|
Welcome to our January SEND Local Offer Partnership newsletter. In these difficult times as we say Happy New Year we hope that you and your family are keeping well. We want to share with you some useful information and a special upcoming event below.
The Parents’ Forum for Bradford and Airedale SEND online listening event
Event will take place online on 27 January 2021
The PFBA in partnership with Bradford Council is planning a number of listening events specifically for parents and carers' across the Bradford district.
By working together we can make sure the views of parent/carers and families are heard and it gives us opportunities to help build better services for everyone. We have now arranged the first meeting of 2021 of what we hope will be regular listening events for families with SEND.
The events are to be virtual in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and will be hosted via GoTo, an online video chat platform.
The first of these events will be held on 27 January 2021, 10am – 12:30pm. Booking is essential, please click here to book your space via a short form.
|
School reopening dates
The Government has announced when schools will reopen for the new term in January.
Across Bradford District:
- Primary schools will reopen to all children from January 4.
- Secondary schools will reopen to pupils in Years 11 and 13 on January 11.
- Secondary school pupils in Years 7, 8, 9 ,10 and 12 will return to school on January 18.
The Government has taken the decision due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to give secondary schools time to set up mass testing of staff and pupils.
The children of key workers and vulnerable children in all year groups can return to secondary school from January 4. Definitions of key workers and vulnerable children can be found in the Government’s Guidance for schools, colleges and local authorities on maintaining educational provision.
Schools will provide more details to their parents and carers in due course.
Read more about Coronavirus information and support.
This time of year can be an especially tough for so many people for lots of different reasons.
The COVID-19 pandemic may also have brought additional difficulties and worries.
If you are finding things tough, you are not alone and there is help available.
The Council webpage 'help available for New Year' has many useful contacts and support information. Please reach out.
First Response have a Crisis service 24 hours, 7 days a week for people of all ages living in the Bradford district. Call 01274 221181.
Three schools in Bradford have become the first settings in the Bradford district to be awarded the title of ‘Physical Friendly Settings.'
The following settings have all demonstrated that they meet the necessary standards in supporting children and young people (CYP) with additional physical needs.
St Edmund's Nursery School and Children's Centre
Keighley and St Andrew's Primary School
Bradford Academy
The Physical and Medical team in Bradford have devised a process supported by Pdnet (a national organisation established to support professionals who work with children and young people with additional physical needs) by which settings can be awarded the status of being 'Physically Friendly'.
Survey on the proposal to change Parental Travel Budget payments
This consultation runs until Sunday, 31 January, 2021
There is a Bradford Council consultation on the proposal to change Parental Travel Budget (PTAB) payment from 75 pence per mile to 45 pence per mile, and remove the minimum payment and additional payments in lieu of escorts.
Tell us what you think, please follow this link to an online survey.
|
Free online dance, meditation and yoga lessons
Synergy Dance Outreach has just launched a diverse programme of 174 online dance and yoga classes, including lessons for people with special needs including Autism & Cerebral Palsy and anyone visually Impaired or blind. Find out more about the classes on offer.
Here is the link to the online free classes.
New project to improve the EHC process
A project is underway to move the Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) assessment process online.
The focus is on streamlining and improving the experience for families undergoing the EHC assessment process. This includes the provision of a parent/carer portal to request assessments and to monitor the progress of the assessment process.
A professional portal will also be launched to enable schools, social workers, health and other professionals involved with your child to request assessments and contribute to the final EHCP.
|
Give a toy campaign
The council has launched a give a toy campaign through the household recycling centres.
The campaign is encouraging families to clear out old toys that their children may have grown out of and to take them down to the recycling centre where they can be redistributed in January by charities to children you may need them.
All quality toys including bikes, scooters and electronics are welcome. Ask one of the on-site team and they will be happy to help.
|
To keep up to date with the latest news and information from the Local Offer visit the News Page.
|
