The crisis in school attendance is rightly being talked about in public discourse. However, laying the blame at the door of parents really is letting this government off the hook. The reasons children are absent can be complex - poverty, SEND, mental health distress, etc.

The failure of @RishiSunak and @Jeremy_Hunt to address the urgent need to properly fund our schools means we are on the edge of a crisis. Even the Government missed its target for recruiting new teachers this year by 37%. The Government must rethink and #InvestInEducation.

"Support staff are the heart of every school... without support staff, schools couldn't function. The same applies to our union. We need support staff and we need you to be an active, vocal and integral part of your union" says @mrsElParker @NEUSupportStaff @NEUnion

Follow the keynotes, @mrsElParker formally opens the conference. "I am a qualified teacher but, by choice, I am a member of support staff working in SEND... I am committed to fighting for the support staff profession, funding and ensuring the very best for all of our children"

"We are a union that fights for ALL our members. We are a union that wins for ALL of our members. We work relentlessly for and with all of our members." @DanielKebedeNEU @NEUSupportStaff @NEUnion

Our General Sec Daniel up next "I passionately care about support staff.... you are the top of my priority as I begin in my role.... there is lots for us to do and achieve. It won't be easy or smooth but we are working relentlessly" @DanielKebedeNEU @NEUSupportStaff @NEUnion

"All of us should be worried about the funding cuts announced yesterday. We cannot afford to lose anyone or any funding in our already struggling schools... the solution is in our union, in our workplaces and in our local districts." @NEUSupportStaff @NEUnion @emsamrose

"I could not do my job as a teacher without the vital support staff in my school..." from TAs and SEN Support to site managers and admin staff. Schools cannot function without you. Children are impacted significantly by what you do. @emsamrose @NEUSupportStaff @NEUnion

.@emsamrose NEU President opens the @NEUSupportStaff conference talking about the state of school buildings and how this represents how education has been left to decay through 13 years of government austerity. @NEUnion

Starting off today's @NEUSupportStaff conference is @mrsElParker and @emsamrose

Delighted to be at this year's @NEUSupportStaff conference in London. There's a great line up of speakers, workshops and discussions throughout the day. @NEUnion

Following the first session on Child Poverty, next up for the learning conference attendees is the fabulous @lisamillered talking about tackling behaviour issues and this afternoon will be covering De-escalation techniques #SummerConf23 @NEUnorthern

Workshops are now under way on key topics: SEND Green Paper, LGBT+ Charter, Sexism in Schools and Equalities as a workplace issue @NEUnorthern #SummerConf23

Such a vital message and worryingly stark statistics about Child Poverty affecting families in our region @sairskay. In the North East, 51,000 more children are in poverty than in 2019.

This morning begins with some introductions, talk about the national pay position and an overview of the current areas of work for the equalities groups. #SummerConf23 @NEUnorthern

Thanks to the brilliant life coach Suzanne from @minorthtyneside for running a bite size briefing for our union reps today focusing on emotional and personal wellbeing. We help and support many members as union reps and officers but remember to put your oxygen mask on first!

Pleased to open @NEUnorthern reps conference today outlining key actions and activities to support a successful reballot. Followed by @coomer_helen who reinforced our VE:VE work and how we build confidence to challenge workload issues and win in the workplace.

To end our day @RichardM_NEU tests out the concept of our regional reps development passport and our reps development strategy that will build capacity and confidence in reps to represent members with everyday workplace issues.

Giving an inspiring pre-dinner speech is @LouRegan1 speaking about union activism. Don't forget it's your union and crucial that you get involved and continue to shape the union. @NEUnorthern

A fantastic start to the first part of our Summer Conferences this morning - Reps from across the region coming together to learn, discuss & network. On the agenda today is building a strong union group, supporting members with issues, wellbeing and rep development. @NEUnorthern