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Welcome to our latest update on all things SEND in Coventry and beyond. There's lots of information below to point you towards areas of support for young people and families, which given some of the news recently, is most welcome!
Whilst the world doesn't always seem very easy, it's great to know that there are so many people out there who are there to help - whether as part of their job or in their spare time. We recently had the pleasure of working with a group of young people at Coventry College as part of our "AmbasSENDors" programme, who were just fantastic in supporting other young people to help produce a short film about making themselves heard. Hopefully we can share their work with you in the next bulletin.
If you have any great stories - about individuals or groups - that you would like us to share, we'd love to hear them. Sharing positive experiences, is a great way to inspire others, so tell us about something great that your young person, school, social worker is doing to support SEND in Coventry. Just email sendnews@coventry.gov.uk
Chris Firth
Manager, SENDIASS
Following the ending of the One Voice Parent Carer Forum, Coventry has been looking to engage a new forum alongside Contact, who support the parent carer network across the country.
Before Easter, a couple of meetings were held to engage with parents and there is now several ways to stay in touch with parent engagement in Coventry.
NEW! Coventry Parent Carer Forum website: https://www.coventrypcf.com.
NEW! Coventry Parent Carer Forum e-news subscribe form on the website home page. Please make sure you opt-in again to continue to get forum updates.
NEW! Membership group for Coventry parent carers launched on Facebook: All parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and/or health conditions (aged 0-25 years) and living in Coventry are encouraged to join.
For any further details, contact Wendy Davey on wendy.contactpcf@gmail.com.
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If you are 18+ years old and unemployed, you are eligible to take part in an outdoor based self-development and employability programme.
The workshops will include nature connection, bushcraft and survival, transferable employability skills, gardening, environmental awareness, creative skills and job readiness. We understand and appreciate that this is a difficult time for many and this course is specifically aimed at increasing confidence and wellbeing along with getting ready to plan and take the next steps. See poster below for details.
Find out more about WildEarth on the WildEarth Facebook page or by visiting the WildEarth website
‘Changing Futures Together Supported Internship Programme’
Coventry City Council are working in partnership with University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire and CV Life to offer a range of opportunities for young people with an EHCP who want to move into paid employment but need some extra support to do it. The programme is classed as full time education and you would have support from a specialist Job Coach to help you learn the job over time.
For more information please contact:
Hannah Rogers (Employment Advisor – Supported Internships) Tel: 07534 280 586 Email: Hannah.Rogers@coventry.gov.uk
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Unfortunately, we occasionally have cases where young people have talked about suicide, either at school or at home. Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council are asking for responses to a survey to help look at suicide. The survey will seek people’s views on a new joint strategy that will provide information, services, and support across the area to help prevent suicide. The new strategy will outline how the Councils will work with other local organisations and services to achieve the vision that no one in Coventry and Warwickshire should ever feel that suicide is their only option.
The survey is open until 10 July 2022.
For more information or to take part visit the Ask Warwickshire webpage.
If you need to request the survey in an alternative format, please email your name and address to phadmin@warwickshire.gov.uk or call 01926 731484.
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On 29 March the Government published theSEND Review: Right support, right place, right time, a consultation on the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision system in England. The consultation sets out proposed reforms to the SEND and alternative provision (AP) system that seek to address three key challenges.
You can access the Green Paper via the GOV.UK 'SEND and AP green paper: responding to the consultation' webpage.
For more information, accessibility resources and to take part in the consultation visit the SEND Review Campaign webpage.
The consultation closes on 22 July 2022.
SENDIASS will be hosting a consultation event on 14 June 2022 to facilitate parents in having their say - see poster below for further details.
Please note booking is essential. It would be helpful if people could book their place by 7 June 2022.
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The ADHD Foundation is the UK’s leading neurodiversity charity, offering a strength-based, lifespan service for the 1 in 5 of us who live with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Tourette’s syndrome.
They have information and resources on their website which you may find interesting/useful.
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'Psychology Today' have published an article highlighting 10 'things to know if you someone you love has ADHD'. If your loved one has ADHD or you just want a better understand of living with ADHD you can read the article. |
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The National Autistic Society is the UK's leading charity for people on the autism spectrum and their families. Since 1962, they have been providing support, guidance and advice, as well as campaigning for improved rights, services and opportunities to help create a society that works for autistic people. You can find advice, guidance and a helpline number on the National Autistic Society website.
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Disabled Children: a legal handbook is an accessible guide to the legal rights of disabled children and their families in England. There are twelve chapters within the handbook on topics including: education; health; children’s services; transition into adulthood; housing; carers and welfare benefits.
The handbook aims to empower disabled children and their families through providing a greater understanding of their rights and entitlements
Read the Council for Disabled Children Legal Handbook
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Do you have a child who is autistic or has a learning disability in England? If so, the Council for Disabled Children wants your views on medication — even if your child has never taken any.
You'll be given a £50 voucher for taking part in a confidential focus group in late May or early June at a time that is convenient for participants.
The session will consider what resources would help families to make informed decisions about starting, changing or stopping the use of medication for their children.
This project is part of NHS England's STOMP-STAMP campaign to end the over-medication of children while ensuring they get the right medicine when needed and improving access to wider non-medical support.
Interested? Email Adeeba on AKhan@ncb.org.uk
Family Fund know life can cost more when you are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person, especially with the rise in living costs.
If you need support with benefits, debt or money management, Family Fund have a range of information and support on the Family Fund website.
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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!
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 from 2pm-4.30pm.
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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 Contact P3 on 08081 962660 or visit your local family hub to find out more.
Contact are running free virtual workshops for parent carers of disabled children aged 0-5, during the month of June 2022. Visit the Contact Events page for more information and booking links.
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. For more information visit the Kooth webpage.
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Coventry School Nursing are continuing to offer FREE virtual health information sessions for parents/carers via Eventbrite during the months of May, June and July 2022. Sessions include managing toileting, sleep, behaviour and challenges in eating. See poster below for details and booking links. You can also check out their latest Newsletter.
For more information contact the School Nursing Team on:
Swg-tr.MoatHouseSchoolNursing@nhs.net
Swg-tr.CharterAvenueSchoolNursing@nhs.net
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
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 would like to view copies of or previous ebulletins you can do so via the SENDIASS website.
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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