My name is Joel Herbert and I started in the SEND Transformation and Compliance team in September 2019. I started my career in education back in 2011 when I qualified as a Secondary School Religious Studies Teacher. I then moved into pastoral leadership with a focus on Safeguarding and children who are Looked After. As part of the SEND Transformation and Compliance team, we are working to ensure that the SEND reforms are fully implemented across the whole of Bradford. We are working with partner agencies and services within the Council to challenge and review current processes and ways of working.
You might have seen me at one of the Parental Engagement Events we have been running over the past months. If you haven’t booked onto one, it would be great to meet you and hear about your SEND journey so far (see Parental Engagement Events below).
Contact the team by email via SENDTandC@bradford.gov.uk or call 01274 435300
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Sporting Success at Girlington Resourced Provision
Pupils from Girlington Primary School have achieved silver medal success at a Primary Boccia competition for deaf pupils and the Disability Sport Yorkshire England County U19s finals.
Off the back of this success, the Boccia team have been nominated for a Bradford Sports Award and have further been announced as finalists in the Student club/team category. Winners will be announced on 12th March 2020.
This is a fantastic achievement and is an example of how well our deaf pupils succeed beyond the classroom.
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Health and Education - information and services that can help you
The Local Offer website has dedicated areas to provide you with all the necessary information on health and education services and support within the district.
The health section has information on services provided by the NHS and Voluntary Community Organisations as well as help to support children and young people with SEND and their families.
The education section has information on specialist education providers, alternative educational providers, independent advice, specialist support services, funding and advice and support that is available for children and young people.
SEND Strategy
The District’s Revised SEND Strategy has been approved by the Council’s SEND Strategic Partnership Board and will be circulated widely shortly. To go with our revised strategy we have a new strapline, decided by our SEND Ambassadors, a group of brilliant young people. They have selected:
SEND: No Limits!
The SEND Ambassadors are now working on designing a logo to go with the strapline.
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Parent Ambassadors
We now have a group of parents who are willing to act as Parent Ambassadors. At their first meeting the general purpose of the role was discussed and the following were suggested:
- Lead support groups explaining and detailing different aspects of SEND.
- Advise and share knowledge of the EHC planning process.
- Help other parents ‘navigate’ the system.
- Help parents through diagnosis.
- Help parents have a voice.
- Communicate up to date advice and information.
- Provide feedback on the Local Offer and help make it easier to find.
- Raising awareness with public services (e.g. doctors’ notice boards) and raising the profile of SEND.
- Hold events to foster openness and transparency.
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Parent Engagement Event
The SEND Transformation & Compliance Team’s parental engagement tour landed in Keighley at the end of January. Thanks for those parents and carers that attended. It was another opportunity to hear about the experiences of families of children and young people with SEND so that we can take actions back to the relevant teams across the District.
Date |
Time |
Location |
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Wednesday 26 February |
12pm-2pm |
Margaret McMillan Tower |
Wednesday 18 March |
10am-12pm |
Winter Garden, Ilkley |
Thursday 26 March |
10am-12pm |
Shipley Library |
Wednesday 29 April |
12pm-2pm |
Keighley Civic Centre |
Thursday 21 May |
10am-12pm |
Shipley Library |
Monday 22 June |
10am-12pm |
Margaret McMillan Tower |
To book onto one of these events please email via SENDTandC@bradford.gov.uk or call 01274 435300
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SENDIASS – who are they and how can they help?
Are you looking for information, advice or support about matters relating to Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities? Bradford SENDIASS stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service. We are a statutory service run by Barnardo’s and we are an impartial service which is independent from the Local Authority. This means that we will provide you with the facts and information that you need to make informed decisions and choices. We will tell you what your options are and what steps you can take but the decision remains your own. We are not biased and do not take sides but can offer advice and help to put you in touch with the right people to resolve your queries and support you to move things forwards.
We offer information and advice primarily around educational issues, but can also advise and signpost on health and social care issues in relation to educational provision and SEND. For example, we can support you with advice on SEN policy and provision, concerns about provision in school, meetings in school, EHCP requests and the assessment process, concerns around delivery of EHCP, exclusions, managed moves, bullying, transport, mediation, and tribunal/appeals.
If you would like to receive support from SENDIASS please contact us on 01274 513300 or email bradfordSENDIASS@barnardos.org.uk. Please leave your contact details and we will contact you within 1-5 working days. Information on the service and how to book can be found on the Local Offer, or on the Eventbrite website under Bradford SENDIASS. Our social media is also a useful source of information, join us on Facebook ‘Bradford Sendiass’ or follow ‘Bradford Sendiass’ on twitter for regular updates.
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Healthy Minds Young People's Mental Wellbeing Services
The Healthy Minds Mental Wellbeing resource provides the support available from services across the District and important contact information to use.
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SEND Advocacy Services
“Are you and your child/young person (aged 0-25yrs) with special educational needs and or disabilities needs (SEND) struggling to have your voice heard and feel that your child or young persons needs are not being met, and unsure of SEND legislation?”
SEND Advocacy services could provide you with;
- advice and guidance
- pointing you in the right direction
- help support you through a crisis
- be by your side at crucial meetings or act as co-ordinator between agencies to ensure everyone is working towards the same aspirations
- You will be kept up to date with the new information and legislation, especially that which will impact on your specific situation
- Encompassing education, health and social care
Please find advocacy services available on the Bradford Council Local Offer Information Website click here
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Things To Do - February Half Term
Stuck for ideas to keep the whole family entertained during the February half term? Check out our Things to do page on the Local Offer website for suggestions and events taking place.
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