system and that a one size doesn’t fit all. There is a long way to go in education, but it’s an interesting debate If you want to put your views forward on the post.