SEND parent/carer annual survey
Over 100 parent/ carers contributed to our SEND parent/carer annual survey. Representatives of the parent/carer network are due to meet in the next few weeks to discuss the survey feedback and pro-actively use the information to both work with partners and update parent/carers.
Thank you to all the parent/carers who supported the survey from the parent/carer network. It was great to have such a united response.
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SENDIASS recruit new staff
As part of an increase in funding to support the SEND Independent Advice Service run by Barnardo’s, the team are welcoming three new staff to support the service they provide. The new staff bring with them experience from teaching, pastoral and mental health support, targeted support for vulnerable children, and their own parenting experience. Staff will be going through an induction programme before they start but are all looking forward to supporting families across the district soon.
If you need to contact SENDIASS please contact us on 01274 513300 or email bradfordSENDIASS@barnardos.org.uk
Into Employment
Downs Syndrome Bradford Training Limited shared a great news story about two of their members who have both secured paid permanent contracts to work 10 hours a week over two days at the local Specsavers store.
All staff have received training from Downs Syndrome Bradford Training Ltd on what Down syndrome is, needs, expectations and strategies to make the placements a success. What a great story for all partners involved.
If you are aware of a young person with additional needs who is interested in looking into job opportunities, please contact Skills House or visit www.skillshouse.co.uk
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Passenger Transport Services
Please find below information on how to contact Passenger Transport Services (PTS).
PTS lines opens at 7am on 01274 436692. Urgent queries only between 7am and 9am and 2pm and 4pm. For non-urgent queries please contact us between 10am and 2pm.
Families and schools can also contact us on the following email addresses and request call backs. Pts.suppliers@bradford.gov.uk or Pts.sen@bradford.gov.uk
For any new applications due to a change of school, or for late applications, please allow 30 days for the assessment process to be completed. Please can any professionals supporting families encourage families new to transport services to apply before the end of the previous academic year so that transport can be in place for September.
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Covid-19 Autumn booster parents/carers
We want to be clear that if you are on your GP Learning Disability Register and eligible (5 years and over), you will be invited for the autumn COVID-19 booster.
Your carers will also be eligible.
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SEND Young People Democracy and Youth Voice
School Of Rock and Media (SORM) Into Employment students share their view on communication and democracy for young SEND students in Bradford:
Following on from the Children’s and Young People’s Voice survey which over 50 young people completed, we are now running face to face workshops with young people across the district about what they think a SEND young people’s democracy could look like and how we could improve communication with young people.
Our first event was with the SORM Into Employment group. It was an absolutely fantastic day to kick start our CYP Democracy work. The students were all super and inputted lots into the day. It was a pleasure to meet them all: their views were really inspiring and their passion and enthusiasm were awesome. A total credit to themselves and SORM.
If you have a group of young people with additional needs either in a school setting or another provision that you feel would be interested in contributing to this work please get in touch with Sally Skipper at SENDT&C@bradford.gov.uk
Bradford Council launches campaign to improve school attendance
Bradford Council has launched a campaign aimed at improving school attendance rates.
The campaign, called ‘Every Day at School’ promotes the importance of regular school attendance for pupils across the Bradford district. It is designed to encourage parents and carers to get their children to school every day so they can succeed in school.
The campaign has launched to coincide with the return to school for the new academic year but will run all year on social media, poster sites and digital displays and digital advertising vans.
More information about the importance of school attendance and tips and advice on getting children to school regularly can be found on the council website at www.bradford.gov.uk/attendance
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SkillsHouse
SkillsHouse delivers information, advice and guidance for pupils. Qualified careers advisers operate in the majority of schools and colleges across the district. It is a contracted service so varies according to each school as to what the advisers are asked to do. Most of the work takes place with year 11,12,13 and involves individual interviews to help young people plan ahead with thinking about their future – whether this is to continue education through studying in 6th form, colleges of further or higher education or employment and training by finding work, an apprenticeship, traineeship or supported internship.
For young people with an EHCP, it can take longer to make decisions and find out about what the option choices post school are. It is important that parents and young people have access to help from careers advisers and need to check with school if the adviser can be invited to attend reviews from year 9 upwards in order to help with planning the future. If this isn’t possible, a request can be made to see the school careers adviser in order to help planning ahead with the transition process.
Some young people for a whole variety of reasons might leave school and no future plans are in place. If that does happen, the Adult Services section of SkillsHouse has advisers who can work to re-engage young people and support them to enter suitable provision. Fully qualified advisers can offer support on the different pathways available and help with making decisions over option choices.
There will be a health and social care careers fair on Tuesday 11th October at Bradford University. The event promoted by Skills House will include a variety of stalls and also have a quiet hour from 10-11am for students who may have additional needs. Please click on the link below for further information and if you have any access concerns please contact Skills House or visit their events and activities page.
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Questions to ask when looking into primary schools and secondary schools
SENDIASS have developed some handy resources for SEND parent/carers looking into primary and secondary schools across the district with some hints and tips of the sort of things to ask. Please see the link below for further information. We hope the guides will help parent/carers find out more about what different schools offer and how they can best support individual children. If you work with families that are looking into school provision, please consider if you can print or share this resource. Parents & Carers | Barnardo's (barnardossendiass.org.uk)
Parents Forum SEND coffee mornings
The SEND coffee mornings that the Parents' Forum has been hosting in schools have been extremely popular. As the new school year begins, we are moving onto working with a new set of schools. We have had really positive comments from parents, SENCOs and even head teachers. Here is a small sample of the feedback we have had:
I have seen parents talking to each other in the playground now they know which other parents may be going through similar
I have been able to hear first-hand what families are going through at home, even if behaviours aren’t evident at school
It’s been great to speak to other parents who understand what life is like and not have to hide my feelings
We have set up a WhatsApp group for support and it has made me feel less alone
If you would like the Parents Forum to host a SEND coffee morning in your school, please contact Adele, our Engagement Manager adele@pfba.org.uk
Is your child electively home educated?
Bradford Council is launching a review into elective home education.
Elective home education is a term used to describe a choice by parents to provide education for their children at home or in some other way they desire, instead of sending them to school full-time.
The review is being undertaken by the council’s Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee and hopes to hear from parents who have chosen to educate their children at home. Find out more
All responses should be sent to Mustansir Butt, Overview and Scrutiny Lead via email on mustansir.butt@bradford.gov.uk or by post to room 112, 1st floor, City Hall, Bradford, BD1 1HY by the 31st October.
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