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

• SEND Spring Progress Update

• Local Offer update

• Children and Young People’s Occupational Therapy (OT) Services
• An introduction to Speech, Language and Communication e-learning

• Free parent training on understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) for SNAP PCF members

• Free Spectrum Community Arts Musical Theatre places for SNAP PCF members

• What's On

• Children's Centres SEND Support Coffee mornings

SEND Spring Progress Update

As we settle into the Summer term, we have published our latest SEND progress update. These updates focus specifically on our Written Statement of Action (WSoA) and the four workstreams we have developed together with Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group.  The workstreams aim to address the areas of weaknesses identified by Ofsted and the CQC in September 2020, by delivering key actions to ensure our services to children and young people identified with SEND improve.  We have also been working hard to improve our regular engagement with SENCOs which has so far been well received. Some of our key improvements include:  Creating a regular and dedicated newsletter for SENCOs which focuses on news, information and stories relevant to SENCOs. So far there are around 170 SENCO’s signed up to receive this. Organising and setting up termly study sessions for SENCOs to network, share best practice, learn about the latest information from other SEND professionals, and provide direct feedback on SEND services and School Improvement. View the rest of the Spring term SEND progress updates, which align with the WSoA, and to see what key actions we have committed to complete by the end of the Summer term.

Are you a parent or carer of a child or young person identified with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), or do you know someone who is?

If the answer is yes, then did you know that the council’s Children’s Services team has a suite of resources to support people in Central Bedfordshire, called the Local Offer?

A Local Offer gives children and young people with SEND and their families a wide range of information about the support services that are available in their local area. The information covers education, health and social care support and services for people aged between 0 and 25 years.

The Central Bedfordshire local offer describes the provision offered in the area, but also includes services outside of Central Bedfordshire, which are provided jointly by neighbouring local authorities.

We would like to hear your feedback on the content to help us make it clearer, more comprehensive, more accessible, and up to date. If you have any feedback, then please email local.offer@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

You can also follow the Local Offer on Facebook and Sign up to our SEND news email service to receive fortnightly SEND news updates.

Children and Young People’s Occupational Therapy (OT) Services

We are delighted to advise that from 6^th April 2021 the Occupational Therapists who support children in Central Bedfordshire will be transferring from the Adults Social Care Service to Children’s Services in Central Bedfordshire Council.

This is a positive move for both staff and the families that are supported by the OT team. It ensures all professional working within Children’s services will be aligned under one directorate. The transfer will allow greater opportunities for joint working, improved communication with an outcome of better outcomes for the children and their families.

The type of support the OT team provide will not change. The OT’s will continue to be committed to the children and families in relation to the needs within the home environment.

Children and young people will continue to be seen by the same Occupational Therapists as prior to this change and their line manager also remains the same. 

Contact the Access and Referral Hub on 0300 300 8585.

More information

An introduction to Speech, Language and Communication e-learning

Free parent training on understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) for SNAP PCF members

The parent training below is FREE for SNAPPCF members. Please email admin@snappcf.org.uk to book - if you are not a member complete the membership form, it is free to join and open to parents who live in Central Bedfordshire who have a child or young adult aged between 0-25 years with any Special Educational Need and/or Disability.

As always booking is on a first come, first served basis.

Emotional Wellbeing sessions for Parents/Carers

 These are virtual information and advice session to support families, the session will provide parents and carers with ideas on how to support their children on a wide range of subjects i:e Anger, Anxiety and school transition.

The session will be split into 2 parts:

30 mins: Presentation from Chloe Lovell - CBC Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner

30 mins: Opportunity to ask questions

The event will be run as a webinar designed to give information but there will be an opportunity to ask questions using a chat function or by sending an email in advance. Once parents/carers have signed up a link to the event will be sent the morning of the session over email. This will contain all joining instructions.

Monday 17^th May 2021 at 4.30 -5.30pm: Year 4 transition

Monday 17^th May 2021 at 6 – 7pm:   Year 6 & 8 transition 

Tuesday 1^st June 2021 at 6 – 7pm: Upper School Parents - Anger & Anxiety

Tuesday 1^st June at 4.30 – 5.30pm:  Middle School Parents – Anger & Anxiety

Friday 15^th June at 10-11 am: Lower School Parents – Anger & Anxiety

Free Spectrum Community Arts Musical Theatre places for SNAP PCF members

Please email admin@snappcf.org.uk to book - if you are not a member complete the membership form, it is free to join and open to parents who live in Central Bedfordshire who have a child or young adult aged between 0-25 years with any Special Educational Need and/or Disability.

What's on

More events and workshops that are being held this month are on our Events Calendar 

Children's Centres SEND Support Coffee mornings

SEND Support virtual coffee afternoon every second and fourth Monday of the month,
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Dunstable Children’s Centre

If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8106/0300 300 8104

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