Spring greetings

As we have moved into April we have seen the weather improving and in terms of Government changes as April began we saw the ‘stay at home’ rule lifted and changes to allow us to meet friends or family (of up to 6 people or from two households) outside (including in private gardens).

On 12 April we saw shops reopen and other venues are gradually opening their doors. The next step we are awaiting news of is 17 May when the government will look to continue easing limits on seeing friends and family wherever possible, allowing people to decide on the appropriate level of risk for their circumstances.

No doubt we are all finding things very challenging still and we will keep you as updated as possible about any changes or updates we become aware of across the district.  As always the SEND transformation and compliance team are here for you to provide support and information to you and your family. 

Deaf Awareness Week 2021

Deaf Awareness Week runs 3 – 9 May 2021 with a focus on the theme ‘Coming Though it Together’

We wanted to share with you, five Deaf Awareness facts. 

1. Hearing loss and deafness is defined as a hidden disability.

2. As well as BSL, there are international sign languages including American Sign Language and French Sign Language. 

3. Within the UK, there are regional variations of BSL just like there are with spoken language.

4. Lip-reading helps deaf people to understand what others are saying, but even the best lip-readers still miss up to 40% of what has been said. 

5. The Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists highlighted that the rise in the use of face masks due to the Covid-19 pandemic makes it harder for people with hearing loss to communicate. Face coverings with a transparent panel over the mouth have now been created so that people can still lip-read through masks. 

More information is available on the Deaf Awareness Week website.

You can also show your support for Deaf Awareness Week on social media, hashtag #DAW2021.

PFBA SEND Listening event 

This month the Parents' Forum for Bradford and Airedale held their second listening event in partnership with Bradford Council and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).

We were joined by a number of parents/carers and professionals and two brave parents told us their story and any challenges they faced in accessing support for their children. Professionals present at the event were able to respond and share advice whilst also answering further queries from parents at the event.

We are committed to continuing to hold these events regularly. The next date will be shared on the Local offer and through the PFBA’s website and social media.

Feedback from the January event can be read here.  

SEND Inspection update

 SEND inspections paused during the Covid-19 pandemic and Ofsted and the CQC have now announced a phased return to SEND inspections.

During April they began re-visits to local areas that required a WSOA (Written Statement of Action) and from June 2021, full inspections of local areas that have not been inspected under the current area SEND inspection framework are planned (the date is under review in line with government advice).

As you will know we have not yet had a SEND inspection in Bradford, and we are expecting to be next on the list of those Local Authorities still to be inspected under the current inspection framework.

As a local area we have continued to prepare for our SEND inspection by working with partners, parent/carers and children young people through our online channels during the Covid-19 pandemic. As this will be our first SEND inspection in Bradford since the introduction of the SEND Reforms in 2014, we have produced a short guide to the SEND inspection process.

New project to improve the EHC process

A project is continuing 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. 

Play area in Lister Park to be transformed

Work is set to begin on a new play area at Lister Park. The new play area will transform the play space in the park and create a space for play for infants and toddlers and older children too.

The £650,000 new area has been funded from the Council's Playable Spaces Strategy, and will replace the current play area which is now more than 20 years old and will feature over 80 new play features and equipment and an area with water play. 

It will include a 9 metre high play tower, sand workstation, sensory path, music zone, four person see-saw and agility trail as well as picnic benches.

The play area colours will be bright and bold – especially for the toddler area. Paintings from artists have been used as inspiration in the design which carries excellent links to the adjacent Cartwright Hall Museum and Art Gallery.