Latest SEND News and Updates

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SEND News

Issue 78 - 31 May 2023

SEND News and Update

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

  • Change of name of the SEND Team to the EHC Team

  • Register interest in becoming an Approved Provider for Independent Special Provision

  • Applications are open to run a new special school in Biggleswade

  • SEND Health Focus Week
  • CAMHSTalk Podcast - Exam Stress during Exam Season
  • Getting Advice Teenage Mental Health Information Session

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

Change of name of the SEND Team to the EHC Team

There is often confusion about who we mean by the SEND Team (sometimes called the SEND statutory Team) so we have decided to rename the team to make it clearer for everyone who the team are and what their key focus is.

From Monday 5th June, they will be called the EHC Team.  The EHC Team is responsible for initiating and managing the Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment process and for issuing, monitoring and reviewing Education, Health and Care Plans.  The team works in close collaboration with Social Care, Health, schools and settings, and parent carers.

To get in touch with the team, please contact 0300 300 8356 or email statass@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk


Register interest in becoming an Approved Provider for Independent Special Provision

Central Bedfordshire Council are developing a bank of Approved Providers for Independent Special Provision.  This which will allow us to progress placements, confidently and quickly, for children and young people with complex needs with providers who we are assured provide good quality education and care.   

We have published a tender to commission Independent residential and day special school placements for children and young people with SEND. 

An Independent School refers to a school that is not receiving government funding and charges fees of which they have full control. This refers to any independent day school; Independent special school or independent post 16 institution.

Some Independent Special Schools may offer day, weekly and 38-week residential educational placements. In addition, some schools may offer additional residential placements up to 52 weeks.

Relevant legislation: Sections 33 and 39 of the Children and Families Act 2014, and Sections 9.78 to  9.87 of the Code of practice.

Independent Special Schools will be registered with the DfE and have relevant inspections conducted by Ofsted, Care Quality Commission, Independent Schools Inspectorate or equivalent if registered in Wales and Scotland. 

Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014 (the Act) allows the Secretary of State (SoS), by order, to publish a list of approved independent special schools and special post-16 institutions.

Any current placements for children and young people will not be affected, this approved provider list will commence from 1st September 2023 for all new placements.

All existing and new providers who would like to apply are asked to register their interest through our eTendering portal In-Tend. Any correspondence should be posted through this portal and tender responses should be submitted here as well.  

Once you are registered and the tender is published your organisation will be able to ‘Express an Interest’ by clicking on the option.  Once your organisation has done this, you will then be able to download the relevant tender pack documents for this tender.


Applications are open to run a new special school in Biggleswade

We are hosting two engagement events for potential sponsors to apply to run a new special school for 130 pupils from ages 5-19 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. The school will be in Biggleswade.

Our free school bid to the Department for Education (DfE) has been informed by the most extensive listening event we have ever undertaken in Central Bedfordshire on special educational needs places, which has been endorsed by schools, both mainstream and special schools, plus SNAP Parent Carer Forum and Members of Parliament. 

More information


SEND Health Focus Week

SEND Health Focus Week is a series of interesting and engaging workshops and webinars by health professionals and Experts by Experience for parents/carers and professionals in Bedfordshire and Luton who care for or work with young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities.

These sessions are for parent / carers and professionals and include talks on a variety of subjects including ADHD and medication , SEND and Dietetics and the the positives of neurodiversity. 

Find out more about each topic and to book a place


CAMHSTalk Podcast - Exam Stress during Exam Season

CAMHS

In this Podcast Molly and Marianne are joined by Young People Leah and Sharmin, to discuss exam stress and surrounding issues.

Looking at their own experiences with exam seasons and their coping strategies, the CAMHS team and Young People explore available support, the importance of boundaries and mental health, as well as give advice to teachers and parents on how best to support Young People during these stressful times.

Listen to the podcast


Getting Advice Teenage Mental Health Information Session

Teenage Mental Health

SEND Dance Classes

SEND Dance Classes

Children's Centres Stay and Play in our own way

send

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


Cost of living information on our website