TRAINING CANCELLED at the PAMELA SUNTER CENTRE, BINGLEY
by Dr Wendy Uttley
Last month, after delivering training sessions at the centre for over 10 years, we saw a drastic drop in schools booking onto courses and had to cancel three training sessions; one on teaching basic number skills, one on teaching language and literacy skills
and one on behaviour. We are fully aware that this is not because the need for training has reduced in any way. In fact there is a greater need for training. In September we offered our Introduction to Down syndrome course for free and it was attended by
26 people from 10 different schools. This would typically have brought in over £1000 of funds to the charity. It is very disappointing and concerning that school staff have not attended follow up training.
YOUR FEEDBACK NEEDED PLEASE
We have compiled a short survey for parents asking for their views on the need for training for their child’s school and to date responses indicate very clearly that the need is there from about 19 schools. The survey can be found by following the link:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/W8FD7DD
In addition there is a survey for schools in Bradford asking, among others, the question ‘If our training was free would they be able to release staff?’ This survey can be found by following the link:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WK8DLSL
CONCERNS
Our Directors are very concerned. It is a dilemma. One of our charities aims and objectives is to provide support and training to the professionals who work to educate our children. This has always brought in a good percentage of our funding and the charity
ran at a loss of £12000 last year. Decisions are underway as to whether we can afford to offer all training for free. We have to balance the loss of financial income, and the future of the charity, with the loss of much needed training for schools and the
future lives of the children, and families, we support. We are currently researching funding sources.