Welcome to this edition of the SEND News Bulletin. This week includes information on
- SEND Progress Update
- Household Support Fund
- Home-Start Parenting Programmes
- SEND SUNDAYS at Climb Quest Milton Keynes
- Merry Christmas
- What's On
- Children's Centres SEND Support Coffee mornings
SEND Progress Update
Dear Parents and carers,
As the autumn term has come to a close, I am pleased to share with you our latest termly SEND progress update.
This update focuses on our Written Statement of Action (WSoA) and the four workstreams we have developed together with Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG). The workstreams aim to address the areas of improvement identified by Ofsted and CQC in September 2020 and our key actions to ensuring our service to children and young people with SEND needs improves.
One of the big highlights of this term was the launch of our Local Offer website in October, which provides clear, comprehensive, accessible, and up-to-date information about SEND services and how to access them. It was designed in partnership with children with SEND and their parents, and includes information about the wide range of services that are available locally to support all areas of a child’s life. We marked the launch with events throughout Central Bedfordshire and we were pleased to hear great feedback from those who attended.
This term also saw our plan to deliver even more SEND school places approved by the Council’s Executive Committee. This decision follows our biggest ever listening exercise on increasing provision in Central Bedfordshire, and we have taken on board feedback from parents that even more provision is needed, more variety of provision is needed and more provision is needed as close as possible to where families live.
We have also continued to make changes on the ground, and in September we appointed four Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Advisory Teachers (SENDATs). Since their appointment, the SENDATs have attended and held meetings with over 90% of schools within Central Bedfordshire, supporting staff to ensure that every child with SEND can succeed and achieve their best.
While we continue to make progress against our WSoA, we know there is still more to be done and we are continuing to work with our key stakeholders to ensure we are listening and engaging with everyone who uses our services. You can view the full SEND progress update for each of our workstreams on our website.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported our SEND improvement programme this term, and I wish you a restful and happy Christmas.
Sarah Ferguson
Household Support Fund
Household Support Fund has been set up to support millions of households in England and will be distributed by local Councils. This will directly help those who need it most, including for example, through small grants to meet daily needs such as food, clothing, and utilities.
This will run until 31/03/2022 or when the funds run out, whichever comes first.
Those in need of support should contact their local council directly who will help them access the fund.
Home-Start Parenting Programmes
 
SEND SUNDAYS at Climb Quest Milton Keynes
On the 1st Sunday of each month, Climb Quest run a special session for those climbers with special educational needs. Between 9 and 10am, they provide a calm environment for all members of the family to climb. The music is turned right down if needed, and there are plenty of instructors to help. They also restrict numbers in the session to 14.
They are also holding 3 Autism-friendly and SEND sessions over the Christmas holidays on Wednesday 22 December, Wednesday 29 December and Sunday 2nd January.
Sessions are £10 per climber, and tickets can be booked in advance through their booking site.
Tourette’s Support-Beds Bucks and Herts is setting up a private Facebook group for support and also to arrange meet ups across the 3 counties to try and make it accessible for people to come along.
They can also be contacted by text or Whatsapp on 07434 568925 for advice.
Autism Bedfordshire Events
Winter Holiday Activities
We wish you a Merry Christmas and thank you for all your support
What's on
More events and workshops that are being held this month are on our What's On Calendar
Children's Centres SEND Support Coffee mornings
SEND session with play activities and opportunity for parents to talk to other parents
7th October from 10:00 – 11:30 am
Leighton Buzzard Children’s Centre
Booking is essential due to Covid restrictions please call 01525 384368. Children welcome.
SEND - Stay, Play & Chat
Every Monday from 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Dunstable Children’s Centre
If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8106/0300 300 8104
SEND Support coffee afternoon every second Monday of the month,
1:30 – 2:30 pm
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 Wednesday, 1:00 am – 2:30 pm
Fortnightly catch ups and support online and face-to-face. 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
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 What's On page.
If you would like to be featured then please email details about your service and/or event to local.offer@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
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