Hello to all our families

As we are beginning to get closer to the festive season we thought we'd share some top tips to reduce the stress around this time of year. We know the Christmas season is not an easy time for all children and young people and the break from school, change in routines, extra noise and visitors can cause many of us to be overwhelmed. The National Autistic Society have put together some top tips, including how to plan ahead, reduce stress and allow for down time. Read more.

Bradford support group member gets award!

Every year Learning Disability England run a campaign to celebrate the achievements of people with learning disabilities and/or autism.

The Bradford Down Syndrome Training & Support Service have shared news of one of their members - Samuel Murray who has received a special award for his valuable contribution in the work place and his stamina at work. Well done Samuel! What an inspirational role model. If you are interested in reading more about the award for future nominations, read more here. 

If you know of a child or young person who has an inspirational story on any topic, or you'd like to share a day out you've enjoyed that has worked well for access or support, email: SENDTandC@bradford.gov.uk

We love hearing your stories!

Your rights as a parent carer

Carers Rights Day took place this week, the day is organised by Carers UK to raise the profile of unpaid carers and their rights. As a parent/carer to a child with additional needs you may not already identify as an unpaid carer and may be unaware what rights you have to things like free flu jabs, carers assessments and the right to flexible working. Please read more about Carers Rights here.

Carers’ Resource is our local Carer’s charity to support the Bradford District.

Opportunity to be part of an employability course 

Do you know of a young person under the age of 30 with a learning disability who lives in Keighley, Shipley or Bingley and would benefit from being part of an employability programme? Mencap are running a course focusing on skills including interview skills, behaviour at work, decision making, identifying skills and helping to identify work placements. Please read more or contact Randeep Kaur at Mencap, email Randeep.Kaur@mencap.org.uk.

Thinking Big – group meet up 

Thank you to the 'Thinking Big' parent/carer group for inviting our SEND Transformation and Compliance team along to their get-together this month. Josh Wadsworth (transformation and compliance coordinator - preparation for adulthood) and Sally Skipper (SEND transformation and compliance coordinator) both attended the event and updated on the work of the team, how to use the local offer and key projects the team are working on. If any other parent/carer groups would like the team to attend one their groups, email: SENDTandC@bradford.gov.uk

Family Leadership Programme

Bradford's Preparing for Adulthood Family Leadership Programme started earlier this month with over 20 families signed up to find out more about preparing children and young people for adulthood. The Introduction and Rights module was successfully delivered this month and the presentation can be found here if you weren't able to attend the live event.

The next session will be for parent/carers of children and young people with learning disabilities and will be attended by speech and language therapies on 26 January 2022, 1pm - 3pm. Please sign up here.

Have your say - once a month meetings

We are pleased to report following our call out to parents in our last newsletter we had eight new parent/carers joining our SEND meetings to feed back their views and experiences of SEND services in our district. It's not too late to join too - If you are interested in getting involved and representing the parent carer voice, email: SENDTandC@bradford.gov.uk