This newsletter includes some of our familiar news but also has a focus on behaviour. This is a topic, you, our Bradford families have asked us for more information on. We hope this gives you some useful tips and guidance to help you and your family. We share events and the latest news on our Local Offer Facebook page. Take care, and we'll be in touch again in 2025.

Quick links to helpful information

Bradford Council is asking for feedback on proposed changes to how it provides transport assistance for post-16 learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A public consultation is open until 12 January 2025.

There are four new and one refurbished Changing Places toilets in Bingley, Bradford Industrial Museum, City Park, Ilkley Car Park and Wibsey Park. Bradford Talking Media are currently creating accessible information for the new facilities.

We’re currently developing a new series of one minute guides including ones about behaviours, mental health, masking and neurodiversity. Once they are ready we will let you know. They will be found on our Local Offer one minute guides page. 

Can you spare a few minutes to complete this year's SEND survey? Tell us before 19 January about your experience of SEND support and services. The survey is led by the Parents' Forum for Bradford & Airedale on behalf of the Bradford district SEND Partnership. Complete the annual SEND parent and carer survey.

SEND Short Breaks and Specialist Inclusion are running five funded day trips in February half term. These will take place at Buckden House, from Monday 17 February to Friday 21 February 2025. Activities will include, caving, climbing, archery, and abseiling.  Read more or for more information and to book, email: halima.kara2@bradford.gov.uk

Thinking Big (Friends and Family Hub) have events in January, February and March: getting support from your utility company, valentine's pamper and wellbeing sessions and a focus on puberty - mental and physical changes for girls and boys from Step2 a local charity. To find out about these events and to book, email: friendsandfamily@thinkingbiguk.org

The new Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, is introducing ways to help children and families, from school reform and home education to safeguarding. Find out how this may affect your family. Read more.

The government’s Education Committee has launched a major new inquiry focused on finding solutions to the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision. Read more.

The pilot for KidsTime, a family scheme for parents with severe mental illness and their children, has received ongoing funding for the next two years (2025 to 2027), and will now expand beyond Barkerend to Keighley and Buttershaw / Wibsey too. 

Behaviour

Our Bradford Council families SEND support team together with the Social, Communication, Interaction and Learning team have kindly shared some tips to help with behaviour. 

Autistic burnout

It is key to look out for signs of a child who may be experiencing autistic burnout. They could be showing signs of lack of motivation (hard to care about goals when everyday life is overwhelming) or loss of decision-making  and organisation. They may show difficulty with self-care, or find it is easy to reach overload or meltdown, loss of speech and selective mutism.

Causes of these could be due to stress or high expectations and demands being placed on them, sleep deprivation, sensory overload and changes to environment.

Top tips to support a child/young person experiencing burnout:

Gemma, a parent, spoke to us about the support group she runs and what she gets from being part of a group

Gemma Muff is a mother of two and her son who is 10 has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and is awaiting Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Dyspraxia assessments. Gemma is a SEND parent/carer ambassador. Gemma said: “I am a member of various SEND support groups throughout Bradford district as well as having my own Facebook group based purely around education. I am very dedicated to making and supporting change within the SEND system.  "As a SEND parent you can often feel alone and judged, and I wanted parents to know they are not alone. I also facilitate a parent support group called ‘BREATHE’.  We meet once a month and it’s a place for parents to go and speak to other parents in the same boat. "Being a SEND parent is hard. I find especially with the hidden disabilities people can be quick to judge and label and that stigma needs to stop. You need a thick skin to be a SEND parent and understand one size does not fit all.  "Find your tribe and you will see a massive difference. Also take time for you! I know, easier said than done, but it makes all the difference." Support groups can provide a fantastic way to share and support each other with things you are dealing with that are challenging, or simply to have a listening ear that understands. See the list of support groups across Bradford district. Many meet for coffee, chats, activities and learning.

Quick links to helpful behavioural information 

If you think your child or a young person might have Autism and/or ADHD, the first step is always speak to someone at school like the school nurse or school SENCO or make an appointment to see your GP. Read more about the referral process for under 18s through CAMHS Neurodevelopmental team and for 18+ Bradford and Airedale Neurodevelopmental service (BANDS).

Bradford SENDIASS is the Bradford independent service that can support you if your child's behaviour is causing difficulties at school or college. 

There is a range of support available at Bradford Family Hubs, including regular visits from the Portage team, the SEND Community Support Team, the Education Psychology team who hold free appointments on topics such as Autism, ADHD, speech and language needs, learning difficulties, social emotional and sensory needs, signposting and information on SEND processes. See the latest timetables here.

Parenting and family support programmes are listed on Bradford Families and Young Persons Information website here. Search for your specific needs, please be aware some have waiting lists, but some courses can be easily accessed online. 

The Challenging Behaviour Foundation can support the families of young people with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour is challenging. There are helpful guides available, including a 'challenging behaviour guide' and the 'positive behaviour support pack.'

Scope charity has a section on their website about managing your child's behaviour with information about, triggers, speaking to school, and talking to your child.

Free ‘In Our Place’ courses for everyone in the Bradford district. Includes 17 separate courses including, emotional health, mental health and understanding your child with additional needs and moving up to secondary school for children with additional needs. You can sign up now using the free code BDPARENTS.

Bradford Council's Children's Community Support Team (CCST), who are part of the Social, Communication, Interaction and Learning (SCIL) team supports families where a child is showing a large amount of challenging behaviour. This service is currently paused for new referrals, please bear with the team while they catch up on current referrals. We will let you know as soon as they reopen for new referrals. in the meantime I hope you find their tips in this newsletter helpful.