Welcome to our first bulletin of 2023. I hope the year has started in a positive fashion. Things always seem to be more bleak during the winter months, especially with the cold, dark mornings and every news update seems to be full of things that aren't going well!
We've been busy here at SENDIASS in running some really successful events with parents and young people over the last few weeks. The response from parents to our emotion coaching sessions with Coventry Educational Psychology service has been amazing with well over 200 parents signing up. And the Strong Voices Coventry group of young people met again - all put together and supported by young people from Hereward College - and had a hugely productive morning.
Nothing is more positive than spending time with others to improve our understanding, and this bulletin hopefully contains some of the ways for you to engage. And, as I look out the window, the first daffodils are coming out too.
Chris Firth
SENDIASS
Every local authority area in England needs a parent carer forum. Contact is currently supporting parent carers to establish a new forum in Coventry.
Parent / carer forums empower you to help improve the services you need, introduces you to new friends and provides free training to boost your skills and knowledge.
If you live in Coventry and are the parent / carer of a child or young person aged 0-25yrs with additional needs. Join the Coventry Parent/Carer Forum.
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A little warm fuzzy moment to start the year.
Lucy Radford, a teacher in the Coventry Sensory Team, organised an event to celebrate World Braille Day across Broadheath primary school in January.
You can see information about this wonderful event via the Broadheath Primary School webpage.
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![IPSEA logo](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKCOVENTRY/2023/02/7129497/4575295/ipsea-logo_crop.jpeg) |
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IPSEA have put together some guidance on what to do when you receive your draft EHC plan, including a template letter you can use as a starting point for your response: Access it via the IPSEA website. |
As part of the Universal SEND Services programme, nasen have created a series of online SEND CPD units to support those who work with children and young people in schools and further education settings to develop inclusive practices.
Access the free 20-minute units via the nasen website
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Pupils who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities may qualify for help in exams such as extra time, provision of a computer, or a person to read or write for them.
To find out more, and to access a model letter you can use as a template for making a request visit the IPSEA 'help in exams' webpage.
Your child's school should apply for permission to put the support in place. In most cases the deadline for applying for support arrangements is 21 March.
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![DLA Myth buster poster - Contact](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKCOVENTRY/2023/02/7141430/dla-myth-buster-poster-contact_original.jpeg) Disabled children do NOT need to have a diagnosis to claim Disability Living Allowance — but this common myth discourages many parent carers from applying.
And it’s not the only one. Take a look at the 6 biggest DLA myths on the Contact website.
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Coffee Morning - face to face sessions take place regularly in Coventry city centre - look out for the next date!
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SENDIASS Drop-In Session - Moat Family Hub - 21 March 2023 - look out for the poster for more details!
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Travel Assistance Information and Advice session - 'save the date!' - 27 April 2023
You can find out more information about SENDIASS events and how to book via the SENDIASS website
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Saturday sessions for children with autism and their siblings. Refreshments available. £5 per family.
Upcoming sessions: 4 March 2023, 1 April 2023
Time: Starts at 2pm
Where: St Georges Church, Barker Butts, lane, Coventry, CV6 1EA
Please contact Sue for more information: susankivi@yahoo.co.uk
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![Voluntary Action Coventry Logo](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKCOVENTRY/2023/02/7133743/voluntary-action-logo_original.jpeg) |
The School Nursing Team are offering Audiology (hearing) screening for all reception class pupils. These are carried out as clinics at different locations in the city.
You can visit the Health for Kids webpage or contact your School Nursing Team via the contact details below for more information.
Moat House School Nurse Team:
Tel: 01926 495321 Ext 7494 Email: Swg-tr.MoatHouseSchoolNursing@nhs.net
Charter Avenue School Nurse Team:
Tel: 01926 495321 Ext 7417 Email: Swg-tr.CharterAvenueSchoolNursing@nhs.net
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A booklet providing useful information about services and support available for those who are diagnosed or who self-identify as neurodivergent, and those who care for and support them.
Access the booklet via the Dimensions 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.
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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. For more information visit the Kooth webpage.
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Coventry City Council have developed a 'Cost of living and wellbeing support' webpage. This page has a broad range of links to information and advice you may find useful if you’re struggling financially and require support with helping you manage the cost of living pressures.
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'Act on Energy' provides free impartial advice on energy efficiency and grants and projects available in your area to help keep you warm this winter.
To find out more visit the Act on Energy Website
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P3 can provide help with: Housing/tenancy issues, independent living skills, money management/benefit advice, health and well-being or general advice and support.
Contact P3 on 08081 962660 or visit your local family hub to find out more.
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Coventry Independent Advice Service is a charity offering free confidential advice around benefits, making claims, debt, money problems and challenging decisions on benefit claims.
You can contact them via their advice line: 024 7652 1101
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Coventry Citizens Advice provide a range of free, confidential advice, including housing, benefits and debt.
You can contact them via their Advice Line: 0800 144 88 48
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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 previous ebulletins you can do so via our SENDIASS leaflets and ebulletin webpage.
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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