As the holidays come hurtling towards us, I will take this opportunity to wish you all a relaxing time. I think it's fair to say that this past year has been possibly one of the most challenging, certainly in my lifetime, and despite the limits to what we are able to do, it is a time to reflect on the good things that do continue to happen. As ever, many organisations across Coventry will be supporting through the Christmas period, and have been doing so since the start of the pandemic - they are there to support if you need them.
This is a slightly shorter bulletin than we might usually have, but I will point out a number of opportunities for your input into things happening into 2021 - it's so important for orgnaisations to cater to your needs, and for that your input is key. If you are looking for things to do over Christmas, most will only take 5 minutes or so to complete!
I'd also like to take thie opportunity to welcome 2 new members to our team here at SENDIASS - Nirmal Johal has joined us as our new Children & Young People's worker, and is very much looking forward to engaging with and supporting young people across the city. Jill Mandair has also joined us as our administrator, and may well be the person you speak to when calling the office - she will ensure you get a friendly welcome!
I'll finish with a line that is relevant for now and the rest of the year; may your days be merry and bright.
Chris Firth, Manager SENDIASS
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Colleagues across Education, Health and Care have over the past few years offered an event for young people and their families which focusses on Preparing for Adulthood, covering those youngsters between (14-25).
It is hoped that a similar event will take place in February 2021 and we are interested in your views as to the types of sessions that are offered. At this stage the event will be available online, which allows for a bit more flexibility.
A short survey is available to put forward your suggestions and will close on 6 January 2021.
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In the last bulletin, we reported that Coventry's Educational Psychology team had been surveying children and young people about their experiences of lockdown and returning to school.
As we reach the end of the Autumn term, they are now looking for an update on how Coventry's youngsters have found being back at school since September.
To take part a short survey is available - all answers are anonymous and focus on the young person's experience of school and their wellbeing. It would be great to get a wide range of responses (parents can of course help complete the survey alongside their cihld)
The survey is available until Wednesday 6 January 2021.
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 People with learning disabilities are dying younger from preventable and treatable medical conditions at a far higher rate than the general population, NHS England statistics reveal.
The statistics are so shocking they have triggered a new campaign delivered by an experienced team of health educators, themselves with learning disabilities, supported by leading local charity Grapevine. The campaign has the full support of the NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups for Coventry, Rugby and Warwickshire and Coventry City Council and is calling for more people to have an Annual Health Check with their doctor – a free check they are entitled to have from the age of 14… but one many know little or nothing about.
With just 39 per cent of people with learning disabilities taking GPs up on this offer, the ‘My Life, My Rights, My Health, My Choice’ campaign is seeking to double that number in 2020/21.
Find out more about the Annual Health Check through this video.
The SEND IASS "AmbasSENDors Club" is an opportunity for young people (11-16 yrs) with SEND from mainstream schools in the city to get together and shape local services.
Whilst the group have struggled to get together much in 2020, we're hopeful that 2021 will enable us to get together on a monthly basis to have some fun and contribute to local practice.
Away from the pandemic, the group get together once a month, normally at the Coventry Boys and Girls Club in the city centre.
We have a few spaces available to join the group, so if you are interested, please let us know by emailing iasscyp@coventry.gov.uk.
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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 11th January 2021 and you can complete it at your own pace, with support from trained facilitators.
Places are limited! Start date 11 January 2021.
Find out more or sign up today.
Later dates will also be available in 2021.
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The CC4Y Project will engage young people (16-25 yrs) from all areas of Coventry, whether new to the city, a student from overseas, a refugee, migrant or an established resident.
The project aims to build young people's confidence to form new social connections and beat loneliness through technology, brain food, friends and creativity.
With a range of activites and ways to get involved, why not find out more via the Voluntary Action Coventry website or this video?
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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.
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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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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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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
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.
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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.
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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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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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