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A New Years’ tradition is to open the back door of your house to let out the old year, then open the front door to welcome in the new. I think most people will have been happy to not only see 2021 disappear, but maybe give it a shove on its way! Let us hope that 2022 brings about a positive change for all of us.
One change that has already happened, is the ending of the One Voice Parent Carer Forum, which after a fine innings supporting and championing the voice of parents and carers, declared at 14 years and out. In that time, the group has engaged with partners across education, health and care to try and move services for children and young people with SEND forward. It’s been a pleasure to help support the forum to support the agenda, and create engagement opportunities for participation; long may it continue.
Whilst a new group has not yet been identified, if you are interested in supporting SEND in Coventry, details of how to get involved can be found at our NEW website www.covsendiass.co.uk/participation; another exciting start to 2022! It’s still very much a work in progress but hopeful it will become a great source of information and advice for all that need it!
Chris Firth
Manager, SENDIASS
Grapevine are currently running their 'Grapevine Teenvine Plus' project for young people with special educational needs aged 13-18. This project aims to bring young people together to develop confidence, independence and resilience.
If you would like to find out more or book a place on this project please contact Naomi Madden - Project Manager - nmadden@grapevinecovandwarks.org or call 02476 631040 ext 111
Grapevine are currently running their 'Help and Connect' project. This project aims to help all kinds of people and communities who face disadvantage due to poverty, isolation, disability or ill health to build better lives.
Parkride are running 'Cycling with Confidence' courses with dates running throughout the Spring Term 2022. The courses run over five weeks (you do not have to attend all five sessions if you are unable to). Parkride has a wide range of accessible bikes and trikes for all ages and abilities.
If you would like to book onto the course or want to chat to one of the team, give them a call on: 0121 442 2944 or email: parkride@midlandmencap.org.uk
See poster below for more information and contact parkride for information on future dates.
Sometimes families who have children or young people with disabilities/or health conditions benefit from a break from their caring responsibilities. Short Breaks give children and young people who have a disability the opportunity to join in with an enjoyable activity away from their parents/carers.
Short Breaks allow children and young people to take part in activities, make friends, develop independence and have fun. Short Breaks also provide parents/carers a break from caring responsibilities. You can find out more about the shortbreaks service and eligibility criteria on the shortbreaks webpage.
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Rise is a family of NHS-led services providing emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people in Coventry and Warwickshire.
Rise aims to build resilience and empower children and young people (as well as the adults in their lives) to know where to go for help and advice.
Rise is made up of a number of different services, each led by mental health specialists, who work with other local services such as schools to support you.
RISE is home to the 'Dimensions of Health and Wellbeing' Tool. The tool is available 24/7 and creates a Dimensions report which provides information about self-care, local services and support for more information watch this 'What is Dimensions of Health and Wellbeing?' video.
Find out more about RISE via the RISE webpage.
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Given the rising cost of living in 2022, especially energy bills, we have put some information together that will hopefully be useful to identify ways to meet any potential difficulties for families of young people with SEND.
Free benefits and energy information session for parents/carers
Friday 11 February 2022 (10am-11.30am)
In partnership with SEND Information, Advice and Support Service, The Coventry Independent Advice Service (CIAS) and National Energy Action (NEA) will be running a FREE online session for parents/carers on Benefits and Energy. Representatives from the above agencies will be providing information around key areas such as; Energy, Debt, Grants, Universal Credit, DLA and Benefits.
Contact SENDIASS to book your place:
iass@coventry.gov.uk or tel: 024 76 69 4307
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The Coventry Independent Advice Service is confidential and 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
- Giving basic advice and information about housing and other issues
- Helping you find other kinds of support.
You can find out more on the CIAS webpage or tel: 024 76 52 1101
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Contact provide a broad range of information about Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, including financial support for families of children with special needs such as grants and funds. Contact have some information about benefits and grants which you can access directly on the 'Contact' website.
If you have any difficulty accessing this information, do phone the Contact charity directly, as they run a free helpline for parents and carers with a disabled child aged from birth to 25, living in any part of the UK. Your child does not need a diagnosis for you to call their helpline. Helpline: 0808 808 3555
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Big news! Mencap are absolutely thrilled to announce...
The fantastic actor Tommy Jessop has agreed to become the latest Mencap ambassador!
"I hope through this role I can help Mencap keep doing what they do best, to carry on their really hard work in the future” he said.
"I am proud and honoured to be a Mencap ambassador."
Tommy plans to use his new position to get rid of the idea that people with a learning disability cannot do certain things.
"People with a learning disability should be able to do anything we want, for example getting married or being a role model for people to look up to."
Find out more about Mencap's ambassadors via the Mencap webpage.
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Kidscape have produced some 'top tips for dealing with bullying' and it is now available in 11 different languages!
There are two versions in each language, one for young people and one for parents and carers.
You can find them all on the kidscape website.
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If your child is struggling with how they're feeling and you're looking for advice on how to best support them, you can get in touch with the 'Young Minds Parents Helpline Webchat'.
Once you are connected, a webchat adviser will direct you to information on the website or signpost you to other organisations that can offer you support. The conversation will last around ten minutes.
The Young Minds Parents Helpline Webchat is open 9:30am - 4pm, Monday - Friday.
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"Kidz to Adultz Middle" is returning to Coventry in 2022 on Thursday 17 March.
Kidz to Adultz Middle is an event organised by Disabled Living dedicated to children and young adults with disabilities and additional needs, their parents, carers and the professionals who support them.
This popular exhibition is being held at the CBS Arena (formerly the Ricoh) and features exhibitors and seminars covering a wide range of SEND needs and support.
Book a free visitor ticket.
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The Roots to Branches Autism Network Youth Club for 11yrs and up is now taking bookings for places.
Payment is cash on the door. COVID rules apply.
There are limited spaces and places must be booked by emailing: kelly.mills@r2b.org.uk
Have you been to one of SENDIASS' online coffee mornings?
They're an opportunity to meet up with other parents, have a chat (or just a listen) and support each other. Stay as long (or as little) as you are able - no pressure!
The next Coffee Morning is on: Friday 18 February 2022 (10am-11.30am)
Contact SENDIASS to book your place:
iass@coventry.gov.uk or tel: 024 76 69 4307
Coffee mornings take place regularly so look out for future dates!
You can find out more information about SENDIASS events via the SENDIASS website.
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Below are the upcoming dates for the 'Autism Café'.
Sessions run 2pm-4.30pm
February 12
March 26
April 9
Venue: St. George's Church, Barker Butts Lane, Coventry, CV6 1EA.
Admission fees apply. For more details please contact Sue: susankivi@yahoo.co.uk
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School Nursing are continuing to offer free virtual health information sessions via Eventbrite especially for parents/carers. These sessions will run throughout the academic year and will include sessions around managing toileting, behaviour, and challenges in eating and sleep. See the poster below for more details or visit their Winter Newsletter 2021/2022 for more information and how to book.
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Are you an adult living in Coventry and Warwickshire with an autism diagnosis or think you may be autistic and would like to find out more about this condition?
Coventry and Warwickshire MIND are running an autism education programme (various dates available).
For more information visit the course flyer or book online.
Contact are offering five free virtual workshops in February for parents and carers of disabled children aged 0-5!
For more information on the workshops available visit the Contact 'Brighter Beginnings' Workshop page.
Free webinar! 'Understanding Autism'
Friday 18 February 2022, 9.30am – 10.30am
For Parents Carers and Professionals
in the West Midlands region
This webinar will include: an introduction to the autism spectrum, how autism may affect children. How to support children in daily life.
For more details/to book on this, or other webinars they may have available visit the Autism west Midlands booking page.
Please use 'West Midlands' as your region when booking an online place.
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Kooth is an anonymous digital counselling and support service for children and young people aged 11-25 years providing access to emotional wellbeing and early intervention mental health support. Below is a list of 'What's on Kooth in February'. For more information visit the Kooth webpage.
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
Remember - the guidance on self-isolation has changed. Find out more on the GOV.UK website.
Don't forget to continue getting tested regularly for COVID-19 even after you've had your vaccination/booster. Find out more via the Coventry City Council COVID-19 testing in Coventry page.
Home is supposed to be one of the safest places for us, but if you are experiencing domestic abuse then 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.
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 24hrs 7 days a week.
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. 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.
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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 please contact your nearest Hub directly to find out if there is anything they can do to help.
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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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