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

• Upcoming consultation on changes to special schools and SEND
• Local Offer update
• SNAP PCF - ADHD Wise Parent Training Courses
• Early Help Virtual Drop-ins for parents and carers
• Remote learning resources from the Youth Sport Trust
• Listening Books
• What’s On

Upcoming consultation on changes to special schools and SEND

From 03 February, you will be able to have your say on changes to Central Bedfordshire’s four special schools and additional places for Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) within mainstream schools, known as Additional Resource Provision.

This is part of the Schools for the Future programme and the proposals include:

Special Schools

• An increase of around 700 to 950 places across the special schools – The Chiltern School, Ivel Valley School, Oak Bank School and Weatherfield Academy
• Relocation or expansion of the four special schools, between 2023 and 2026.

Additional Resource Provision

• To create a further 92 places between 2023 and 2025
• To ensure a greater geographical distribution across Central Bedfordshire, in line with future need in Dunstable and Houghton Regis; Harlington; Sandy; Shefford and Stotfold; Biggleswade; and Leighton-Linslade.

Mainstream schools

• To include multi-use/nurture spaces, where there is space to do so

Have your say

The consultation will run for 13 weeks until Wednesday May 5, 2021, with full details, including how to have your say available on the Schools for the Future website, when the consultation is launched on February 3.

Other ways to have your say

A series of listening events for members of the public will be arranged in due course and advertised via the Council’s email alerts and social media platforms.

Local Offer update

We have recently updated our SEND Services for Education page on the Local Offer.  Here you will find information and contact details for

• Statutory SEND team
• Educational psychologists
• Early years SEND team
• Hearing impaired team
• Visual impaired team
• Medical team

SNAP PCF - ADHD Wise Parent Training Courses

SNAP Parent Carer Forum has arranged the following Parent training course.  Find out more about becoming a member of SNAP PCF

Early Help Virtual Drop-ins for parents and carers

Remote learning resources from the Youth Sport Trust 

The Youth Sport Trust are a children’s charity working to ensure every child enjoys the life changing benefits that come from play and sport. They have published a collection of free online resources designed specifically to support in-school and remote learning for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The inclusive PE resources contain information sheets and accompanying videos to support dexterity and mobility. 

Listening Books

If your child with SEND finds reading difficult then audiobooks can help - but they are also expensive to buy! The UK charity Listening Books has free memberships available to their audiobook lending service for people living in Bedfordshire who would find their membership fees a financial barrier to joining. Their library includes popular authors like David Walliams, Jeff Kinney and Malorie Blackman and also educational audiobooks that support schooling - find out more at their website www.listening-books.org.uk!

What’s On:

SEND Support virtual coffee morning every first and third Wednesday of the month,
9:30 – 10:30 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,
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 or follow us on Facebook

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