Hello everyone
As we move towards February we find ourselves still in very challenging times. We understand it has been a challenging year and continues to be for all of us in so many ways, and that things have been difficult for you and all your children and young people. We send our thoughts to you and your families and just to say as a team we are here for you and will continue to provide monthly updates from the SEND Transformation and Compliance team.
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Covid: Support and Advice in our District
Most of us have been affected by Coronavirus somehow and in some way. If you're finding things hard right now, you're far from alone. Community Action Bradford & District have created a self care booklet that is packed full of really useful information on a variety of topics including:
Mental health, including anxiety and depression, grief and loss and crisis
Isolation and loneliness
Support for those caring for other people
Your local NHS, including how this is operating at this time
Food and fuel poverty
Finances and bill support.
Read the self care booklet here.
If you would like the wording in this booklet in large print, Braille or any other language please call 01274 431000.
Children of critical workers and vulnerable children who can access schools or educational settings
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 4 January 2021, only children of critical workers and vulnerable children and young people should currently attend school or college.
Read the Government guidance below about children of critical workers and vulnerable children who can access schools or educational settings.
FAQ's to help with the current lockdown
As a service, we are here to help during this period of uncertainty and have created an information sheet we think may help you during the current lockdown. Questions include, what to do if you are worried about your child's emotional wellbeing, annual reviews during lockdown, information about your child's EHC plan during this time and what support is available for your child at school. Follow the link below to the information sheet.
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Bradford Educational Psychology Team are offering FREE workshops for parents and carers, via the Mental Health Champions project, which is commissioned and funded by the Clinical Commissioning Groups in Bradford.
Parents and carers are eligible if the child/young person (up to age 18) in their care lives in the Bradford area. The focus will cover the effects of coronavirus on mental health and emotional wellbeing. Book your session by visiting the read more section below.
The dates of the sessions are:
Monday 1 February 10am-11.30am or 1pm-2.30pm
Tuesday 2 February 10am-11.30am or 1pm-2.30pm.
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Apptastic competition winner
Ahmed Hassan (a year 11 student at University Academy Keighley) who is visually impaired and uses Braille, has won a prize in a National Science competition. The Apptastic competition was organised by VICTA (VICTA is a national charity that provides support to children and young adults from 0 to 29 who are blind or partially sighted and their families.) Ahmed won his prize in the ‘most impactful’ category of the competition.
Following his competition success, Ahmed has been informed that, ‘Microsoft were so impressed, they would like to schedule a 1:1 video call with him to discuss the app idea with one of the technicians.’ Ahmed’s idea was for an app called ‘Wardit’ which would help people, visually impaired (and sighted people too), to navigate around a hospital and find the correct department or ward.
Ahmed is interested in pursuing a career in science, medicine or technology and this is an important step towards achieving that. Well done Ahmed!
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update on on co-production discussions
One of the recent discussions with children, young people, parents, carers' and services has been to find out 'if Bradford Local Offer Information website should include SEND services that charge?'
The outcome was that everyone felt families should have the option and choice to find out what SEND services across education, health and social care are available for children and young people with SEND including those services that charge.
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In other news...
Family Fund
Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity providing grants for low-income families in the UK raising disabled or seriously ill children. They provide grants for a wide range of items, such as washing machines, sensory toys, family breaks, bedding, tablets, furniture, outdoor play equipment, clothing and computers. If you think this is something you would like to find out about.
Read more about Family Fund here.
Children’s neurodevelopment service update
The SEND team are currently working with colleagues from Born in Bradford and the Centre for Applied Educational Research (CAER) to establish a project across Bradford to test whether the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile can be used in a screening process for identifying children with neurodevelopmental problems early in their school life, particularly those at risk of late diagnosis.
In support of this work we were asked to develop a communication to be shared with families with regard to the CCG commissioned autism assessment and diagnosis process.
Read the update here.
Carers' Resource Identification Card
Carers' Resource have launched an Identification Card to help carers' prove that they are carers' if they are challenged for entry or discounts. We know from feedback that more recently some carers' have been challenged when trying to shop during protected hours at supermarkets. For these reasons, Carers’ Resource has created a carer ID card and their hope is that it will be beneficial to those caring.
If you would like a card, please contact carercard@carersresource.org or call 01274 449660.
Carer Card Shopping Benefit
For those carers' registered with Carers' Resource who have a Carer ID card, Company Shop are offering membership.
Their superstore in Bradford, The Peel Centre, Canal Road, Bradford, BD1 4RB opened in December 2020, selling surplus food and household goods at hugely discounted prices to a closed membership group who qualify.
Read more here.
Carers' Resource grants of £75 towards infection control
Carers' Resource are offering a grant scheme of up to £75 per household to help with the cost of infection control measures for carers' living in the Bradford District.
These could include getting a taxi to get to appointments instead of using public transport or buying protective masks, gloves and cleaning products. The payments of up to £75 per household could pay for your shopping to be delivered so that you don't have to visit a supermarket.
To apply for a grant, please get in touch by calling 01274 449660 or email bradfordadmin@carersresource.org
Disability Grants
This is a website that can save you time searching for different grants. Many UK charities or trusts provide grants, each with their own criteria for providing funds.
Read more here.
Information & Advice
Find out which organisations can give you independent advice and help on the Local Offer website. Please use the filter section on your right to refine your search.
Read more here.
Importance of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important for maintaining a healthy immune system. In the UK, sunlight doesn't contain enough UVB radiation in winter (October to early March) for our skin to be able to make vitamin D. During these months, we rely on getting our vitamin D from food sources and supplements. Public Health England advises us to take a vitamin D3 supplement daily during the Winter months. If you have any health concerns please discuss with a pharmacist or GP first.
In Bradford and Airedale, Healthy Start vitamins for women (containing vitamin D) are given free to all pregnant women throughout the whole of their pregnancy. All children from birth to 6 months are also given free Healthy Start vitamins containing vitamin D and some children who are at high risk of developing vitamin D deficiency will continue to receive free vitamins until they are 4 years old.
For more information visit Bradford Council's webpage about Vitamin D below.
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