Understanding of autism has changed considerably in recent years, with growing awareness of the under-recognition of autism in girls. Research has sought to explain the under-diagnosis and experiences of autistic girls, and to provide recommendations for support. Research has also highlighted that parents are often dismissed by professionals;…

The lives of children within Armed Forces (Service) families often pass unnoticed by wider society. Working with schools that have a high percentage of Forces families, it was realised that understanding of particular issues they face was largely limited to teachers in schools where they were concentrated, mostly close to Services accommodation.…

This article explores male and female academics' perceptions of what it means to be both a parent and an academic and the relations between them. Based on an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of interviews with 35 academics from a university in England, findings suggest that the way in which academics experience being both a parent and an…

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has negative impacts on affected preadolescent children; however, little is known about parents' experiences of parenting a preadolescent child with OCD, and limited provision exists to help parents to support their children. This study aimed to explore parents' experiences of parenting a preadolescent child…

Using data from a national study on principals' responses to the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we describe crisis leadership as boundary spanning -- managing up, down, and outwards to lead the response. School leaders had to manage outside expectations to ensure their schools responded to the crisis in ways that allowed for…

Signs of Safety is a strengths-based approach to work with children and families where there are concerns about abuse or neglect. Signs of Safety is widely used in the UK and internationally, and there is a growing range of empirical research exploring its use within statutory children's social work. However, there is little research exploring…

The knowledge of children with special educational needs and disabilities, and their families, is essential for informing educational transition planning and decision-making. However, often their views are marginalised through formalised processes and assessments which underestimate children's capabilities and prioritise professional knowledge. We…

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools from elementary to post-secondary suddenly shifted to remote learning, placing a heavy burden on parents and caregivers. Likewise, social work practicum placements pivoted to remote learning, compounding existing difficulties securing practicum opportunities. This article describes a response to these…

Having a child born prematurely can plunge parents into an unknown and sometimes frightening situation, where they experience a loss of control over events and reduced decision-making capacity. Preterm birth sometimes results in posttraumatic stress disorder for parents and negatively impacts on parent-child interactional patterns, especially if…

This report is based on a survey of 1,653 primary teachers in state schools in England. The survey was conducted by Teacher Tapp during May half-term 2020, just before schools started re-opening. It forms part of the ESRC-funded project "A Duty of Care and a Duty to Teach: educational priorities during the COVID-19 crisis", based at the…

Autism affects over 2% of the school population in England. Education has proven to be an effective intervention strategy that improves the quality of life of children with autism and their families. However, governmental austerity policies have increased disadvantage in coastal areas of England with a detrimental impact on people with…

This paper examines experiences of families and children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) with a focus on Autism during a 9-week period in 2020 of 'lockdown' due to COVID-19 where the UK Government's message was 'stay home, stay safe'. For these families, home is where children can be themselves, shut out the outside world…

Reducing fixed term exclusions (FTE) in primary schools is a difficult proposition. This research discusses how a partnership of primary schools developed more inclusive systems to support students previously given FTEs for disciplinary purposes. Longitudinal data from interviews and documentary sources trace the development of an approach amongst…

The research aimed to investigate if drug misuse is an indicator and predictor of barriers to mainstream schooling and school exclusion. The objectives were to determine the extent of the barriers to mainstream schooling and to elicit and report the caregiver's experiences of their child's drug misuse and the impact it has had on them, their child…

During the COVID pandemic, schools have found new ways of working with children and, crucially, their families. This has far-reaching implications for how schools and policy-makers consider homeschool communication as a means of developing parental and community engagement in the future. The Institute of Education's project, "Learning Through…