Issue 77 - 18 May 2023

• SEND Local Offer Information Booklet

• Young Person's Sanctuary

• Getting Advice Teenage Mental Health Information Session

• SNAP PCF Short Spring "Temperature Check" Survey 2023

• May Half-Term Activities

• Children's Centres Stay and Play in our own way

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

SEND Local Offer Information Booklet

The new co-produced  local offer website was launched in October 2021 following workshops held with multi-agency organisations, professionals, parents and carers  and young people. Parents/carers, young people and our staff have worked together to make the information in the Local Offer relevant and informative.

The Local Offer sets out in one place what information on support and services are available to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) from birth to 25 ,  as well as how to access these services and organisations . We want to continuously improve our SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Local Offer to ensure that it is meeting the needs of local families and individuals .

The SNAP PCF survey conducted in early 2022 outlined the need for further work to improve the reach of our local offer and as a result Central Bedfordshire Council agreed steps , as outlined in the SNAP Action Plan, to address this.   As a result Central Bedfordshire Council and SNAP PCF have worked together to co-produce a Local Offer SEND Information booklet to share with families .

• This is available as an electronic version,  and has been distributed widely to our colleagues in education, health, care and our third sector partners.
• Hard copies will be placed in all schools, early years settings, children’s centres, libraries, along with designated  health settings through the Spring Term .

The Local offer can also be found online at www.localoffer.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Use the ‘Recite Me’ tool bar at the top of the page to enable you to access the pages in your own language

Scan the QR code to go straight to the Local Offer Booklet.

Scan the QR code to go straight to the Local Offer Website

Young Person's Sanctuary

Mind BLMK are delighted to be working collaboratively with CAMHS and East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) across Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedford, to provide crisis services for young adults in need of mental health support. 

Our Young Person’s Sanctuaries are safe, non-judgemental spaces that you can come to if you find yourself in crisis or mental distress in the evenings. You will be met by a trained mental health worker who will listen and help you identify ways to address the problems you are facing.

Each Young Person Sanctuary is open to all young people who live in Central Bedfordshire and is now operating a drop-in service and an appointment is not required.

Further information about Young Person’s Sanctuary, please email: YPS@mind-blmk.org.uk  (open 9.00am – 4:30pm).

More information

Getting Advice Teenage Mental Health Information Session

SNAP PCF Short Spring "Temperature Check" Survey 2023

If you are interested in becoming a member of SNAP PCF then please complete a membership form

Childrens' Centres SEND May Half Term Activities 2023

Check out what's on this half term at your local Childrens' Centre.  More information can be found on the

Local Offer

Happy Little Yogi Taster Sessions

Children's Centres Stay and Play in our own way

Leighton Buzzard Children's Centre - Mencap Opportunity Group
Thursdays 10 – 11:30 (Termtime only) 

Casual chat & play session for parents, carers & their children who have additional needs. Support for parents, carers and their children who have additional needs.

Ring 0300 300 8880 to book on.

Dunstable Children’s Centre
Stay and Play in our own way, Every Wednesday from 10:00 – 11:30 am

A fun group for children with SEND and their Parents and Carers. Explore our wonderful Children’s Centre while spending time with other parents/carers and young children who have additional needs No need to book, just come along!

Please call the children’s Centre for more details – 0300 300 8106 / 0300 300 8104

Shefford and Stotfold Children’s Centre 
Stay and Play in our own Way, 1^st & 3^rd Mondays – 10-11.30am
Stay and Explore in our own way, 2^nd & 4^Th Mondays – 10-11.30am

A fun group for children with SEND and their Parents and Carers. Explore our wonderful Children’s Centre while spending time with other parents/carers and young children who have additional needs.

Call the centre for more details - Telephone: 0300 300 8112

Flitwick Children’s Centre
Stay and Play in our own way, Thursday afternoons, 1:30 – 2:30 pm

Come and join us at the Children's Centre for an afternoon of fun activities and play!

A fun group for children with SEND and their Parents and Carers. Explore our wonderful Children’s Centre while spending time with other parents/carers and young children who have additional needs.

No need to book, just come along!  Please call the children’s Centre for more details – 0300 300 8111

Houghton Regis Children’s Centre
Stay and Play in our own way, every Friday, 10:30 – 11:30 am

A fun group for children with SEND and their Parents and Carers. Explore our wonderful Children’s Centre while spending time with other parents/carers and young children who have additional needs 

No need to book, just come along!  Please call the Children’s Centre for more details – 0300 300 8115 / 0300 300 8129

Sandy/Biggleswade Children's Centre
Stay and Play in your own way, Tuesdays 1.30 - 3.00 pm 

A fun group for Children with SEND and their parents and carers.  Explore our wonderful Children's Centre while spending time with other parents/carers and young children who have additional needs.

Call the centre for more details: 0300 300 8134 / 0300 300 8114

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