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This bulletin comes attached with the slogan "Can we put the heating on?" whcih seems to start most conversations at this time of year. The new school year has begun, the warm weather has packed its bags and headed over the equator, and for those young people (and parents and staff!) starting at new settings, hopefully things are starting to be a bit more familiar.
There's quite a lot of information in the bulletin, so hopefully you will find something of interest. Coventry is about to have its scheduled Ofsted/CQC inspection of SEND, between Monday 14 and Friday 18 October, which will be looking at all facets of education, health and care for children and young people.
The inspectors will be very keen to hear from all those involved - children, young people, parents, professionals - and we will endeavour to let everybody know when these opportunities arise. Following SEND IASS on Facebook/Twitter is one way to ensure you get all the latest news.
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
Coventry SEND Local Offer now has a new engagement page, "Let's Talk", which allows you to contribute your thoughts about provision in Coventry.
The page has details of consultations and surveys for children/young people, parents and professionals about Coventry processes like EHC needs assessments and My Support Plan.
Its an opportunity to feed back on what is available in Coventry, and how it works for you. If it's not working, you can tell the Local Authority and partners what would improve things.
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In July, Coventry's Community Short Breaks team, working with the One Voice Parent Carer Forum, held an information session on the Short Break offer to families in Coventry.
A summary of feedback is available through a separate "Let's Talk" page, which also offers the opportunity to make suggestions for Coventry's offer and see the progress made so far.
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"Together We Can", run by Coventry Health visiting teams (Family Health and Lifestyles service) and Coventry’s SEND Early Years team, supports children aged between 18 months and 3 years who are presenting with developmental delay through offering specialist play experiences and assessment.
The groups are for children who do not currently access a nursery, and provide opportunities for children to play and learn in a safe environment with staff who understand their specific needs. Staff model activities for parents to build their confidence and to continue this intervention at home.
We offer the family support and advice in promoting their child’s health and educational needs, aiming to promote readiness for nursery and school.
There are two groups running at Family Hub's in the city, one at Families for All (Foleshill) and one at the The Moat (Wood End). A referral by a professional is needed to access.
For more information about the groups we offer please contact:
Cheryl Heaphy - Portage co-ordinator 024 7678 8400 or
Sandie Hurren - Nursery Nurse (Foleshill Health Visiting Team) 024 7518 9190
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The Cov AmbasSENDors programme is developing to help children and young people with SEND have a voice in decision making.
A "shadow" SEND board, consisting of young people from each of the secondary special schools across the city has now met 3 times. The most recent meeting saw them meet with Jeanette Essex, Head of SEND and Specialist Services at the Local Authority to discuss, amongst other things, routes into employment and opportunities for young people.
SEND IASS have also developed an "AmbasSENDors Club" which meets once a month at Coventry Boys & Girls club.
It is hoped that both groups will provide children and young people's voices in co-productive activities across education, health and care. If you have any plans to develop services with children and young people's input, contact Eloise Heneghan, eloise.heneghan@coventry.gov.uk
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The Coventry Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Local Offer website has had an update! It brings together information for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.
If you have any views on the site, you can send them to SENDFeedback@coventry.gov.uk
The SEND Local Offer covers 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 SEND Support 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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Coventry SEND IASS needs your help!
We are always looking to ensure that the service offers timely and relevant support for chlidren, young people and their parents in Coventry - so please tell us how we're doing!
Whether you've used the service once or several times, let us know what you think.
The online survey only has 6 multi choice questions - which could take the same time as waiting for the kettle to boil!
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Coventry and Warwickshire Mind's Autism support service now produce a parent/carer newsletter.
The Autism support service aims to provide support to children, young people and families pre and post an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.
You can sign up to the newsletter via the website.
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All Local Authorities have a duty to provide home-to-school transport for children of statutory school age where they are considered "eligible".
"Eligibility" is determined using the Children's Act 1996, and in line with the DfE's statutory guidance.
Following an update to the guidance for post-16 pupils in January 2019, the DfE are now consulting on guidance for statutory school age (5-16years) and are looking for input.
You can contribute to the consultation via the website.
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Family Lives, is a national charity that supports parents in a range of ways including helpline, parenting videos and information sheets on a huge range of topics, including SEND.
A common issue for many cihldren with SEND is around sleep (or a lack of it) which can have a profound impact on family life.
Their information sheet offers a variety of ideas (from other parents) about trying to ensure a quiet night for your child and you.
There is also similar suggestions available from the likes of Cerebra, Contact and Scope.
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The Government announced another(!) review into SEND at the start of September,
This was announced shortly before the release of the National Audit Office's report (see below), and followed a pledge to boost funding for SEND by £700m in 2020/21.
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The National Audit Office has written a report about support for children with SEND. This was to look at:
- systems and outcomes of support
- funding, spending and sustainability
- quality of support and experiences of pupils/parents.
The conclusions reached are wide ranging, and suggest that urgent action is required to ensure quality and sustainability in the system.
Click on the image for a short video of the findings.
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SIBS is a national charity offering support and guidance for brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults.
Its website is full of help and advice for supporting siblings, for parents professionals and in educational settings.
There is also a separate site for young people themselves, including the option to ask questions of an advisor.
https://www.youngsibs.org.uk/
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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?
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One Voice Parents' Group is holding an information fair on Thursday 10 October (9.30am - 2pm at The Welcome Centre) with a wide variety of organisations set to attend.
There will be some short presentations from some of these partners, as well as the opportunity to discuss what is on offer for children and young people with SEND across Coventry.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided but booking is essential.
Contact 07874 242733 (Kellie or Carol) or email onevoicegroup@btinternet.com to book.
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Tuesday 29 October, 3.30pm - 5.30pm Harmony Hub (Clifton Street, CV1 5GR)
SEND IASS's regular drop-in allows you to come and ask staff your questions around SEND and exclusion in an informal environment.
Places do not need to be booked and following feedback from service users please note the after school timings.
Refreshments available (and an opportunity to see what's available in the family hub too!)
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Friday 1 November 9.30am - 12pm Limbrick Wood Centre
We're delighted to be joined by Dr Raj Pahil from Coventry's Educational Psychology Service for this interactive session.
The "Flourish" workshop focusses on promoting positive mental health for chlidren and young people, aiming to build self-esteem, resilience and engagement.
Parents will need to book via SENDIASS.
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Tuesdays, 5 November - 3 December, 9.30am - 12pm, Limbrick Wood Centre.
Contact will be joining us again for a 5 week programme of their Brighter Beginnings workshops.
This will be the 3rd year the workshops have run - parents are encouraged to come to them all, but can come to individual sessions. Details of each session are available.
To book a place contact SENDIASS
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Friday 22 November 9.30 - 12pm, Diamond Rooms (Council House)
Save the date - full details to follow.
Representatives from education, health and care will be sharing information about transitions into adulthood for young people between 14-25 with SEND.
There will be the opportunity to talk and listen to organisations supporting young people as they prepare to enter adulthood.
To book a place, please contact SEND IASS.
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SENDIASS run a regular coffee mornings for parents/carers of children and young people with special educational needs.
The coffee mornings are held monthly between 10am and 12noon at the Central Library in the City Centre - please check the Facebook page for upcoming dates.
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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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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