SEND News bulletin

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SEND News

24 June - Edition 3

Latest SEND Updates and Events

This week includes information on:

  • Welcome from Sue Harrison, Director of Children's Services
  • Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny meeting

  • Apply for Post 16 and Post 19 SEN Transport

  • Free Speech and Language activities at home

  • Help for your local support group, charity, or voluntary organisation

  • Listen to the latest CAMHS Talk podcast
  • What's On

Hello everyone and welcome to our third email bulletin

Sue Harrison, Director of Children's Services

Firstly, I would like to say thank you to the 38 parents who shared their experiences, thoughts and suggestions at one of our nine Meet the Director’s Virtual Focus Groups. It took courage to share your journeys with us, please be reassured that your views and helpful suggestions are being included at the heart of our partnership improvement plan (Written Statement of Action).  We hear you and are committed to delivering improvements across our services that will make a positive difference to your experiences going forwards.

Thank you also to those 89 parents and carers who have taken the time to share their thoughts through our survey over the last few weeks. In the next couple of weeks, we’ll be working with SEND professionals, practitioners and children and young people to understand their perspectives too.

In the meantime, we want to continue this open dialogue with families to ensure we are making the right improvements for our SEND families in Central Bedfordshire. For now, you can see the feedback we’ve already received on our Local Offer website

We have also launched a new SEND improvement section which we’ll keep up to date with what we’ve done, what we’ve heard, how this has informed the improvements and our progress.  We look forward to sharing our plans with you for your feedback, which will of course include timescales for improvement. You can view the new webpages by visiting www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/send-improvement

We are committed to improving our services and working with you to do that. Once again thank you to all those who have given us their time and for being open and honest with us. We are entering a new era of partnership working with parents of children with SEND.  This is not a quick fix as we lead a culture change across our services but there is a tangible commitment to working in different ways, which will deliver some short term as well as longer term improvements to services.  Thank you for working with us.  For now, please stay safe and well.

Sue Harrison
Director of Children's Services


Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny meeting

As part of the Council’s approach to hold virtual committee meetings all of our overview and scrutiny meetings in July will be available virtually. This will include Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny on 7 July at 10:00 am, to find out more about how to join the meeting or watch online.

All of the Council’s meetings are currently available to view and attend virtually with a focus on items that can be delivered in light of the current pandemic.

Find out more


Apply for Post 16 and Post 19 SEN Transport

School sign

16 or over with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

If your child or young person is aged 16 or over, has a current EHCP and is due to start college or further education in September 2020 you can apply for travel assistance – applications can be made on our website.


16 - 18 with medical needs or income related benefits

The standard fee for providing transport from September 2020 is £267 per term.  However,  if you are in receipt of a qualifying Income-related benefit or your child has certain medical needs, they may be entitled to free travel assistance. Please see our website for further information. 

Applications must be submitted before 31st July 2020

Any queries please contact the school transport team on 0300 300 8339 or email school.transport@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk


Free Speech and Language activities at home

A team of speech and language therapists and software engineers who develop packages of assessments and interventions for schools, called Speech Link and Language Link, have put together some activities and games from their award-winning packages, for you to use freely at home.

The information section explains the difference between speech and language, and why they are so important.  You can use the developmental charts to help you decide which activities are best for your child. Also don’t forget to watch the new top tip video series where the speech and language therapists show how to support your child at home.

More information


Help for your local support group, charity, or voluntary organisation

Do you know any local group, charity or voluntary organisation in Bedfordshire that could do with extra funding?

Sport England have announced they are investing in Bedfordshire’s Active Partnership to ‘tackle inequalities through awards to support the sector’ during COVID-19. Local groups, charities and other voluntary organisations working with target communities (including SEND) can apply for a share of the £50,000 funding. You do not need to be a ‘sporty’ organisation to apply.

Team Beds are organising a specific online conversation with interested groups to share more information including qualifying criteria in order get the investment to those who need it. The online conversation for Central Bedfordshire based organisations is scheduled for Thursday 9th July at 2pm and will be facilitated by Clare Fitzboydon of Team Beds and Luton. This will an informal session and expected to last around 45 minutes.

In addition to this investment Team Beds would like to discuss some thoughts around further support in the form of ‘activity packs’ for those with long term health conditions and or disabilities.

If you would like to register your interest and receive more information, please provide your name, organisation and contact email to Lisa Simpson.
Joining details for the session will be sent to you by Team Beds and Luton nearer the time.


Listen to the latest Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) podcasts

CAMHS Talk

The latest CAMHS Talk podcast focuses on education, learning and mental health during lockdown


What’s On:

SEND Coffee afternoon 
Every Tuesday 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Shefford and Stotfold and District Childrens Centre

Do you have a child with an additional need, disability, new diagnosis or not yet diagnosed?  Join the coffee afternoon to meet other local families, share ideas and support each other in a friendly environment.  Call 0300 300 8112 for more information on how to join the virtual session.

Spectrum Beats! - ​Wednesday 1st July: 5 - 5.30 pm 
FREE taster session! On Zoom! EVERYONE is invited! 

Sing, play, listen and move! Interactive and themed music sessions for making some noise! A FREE taster session of Spectrum BEATS clubs - ONLINE!!! The session is accessible for all abilities!  Please email admin@spectrumca.co.uk to book your space!

Sensory Programmes

 Ride High Equestrian Centre is based in Central Milton Keynes in 37 acres of green space.   They offer a Specialist six-week Sensory Programme for individual or small groups of children with additional needs.

A programme of non-ridden work with ponies  designed to develop communication skills, engagement, self esteem and confidence, and support with behaviour management

Find out more


Please visit the Local Offer for more information on activities, services, advice and support across Central Bedfordshire for children and young people with SEND.

We hope you have enjoyed this News Bulletin and have find the information helpful. We would love to hear your feedback and what you would like to see in future issues.  Please let us know by emailing send.feedback@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk