🚨 Campaign Update: Major Progress in West Sussex

I’m so very pleased to share a positive update following a meeting today with the Special Advisory Teaching  Lead at West Sussex County Council.

We discussed selective mutism awareness, training, resources, and future support across West Sussex. It is clear there is growing recognition that selective mutism has been overlooked for too long and that improvements are needed.

Training and Professional Development:

We explored the wide range of training and resources including:

• Free online training for parents and professionals
• Maggie Johnson’s specialist training and masterclasses
• Training focused on older children and young people
• Bespoke departmental training opportunities
• Professional consultation sessions for education and health professionals
• Extensive practical guidance and resources for schools

There was strong agreement that professionals across West Sussex need better access to selective mutism training and information, but more than that, thanks to this campaign raising awareness - professionals really want the training and awareness. 

A Three-Tier Training Approach:

One of the most encouraging discussions centred around developing a structured training pathway:

Level 1: Basic awareness training for all schools and professionals to improve identification and prevent children being missed.

Level 2: More in-depth training for professionals directly supporting children with selective mutism, including environmental adaptations and intervention planning.

Level 3: Specialist training for professionals requiring advanced knowledge.

This represents a significant step forward in recognising the different levels of knowledge required across services.

Information for Schools and Families:

We also discussed improving access to information.

West Sussex would like to explore providing selective mutism information through both:

• The Thought-Full website (for schools and professionals)
• The Local Offer website (for parents and families)

Importantly, they want to involve parents in discussions about what information should be included and what support families need most and work will start on this soon. 

October Multi-Agency Meeting:

It has been confirmed that SENAT has agreed to attend the next multi agency  meeting on 19 October. I will therefore  be able to address the EHCP inequality directly where only families who can afford to pay for private reports end up with EHCPs that help the child with selective mutism. 

Work continues on securing attendance from Speech and Language Therapy and CAMHS, and the project organiser will also be following up with commissioners regarding pathway development and future planning.

Encouraging Signs from Commissioners:

In a recent Freedom of Information response from Surrey and Sussex ICB, commissioners stated that they intend to consider a selective mutism pathway as part of future planning discussions for 27/28. During the meeting they stated that this would cover all parts of Sussex. I have since asked for clarification if Surrey would also benefit due to the shared ICB and I await a response. 

While this does not guarantee a pathway will be commissioned, it is the first time we have received written confirmation that selective mutism is being considered within future service planning.

This progress has only been possible because families, professionals and supporters have continued to speak up.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this campaign so far. We have made real progress, but there is still more work to do.

Please continue sharing the petition so that together we can keep pushing for the recognition, training and support that children with selective mutism deserve.

It is extremely clear to me that WSCC are committed to addressing the gap in education and I await the commissioners update regarding the health side of a pathway. 

This is an amazing achievement and result and could genuinely change the futures of many local children. 💛

Thank you all 

Jo