Welcome to this edition of the SEND News Bulletin. This week includes information on
SEND Peer Review Report
Central Bedfordshire Council and partners have been working together over the last year to transform services for children with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) following an OFSTED and CQC inspection in 2019 which identified areas for improvement.
As part of the council’s commitment to improving the services, we commissioned an independent Peer Review to help us and our health partners objectively assess progress that has been made since 2019 and what work still needs to be done to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND in Central Bedfordshire.
The Peer Review was carried out by four independent SEND experts from other local authorities. They included a member of a Parent Carer Forum, an education expert, a social care representative who is also an OFSTED Inspector and a health representative.
The team conducted a two-day review of the improvement areas outlined by OFSTED in 2019 (Strategic Leadership of SEND, Coproduction, Quality of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and the Local Offer) in July using the best model of practice for SEND local area inspections. Over the two days, the team reviewed the evidence from a cross section of material including policy documents, EHCPs and data sets, and interviewed staff, SNAP members, school staff, health representatives and Overview and Scrutiny Members.
The reviewers acknowledged the significant investment in resources, staff, training, multi-agency working and the development in improving the quality and personalisation of EHCPs.
The reviewers also highlighted that some of the improvements that had been made were not yet being felt by all schools, parents and carers, and young people, because the reviewers recognised that these improvements were not embedded across all services. Likewise, the new developments on the Local Offer need to be more widely communicated to parents and young people.
Whilst the review highlights the good progress that has been made and provides a useful check point that the changes are making a difference on our 18 month improvement journey, we are not complacent about what more we need to do. We will ensure the reviewer’s feedback about areas they identified for improvement are integrated into our current action plan so we can provide a service that meets the needs of SEND children and their families and is a service we can be proud of.
Parents and Carers Themed Focus Sessions
Please note that the EHCP session will now take place on 17 September, instead of 15 September as previously advertised.
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.
| Date |
Time |
Theme Focus |
| Tuesday 14 September |
1 - 2 pm |
Co-production |
|
Wednesday 15 September
|
1 - 2 pm |
Local Offer |
| Thursday 16 September |
1 - 2 pm |
SEND Strategy (including Outcomes Framework and Data Dashboard) |
| Friday 17 September |
1 - 2 pm |
EHCP
|
Short Breaks Grants - Deadline extended
Short breaks provide an opportunity for children and young people with disabilities to spend time away from their primary carers, taking part in new experiences and fun activities. They also give parents and carers the opportunity to have a break from caring responsibilities.
Our 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.
The grant fund will be open for applications between 23 July and 31 August 2021. Organisations can fill out an application form and return it by email to CSCommissioning@CentralBedfordshire.gov.uk before the closing date of 5pm on Tuesday 31 August. Any applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Applications 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 17 September 2021.
Kooth - Online Mental Wellbeing Community
Kooth is free, safe and anonymous.
Kooth helps and supports young people with their mental health and is available 365 days a year.
Kooth offers so much more than just counselling. There is also a magazine, forums & live discussion boards, journal, goals, and a mini activity hub.
Sign up to Kooth.com
Being a parent EPEC course
 
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)
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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
25 August - 2.15 - 3.15 pm
Flitwick Leisure Centre: 01525 493131
1 September - 2.30 - 3.30 pm
Dunstable Centre: 01582 361400
31 August - 12.15 - 1.15 pm
Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre: 01525 375765
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.
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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
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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
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