Welcome to this edition of the SEND News Bulletin. This week includes information on
Children’s Services Transformation - Next Steps
In the next phase of our transformation journey we are further enhancing our locality working. This involves remodelling our existing teams to form an Education and Inclusion Team for both the North and South areas of Central Bedfordshire.
These Locality Teams will each consist of
- School Improvement Advisers
- Send Assessment Officers
- Access & Inclusion Officers
- Virtual School
- Education Safeguarding Officers
- Jigsaw Service
The Locality Teams will be led by Simon Cotton in the South and Jackie Edwards in the North. Barbara Bourn has stepped into a new role ‘Senior SEND Manager’ and will be line managing the two SEND Assessment Team Managers. Joe Watts is the SEND Assessment Team Manager in the South and we are currently recruiting a manager for the North.
Many of the teams are already working in the particular locality and there will be little noticeable difference for front facing partners. However, behind the scenes this will enable all aspects of Education and Inclusion to work more closely with both Early Help and Social Care teams as well as schools in localities.
SEND Specialist services including, Medical Needs, Hearing and Visual Impaired Teams, Education Psychologists, Special School Outreach, Legal Support, SEND Commissioned Services, Resource Provision and Training and Development will continue to be managed by the Head of Service for SEND.
The current SEND Early Years Team will become part of the 0-12 service, building on the excellent work that is done throughout the Early Years.
The move into Locality teams will enable a holistic approach to our work including:
- An approach focused on the needs of the Child and their family rather than the system
- Consistent professional standards
- A service that works with the child and family to explain options and choices
- Takes the approach of 1 Family – 1 Plan – 1 Key Worker
- Being Locality focussed and school facing
- Focussed on Early Help / Early Support to ensure that help is available at the earliest possible opportunity
- Work that is not only statutorily compliant but of a high quality
- Providing consistent messages to children, young people, families, schools and all education and care providers
Volunteer for Central Bedfordshire SENDIASS
Do you have an interest in Special educational needs and disability (SEND)?
Do you understand how challenging SEND systems can be?
Do you want to help others experiencing a similar situation?
Central Bedfordshire SEND Information Advice and Support Service offers free, confidential and impartial advice to support young people with SEND and their families. Families often need us when they are unsure or disagree with decisions being made about their education and SEN support.
We are a small team and rely on the support of volunteers to help us reach as many people as possible.
There are two ways to volunteer for CB SENDIASS:-
- Volunteer SENDIASS officer - working directly with individuals to give them confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions and help them navigate SEND processes. Training provided.
- Steering group member- supporting development of SENDIASS and the promotion of SEND support in Central Bedfordshire.
We would love to hear from young people with SEND, their parents and carers or professionals from education, health or social care services.
If you feel you can donate a bit of your time each month to help us support more families, please get in touch for an informal chat and more information.
Email: support@sendiass.co.uk or call 0300 300 8088
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NEW Home-Start SEND Parent Mentoring support service
This service is delivered by parents, for parents and carers who care for a child with additional needs.
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Parent Mentors could offer someone to talk to that ‘gets it’ – the Parent Mentors have all had experience of parenting children with SEND and can provide 1:1 support via phone call/ video call etc.
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Parent Mentors could offer guidance to navigate the pathways to access Neurodevelopmental support services inc. CAMHS, paediatricians, speech and language services, support groups etc.
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Parent Mentors could offer to signpost to further support services including groups with other parents who may be experiencing similar challenges and provide access to further information around specific conditions.
Parent Mentors can provide practical and emotional support, with the aim of parents feeling confident and informed about their child’s needs.
If you would like to speak to a Parent Mentor then contact Home-Start on office@home-startcentralbeds.org.uk or call 01582 660061
COVID - Ensuring your safety and ours at CAMHS
CAMHS has produced a short video for Young People and their families detailing the Covid 19 changes when visiting their services.
Bedfordshire Community Health Services - Child friendly videos
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Bedfordshire Community Health Services has produced a short video for Children and families detailing the Covid 19 changes when visiting clinics
The video walks through a clinic visit and has been created from a child’s point of view.
How You Feel Matters - Getting Help in Bedfordshire
If you’re aged 18 or under, live in #Bedfordshire and need information or help with your #mentalhealth find more details on services available to you.
What’s On:
SEND Support virtual coffee afternoon every first Tuesday of the month,
1:30 – 2:30 am
Shefford and Stotfold Children’s Centre
If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8112
SEND Support virtual coffee afternoon every other Monday,
2:00 – 3:00 am
Leighton Buzzard Children’s Centre
If you would like to book a space please call 01525 384368
SEND Support virtual coffee morning every first and third Thursday of the month,
10:00 – 11:00 am
Flitwick Children’s Centre
If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8111
SEND Support virtual coffee morning every first and third Friday of the month,
10:30 – 11:30 am
Houghton Regis Children’s Centre
If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8115
Super Kids Online – virtual support group for parents or carers with children who have SEND
Sandy Children's Centre - every other Thursday, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Fortnightly catch ups and support online. A chance to speak to professionals from the CDC, Early Years Support Team, Speech and Language plus more.
To book a free place contact Karen on 0300 300 6009 or email karen.burton@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
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 found the information in the bulletin helpful. We would love to hear your feedback and what you would like to see in future editions. Please let us know by emailing send.feedback@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
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