Strange as it seems to say it, but this is the last bulletin of the decade. And how have SEND issues fared across the 2010s? Well, it started with a recognition that a new approach to SEN was needed to support children, young people and their families, through the Government's Green Paper.
This led to the SEND reforms in 2014, which laid down the legislation which would provide the basis for a system which would be less bureaucratic, more support focussed and reduce the element of fight for families in securing what was needed for their young people.
And in 2019, we had a series of reports, including from the Education Select committee, that the reforms had not yet been successful in meeting their aims!
Here's to a bit more progress in the 2020s...
Finally a quick (bad) Christmas joke:
I saw 2 snowmen looking at carrots in the grocer's last week.They were picking their noses.
Festive tidings to you all.
|
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.
It's 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.
|
Just after the last bulletin in October, Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission carried out a Local Area inspection of SEND in Coventry. This is something which happens across all local areas in England, and inspectors spent five days talking to key stakeholders - parents, young people, education settings, commissioners, health and care professionals.
The initial feedback has been positive and it was very pleasing to see such engagement from all involved, especially from the One Voice Parent's Group who ensured parents were involved in almost every focus group held by the inspection team.
The report following the inspection had been expected to be available before Christmas, but was delayed by the General Election. It should be available at the latest in the New Year and can be viewed online.
|
Late November saw the "Moving On" event focus on Preparing for Adulthood for young people with SEND between 14-25. This was a joint event across education, health and social care and featured a range of information around pathways for young people.
Attended by over 40 parents and young people, local organisations provided an information market to support with training opportunities, community activities and benefits advice.
Despite some issues with the acoustics in the room, one of the highlights of the morning was "Shaun's journey" which featured a young man who had recently been supported into work through Coventry University hospital. Shaun (and his job coach Hannah) showed great confidence, and a huge pride in his achievement, in presenting to the room which was hugely inspirational to all attendees.
|
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dyslexia and other SpLDs has published the Educational Cost of Dyslexia, which examines the "dire state" of diagnosis and support for dyslexia in education today, and proposes the policy changes needed.
The report finds that whilst the law technically provides for identification and support for dyslexia through the Equality Act (2010) and Children & Families Act (2014), in practice diagnosis is rarely an option for those who cannot afford to pay privately (currently, over 80 percent of people with dyslexia will leave school without diagnosis) and support is inadequate or non-existent, with many parents having to fight for months if not years for an Education, Health and Care Plan to get basic support.
One of the report’s main proposal is to have a Specialist Dyslexia Teacher Assessor for every school.
Full details can be found in the report Educational Cost of Dyslexia and you can also read more information on the work of the APPG for Dyslexia and other SpLDs.
Sense, a national charity, is running a policy inquiry to help them identify why there are so many challenges in accessing home to school transport and where the problems lie. This will help them to identify things that need to change, make recommendations and campaign for solutions.
To capture people's views, they are asking for input of people's experiences of this system which can be done in a range of ways, including an online survey or talking directly to the campaigns team
It closes on 31 December, with a report due of their findings in Spring 2020.
|
Children’s Chronic Arthritis Association known as CCAA support families who have a child with a diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).
To find out more about the organisation, information about the condition, or more about the Family Support Weekends they run can be found on their website: www.ccaa.org.uk
|
SEND IASS are due to start 2020 with a brand new website. Work has been ongoing to create a site which will link the main site with The CHYP Shop site for young people.
The main site will include all the information you need to know from the SEND IASS team, and can be found at www.covsendiass.co.uk.
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?
SENDIASS have regular coffee mornings for parents/carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs. The next coffee morning will be on 23 January 2019 between 10am and 12noon at the Central Library in the City Centre.
Healthwatch Coventry are running a focus group on Tuesday 28 January 2020 (9:30am - 12:00 noon) at the Limbrick Wood Centre, Tile Hill. They hope to gain the views of parents/carers with children and young people with SEND on services provided by our local NHS.
Please book places through SENDIASS on 024 7669 4307 or email iass@coventry.gov.uk
If you are unable to attend this event you can still take part in their survey.
|
Following on from last year's drop-in sessions, SEND Information, Advice and Support Service will be running more in 2020 at various Family Hub's across the city.
This is an opportunity for parent/carers and young people with issues relating to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to drop in and have a chat with one of their Duty Officers. If you would like to know what sort of things SENDIASS Support please download their Service leaflet for more details. No need to book an appointment.
The next session will be held at the Wood Side Family Hub, Upper Ride, Willenhall Wood, Coventry, CV3 3GL on Thursday 6 February 2020 (9.30 - 11.30am)
|
About Dyslexia Show
The UK’s first free to attend national exhibition dedicated entirely to dyslexia. The Dyslexia Show is open to all and focuses on awareness and the understanding of dyslexia in education, parenting and the workplace.
At the show you’ll be able to attend seminars, workshops, build your CPD portfolio, learn about various types of support and discover the latest developments in the field of dyslexia.
Dyslexia Show 2020 - Find out more/register
|
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.
|
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;
|
