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Welcome to another "In Partnership" e-bulletin, keeping you up to date with local and national information and events for children and young people with SEND.
It's been hard trying to fit everything in to this issue, given the wide range of things that have happened recently and also those things on the horizon in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully you'll find something of interest to you!
Remember, it's not always possible for us to know everything that is happening out there, so if you know of things which are happening, either for children and young people with SEND or for professionals, you can add it to the Local Offer yourself, or let us know at SENDnews@coventry.gov.uk.
It's also worth remembering that the "Local Offer" is not just a website - it's a term to describe all the provision that the Local Authority expects to be available for children and young people with SEND in the area. So if you think there is something that could be improved for our children and young people, make it known! The local authority have a duty to respond to comments and outline what action will be taken in relation to them.
Chris Firth, SENDIASS manager
SEND IASS has a steering group which helps to monitor the effectiveness of the service that it provides for children, young people and parents. Whilst the group is made up of a range of service users and professionals, the views of service users are especially important to us, and we would welcome any young people or parents to join the group.
The steering group meets twice per year, once in May and once in November.
If you are interested in being involved, or would like to find out more, then please contact chris.firth@coventry.gov.uk or call 024 7669 4307.
 Following the update in the last bulletin around supporting documents for EHC plans, SEND IASS have also produced two new booklets to support people in understanding the process.
One of them is aimed at those needing to know more about how the assessment process works, whilst the other focuses on the plan itself.
They can be requested direct from SEND IASS, or downloaded from the website.
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 If you are a parent/carer or a young person currently going through the process of an Education Health and Care Needs Assessment - either as a transfer from a statement or a new request - you can access Independent Support through one of two providers in the city.
Funding for the project has now been confirmed until March 2018.
See full details and contact details.
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As part of "Bercow: Ten Years On", a review designed to
examine support for children and young people with SLCN in England, I CAN and
the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) are calling for
parents and carers to share their views.
This inquiry, taking place ten years after the landmark 2008 Bercow
Review led by John Bercow MP, is in response to concerns about the support for
children and young people with SLCN amid major changes in the education and
health system.
You can find out more and take part by visiting
www.ican.org.uk/BercowSurvey
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 Do you know about Browsealoud?
Browsealoud enables hundreds of web pages (and downloadable documents held within them) on the Coventry City Council website to be more accessible for all in a range of different ways.
These include; translating into over 100 languages; speakaloud (which enables you to listen to pages/documents in either English or a range of languages); a range of viewing options; you can even make an MP3 to listen to!
For more information, go to www.coventry.gov.uk/translate
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 Coventry Local Authority's consultation on home-to-school transport closed at the end of January. The consultation period included several drop-in sessions for people to ask questions and feedback about the proposals and this feedback is available on the website.
The final proposals were discussed at a full cabinet meeting on 7 March 2017 and the recommendations agreed.
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 Parent to Parent (P2P) is a UK-wide confidential telephone service providing emotional support to parents and carers of children or adults with autism.
The service is provided by trained parent volunteers who are all parents themselves of a child or adult with autism. Volunteers are based across the UK so you don’t have to share information with someone in your local area.
The volunteers have personal experience of autism and the impact it has on their own families. They can give other parents the opportunity to talk through problems and feelings, suggest helpful strategies, or provide a non-judgemental listening ear.
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The DfE are seeking views on planned changes
to statutory exclusions guidance for
local-authority-maintained-schools, academies and pupil referral units – this
includes updates to reflect the changes brought in by the Children and Families
Act 2014 regarding the education of pupils with Special Educational Needs and
disability.
The consultation ends on Tuesday 25 April.
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The March 2017 edition of "The Noddy Guide to Statements of SEN and EHC Plans" has been released today.
It provides an updated overview of the law on special educational needs, and is the first to cover not only the regime under the Education Act 1996, but also the regime under the Children and Families Act 2014. Over several editions, "The Noddy Guide" has become an invaluable resource to judges, practitioners, parents and local authorities.
"The Noddy Guide" can be downloaded from the Landmark website.
 Contact a Family have produced a helpful guide for parents who have a child with additional needs, and who are worried about their child’s behaviour.
"Understanding your Child's Behaviour" can be downloaded from their website, and provides helpful hints, tips and examples of behaviours that challenge along with systems to help deal with them.
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 Coventry Local Authority provides "Short Breaks" for a number of children and young people with disabilities.
To find out more about the activities available visit the website You can also find out about their Easter programme of events, which can be booked between 3rd April - 7th April.
The Coventry Family Information Service also has a range of information about activities and events for all children and young people over the holiday period, from holiday clubs to library events.
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Below is a selection of upcoming events around SEND. If you know of any additional parents groups, child/young person's activities, and/or training around SEND that you think would be useful for others to attend, why not add them to the Local Offer?
SENDIASS have teamed up with Mencap to hold a parents session on "Planning for the Future"; looking at future financial planning for children and young people. Attendees can find out information about safeguarding their children's financial future, speak with professionals with experience in trust and estate law, and receive an information pack.
Where: SENDIASS, Limbrick Wood Centre, Thomas Naul Croft, Tile Hill, CV4 9QX
When: Friday 28 April, 10am - 12pm (9.30am for tea/coffee)
More details, including other forthcoming SENDIASS events can be found online.
 The Transition Event is for parents, carers and practitioners and aims meet the needs of young people and those who support them.
Moving into adulthood can be a time of great hope and excitement, but it is also frequently met with uncertainty. The (FREE) Transition Event aims to help answer your questions, offer you access to experts and give you information to take away. We want to help you to support young people.
Where: The Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, Coventry Rd, B26 3QW
When: Thursday 18 May, 9.30 - 4.15pm
Booking details and full agenda.
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Coventry Action For Autism Group (CAFAG) hold a regular coffee morning on the 2nd Wednesday of every month for any parents of autistic children. They are friendly and informal, offering the opportunity to pop in for a coffee and a chat.
They meet between 10am -12pm at "Friends Meeting House", Hill St, Coventry, with closest parking at Belgrade Plaza. Young babies and children are welcome too!
Upcoming dates are: 10 May, 14 June and 12 July.
Contact Kellie for further information 024 7668 8521 or email kajcov@btinternet.com.
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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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