Introduction from The Assistant Director of SEND & Inclusion

Welcome to the first edition of the Cambridgeshire SEND Newsletter.  I hope you are managing to keep safe and cool through the extreme Summer heat we are experiencing. We have a lot to be positive about at the moment, as the articles in this new newsletter outline. Although we are still feeling the pressure of the pandemic, I am very pleased to share that we have consistently achieved some of the highest attendance rates in our special schools both regionally and nationally. This has only been possible due to the close working relationships between the local authority, schools and parent carers, and due to the creative and flexible approach of our school staff teams, which I would like to acknowledge and thank alongside the wider teams that continue to work so hard during these challenging times. Rules regarding Isolation may have changed as from 1st April, but it is still as important as ever to maintain our focus on appropriate measures, particularly regular hands washing. While we learn to live with COVID-19 we all still need to consider the impact we can have as individuals to keeping people safe. We are planning to produce a newsletter each term, if you would like to receive future editions, please click on the subscibe button below and sign up via the online form.

Enjoy the summer, look after yourself, you are all valuable! 

Toni Bailey 

Assistant Director of SEND & Inclusion

We are excited to let you know that we have appointed a Preparing for Adulthood Lead in Cambridgeshire Martine Simpson-Thomas. We want to empower and support young people to achieve the best outcomes in: health, employment, independent living and friends, relationships and community engagement. We have established a multi-agency Preparing for Adulthood steering group and are in the early stages of creating a Cambridgeshire PfA Strategy. 

If you would like to contact Martine for more information or to share your thoughts or success stories relating to Preparing for Adulthood, please email: Martine.Simpson-Thomas@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 

Local Parent Carer Forum and hub for information, signposting and events for all things SEND. No formal diagnosis is required to access support from Pinpoint – a child may be on a waiting list, accessing services, had a referral turned down, or just be struggling. Pinpoint hold weekly virtual coffee mornings called 'Tii Hubs' during term times where parents/carers will always find a friendly face to chat to and can meet others in similar situations. They also hold professionally supported workshops and events including sessions around autism, ADHD, sleep, anxiety, mental health and more! Full listings of our upcoming FREE sessions can be found on the Pinpoint website.

The Annual Health Check scheme is a free, yearly appointment with your doctor (GP) or Practice Nurse, usually near to where you live. In this appointment your doctor or nurse will ask you questions about how you keep yourself well and whether you need any extra help with this. With your consent they will also check your physical health such as your weight, heart rate and blood pressure. They may ask for a urine sample or a blood test and will also look at any medication that you take to make sure that this is still right for you. 

The Annual Health Check is a really good time to ask your GP or nurse any questions or worries that you may have about your health. 

Who can have one? 

Anyone aged 14 and over who has a learning disability is entitled to have an Annual Health Check. You must be on your GP’s ‘Learning Disability Register’ to get an invite through the post. You can check with your GP if your name is on the register and ask to be added if your name is not on there already. 

Why do I need an Annual Health Check? 

It is important as you are growing up to stay well and look after yourself and be healthy. 

Sometimes children and adults who have a learning disability have poorer physical and mental health than other people, but this shouldn’t always be the case. 

Most health problems are simple to treat once you know about them. Your GP can help stop you getting a serious health condition. This is better than waiting until you're ill. Most people have their health check when they are feeling well. 

The doctor or nurse can help you to plan how to keep being healthy and can give you information and advice about different things such as diet and exercise. 

What if I already see another doctor or nurse who is not at my GP Practice? 

You may see other doctors and nurses who help you to stay well, such as at the hospital or in different health clinics. When you are under 18 you may see a Paediatrician (children’s doctor) or another specialist team. 

Annual Health Checks are different from appointments at the hospital or other health clinics. They are offered from when you are 14 to help you to get to know your local GP as you are growing up. They help you get used to seeing someone each year to support you to stay well as you become an adult. 

Your parents or carers can go to the Annual Health Check with you especially if you are feeling worried or anxious about going to the doctors. 

Do I have to have an Annual Health Check? 

No, the Annual Health Check is voluntary so you can choose whether or not to have one. 

More information about Annual Health Checks can be found on NHS Choices. 

Do you need any information, advice, or support (IAS) to help with your child’s special educational needs or disability (SEND)? Cambridgeshire & Peterborough SENDIASS provide free, confidential, and impartial information, advice and support to parents and carers of children, 0–25 years old, with SEND. We can also advise young people and children with SEND. The service provides IAS about education, health, and social care provision. Typical areas of support include Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), SEND support in EY/schools/colleges, Exclusions, and Transitions. 

One parent fed back ‘You have been absolutely amazing at supporting me, giving very knowledgeable advice and listening. You have made me feel like I’m not tackling this alone’. 

To find out more please visit our web pages www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/SENDIASS 

Contact us: Email SENDIASS@cambridgeshire.gov.uk    

Phone 01223 699214 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cambridgeshiresendiass/