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Welcome to the latest edition of "In Partnership", bringing you updates from all areas of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Coventry and nationally.
Hopefully, you all enjoyed the summer break, and were inspired (as I was) by the achievements of Great Britain's Olympic and Paralympic teams in Rio. It reminded me of a great phrase uttered by Marty McFly in the Back to the Future film; "if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything". Given that I still struggle to understand what I'm doing with our Twitter page (which I encourage you all to follow!) I'm not sure this always rings true, but I refuse to give up trying!
Of course, most success is achieved with the help of a good support team around us and although we don't all get medals to show for our hard work and dedication, even the smallest of successes should be celebrated.
And after that string of athletics-based metaphors, I hope you find the bulletin of interest, and remember, if there's something that you think would be useful for people to know about - events, parents groups or inspiring stories of your own - please let us know: "In Partnership" is not just a title!
Chris Firth, SEND IASS manager
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September marked two years since the start of
the implementation of the SEND reforms and the journey has had its share of
challenges along the way!
Dame Christine Lenehan, Director of the Council for Disabled Children, looks back and
asks: what could the Government be doing better to improve the lives
of disabled children and young people and their families?
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The
Department for Education recently ran a consultation over the summer break on the future
funding of free early education and childcare for three and four year
olds.
The Family Childcare Trust summarised the proposals in their "7 things to know.." article.
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The Focus on SEND
training is a free course developed by NASEN, aiming to help teachers and educational
practitioners working across the 0 – 25 years age range to develop high quality
practice in order to better meet the needs of their learners with SEND. |
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It is based on the evidence of what constitutes good continuing professional development (CPD) and so takes a practice- led, enquiry-based and collaborative approach.
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Childline provided over 300,000 counselling sessions to children and young people in 2015/16 by phone, email or 1-2-1 online chat.
Their annual report looks at their findings, including that 1 in 3 sessions were related to mental health and wellbeing, and an 87% increase in the number of contacts experiencing difficulties in accessing local support services.
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In November 2016, the Government are introducing a Benefit Cap - or household benefit cap - which limits the total amount of benefits that an out-of-work family can receive.
Some families are exempt from the benefit cap, and this includes anyone who has a dependent child getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Contact a Family have produced a fact sheet detailing what you need to know about the cap, and offers advice if you have a disabled child that you have not claimed a DLA or PIP for yet.
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A DfE-funded consortium are offering a series of training events nationwide for teaching and learning support staff across three phases of education - primary, secondary and post-16 - around neurodiversity/specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia/dyspraxia.
The intention is for attendees, with the help of a range of support materials, to cascade the training to colleagues in order to support learners with neurodiversity and improve outcomes.
See the full details.
Bookings to any of the sessions can be made here.
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If you...
- Have left school or college and are thinking of an apprenticeship
- Are considering your options when leaving school in 2017
- Want a job with training and a career with great prospects
- Are a parent looking for advice
Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training is opening its doors for an Apprenticeship Careers Advice Open Event on Wednesday 26 October from 3.00pm until 5.00pm, where people can drop in for independent and professional advice and guidance about future careers and Apprenticeships.
Do you worry about what your children are doing on social media?
Online Toolbox Limited are hosting a FREE webinar for parents on Wednesday 5 October from 7.00pm - 8.00pm, looking at what you need to know about Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and others.
Book your free place, or get more information.
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All upcoming events can be found on the events page of the SEND IASS website.
Drop-in session at St Peter's Centre, Charles Street.
Tuesday 4 October - 10am - 12pm
Come and speak to the team with any questions you may have about SEND and find out what support we can offer.
Tea/coffee and biscuits too!
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"Paired Reading Intervention"
When: Thursday 20 October - 10am - 11.15am (9.30am for coffee/tea)
Where: Limbrick Wood Centre, Thomas Naul Croft, CV4 9QX
Coventry's Educational Psychology Service will be joining us to demonstrate effective ways to support your child's reading at home, helping them to become more confident and fluent readers.
To book a place,contact us on 024 7669 4307 or email iass@coventry.gov.uk
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The Coventry Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Local Offer brings together information for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.
The SEND Local Offer will cover services available to the public across education, health and social care:
Education: such as nurseries, playgroups, schools and colleges as well as support services like Educational Psychology and SEN services
Health: children's and adult services including GPs, therapists and hospital services
Social care: such as short break services and children's and adult disability services.
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If you have any comments or wish to contribute something to the next bulletin, please let us know by contacting us sendnews@coventry.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can keep up to date through SEND IASS's;
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