Margaret Mullane Takes Pica Campaign to Westminster in Bid for Better SEND Support
Dagenham and Rainham MP, Margaret Mullane, secured a debate in Westminster Hall on 9 September to raise awareness of, and make the case for, specific training on a condition called Pica within SEND provision.
The condition is marked by an overwhelming compulsion to eat non-food items such as glass, soil, clay, lead, ice and more. Items that can poison, puncture organs, choke, and end a child’s life.
The debate was a success and resulted in clear commitments from Georgia Gould MP, the Minister for School Standards, namely;
1. Pica specific guidance for schools to be included in the government’s SEND reform, and
2. Pica to be raised with the independent panel that sits across health and education as they develop new National Inclusion Standards.
Margaret told the Havering Daily: “I want to thank parents and the National Pica Advisory Service. This is the culmination of our combined efforts to get Pica on the agenda. All children deserve a safe, secure, and happy education whether in mainstream, a specialist school or other educational setting. But at present, for children living with Pica, this is not being delivered. These commitments from the Minister will change that.”
“My first awareness of Pica was at my SEND roundtable last year. The purpose was to hear the experiences of parents and professionals across my Dagenham and Rainham, so that I could feed their voices into the government’s consultation on SEND reform.
At this event I heard the story of a brave young woman and her family living with the realities of Pica. Since then, I have been working with Suzy Read and the National Pica Advisory Service to secure the changes that families like Suzy’s desperately need.”
Testimonies from parents at several events organised by the Labour MP highlighted the trials of living with Pica; risk assessing every room and every setting. The commitments that were made in Parliament will provide assurance that children with Pica will be cared for with the same vigilance at school as they are at home.
Margaret added “This debate was Parliament at its best, MPs working together to secure change that improves the lives of our constituents. I want to thank MPs and the Minister for showing understanding at just how important this issue is. This is the difference a Labour Government can make.”
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