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Welcome to May's e-bulletin - it's quite a big one this month! This month has seen the start of the Ofsted/Care Quality Commission area inspections - they have not started with Coventry! - looking at the implementation of the 2014 SEND reforms, and each Local Authority area will be inspected at some point over the next 5 years. The purpose of these inspections is to look at the ways in which local services work together to get the best possible outcomes for children and young people with SEND, and prepare them for adult life. As well as looking at arrangements put in place by services, the inspection team will also be seeking the views of children, young people and their parents/carers about their experiences across Education, Health and Care, and across the full spectrum of SEND - although you don't have to wait for an inspection to put forward your views!
Last month we asked for your questions for Jeanette Essex, Head of Student Services at the Local Authority - we've collected a few together and the answers will be published in next month's bulletin. If you have any questions around SEND, send them in to sendnews@coventry.gov.uk and we'll endeavour to get them answered for you - we can guarantee anonymity where required!!
Chris Firth
Manager, SEND IASS
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A brand new publication aimed at young people is out now. Written by young people from across Coventry and Warwickshire working with CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) provided by the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust.
Copies of the magazine should also be available in clinics and other care locations throughout Coventry.
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The Paving the Way website, which was officially launched seven weeks ago, includes a free set of Positive Behavioural Support resources for family carers.
Concerned about your child’s mental health?
MindEd for Families provides expert information and practical advice on supporting yourself, your child and your family through challenging circumstances.
- Practical support for family members
- Understanding child mental health and behaviour
- Expert advice on parenting and mental health
- Helpful guidance on services and settings.
MindEd is an online only help point. Click here to access their service.
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Are you changing your child's Statement to an Education Health and Care Plan?
Special Needs Jungle have launched a new service "EHCP Transfer Clinic". SEN Consultants Marguerite Haye and Helen Gifford are offering a free service to help parents/carers whose child is going through the transfer to change their statement to an EHCP. Questions can be posted and answers will appear on line. Visit the clinic here.
If you are a professional you can also submit a question.
Is your child or young person starting the EHC Needs Assessment or are they transfering from a Statement to an EHC Plan? Did you know that you can access Independent Support as part of that process?
For further details please visit the SENDIASS website.
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The EHCP Journeys website has information and resources taken from a small-scale qualitative study (commissioned by the Department for Education) to examine user satisfaction with the Education, Health and Care Assessment and Planning process (EHCP) for children and young people with SEND. The study was undertaken by ASK Research from May to December 2015 – one year into the national implementation of the new EHC process.
A Council for Disabled Children briefing summarises SEN and disability responsibilities in the early years and can be used by settings to review their progress in implementing the reforms.
Developed through the IASSN-led SEND Information Organisations Group (SENDIOG) this info sheet provides details of organisations who provide FREE advice and support (such as phonelines, emails, direct support etc) on a range of matters relating to SEN and disability in England. Includes impairment specific support, and support available which children, young people, parents and/or professionals can access.
A guidance from The National Insitute for Health and Care Excellence covers the period before, during and after a young person moves from children's to adult services. It aims to help young people and their carers have a better experience of transition by improving the way it’s planned and carried out. It covers both health and social care.
The Council for Disabled Children and KIDS are recruiting for a national group of young people to advise on young people's participation. They are looking for 12 young people aged 14-25 years from across England.
The national group will meet in London 3 times a year and there will also be an opportunity for 6 group members to attend a further 3 meetings in regional areas each year. The group will:
- Work together to share their views and experiences of support and services
- Give feedback and advice
- Talk to professionals about how to make positive changes to improve things for all disabled young people
Support our work to ensure all disabled children and young people can be involved in decisions about their care and support
Download the application form here.
The deadline for applications is 1pm on Friday 3 June 2016.
Ofsted has produced a short film about the new framework to inspect local areas on their implementation of the Children and Families Act in relation to meeting the needs of disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCFxnM5XD-U
The inspections have begun this month and inspectors will want to hear from local families about their experiences: Look out for opportunities to be involved.
Cerebra 1,000 Families Study
Mothers and fathers of children with a learning disability, this is your opportunity to inform research and policy for coming decades.
The Cerebra Family Research Group, at the University of Warwick, in collaboration with the research charity Cerebra, wishes to explore the experiences of parents or parental caregivers who live with a child with a learning disability aged 4 to 11 years. We want to make this the largest study ever of families of children with learning disability in the UK.
The 1,000 families study will further our understanding of what it is like to raise a child with a learning disability in the UK and will help shape future information and support for families and children – so get involved!
To find out more about the research and to take part, please go to our website
For enquires please email: familyresearch@warwick.ac.uk
Free Anti-Bullying workshop for parents & carers.
When: Thursday 16th June 2016, 10.30am - 12.30 pm
Where: Norman Power Centre, 14 Skipton Road, Ladywood, Birmingham, B16 8JJ
To book your place please telephone: Contact A Family on 0121 415 4624
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Cerebra will be joining us to offer help and advice on sleep issues, some of which include settling problems, difficulty sleeping alone and early rising.
When: Thursday 23 June 2016, 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Where: Social Care Development Centre, Lamb Street, Coventry
Places are limited and must be booked by telephoning SENDIASS on 024 7669 4307 or by emailing iass@coventry.gov.uk
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The National Event for Autism (including Asperger syndrome)
- Learn new strategies
- 100's of products and services
- Sensory features
- Access one-to-one support
When: 24-25 June 2016
Where: NEC, Birmingham
Book tickets now.
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Do you have questons about SEND and the law? Contact A Family has organised a free workshop with Gurvinder Kaur, a specialist solicitor with Shoosmiths Access Legal, to help answer your questions including:
- Understanding how to get an EHCP
- Making sure you get the right ocntent in an EHCP
Venue: Shoosmiths, 6th Floor, 2 Colmore Square/38Colmore Circus, Birmingham,
B4 6BJ.
When: Tuesday 28 June 2016, 10.00 am - 12.30 pm
To book a place on the free workshop, call contact a family on 0121 415 4624.
Do you have a child with autism? Do you want the opportunity to learn more about Autism? SENDIASS are holding an event for parents/carers with input from a range of organisations including Autism West Midlands, CIASS and CAMHS, as well as a special guest speaker, Dean Beadle, who will talk about his personal experiences of "Education, Asperger's and Me". Lunch will be included.
Save the date!
When: Tuesday 12 July 2016, 9.30am - 2.45pm (TBC).
Further details will be emailed out and placed on the SENDIASS website shortly including how to book your place.
If you are not on our emailing list, then please get in touch on 024 7669 4307 or email us on iass@coventry.gov.uk
A workshop to look at the range of benefits available to families of disabled chil-dren as well as grants and other financial support.
Venue: Norman Power Centre, 14 Skipton Road, Ladywood, B16 8JJ
Date: July 13, 2016
Time: 10.30am.12.30pm
To book a place on the free workshop, call contact a family on 0121 415 4624.
This Carers Walk will be a fun, healthy event and an opportunity for individuals, families, supporters and friends to raise funds and promote the works of Carers' Trust and Scope4Coventry & Warwickshire. All proceeds of this event will be use to support various activities and projects of the two organisations.
When: 16 July 2016, 10:00 start
Where: War Memorial Park, Kenilworth Road, Coventry, CV3 6PT
Registration Fee: Adults: £10, Young People under 10 years: £2.50
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The Curly Hair Project are holding a series of workshops about Aspergers Syndrome and ASD in Warwickshire:
28/5/16 - Primary to secondary transition
11/6/16 - An introduction to ASD
9/7/16 - Anxiety and ASD
20/8/16 - ASD and socialising
1/10/16 - Meltdown and shutdowns
12/11/16 - Family Relationships
To book your place visit: www.thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk/events
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Autism friendly screenings provide opportunities for people with autism or sensory sensitivity to enjoy a trip to the cinema.
ODEON, Cineworld, Vue and Showcase host Autism Friendly Screenings at over 250 cinemas nationwide.
On Sunday mornings throughout the month, films suitable for all audiences are screened in a sensory friendly and inclusive environment. Adjustments at the cinema reduce over-stimulation and create a welcoming place for people with autism to enjoy films with their families, friends or carers.
https://www.dimensions-uk.org/families/autism-friendly-screenings
SENDIASS often arrange free parent informtion sessions. Would you like to find out more?
Follow us on Twitter: @Coventry_IAS
Find us on Facebook: Coventry SENDIASS
Coventry Local Offer: http://www.coventry.gov.uk/localoffer
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