Latest SEND News and Updates

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14 October - 11th Edition

SEND News

SEND News and Update

Welcome to this edition of the SEND News Bulletin.  This week includes information on

  • Local Offer Facebook page launches
  • Inspiring Music - Musical Explorers
  • A message from Sue Tyler, Assistant Director, Children’s Services
  • SNAP PCF - Satisfaction of SEND Services Survey

  • Family Fund Grant
  • Ambitious about Autism
  • Carers in Beds Events

  • BDCPS Virtual Timetable
  • SEND Training Courses
  • What’s On

Local Offer Facebook page launches

Tomorrow (15 October) we will be launching our new Local Offer Facebook page dedicated to providing information on the services and support available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the local area.

The new Facebook page will help families with children aged from birth to 25 years olds, find information about what local activities, events and help there is available each week in an easy and accessible way.

The page will also provide information on how to access educational, health and social care services as well as leisure and recreational opportunities.

To follow the page visit: www.facebook.com/CBCLocalOffer

If there are specific things you would like us to share on the new Local Offer Facebook page please let us know by sending us a message on Facebook, leaving a comment or emailing: send.feedback@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk about what you like to see.


Inspiring Music - Musical Explorers

Music lessons in schools

This exciting new venture was launched on Saturday 3rd October and anyone interested in joining in can do so anytime. 

The sessions are 11:00-11:25 every Saturday morning and the first one is free.  (From the second session there will be a small charge invoiced for the remaining weeks working out at £2.00  per session). 

The sessions run weekly from 3rd October to 12th December (no session on the 31st October).  The sessions are led by our very own Sarah Robinson who is also Head of Music at Weatherfield Academy.

Email inspiring.music@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk. After your free session, we'll send you a link to sign up for the remainder of the term, if you'd like to do so.


A message from Sue Tyler, Assistant Director, Children’s Services

I am writing to let you all know that Louise Bartos, Head of SEND, will be leaving Central Bedfordshire Council at the end of November.  Louise has made a valuable contribution to progressing the performance of our SEND service over the past couple of years.  As we continue on our journey embedding locality working, there will be interim arrangements in place for the service which are being led by myself supported by Simon Cotton, Head of School Improvement and Jackie Edwards, Head of Access and Inclusion.

I am sure you would like to join me in thanking Louise for her contribution to Children’s Services and wish her well in the future.


SNAP PCF - Satisfaction of SEND Services Survey

Satisfaction of SEND Services Survey in Central Bedfordshire.

We surveyed parents last November when the SEND Area OFSTED/CQC inspection took place and reported our findings to the Inspectors (survey updates can be found here)

Now the Action Plan has been signed off by OFSTED/CQC we need to find out from parents what their current experience is so we can set a baseline now and then run the survey again in twelve months’ time to track progress made.

ALL FEEDBACK DATA WILL BE ANONYMISED.

We will report our findings to our members if you are not a member of SNAP PCF please consider doing so and completing a membership form.  We will also publish the results on our website and social media platforms.

SNAP PCF will attend the monitoring visits from OFSTED, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the Department for Education (DfE), Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) and the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) the first meeting is on the 1st of December.

Please complete one survey per child. We have a prize draw to win M&S vouchers.  Our T&C's are on our website.


Family Fund grants

Earlier in the year, the government announced it was giving an additional 10 million to the Family Fund during the pandemic, to families who care for children with disabilities or who are seriously ill and are in financial need.

If you have already applied before April 1st this year, there is a new change of criteria to allow you to apply again this year.

Watch our video on how to apply and download an application form  


Ambitious about Autism

Ambitious about Autism have created a wide range of easy-reads, templates, top tips, and posters that families and young people can download. Each resource can be used as a tool to support you and your family during this unprecedented time.

Find out more


Carers in Beds Events

Parent Together Discussion Group - Return to School Review Meeting 

As a follow up to the 'Parents Together Discussion Group - Returning to School' meeting held on 3rd September you are invited to a review meeting to hear about the impact of the new term on carers and their families and discuss the issues including the successes and the concerns. The return to school has been a challenging time for all parents and particularly for those with children with additional needs. Therefore, we would like to support parent carers by providing this forum to share their experiences and review the issues raised at the previous discussion. 

  • Thurs 22 October 8-10pm 
  • Hosted by Maria, Jon and Sara 
  • This is for Parent Carers 
  • Free on Zoom

Register here

Dean Beadle Presentation 

Dean is an excellent speaker, he will talk candidly about living with Autism and anxiety, he is engaging and entertaining and will be happy to answer any questions you have on the topic of living with autism and anxiety.  In this session, Dean will discuss anxiety from the perspective of an autistic person. He will look at reasons why anxiety may be so prevalent for autistic people as well as looking at ways to best support autistic people through anxiety. 

  • Thursday 15th October 7-9pm 
  • Hosted by Jenny Harris and Dean Beadle 
  • This is for Carers, Cared For, Former Carers, Staff & Professionals 
  • Free on Zoom

Sign up

Introduction to Mindfulness for Parent Carers 

Join Palma Quinn as she guides you through some simple mindfulness techniques to help combat the everyday stresses you may experience as the parent of a SEND child, from someone who understands. 

  • Tuesday Evenings for 4 sessions, 3, 10, 17 & 24 November - 8.00 - 9.00 pm 
  • Hosted by Palma Quinn 
  • This is for Parent Carers 
  • On Zoom 

To register


BDCPS Virtual Timetable

SEND Training Courses

Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health

1 in 3 children in every classroom has a mental health condition.  On top of this, we have had a world pandemic where children and young people have had their lives turned upside down.   Returning to the new normal may not be easy.  Learn more on how you can identify the signs and support children and young people with mental health.

Gain a NCFE Cache Level 2 qualification through interactive webinars online.

Suitable for professionals and parents/carers that would like to gain more knowlege.

Understanding behaviour that challenges

Challenging behaviour can be complicated and there are many reasons as to why individuals react in different ways.  Unless you understand the function of that behaviour, you will be unable to put support and strategies in place for that individual.

Gain a NCFE Cache Level 2 qualification through interactive webinars online.

Suitable for professionals and parents/carers that would like to gain more knowlege.   

Understanding Autism

For Professionals and Parents/Carers, this course will give an in depth knowledge as well as practical tools that work and are easy to use at school, home, work and out in the community.

Gain a NCFE Cache Level 2 qualification through interactive webinars online.

All courses are free subject to eligibility and is delivered by training provider All Dimension on behalf of Central Bedfordshire Council’s Employment and Skills Service.  FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO ENROL please contact All Dimension:

Visit www.alldimension.co.uk
Email infonew@alldimension.co.uk
Phone 020 8308 0280 



What’s On:

SEND Support virtual coffee morning every first and third Wednesday of the month,
9:30 – 10:3
0 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,
1:30 – 2:30 pm
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