4 August - 32nd edition

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

• SEND Summer Progress Update 
• Parents and Carers Themed Focus Sessions
• National strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026

• Short Breaks funding available to support children with SEND

• CAMHS Podcast - Co-production in Central Bedfordshire

• Being a parent EPEC course

• Triple P Positive Parenting Programme

• Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)

• Summer Holiday Activities
• What's On
• Children's Centres SEND Support Coffee mornings

SEND Summer Progress Update 

Read about our progress so far in our SEND Summer Update

Parents and Carers Themed Focus Sessions

You are warmly invited to attend our virtual Focus Sessions on the work completed on the SEND Written Statement of Action (WSOA)

The Themed Focus Sessions for parents/carers replace the Meet the Director sessions and will take place the week commencing Monday 13 September 2021.

The purpose will be to share our progress on the WSOA and to hear your feedback about the changes we have made.

The sessions will be facilitated by the Theme Leads from Central Bedfordshire Council and Health, with representation from SNAP Parent Carer Forum.

To book please send an email with your choice date to send.feedback@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk we have 6 spaces available per session which will allocated on first come, first served basis.

Additional sessions will be held as required.

National strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026

The government has recently published the national strategy for improving the lives of autistic people and their families and carers in England. The strategy builds on and replaces the preceding adult autism strategy, by extending the scope of the strategy to children and young people for the first time. 

We will be working with key partners to ensure that we review our practice in light of this guidance

More information

Short Breaks funding available to support children with SEND

Voluntary Organisations are invited to apply for grants of up to £10,000 each.  The Short Breaks Grant Fund is designed to give funding to voluntary organisations who will provide holiday activities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across all school holidays up to 1 April 2022.

Applications must be received by 5pm on Sunday 8 August and will be assessed by a panel that will include representatives from Central Bedfordshire Council, parents, carers and young people. Each organisation will be informed of the outcome by 16 August 2021.

More information and how to apply

CAMHS Podcast - Co-production in Central Bedfordshire

In this CAMHSTalk Podcast,  CAMHS Service User Participation Lead Niki Scott talks to Lydia Rosseter from Cambridgeshire Community Services, Lisa Leonard, head teacher of The Chiltern School and Marcia McKnight from Central Beds Council. We talk about how co-production enables, empowers and supports better outcomes for children, young people, families and professionals in Central Bedfordshire.

Being a parent EPEC course

Triple P Positive Parenting Programme

Here are some quotes from parents:

“These strategies are clear and straightforward. I am using them already. Very useful … I know it will reduce conflict in our family and we will appreciate that.”

 "If I could have done what I did here years ago my life would have been different”.

Attending Triple P “was a useful, basic starting point for me to work on at home. Examples are extremely helpful for understanding. I think overall this has been great. Thank you.”

“After 7 weeks I have seen a BIG improvement in my son’s behaviour – I am trying out different strategies and feel in control and am enjoying being a parent!”.

Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)

This Summer, Central Bedfordshire Council is running a range of free activities in the School Holidays for children and young people aged 5 - 12.  There is something for everyone with a range of activities including creative activities, music, outdoor and sporting activities and youth/holiday club provision, with healthy snacks and lunch provided to all children and young people attending face to face activities. We are working with some amazing organisations to deliver the Summer programme including FUN, Kids in Action and Full House Theatre The Holiday Activities and Food programme is for children eligible for benefit related free school meals. This is a requirement from the DfE who are funding the programme.   Register to receive further information about activities

Download our SEND Summer Programme

Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (U) Relaxed Screening 27 August 2021 at 11am Thomas and Bea are now married and living with Peter and his rabbit family. Bored of life in the garden, Peter goes to the big city, where he meets shady characters and ends up creating chaos for the whole family. The 11am Screening will be a relaxed screening. At a relaxed screening, the soundtrack volume is reduced and low lights are left on. It's fine to make noise, move around or leave the cinema. Adults £7.50**, Concessions £5.50** **A £1 transaction fee will be added per ticket. Wheelchair Users (cannot be booked online; please call Box Office) Book online or telephone the Box Office on 01582 602080 (Mon-Thurs 12-3pm only)

Family SEND Swimming sessions - exclusive use of the small pool for children and families with SEND.   Cost: FREE Please be aware that pool capacity at each venue is limited and spaces must be booked in advance by phone with the pool of your choice. If you do book but are then unable to attend, please phone the centre and cancel your spaces for other families to book. Saxon Pool & Leisure Centre: 01767 433133 11 and 25 August - 2.15 - 3.15 pm Flitwick Leisure  Centre: 01525 493131  4, 18 August and 1 September - 2.30 - 3.30 pm Dunstable Centre: 01582 361400 3, 17 and 31 August - 12.15 - 1.15 pm Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre: 01525 375765 11 and 25 August - 1.00 - 1.45 pm Please note that normal swimming admission policy applies. This includes 1 adult (aged 18+) to every 2 children aged Under 8 years. All adults supervising children under eight years of age must accompany the children in the water and be within reach.

Bug and Butterfly Hunt Tiddenfoot Waterside Park, Mentmore Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2AE Thursday 19th August 2.00pm – 3.30pm For more details and how to book, visit the Greensand Trust website

What's on

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

Do you provide a service or run events for children and young people with SEND and their families?

We would like to offer providers the opportunity to advertise local SEND services and events in our fortnightly SEND news bulletin, on our local offer Facebook page and to be included in the local offer events calendar.

If you would like to be featured then please email details about your service and/or event to local.offer@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Children's Centres SEND Support Coffee mornings

SEND Support face to face coffee afternoon every other Wednesday,
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Leighton Buzzard Children’s Centre

Booking is essential due to Covid restrictions please call 01525 384368.  Children welcome.

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 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