|
Well it's Easter already, and after what seems like a long term it's time to take stock. It seems the bulletin this time round, is full of events, which hopefully gives you the opportunity to take part in something in the coming weeks/months. I'd like to draw attention to the "Inclusive Sports Event" in June, which although it seems a way away, will probably be here quicker than we think. This is a really good chance to get children/young people active and involved in sports and hopefully provide opportunities to get involved long-term as well.
We've been lucky here at SENDIASS over the past few weeks for having a young person join us for some work experience. Kaashif, a pupil at Sherbourne Fields school, has been a bit of a social media star for us, and has been helping us to organise a new opportunity for children and young people to get involved in SEND in Coventry - all we need now is some young people to join us! See the poster below and come and join in!
Kaashif, on a week long work experience placement with us, getting feedback from a parent who has used SEND IASS; just one of his tasks during the week.
Thanks for all your hard work Kaashif!
|
As always if you have anything that you would like to see in the bulletin, or any questions you have about SEND in Coventry, let us know. Just email us at sendnews@coventry.gov.uk
Chris Firth, Manager SENDIASS
 |
|
Hot on the heels of helping set up an "AmbasSENDors" group involving young people at Coventry's special schools (read all about it at www.thechypshop.co.uk), SEND IASS is looking for young people (initially aged 11 -16 yrs) with SEND currently in mainstream school, to start this exciting opportunity.
Sessions will be held once per month at Coventry Boys & Girls Club (Tuesdays between 6pm - 7.30pm) and will include fun activities, opportunities to socialise and discuss things that really matter to them growing up in Coventry.
Throw in some pizza (or something equally yummy!) and hopefully you'll go home satisfied!
Interested? To sign up, simply contact Eloise, our Children and young person's worker on 02476 694307 or email iass@coventry.gov.uk
Places are extremely limited, so don't delay! The first meeting will be Tuesday 14th May 2019
|
In previous years, all children requiring home-to-school travel assistance have been asked to apply during the summer term; this is changing in 2019.
Those who must apply/reapply are:
- Pupils new to a school (any year group)
- Pupils moving from Year 6 to year 7 (as it is a site change, except Sherbourne Fields)
- Pupils in any Post 16 provision
All those currently receiving assistance will be contacted to confirm this will continue in September.
A session to answer any queries about travel assistance is being held on 16th May (full details on the poster, left). Please book a place through SENDIASS if you want to come along.
|
Families in Coventry are being urged by the UK Cleaning Products Industry Association (UKCPI) and the Royal Society for the Prevention Accidents (RoSPA) to take action to protect their children from the risks of household cleaning products, particularly from poisoning and eye injuries.
As part of the campaign, a handy magnetic notepad featuring key safety advice will be handed out to families by home safety officers, public health nurses, health visitors, and parent and toddler groups.
Take action today, put them away advice to parents includes:
- Store household cleaning products out of reach of children, preferably in a locked cupboard
- Always store chemicals in their original containers
- Never pierce or break laundry capsules or tablets
- Always close the lid of any product
- In the event of an incident, follow advice on the product pack and seek medical attention.
Healthwatch are looking for input on helping improving local services within the NHS.
If you have experience of services supporting autism, mental health or learning disability (as well as others) your local NHS needs to hear from you about how it can provide better care for people.
Have your say to help make services better where you live.
|
A free family event for children with physical and/or learning disabilities to come and try out a wide range of sports in a friendly and safe environment is taking place in June at Howes Primary School.
With lots of taster sessions including boccia, sitting volleyball, tabletop cricket, wheelchair racing, dance, adapted bikes, goalball, wheelchair rugby, boxercise, tennis, wheelchair tennis and much more, fun is almost guaranteed!
This event is ideal for children aged 4-14, however we are happy to welcome older children. There will also be information about clubs in the local area.
Free refreshments will be available.
Places must be booked in advance here - and for any further details please contact Rebecca Bollands
|
The second issue of the new Kidz to Adultz magazine is now online to read after being distributed at the Kidz to Adultz exhibition recently.
It’s packed full of useful and interesting articles including opportunities to win prizes such as personalised spokeguard covers and books. You’ll find:
- A self-care guide for parent-carers
- Low cost clothing adaptations that make a difference
- A guide to moving & handling
- Autism experiences that have resulted in an inspirational book
- A remarkable account from a mother where she describes ‘Hurtling down an unmarked road’
- ...and much more!
Why not take a look now. And if you have a story that you think should be in a future issue, why not get in touch with them and let them know. Email magazine@disabledliving.co.uk
|
The Department for Education is looking for your views around elective home education.
It seeks views on proposed legislation to establish a register maintained by local authorities of children not attending mainstream schools, together with associated duties on parents and the proprietors of certain educational settings.
It also consults on proposed legislation to establish a duty to support parents who educate children at home and seek support from their local authority in doing so.
The consultation closes on 24/06/19.
|
Navigate is a national mentoring service run by Scope, that provides emotional support for parents of disabled children under 18 years of age, who is going through or has received a diagnosis in the last year.
It is a six-week programme that aims to put parents in touch with a personal advisor, helping you to talk about your feelings and concerns.
- Your advisor will work with you to:explore your needs and personal goals
- agree your six-week action plan, and
- provide you with support, if you need it.
You will also have weekly catch ups with your advisor. You can find out more and apply online.
|
The CHYP Shop has been specially designed for children and young people with SEN which includes:
-
Monthly blogs - from young people across the city commenting on their different experiences.
-
Young investigators - Reviewing different services across the City (ie Cinemas/Scouts)
-
Peer support - an Agony Aunt style area
-
Cov ambasSENDors - Young Peoples Forum
Contact Eloise: Henegham on 024 7669 4307 or have a look at the website - any feedback gratefully received!
|
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.
|
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?
SEND Information, Advice and Support Service are planning regular Drop in sessions at various locations across the city.
Our next Drop in Sessions will be held on:
Where: Aspire Family Hub, Humber Ave, Coventry, CV1 2SF
When: Tuesday 14 May 2019, 9:30am - 11:30am
and
Where: Harmony Family Hub, Clifton Street, CV1 5GR
When: Friday 14th June, 9.30 - 11.30am
No need to book an appointment, just come along for an informal chat with one of our Duty Officers.
|
Other upcoming dates for the diary include:
June 20th - Accessing public services toolkit workshop with Cerebra
July 3rd - Online bullying, cyberbullying and bullying awareness with Kidscape
Full details will be available via the events page of the Local Offer.
 |
|
The British Dyslexia Association have a FREE pop-up roadshow coming to Coventry in April, covering a range of topics around dyslexia.
Where: Coventry Central Hall, Warwick Lane, Coventry, CV1 2HA
When: Saturday 27 April, 12.30pm - 4pm
Tickets can be booked online, or by contacting lesleyhill-dyslexia@ntlworld.com
|
|
North Warwickshire and Coventry Dyslexia Association will be joining SEND IASS for an "Understanding Dyslexia" session in May.
Lesley Hill has run these events a number of times in the past, and they are always well received.
Where: Shopfront Theatre, 38 City Arcade, Coventry, CV1 3HW
When: Thursday 16 May, 7pm - 9pm.
Please book your place in advance by contacting SEND IASS on 02476 694307 or email iass@coventry.gov.uk
|
|
 |
Even when it’s expected, an autism diagnosis can have a big effect on the person diagnosed and their family. You might be trying to cope with a condition you don’t know much about and learning to live together in new ways, or supporting people to do this. Thinking about what comes next can be a daunting prospect for everyone.
As a professional you may feel frustrated that there isn’t more practical help you can offer adults and children with autism and no learning disability.
Grapevine, Coventry and Warwickshire Local Authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups are working with professionals and local families to find different ways of coming together to solve problems early and lay the foundations for a wonderful life.
The first step is to go for a walk and talk out in the open where families, individuals, professionals, commissioners, community workers can come together and talk about how things are at the moment and tell each other about their experiences and how they have overcome some of the challenges. Friday 17th May 09:30-12:30 at Friargate
The second session is an ideas factory where we will build on some of the ideas and potential solutions that came out in the walk and talk and develop actions to move them forwards. Tuesday 21st May 09:30-12:30 Location TBC
Children are welcome at the events but please let us know if you plan to bring them and their ages so we can ensure appropriate activities are arranged. Support with travel expenses can be provided for individuals and their families to attend the events.
SENDIASS have recently set up a regular coffee mornings for parents/carers of children and young people with special educational needs.
The next coffee mornings are scheduled for 9th May, 6th June and 11th July 2019 between 10am and 12noon at the Central Library in the City Centre - please check the Facebook page closer to the date
Are you involved with a parents group? If so, why not tell us about it so more parents can join in?
 |
|
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.
|
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
|
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;
|
