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Welcome to our December edition, we hope you are all staying warm and toasty in this colder weather, and able to get out to enjoy some of the events taking place at this time of year. As this is our last newsletter of the year, we want to send kind greetings and warm wishes. We will be in touch again in January, 2024.
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Quick links to helpful information
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Holiday, Activities and Food - holiday clubs with a free meal
Children with SEND qualify for a free place on this scheme and a meal whether or not they are on benefits-related free school meals.
If your child gets benefits-related free school meals you can book here.
For families who do not receive benefits-related free school meals, please contact the providers directly to check if they have places left. See the list of groups taking part here.
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Helpful information on our Local Offer Website
- We have developed a new SEND Local Offer page to explain words that you may have heard from services who provide support. We are working more closely with services to encourage the use of plain English in their communications to families. See our Glossary and Acronyms page.
- Information if you are worried about your child or a young person
- Did you know? There are other language options for our SEND Local Offer website – click the the 'help' figure in the red circle on the top right of the site and then the cog for options.
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One Minute Guides - One page documents that provide quick, simple and accessible information.
When poor weather affects your transport
When there is snow or ice outside, a decision about transport is usually made around 7am each day.
Updates can be found on Bradford Schools Online, by listening to local radio stations, checking the Bradford Council webpage/app and X (formally Twitter). The decisions we make regarding transport are always based on the safety and the wellbeing of the children and adults. Minibus and taxis may not be able to reach their destination safely, especially as many people do not live on main routes.
You can contact the transport teams on the following numbers:
SEN contracted service
Phone: 01274 436692
Email: pts.sen@bradford.gov.uk
Core service (Passenger Transport Services - PTS bus)
Phone: 01274 438889
Email: pts.sen@bradford.gov.uk
Social care transport
Phone: 01274 437275
Email: passenger.transport.services@bradford.gov.uk
Please be aware on days when the weather is poor the phone lines are usually very busy and it can be difficult to get through. If you send an email the team can call you back.
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Let’s Get Talking Bradford!
Talking Bradford is a new online step-by-step guide to helping your child (aged 0-5) with talking and communication. It offers:
- Fun and easy activities to try at home
- Help to find a free ‘Play and Learn’ group
- Info about the local Family Hubs
- Details about how to get extra support in the Bradford district.
Visit the Families and Young Persons Information (FYI) Bradford website or watch one of the videos on YouTube.
Give your child the best start for life – Let’s Get Talking Bradford!
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Thinking Big - upcoming events
You are invited to join one of the free sessions below to talk about Short Breaks across the Bradford district.
There will be guest speakers from the SEND Short Breaks Assessment and Specialist Inclusion team, followed by lunch together and a chance to chat about ideas, challenges and
support each other.
There are face-to-face meetings (with lunch) and an online option too.
- Wed 13 Dec, 10am-12pm, at Kirklands Community Centre, 119 Main Street, Menston LS29 6HT.
- Wed 13 Dec, 10.05am-12pm, online on Zoom.
- Thurs 14 Dec, 10am-12pm, at Clockhouse, Oakworth Road, Keighley BD21 1QX.
To book a space, email friendsandfamily@thinkingbiguk.org or phone 07941 563554.
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Extra autism-friendly screenings at The Light, Bradford
The Light Bradford has increased its number of autism-friendly screenings.
These screenings are for anyone who would benefit from a quieter and less stimulating cinema experience. The sound will be turned down and the lights are only dimmed, not turned off. The film will also play without ads or trailers.
Read more and sign up for updates on autism-friendly screenings.
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Our new Brad Starz group met last week at City Hall, in Centenary Square. It was brilliant to be joined by 13 young people for icebreaker activities and the chance to share views on a range of issues that matter to them.
There is more being planned for Brad Starz in 2024, so if you know a young person aged between 14 and 25 who might want to get involved it's not too late! To be involved, contact Matt, email: sendyouthvoice@bradford.gov.uk
We asked the group - what did you like best about Brad Starz?
SEND Auditors
Who are we?
A small team who independently monitor and provide scrutiny of Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans for children and young people across the Bradford district.
Why was the role created?
These new roles help ensure better quality EHC plans that are appropriate to meet the needs of children and young people.
What have we been busy with?
As well as attending meetings and working on upcoming priorities, the SEND Auditors have been phoning parents who have had an EHC plan issued for their child or young person in the previous month.
Parents and carers involved have said they appreciate the weekly phone calls as an opportunity to provide their feedback and said that this makes them feel heard and their views valued.
Read more about what the SEND Auditors have been doing in our termly update on the SEND Auditors Local Offer page.
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Mindful winter walks for carers
The Mindfulness Garden, part of Horton Community Farm, is offering a series of free winter walks over the next few months.
Explore some of Bradford's best parks by joining this free group and learn mindfulness techniques to improve wellbeing along the way.
For over 50's and carers of all ages with a Bradford postcode. With free hot drinks at a café. All sessions are 10am-12.30pm on Thursdays.
11 January - Roberts Park, Higher Coach Road, Saltaire BD17 7LU
(meet at Loverose Way Car park)
1 February - Lister Park BD9 4JR (meet at entrance at the bottom of Emm Lane.)
15 February - Bowling Park Bowling Hall Road BD4 7TL (meet at The Lodge Cafe opposite Lister Ave)
29 February - Roberts Park, Higher Coach Road, Saltaire BD17 7LU (meet at Loverose Way Car park).
To book on a walk or for more information email mindfulness@hcf.org.uk or phone Maryam on 07720 780393.
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 Thanks to everyone who has completed our parent and carer survey 2023
This is the last call our for anyone who wants to and hasn't yet completed our SEND parent and carer survey. You have until Sunday 31 December.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to give us your anonymous experiences of support for your children with SEND throughout the Bradford district.
The findings from this survey will be shared with health, education and social care partners to help develop, prioritise and shape better SEND services for our families, children and young people.
 Warm Spaces - welcoming venues across the Bradford district
Warm Spaces are free places where you can go to that are safe, friendly, warm and often a place you can get a free drink.
Warm Spaces include libraries, community centres, church halls, sports clubs and other places open to anyone. To find your nearest Warm Space and what it offers, search the directory here.
There are also Warm Space events happening at our Family Hubs in December - take a look at the Family Hub timetables to find out more.
Please can you print out this newsletter to display or share with anyone who doesn't have access to a computer - thank you!
If you know someone who would like to sign up to receive these newsletters - please forward and they can sign up here.
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