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Support our Co-op Campaign
We’re thrilled to share that The Fidget Project CIC has been chosen out of over 6,500 projects nationwide as a Co-op Local Community Cause for 2025/2026.
This partnership means that every time Co-op members shop and select us as their chosen cause, a portion of their spending helps support our work with neurodiverse children and families across our local area.
We’ll be working closely with our local Co-op stores in Dartmouth, Modbury, Salcombe and Ivybridge to raise awareness of our mission and make a lasting difference in our community.
Why Our Work Matters?
Many people are still unaware of the Sensory Processing Differences (SPDs) that underpin conditions such as Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Developmental Delay.
These differences can lead to challenges such as sensory overload, withdrawal, masking, meltdowns, social communication difficulties and learning challenges when needs go unrecognised.
Through our sessions in local hubs, village halls, schools and community venues, we provide practical support to children, parents, educators and local businesses, helping neurodiverse young people thrive.
How You Can Help
You can make a real difference simply by voting for The Fidget Project CIC (Cause ID: 98814) as your Co-op Local Community Cause.
Already a Co-op Member?
Vote for us via the Co-op app or online at coop.co.uk/membership.
Not a Member Yet?
Join today online or through the app.
Every new member who joins before 15 November receives £5 in their account, and we receive £50 for every 10 new members who sign up and support us.
Together, we can raise awareness, provide essential equipment and resources, and create more opportunities for neurodiverse children to let their talents, creativity and originality shine.
Please support us and help make a real difference to local children’s lives.
Neurodiversity and the Government’s New SEND Proposals
A Perspective from The Fidget Project CIC
More than 1.7 million pupils in England’s state schools have Special Educational Needs (SEND). Alongside this, it is estimated that 15–20% of children and young people in the UK are neurodivergent.
This means around 1 in 7 children (14%) have a diagnosis linked to neurodivergence such as autism (ASC/ASD), ADHD, AuDHD, dyslexia or dyspraxia. Many more remain undiagnosed.
Most, if not all, of these neurodivergent conditions are underpinned by sensory processing differences. Under the Equality Act 2010, neurodivergence is considered a disability. As a result, the needs of neurodivergent children are legally included within SEND provision.
At The Fidget Project CIC, our mission is to improve neurodivergent children’s access to learning, life and health. We aim to do this through education, life opportunities and the support services children need to thrive in cultural institutions that are still largely designed around neurotypical experiences.
What Families Are Telling Us
In Spring 2025, we conducted a survey of families across the rural South West of England.
Of the 400 respondents, 67% reported that SEND provision — particularly around neurodiversity — was “poor or non-existent.”
This is deeply concerning.
In response, The Fidget Project has been working to support families and raise awareness in practical ways. Our initiatives include:
- Regular drop-in sessions for parents and allies.
- A lending library of sensory tools and equipment.
- Training sessions in primary schools.
- Community awareness raising around sensory processing differences.
We hope these efforts have helped, even in a small way.
But we also recognise that community projects alone cannot meet the scale of need.
The Government’s New SEND Proposals
We welcome the intention behind the Government’s new SEND proposals and recognise several promising commitments.
These include:
- Increased funding for SEND provision
- The writing off of some local authority SEND deficits
- A commitment to making children with additional needs integral to the school system
We share Bridget Phillipson’s ambition of being “fiercely ambitious for every child in our country.”
The idea of tailored support built around individual needs, available close to home is something we strongly support.
We are also hopeful about the proposed “Experts At Hand” service, which could make specialist support far more accessible to families and schools.
What Neurodiverse Families Need
Families repeatedly tell us they need faster and easier access to specialist support, including:
- Occupational Therapists
- Speech and Language Therapists
- SEND-trained teachers
- Professionals who understand sensory processing differences
At present, many school SENDCOs (Special Educational Needs Coordinators) are overwhelmed with the administration of the Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) system.
This leaves little time for them to focus on improving classroom practices or raising awareness about sensory processing needs.
Teacher training also remains limited. Currently, trainee teachers receive around half a day of SEND training, which does not necessarily include meaningful guidance on supporting neurodivergent children.
Imagine a Different Approach
Imagine if every child entering the education system was screened for their sensory profile.
Early screening could help identify:
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia
- Sensory system differences
This would allow earlier support for key developmental systems such as:
- Auditory processing
- Visual processing
- Touch
- Vestibular balance
- Proprioception
- Early reflex integration
With earlier identification and support, classrooms could become far more inclusive environments.
The potential outcomes could include:
- Fewer sensory overload experiences
- Fewer “meltdowns” or mislabelled behavioural incidents
- Fewer children refusing school
- Reduced risk of developing mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression or eating disorders
- Fewer children needing alternative provision or home education
- Fewer children having to leave their families to attend distant specialist schools
Imagine if the funding allocated to early years settings made this possible.
Could this be included in the new Best Start Family Hubs?
Signs of Progress
At The Fidget Project, we have been working closely with a local primary school to develop what the Government might recognise as an “inclusion base.”
We are already receiving positive feedback from parents about this new neurodivergent provision.
This shows that positive change is possible.
Across Devon, there are excellent Family Hubs already supporting families. With the right investment and policy support, these centres could become powerful examples of how inclusive communities can thrive.
Our Continued Concerns
While we welcome many aspects of the new proposals, several concerns remain.
We are worried about the raising of the threshold required to qualify for EHCP support, particularly when waiting lists for assessments and services in many areas already stretch into years.
We are also concerned that the system may remain overly administrative, with annual EHCP reviews continuing to consume time and resources that could otherwise improve practical support for children.
Another serious concern is the risk that children may lose their EHCP when transitioning from primary to secondary school.
In our experience, the move to secondary school is one of the most vulnerable periods for neurodivergent children.
At this stage, they need more support, not less.
Join the Conversation
The future of SEND provision matters deeply to families, educators and communities.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the Government’s proposed changes and what you believe needs to happen next.
Together, we can continue working towards a world where neurodivergent children are supported to learn, participate and shine.
Lynne Tarrab-Snooks
Director, The Fidget Project CIC
