 Unbelievably, we're almost at the end of 2018, something which I can't quite get my head around. It's been another interesting year for SEND, particularly with the national coverage of issues such as the impact of the reforms (details of the ongoing education committee inquiry can be found below) and impact of exclusions for those with SEND.
Hopefully, 2019 will provide more steps towards implementing the reforms in the spirit in which they were formed, and ensure we're getting the best for our children and young people in Coventry.
As always, if there is anything you would like us to promote in the bulletin - an event, an example of good practice, or a good source of information - then please send it through to sendnews@coventry.gov.uk
May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and as peaceful a rest as possible over the holiday period.
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Chris Firth, Manager SENDIASS
 The end of November saw the latest 'Ask the Experts' event, where parents/carers (and young people) have the opportunity to speak to senior leaders from education, health and care providers about processes and provision for children and young people with SEND.
Hosted by the One Voice Parent Carer Forum, over 30 parents were able to contribute to a lively discussion covering issues such as special school places, waiting lists for health services and short breaks provision.
Feedback will soon be available on the Local Offer website.
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 Coventry Local Authority is currently looking for responses to a consultation about the relocation of Woodfield School.
It is proposed that the primary and secondary sites will be relocated to the site previously used by Woodlands School on Broad Lane, which will also help meet the demand for additional special school places in the city.
For more details and to comment on the proposals, the full information can be found online. The consultation closes on 31 December.
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 Over the past few months, the Education Committee has been considering feedback from a wide range of people in a review of the success of the 2014 SEND reforms, how they have been implemented, and what impact they are having in meeting the challenges faced by children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
With over 400 formal responses, some of the key themes highlighted include:
- the lack of funding in the system
- the timescales that were placed on the implementation being unrealistic
- increased levels of conflict
The inquiry is still in progress, but full details, including all written responses, can be found on the Education Committee website
There is also a helpful video to explain the process.
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 Information Advice and Support Services (IASS) provide free impartial, confidential and accurate information, advice and support about education, health and social care for children, young people and their parents on matters relating to special educational needs and disability. The provision of information, advice and support should help to promote independence and self-advocacy for children, young people and parents. Chapter 2 of the SEND Code of Practice sets out the role and activities of an IASS, and should be read alongside these standards.
These minimum standards are based on the requirements relating to support that Information, Advice and Support Services must provide, as set out in the Children and Families Act (CFA) 2014, the SEND Code of Practice and on additional legal advice commissioned by the Information, Advice and Support Service Network. A glossary and further guidance, including links to law and guidance will be available shortly.
Minimum Standards
Easy read Minimum Standards
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 Following the 2017
review of disagreement resolution arrangements the Department for Education commissioned Mott MacDonald, as part of the
Delivering Better Outcomes Together (DBOT) consortium, to develop and publish a
guide for young people aged 16-25 on how to resolve special educational needs
and disability (SEND) disagreements. Mott MacDonald worked with a range of
organisations and groups, including the young people's group FLARE, to produce
the guide.
The guide provides advice and information about how young people who are
unhappy with the support they are getting for their special educational needs
or disability can find the right help and advice to resolve their issues. The
guide explains who young people can go to for support and the steps to take.
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 Niche Comics, Huntingdon
Two brothers on the autistic spectrum were looking for work when one had the idea of opening a comic shop. It turned out to be an inspired choice.
Please follow the link below to discover their inspirational journey.
BBC News Article 3 December 2018 - Niche Comics
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Ruth Howard, a PhD student at Buckinghamshire New University has been researching autism and co-morbid mental health problems.
The research has led to the development of a novel approach to understanding autism. Alongside this, she has developed a new parenting programme with an aim to improve outcomes and well-being for autistic children and their families.
The programme has also been informed by parents who participated in focus groups.
She is looking for families to participate in the programme and evaluation.
The parent workshops will be run over three days, over three consecutive weeks.
Parents from the focus groups asked for involvement of the wider family and online support and resources. In response to this, the programme will be uploaded to a website for other family members to watch and there will be a private forum for support and to ask questions.
If you would like to find out more please email Ruth.Howard@Bucks.ac.uk
As well as having our own designated site for children and young people, we're also keen to highlight other good sources of information and experiences.
"Quantum Leap" is a website that has been put together by Siena, a 16-yr old from London and looks at a range of issues for young people with additional needs, particularly dyslexia, dyspraxia and Asperger's.
It also includes other young people's experiences - if you or your young person wants to contribute their experiences through either a blog or a vlog, then please let us know.
 The CHYP Shop has been specially designed for children and young people with SEN which includes:
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Monthly blogs - from young people across the city commenting on their different experiences.
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Young investigators - Reviewing different services across the City (ie Cinemas/Scouts)
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Peer support - an Agony Aunt style area
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Cov ambasSENDors - Young Peoples Forum
Contact Eloise: Henegham on 024 7669 4307 or have a look at the website - any feedback gratefully received!
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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?
 The Sleigh Team, based at the Coventry Transport Museum, have been running slots for people with learning disabilities once again.
The last chance to visit during one of these sessions is Thursday 20 December 2018 between 6 and 7pm. If you would like to book a child in for a ride to Santa's Wonderland, call 024 7623 7523.
Further information can be found on the Coventry Transport Museum website:
Coventry Transport Museum Sleigh Ride
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 Families with autistic children can benefit from weekly activity sessions and an autism friendly environment, at Tile Hill library.
Library staff run drop-in craft and activity sessions after school on a Tuesday and are spreading the word so others can join in.
Library Manager, Jaspal Ram, has taken on board national guidelines and worked with parents to reorganise the library and use funding to put in a special sensory tent, wobble cushions and bean bags, ipads with educational apps developed for autism and extended the range of high-low books, which are aimed at those with high interest but low level reading ability.
Jaspal said: “I’m really proud of all my staff for their positive attitude in making changes to help people. We’ve done some simple things, such as having a notice board with our photographs and names on which people with autism have told us helps ease their anxiety, a clear map showing the layout of the library and equipment that helps them benefit more from the library.
‘’All members of staff have been trained in how to better deal with and support people with autism, and members of the public have been really understanding. Using public spaces can be daunting to those with autism and we’ve tried to make the library as welcoming as possible.”
Sessions are held from 4.30pm - 5.30pm on Tuesdays in term time only and are free to attend.
A range of books for adults and children with autism can be found at www.coventry.gov.uk/autismbooks
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SENDIASS have recently set up a regular coffee mornings being held in a central location where possible for parents/carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs. The next coffee morning will be on 24 January 2019 between 10am and 12noon at the Central Library in the City Centre.
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.
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.
Contact: Meredith Moore
Project Support Officer - Coventry City Council
meredith.moore@coventry.gov.uk
Tel: 024 7683 1085
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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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