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Welcome to our summer e-bulletin. I think you'll agree it has been the strangest summer term in history, with every aspect of life seemingly changed over the past 4 months. And even as things slowly re-open, and those things that we are familiar with become available to us again, there remains the constant uncertainty of about what will happen next. If we've made it this far, it shows we can face whatever comes next with some positivity!
Our usual round-up of summer activities has been hit hard, so I encourage everyone to remain in touch with places like Family Information Service, Family Hubs (all of which are now reopening across the city) and SEND IASS, who will regularly update on events and activities for young people in the area.
And whilst we all try to ensure that the summer provides time for families to relax - and no longer worry about home-schooling! There is also a return to our nurseries, schools and colleges in September to prepare for. The bulletin contains some things to think about for that.
As always, if you have any happy or inspiring tales that young people or professionals would like to share, we'll happily put them in the next bulletin. Just send them to sendnews@coventry.gov.uk
Chris Firth, Manager SENDIASS
Take a look at the Coventry's Family Information Directory website for more information about what is on.
Alternatively take a look at Visit Coventry to find out what is opening to the public again.
Their summer timetable is filling up quickly, find out what is still available or call them on 024 7622 4975.
Please remember If you are trying to find out what might be happening to various Council services during this crisis, including information on schools, please visit their website.
It also includes information about what to do if you are:
- feeling ill
- having difficulty getting food supplies
- looking for ideas to stay happy at home
- trying to stay connected to your local community
Coventry Mental Health Service has produced an information booklet for all providers and members of the public during the COVID-19 outbreak. The booklet is available to download and share.
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SEND IASS and Complex Communications Team (CCT) have combined to produce some resources and guidance for preparing children and young people - especially those with ASD or social communication difficulties - to return to school in September.
There are seven videos to choose from, and associated resources available through the website.
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Is your child with SEND currently eligible to get transport to school?
As preparations continue for a return to school in September, the Local Authority is offering Personal Transport Budgets (PTB) to any parent/carers who would prefer to transport young people to school themselves.
More details can be found on the travel assistance website.
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Coventry Educational Psychology Service are carrying out a short survey to find out what young people think about going back to school.
The survey is open to all young people attending primary or secondary schools within Coventry and it should take approximately five minutes to complete.
We are gathering the information to help school staff support the wellbeing of all young people when schools fully reopen.
If you choose to participate in the survey, your responses will be anonymous. The information gathered will be shared with each school and a summary of the findings will be shared by the council.
The survey will run up until 31 August.
Thank you in advance if you decide to participate.
Coventry's SEND support services are still offering support to educational settings during the current situation, albeit in slightly different ways. They have recently launched the recovery curriculum, a local, co-produced repository of information and resources to support the mental health of children and young people during the phased reopening of educational settings. This is primarily aimed at nursery and school staff, although there is also advice for young people and families.
They are also compiling resources for families to use with children whilst they are at home.
Additionally the Coventry Educational Psychology service are offering 30 minutes direct telephone support.
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The Coventry City of Culture Trust has formed a new partnership with Unlimited, a national arts commissioning programme that enables new work by disabled artists to reach UK and international audiences.
Through this partnership, they are inviting d/Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent artists who live and/or regularly work within a CV postcode (this covers Coventry and parts of wider Warwickshire) to apply for ten micro commissions of up to £1,000 each.
These micro commissions are open to artists of any discipline and of any level to either; create new work, enhance their skills and/or explore different creative processes within the Trust’s key themes.
Deadline – Friday 21 August 2020, 12 noon
To find out more please click on the link below:
In settings where face coverings are mandated in England, there are some circumstances, for health, age or equality reasons, whereby people are not expected to wear face coverings in these settings. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings.
You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to. This includes:
- young children under the age of 11
- not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
- if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
- if you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
- to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others
- to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you
- to eat or drink, but only if you need to
- to take medication
- if a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering
There are also scenarios when you are permitted to remove a face covering when asked:
- If asked to do so by shop staff for the purpose of age identification
- If speaking with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound. Some may ask you, either verbally or in writing, to remove a covering to help with communication
For exemptions in different parts of the UK please refer to the specific guidance for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
More information and resources.
Lily Rice, from South Wales UK, entered the scene of WCMX (Wheelchair Moto Cross) in 2017 and is leading the way internationally.
Lily has a rare genetic condition called HSP (Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia) and started using a basic wheelchair in 2015. She discovered WCMX online and began trying out simple tricks. Lily truly took up the sport in 2017, having acquired her first WCMX chair.
She has already achieved huge success in her career, to find out more about her achievements so far please take a look at her website.
If you know of any other inspiring child or young person please do email us at SENDNEWS@coventry.gov.uk so that we can share their successes.
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Cinemas are not currently able to offer autism friendly screenings when they re-open to the public.
Further information and up-to-date changes.
You may wish to look at individual cinemas, who will hopefully provide these again in the not too distant future.
A prestigious programme has been set up which runs as a three way partnership with The Albion Foundation, Worcester University and Queen Alexandra College.
The programme is specifically designed for ambitious young sports people aged between 16-24 years who use a manual wheelchair and are eligible under the International Wheelchair Basketball Association (IWBF) classification criteria.
For more about the academic elements and funding process contact Kanchan Rajput-Goode at Queen Alexandra College on 0121 428 5050 or for more about the elite sport eliment of the programme please contact Glyn Harding at University of Worcester on 01905 855 509.
Please note that they will not be engaging in face to face sport delivery until advised that they can do so by the relevant governing bodies.
In May, the Family Fund charity was given an extra £10m to support low-income families of disabled or critically ill children who are staying at home more than usual during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Families can apply directly to the Family Fund, or can be supported by a professional, support worker/social worker to make an application.
Applications can be made for grants, typically worth £400-500, to support families with things like the cost of equipment, goods or services - from computers, tablets, washing machines and refrigerators to sensory and educational equipment that they might not otherwise be able to afford.
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Finance
Below we have selected a few useful websites we think may be of interest:
Coventry Independent Advice Service is a charity offering free advice, information and support to Coventry residents.
Home is supposed to be the safest place for us all right now, but if you are experiencing domestic abuse then the advice to stay at home could be frightening. If someone is in immediate danger and their life is threatened, they should dial the Police on 999.
Coventry Haven - ensure safety and empowerment for women and children who are subjected to Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA) in any form. They offer a range of services including a SafeToTalk Helpline 0800 111 4998 or 024 7644 4077 (Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm)
National Domestic Abuse Line (REFUGE) - Refuge supports women, children and men experiencing domestic violence with a range of services including a 24-hour helpline 0808 2000 247.
Wellbeing
Young Minds - a national charity which supports children and young people with mental health and well being. They have specific resources for young people around COVID-19, and also offer support to parents.
Childline - Childline is available to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, they have trained counsellors to support you. The helpline is 0800 1111 and is available between 9am to midnight every day.
Samaritans - Coventry & District Samaritans is an independent charity, run entirely by unpaid volunteers. They provide a free 24-hour helpline for people who are upset, troubled or who are feeling suicidal.add links and description. Call 116 123 at any time of the day or night or email jo@samaritans.org.
In addition to their normal services Samaritans has set up a confidential support line for NHS workers and volunteers in England. This operates from 7am to 11pm every day. NHS staff can, of course, still use the 24 hour helpline if they prefer.
Other resources
The Council for Disabled Children has been asked to regularly update government advice on how to stay healthy and safe during this time.
They have gathered a list of resources and guidance about Coronavirus to share with parent carers, children and young people and education, health and social care practitioners. This page will be kept under review and new resources added to the categories as they become available.
They have also contributed to a Disabled Children's Partnership report, "Left in Lockdown", which is based on survey responses by parents and carers of disabled children and young people. Recommendations of the report include: the need of a plan for re-establishing and expanding care support such as short breaks; and for the Care review to include a focus on social care support for disabled children - to support the SEND review and to address the wider changes needed.
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Contact for families with disabled children are a charity for families with disabled children. They support families with guidance and information, and bring families together to support each other.
Contact West Midlands are continuing to run regular sessions for parents of cihldren and young people with SEND via online platforms throughout the summer holidays into September, on subjects like wellbeing, money matters and sleep issues. You can sign up for them via these links:
Contact Online Workshop-Wellbeing for You - West Midlands
Encouraging Positive Behaviour in Young Children - West Midlands
Helping your young child sleep - West Midlands
Money Matters–for parents/carers of children with additional needs WestMids
Wellbeing for parents/carers of children with additional needs - West Mids
Encouraging Positive Behaviour in Children - West Midlands
Contact - online workshop- Helping your child sleep - West Midlands
Encouraging Positive Behaviour in Children - West Midlands
Money Matters–for parents/carers of children with additional needs WestMids
Contact - online workshop- Helping your child sleep - West Midlands
Wellbeing for parents/carers of children with additional needs - West Mids
Money Matters–for parents/carers of children with additional needs WestMids
Wellbeing for parents/carers of children with additional needs - West Mids
Some examples of support for families around benefits and money are:
- Eric [the Children's' Bladder and Bowel Charity gives advice and info on continence problems in children as well as how to access health service funded nappy supplies.
- Newlife [has a nurse led helpline and also gives out grants for aids and equipment and also has a fast track service for urgently needed items].
- Caudwell Children [a charity which offers various family support services as well as grants towards essential items, also funds certain therapies, has a particular focus on supporting children with ASD.
- Disability-grants.org.uk [a very easy to navigate website which lists charities and trusts that give grants towards most items. Also has a particular webpage which lists all benevolent funds which may give grants to people who have worked in particular jobs or industries such as retail, police, hairdressing, accountants etc].
- Turn2Us [a charity which has an online benefits checker, grants search engine and also has a webpage which enables you to find a local advice agency to help with benefit and grant applications.
- Watersure [a scheme for people on a low income or on certain benefits or where a household member has a particular medical condition which warrants the high use of water eg skin conditions or incontinence, also must have a water meter.
- Citizens Advice Bureau [every locality has a branch, they help with benefit applications particularly Universal Credit applications and have a very good website with one page which specifically lists grants and benefits to help with paying utility bills.
- Merlin's Magic Wand [a charity which gives a family of up to 8 members a free family ticket to one of their [Merlin] attractions e.g. Legoland.
- DLA Days Out [a useful Facebook page which gives tips, advice and info from other parents of children on DLA on good places to take your child and which gives discounts and reductions to entrance fees.
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Carer’s Trust Opportunities
- The Hope course is being run again in August – to express interest contact 024 7663 2972
- Information about Carers Trust services such as CRESS The Young Carers Service
- Evening Carers Chat Zoom group every Wednesday 7-8pm. Contact Carers Trust to join on 024 7663 2972 (Option 1).
- Chat zoom meeting every Wednesday, contact the Carers Trust and register, you will then be sent a weekly link to log in with.
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The Family Hubs can help you find and get help from different services in the area and will be able to give you information, advice and support.
If you need additional support during COVID-19 please contact your nearest Hub directly to find out if there is anything they can do to help. To find out which is your nearest use the link above.
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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!
More information.
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Looking to find an activity to help support your mental well-being?
We think about creativity as making something new and original, but in fact the root meaning of creativity means ‘to grow’.
Arty-Folks is now running "The Fine Art to Wellbeing", a free three week course monthly online using the Zoom platform aimed at adults.
Enrol now.
The course is suitable for total beginners as well as experienced artists and there are chances to join courses from July to September.
More information.
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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.
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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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