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Over the last few weeks, I have been involved in a number of events/workshops based on Preparing for Adulthood, a key theme of the SEND reforms. Trying to think ahead to the future is always a difficult task, particularly when the present seems to be equally important - however, it is something that everyone needs to consider to enable our young people to achieve their potential, be it young people themselves, their parents/carers, and key support workers across education, health and care.
Having had one workshop on the theme of employment prior to Christmas, another is set to take place in March with a focus on "moving into independence". This will look more at the themes of "Community participation", "Good health" and "Independent living" - it would be great to see people come along to contribute.
If you can't make it, but want to find out more about helping shape the future for our young people, the Preparing for Adulthood website has a range of information and examples of things to think about.
Chris Firth, Manager SENDIASS
 Contact for families have delivered a series of 4 workshops over January and February 2018. These sessions covered:
- Support and Information
- Encouraging Positive Behaviour
- Building Parental Confidence
- Money Matters
The sessions were really successful, however, if you were unable to attend, the presentations delivered at the workshops are available to download by following the link below:
SENDIASS previous events page
Contact for families with disabled children website has some very useful downloadable booklets this month which include:
- Money Matters
- Understanding your child's behaviour and
- Helping your child sleep
Contact for families with Disabled Children Website - Latest Guides
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 Mencap has changed the name of their helpline to "The Learning Disabilities Helpline".
Both the Information & Advice and Social Care sections have some excellent information.
Visit The Learning Disabilities Helpline for more information.
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 If you are over 50 and have around 10 hours a week to spare, or if you are a young disabled person leaving full time education, Volunteering Matters would like to hear from you for a new project.
‘Give More, Get More’ aims to support young, disabled people leaving full time education to make the transition into the workplace and is being piloted in Coventry.
The project looks to use the skills and experiences of older volunteers to help those who need support to make the most of their talents and set achievable goals.
The 10 hours a week is for a three month period and includes training you may need to be able to offer support.
Anyone interested in taking part either as a volunteer or a young person interested in receiving support can speak to Elin Strom on 0121 643 7690 or at elin.strom@volunteeringmatters.org.uk.
More information is available on the Volunteering Matters website.
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 Coventry Citizens Advice are one of several partners involved in delivering the BBO Progress project for 15-21 year olds who are, or are at risk of, not being in employment, education or training (NEET's).
The project covers Coventry and Warwickshire and aims to provide holistic support and help the young person develop the confidence and skills needed to gain employment or enrol in education.
The project can support with issues such as financial management and budgeting, writing CV’s and completing job applications, increasing health and wellbeing, coaching and mentoring, developing employability skills, and accessing training and education opportunities.
To refer a young person identify the appropriate partner to contact or contact Sarah Duncan for more information sarah.duncan@groundwork.org.uk or 07826 558154
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Do you work in a school? Young Minds know how important the wellbeing of your students is to you, but it can be difficult to know where to start.
That’s why Young Minds have launched 360° Schools, your one-stop shop for mental health, wellbeing and resilience for your whole school.
Sign up to the 360° Schools' Community to receive:
- e-newsletters with free videos, blogs and teaching resources
- case studies
- the opportunity to share and hear examples of good practice in mental health and wellbeing from other professionals
- information on our diverse range of free and paid resources, training and consultancy products
Join the YoungMinds 360° Schools' Community YoungMinds exists so that young people have the strongest possible voice in improving their mental health. We need your help to make sure that voice is heard.
Copyright © 2018 YoungMinds, All rights reserved.
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 This green paper builds on "Future in Mind" and the ongoing expansion of NHS-funded
provision, and sets out our ambition to go further to ensure that children and young people
showing early signs of distress are always able to access the right help, in the right setting,
when they need it.
The full paper can be read on the DfE's website.
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To map and plan the participation of children and young people in your organisation have a look at this useful downloadable tool.
For further information and resources about Hear by Right you can visit The National Youth Agency Hear by Right website.
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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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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?
 Cook and Eat Well Coventry are just about to launch their latest block of FREE 9 Week Cooking Courses. Have a look at our latest cooking courses.
Anyone from Coventry who is over 18 can attend these courses. We provide all the equipment and ingredients completely FREE.
Participants will learn all about:
- Cook great tasting recipes on a budget
- Salt, fats and sugars
- Cooking healthy recipes from scratch
- A range of healthy cooking techniques
- How to get 5 fruit or vegetables in their diet every day
- Portion sizes
- How to move closer to being a healthy weight
- Reading food labels
And lots more!
To find out more Call: 0800 464 0699 OR book online: www.cookandeatwell.co.uk
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 Kidz to Adultz Middle is one of the largest FREE UK exhibitions dedicated to children and young adults with a disability or additional needs, their families, carers and the professionals who support them.
As well as over 130 exhibitors, there are a number of seminars covering a wide range of issues and interests to families and carers of children with disabilities and additional needs, and the professionals who work with them.
It all takes place on Thursday 15th March at the Ricoh Arena, CV6 6AQ, 9am - 4.30pm.
For full details and to download your FREE tickets, visit the website.
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Not all details have been confirmed for the following events, but will be added to the events page of the Local Offer as soon as they are confirmed.
Wednesday 14th March - 10am - 12pm - A session for parents/young people on "Mindfulness" by Coventry's Educational Psychology Team hosted by SEND IASS.
Thursday 21st March - 10am - 2pm - "Moving into Independence" Coventry Local Offer event looking at opportunities for young people (14-25) as they prepare for adulthood.
Are you involved with a parents group? If so, why not tell us about it so more parents can join in?
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Coventry's One Voice Parent Group is part of the National Network of Parent Carer Forums and helps support the views of parents/carers on issues involving SEND.
They are currently looking to set up a working group to look at the information available in Coventry around travel assistance and how this may be communicated to parents/carers and young people in the future.
To register an interest, please contact onevoicegroup@btinternet.com or call/text 07874 242733.
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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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