|
In this issue:
As our education settings start winding down for the summer break (if they haven't broken up already!), the scramble for "what to do with the kids?" has already begun. The attractions of the traditional British summer time - music festivals, beach visits and agonising defeats in the cricket - are great distractions for some but, personally, I find it's a really good opportunity for the children to spend time with other family members! We have included some options for finding things to do in the bulletin and hope that everyone is able to enjoy their break.
One of our hopes moving forward is that children and young people continue to be at the heart of all decision making, and it's been great to have had the opportunity this year to work alongside a number of fantastic people through our AmbasSENDors projects. We hope to involve a lot more into the next academic year (and beyond). As always, if a young person has something they would like to share about their life (and maybe inspire others!), we'd love to hear about it (and possibly share it in a bulletin!) Just send us an email to sendnews@coventry.gov.uk
Have a great summer break
Chris
SENDIASS manager
Did you know parent carers can pay less Council Tax if their child requires extra space because of their disability?
The Council Tax Disability Reduction Scheme applies to families in the UK with children who use a wheelchair indoors, who need an extra bathroom/kitchen to meet their needs, or who require another room due to a disability — such as for therapy or treatment.
To apply, contact your local council online or by phone. They may ask for extra evidence, such as a letter from your child's doctor or social worker.
For more details about the eligibility criteria, as well as information about other council tax discounts available, visit the Contact website.
|
Have you visited the resources on the Witherslack Group webpage?
They have a range of SEND resources, conferences and webinars available for parents/carers, most of which are free to access.
Areas of interest include: ADHD, ASC, mental health, speech, language and communication and EHCPs.
Upcoming Conferences include:
- Virtual neurodiversity conference empowering neurodiverse children to shine. The conference takes place on 17 July 2023.
|
Caudwell Children are subsidising the cost of their 'Get sensory' packs for eligible families. These packs are available to children who have a confirmed disability or chronic illness, and have been put together by Caudwell's Occupational Therapy and Support Team. The pack has been designed to support children living with a wide range of disabilities who are likely to benefit from sensory resources and aim to offer children a broad range of sensory opportunities, therapeutic benefits and interactive experiences.
Demo videos and guides will be available on their webpage to support families get the most out of using the packs.
Visit the webpage for further information, eligibility and application form.
|
Did you know the new Community Autism Support Service (CASS), building on the familiar existing CASS provision has now launched?
The service offers support for those who may self-identify as autistic, those awaiting an autism assessment and those with an autism diagnosis, all accessible via a single 'front door' approach. This is the first time that an all-age autism support service has been developed, providing community-based support across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Visit the CASS website to read their service announcement and find out more about the new service offer and how to make contact.
|
Are you looking for things to do in Coventry during the Summer Holidays? There are heaps of activities and events on the Coventry Rocks website for you to browse at your leisure.
|
The Holiday Activities and Food programme is back this summer, featuring over 150 activities for children and young people between July and September.
There are some specific activities for young people with SEND listed as well.
If you are not already involved you can find out more, including whether your child is eligible, through the HAF website.
|
Creative Sounds is a free, inclusive music group delivered by Coventry Music and MAC Makes Music. Creative Sounds is an afterschool opportunity open to young musicians of all abilities and with the aim to also help support people with additional needs and disabilities with their musical ambitions.
|
Coventry parenting team have added to their existing offer of parenting courses for families in Coventry by adopting the 'Solihull Approach'.
This approach offers a range of online courses, including one aimed at parents of children with additional needs. They are designed for parents to complete at a time that suits them and can be translated into many different languages.
For details of how to access the courses and/or to find out more about the range of courses available, visit the Solihull Approach website.
|
The City Council is set to recommission its Short Breaks provision for children with disabilities in the city and wants the views of families and carers, to help inform and shape the new services as much as possible. Coventry’s Short Breaks services are available to all children and young people who have a disability and live in Coventry. You can find out more about Short Breaks on their webpage.
The Council is holding two virtual drop ins for parents/carers over ZOOM. These will be held on:
There will also be a face-to-face drop-in session for parents/carers on
24 August from 10am -11.30am at the Council House.
|
Guide Dogs are offering face to face 'My Time To Play' sessions in Coventry. These are sensory play sessions for children aged 0 – 4 with a visual impairment.
Families can register their interest via children@guidedogs.org.ukor by phoning 0800 7811444. There is more information about the sessions on the website.
Details of the Coventry session 'My Time To Play Coventry' are below:
Venue: https://cheylesmorecentre.co.uk/
Poitiers Rd, Coventry CV3 5JX, United Kingdom
Dates: Thursday 27 July- Thursday 7 September
Time: 10am-12noon
|
SENDIASS has partnered up with Coventry SEMH & Learning Team to provide a Dyslexia information and discussion session for parent/carers.
This is a face to face session providing the opportunity for information sharing and discussion around key areas such as assessment, dyslexic thinking, strengths, challenges, working with school and will offer top tips to help support and empower children with dyslexia.
When: Tuesday 11 July 2023, 10am – 12pm
Venue: Coventry Council House, Committee Room 2, Earl Street, Coventry, CV1 5RR
To book your place contact us:
Email: iass@coventry.gov.uk or TEL: 024 7669 4307
|
FREE inclusive Tennis session for children aged 5 - 16 years. All sessions are fully accessible.
Location: Spencer Park, Coventry, CV5 6NP.
To book a place contact 024 7667 2917 or email: deputy@earlsdon.coventry.sch.uk
‘Contact’ is offering 3 FREE Speech and Language Support workshops this August for parent carers of disabled children aged 0-16 who have communication difficulties.
Visit the Contact workshop webpage for more information and to book onto this session, or to see details of what other workshops Contact are offering.
If your chosen workshop is sold out, don't worry: there will be more sessions in September!
|
The Recovery and Wellbeing Academy courses and workshops are completely FREE OF CHARGE and open to anyone over the age of 18 living in Coventry and Warwickshire who wants to better manage or understand their mental health and wellbeing.
Upcoming courses/workshops include:
- Introduction to depression
- Food and Mood
Visit the enrolment page for the full timetable of what's on, and to book your place.
|
Funtopia are coming to Coventry Wednesday 26 July 2023. As well as their general session they are also offering a new 'Autism friendly' session.
This session is designed for children with Autism, SEND and mobility disabilities who may struggle to attend a general Funtopia event. Each session has limited numbers, no music, sensory games and activities! Siblings are also welcome!
For more information visit their Eventbrite page.
The wave will be offering their next 'quiet time' session this Summer aiming to offer a fun-filled, but calm and relaxing environment for children with complex needs and disabilities.
Next session: Saturday 26 August 1-3pm
|
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.
|
Rise is a family of NHS-led services providing emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people in Coventry and Warwickshire.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
'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
|
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.
|
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
|
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
|
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.
|
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;
|
