5 day accredited programme for professionals working with parents

Massage enhances bonding and attachment, promotes wellbeing and sleep. 

Course also covers special needs babies.

Dates: 

• North Birmingham: 8-10 June followed by 6-7 October 2011
• North Birmingham: 18-20 July followed by 1-2 December 2011
• London: 29-30, 1 July followed by 20-21 October 2011
• London: September – dates to be arranged

Price:  £615 (plus VAT)

Information:  Prospectus and enrolment forms are available here

Contact:    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Tel: 01889 566222

A report from the Faculty of Education, University of Plymouth and the Steiner Waldorf Early Years research Group

By Mary Jane Drummond and Sally Jenkinson

2009. Price: £4.50

Introduction by Trevor Mepham, Principal, Steiner Academy, Hereford.

From the Introduction:

"With the advent of Steiner education into the 'public' sphere, one of the intentions of the Steiner education movement in this country (UK) is to find a voice to make a more direct contribution to the educational discourse. There is a pressing need to share insights and ideas, which, at times, may be regarded as unconventional or radical, although at other times, might be seen rather as the articulation of shared questions from a different perspective or vantage point. The hope is that this initial piece of research will act as a catalyst and prompt for the continued probing and exploration of Steiner's ideas on education – both the theory and the practice."

 
Find the Steiner bookshop here

The Campaign wants power and control to shift from government to citizens, families and communities. But we don't want the government's 'Big Society' if that means a loss of basic human rights and unfair cuts focused on the most vulnerable. We want a fair society.

We want to see the current broken system change. But change needs to be underpinned by fairness and a vision for the kind of society we want to live in.

Everyone is equal, no matter their differences or disabilities. A fair society sees each of its members as a full citizen - a unique person with a life of their own. A fair society is organised to support everyone to live a full life, with meaning and respect.

The seven principles below will help us create a fair society: 

1.                  Family - we give families the support they need to look after each other.

2.                  Citizenship - we are all of equal value and all have unique and positive contributions to make.

3.                  Community - we root support and services in local communities.

4.                  Connection - we all get chances to make friends and build relationships.

5.                  Capacity - we help each other to be the best that we can be.

6.                  Equality - we all share the same basic rights and entitlements.

7.                  Control - we have the help we need to be in control of our own life and support.

 These principles can give direction to anyone making decisions about policy and funding. Using them to guide decisions will encourage greater independence and well-being for all vulnerable children, their families and to adults.

Individuals and families can measure the support and services they receive against them. They can also work with the Campaign to design a system based on these principles.

The principles are inspired by the vision of equal citizenship in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which the UK has ratified.

Why we need change

You may think that these ideas are already widely accepted but they are not.

Family - The unpaid, natural support given by families is worth billions of pounds but the current system makes it hard for families to provide this support. 

Citizenship - Too often, vulnerable people – especially people with learning disabilities – are marginalised and treated in ways most people would not accept for themselves.  

Community - Too many services take people away from ordinary relationships in their community.  

Connection – For anyone, a life without relationships is a miserable life that requires more and more support.  

Capacity - Services are often organised in ways that makes people less capable and more dependent.  

Equality - Disabled people face extra taxes, extra poverty traps and have limited entitlements to support. 

Control - Decisions about how people lead their life and get support are often taken by professionals who don't know what people want.

There is a Workshop for Campaign members to shape the strategy, action and framework of the Campaign. The workshop will be taking place on Thursday 9th June in London.

More information here