In Partnership - October 2020

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Coventry Send

In Partnership - October 2020

From the manager's office

Hoping this finds you well as we enter the next stage of our "new world". It continues to be a hugely challenging time for everyone to try to function from day to day. Whether you are caring for children, family members, other people's children or your neighbours, it's important to remember yourself as well at times like these (as I think the Foo Fighters were trying to say!)

Certainly it's been very strange trying to run the SEND IASS service in a way we've not done previously. We've all had to learn some new skills to continue to support children, young people and their families, but we've also made sure we've taken some time to support each other too.

If there's one thing I've learned in this period, it's that reaching out and spreading joy in your little communities - whether in your neighbourhood, with friends/family, your workplace - can make a massive difference to all involved.

The challenge is huge - and I salute all that spend their time making sure that our children and young people continue to learn and develop at a time of so much confusion and worry.

I guess it's times like these, that we really do learn to live and love again.

Chris Firth, Manager SENDIASS

Local updates

National Award winners - Let's Get Active

Lets Get Active

A determined group of deaf primary school pupils from Coventry has won a prestigious national campaigning award.

"Let’s Get Active" was founded last year in order to encourage more deaf children to become active during Coventry’s year as European City of Sport in 2019.

The project involved pupils from the Hearing Impaired Unit at Howes Primary School visiting sports and leisure venues in Coventry to interview staff and make videos to show deaf young people what it would be like for them to attend.

The pupils received support from the National Deaf Children’s Society, which paid for their transport costs and funded their multimedia skills training.

Let’s Get Active was named joint winner of the Young Person’s Award at the Sheila McKechnie National Campaigner Awards.

Changing Futures Together - Supported Internships

Supported internshisp

Young people have also been active in the Supported Internship programme in Coventry.

‘Changing Futures Together’ is a partnership between Coventry City Council, University of Warwick, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust and Coventry Special Schools. The programme offers young people with an EHCP (16-24) the chance to gain skills and experience in the workplace while working towards paid employment.

Young people from Riverbank School have helped design a logo for the programme (an example of which is pictured) and there have also been examples of the programme made into both a video and a feature on the Coventry City Council website about Warren's adventures at University of Warick.

Well worth a watch and a read as we head into Annual Review season for post 16 young people.

Activities for CYP

Monsters

If you're looking for things to do in Coventry, then two good places to start are the Visit Coventry website and our good friends at Coventry's Family Information Directory.

Both provide a useful guide to what's happening in our fine city, especially as we build towards the excitement of City of CUlture 2021. Also good for half-term and school holiday activities.

 

 

If you're also looking for a short break over the half term holidays, Midland Mencap are also offering activities at Coventry Boys and Girls Club.

 

For further information please contact:
0121 442 2944
deborah.mcgarvey@midlandmencap.org.uk
sophie.house@midlandmencap.org.uk

MENCAP

Back to school

Kids

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, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are seven videos to choose from, and associated resources available through the website.

SEND IASS parent session - Autism awareness

IASS Autism event

 

To book your place, simply contact us on 024 7669 4307 or email iass@coventry.gov.uk

This is a FREE online event, and all joining instructions will be sent out to you before the day.

One Voice/Entrust sessions

One Voice Entrust OT

In response to parental requests, One Voice Coventry, Parent Carer Forum and Entrust Care Partnership are delighted to be hosting a free online workshop for parents and carers of children or young people with additional or specific needs or disabilities.
Ann Huc, an experienced Occupational Therapist from Links Therapy will give you:

  • An understanding of sensory processing and how it can affect all areas of life
  • A greater understanding of how to spot when your child is having difficulties coping with their sensory world
  • Practical strategies for helping to develop a sensory rich environment or help your child feel better about their environment

When: Friday 20 November 2020 10.00 am – 12.00 noon

To register an interest, have a chat or for more information please contact Lynne Barton lynnebarton@entrustcarepartnership.org.uk
Tel : 07712 326273

One Voice PDA

One Voice Coventry, Parent Carer Forum and Entrust Care Partnership are delighted to be hosting this FREE online workshop suitable for parents, grandparents and carers of children, young people or adults with PDA and related needs.


Wednesday 11 November 2020
7.00pm – 9.00pm

Leonie Berry, founder of SEND Supported, is a skilled and very experienced teacher adn will lead the workshop which will explore the following:

  • PDA Awareness
  • Understand how PDA impacts on daily life and learning
  • Strategies for supporting your child or young person

To register an interest, have a chat or for more information please contact Lynne Barton:  lynnebarton@entrustcarepartnership.org.uk or tel : 07712 326273.

Anyone for some football?

Entrust football

Entrust are also looking for young budding footballers! 

Teaming up with Sky Blues in the Community, this is run specifically for young people with additional needs at the AT7 Centre.

When: Tuesday nights, 6pm - 7pm

To register an interest, have a chat or for more information please contact Selina Turner:
selinaturnerentrust@gmail.com
Tel : 07525 785594

The Carer's Trust - Hope programme

Hope2020

Need some support with your health and wellbeing?

A free online course for Coventry carers to help you cope with life in ‘lockdown’. Carers Trust Heart of England have partnered with Hope For The Community CIC to offer the online Hope Programme to carers in Coventry.

This free, six week online course will help you to cope better, feel more in control and more resilient.The course starts on Monday 2 November and you can complete it at your own pace, with support from trained facilitators.

Places are limited! Start date 2 November 2020
Find out more or sign up today.

Later dates will be available in 2021.

Young carers

Young carers are people aged between 5 and 18 years old who have a responsibility for looking after or helping someone else to look after a person who has a disability, a long term illness, mental health illness, Autism/ADHD or someone addicted to drugs or alcohol. That person could be a mum, dad, brother, sister, grandparent or even a close friend or neighbour. 

Coventry Young Carers have a range of activities available to support young people.

Teenvine Plus

teenvine +

Grapevine are looking to extend their offer under the Teenvine programme by offering more support to young people whose lives have been impacted by COVID 19. 

They also need help from young people to help design the new programme. If you are, or know a young person between the ages of 13-18, with an additional need, they'd like to hear from you.

Please contact Naomi Madden for more information on 07984 160840 or email nmadden@grapevinecovandwarks.org

National information

NASEN

From 4 January 2021, Nasen membership will be free for all individuals across the UK.

Nasen’s new free membership will replace the current tiered model, to ensure the organisation's expertise in SEND is available to every school and setting across the UK.

Membership will include access to shared information, research, Continuing Professional Development and Learning (CPDL) training and webinars from the Whole School SEND Consortium, hosted by Nasen, to ensure every child and young person with SEND can achieve their potential at school.

Full details are available on the Nasen website.

Kidz to Adultz - online exhibition

KidzMiddle

"Venue to Virtual" is dedicated to children and young adults with disabilities and additional needs, their parents, carers, and the professionals who support them right across the UK and much further afield.

This free virtual event will take place during week commencing 9-13 November 2020.

The online platform offers visitors virtual access to the many exhibitors, companies, voluntary and support organisations who will be showcasing their products, equipment and outlining details of their services at various times during the week-long event. This is also due to be held as an exhibition at the Ricoh Arena in March 2021.

The online facility will showcase a number of live videos at various timeslots throughout the week. You will also be able to download their pdfs and brochures, with the additional bonus of an online chat facility where you can ask the experts questions and their advice on a wider range of products, issues and concerns (anonymously if you prefer). There is also the opportunity to take part in live polls and interactive quizzes.

Family Fund

Family fund

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.

Useful links COVID-19

Coventry City Council and COVID-19

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
Cov MHS

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.

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.

  • Our service is confidential and our skilled advisers can help you with things like:

    • identifying entitlement to benefits and helping you make claims
    • helping you to sort out debt or other money problems
    • challenging decisions on benefit claims 

Safeguarding

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

CDC logo

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 educationhealth and social care practitioners. This page will be kept under review and new resources added to the categories as they become available.

Contact - "Listening Ear" support

Contact for families

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. 

They have also launched their Family support "listening ear" appointments.

You might be struggling emotionally and looking for strategies to help you cope. Or maybe you just need to talk to someone who understands the extra challenges you face and who can point you in the right direction to get the support you need for your family.

We offer 1-1 telephone appointments with a family support adviser for parent carers looking for a listening ear, reassurance and practical and emotional support.

Making an appointment is simple: Visit our Eventbright page, choose the day (morning, afternoon or evening), and when you register choose the time slot you want.

Appointments are regularly updated here and are subject to availability.

Read more.

 

Coventry City Council

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.

Making information accessible - LA website

browsealoud

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.

Parent/carer groups

Parent Carer forum

1voice

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.

Coventry's SEND Local Offer

Local Offer

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 us

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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