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In this issue:
It's a busy time here at SENDIASS, as families start to find out about school placements for September for those with EHCPs.
The system, both for primary and secondary places, is extremely busy with a big increase in the number of EHCPs in Coventry over the past few years. Although there has also been an increase in the number of specialist placements in the last few years, it is likely that some young people may miss out on their preferred settings.
The SEND tribunal - the place to go for appealing any decisions around school placements in EHCPs - is also facing huge numbers of cases across the country, so any decisions on taking this route are worth considering as early as possible. Discussing the decision with your EHCP co-ordinator, as well as the school that has been named, is extremely useful to make an informed decision. Although you may not have got a place where you asked for, it is always important to consider what that alternative option looks like, before considering an appeal.
As always, we are here to help families consider their options in an impartial way, so please let us know if you are struggling with the process.
Chris Firth, SENDIASS manager
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.
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The SEND Local Offer is designed to be the place to go to find out what is available in Coventry and its local surrounds. Since it was launched in 2014, families have fed back that it is sometimes difficult to access and contribute to the local offer.
Launching in March will be a new way to access the Local Offer. There will be a new website and app, which will enable families to access information they need quickly, and help to identify provision which may not be readily available.
This is a wider project with the Family Hubs model, which will enable families to use technology to help access support in Coventry for children and young people from pre-birth to 25.
We will update as soon as full launch details are known.
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The popular Children and Young People's Dimensions tool, developed by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, has recently been updated, with the aim to make the Dimensions, descriptors, and ratings more accessible.
This work has been led by Experts by Experience and co-produced with parent/carers, clinicians and young people through listening events and workshops.
Further updates to the adult version will also follow throughout the new year.
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Have you visited the Roots to Branches webpage?
They have information on a range of groups they offer from family sessions to youth groups.
You could also contact them to find out more about their resource library.
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Did you know Coventry's 'Positive Parenting Team' provide a wide range of FREE parenting support for all Coventry families. Support includes, information, courses, apps, and includes some SEND specific support for families with children who have additional needs.
For example their 'Solihull Approach' offer includes a SEND specific session on 'understanding your child's additional needs' as well as a session on supporting emotional health and wellbeing 0-19+ (use code: SPIRES3 to access).
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Check out the Coventry ROCKS website for information on what's happening across Coventry over half term. You can use the filters to select if you want to see the FREE or PAID for activities.
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In partnership with Coventry's Parent Carer Forum (PCF) entrust are hosting a range of exclusive online workshops for parents and carers. See below for details of the latest session:
What: 'Children with Additional Needs: Understanding, soothing, supporting'
This ONLINE workshop is led by an experienced speech and language therapist. This workshop is aimed at providing you with valuable insights and practical strategies to help you connect with your child in a way that fosters their emotional regulation and supports development.
When: Tuesday 27 February 2024, 10am-12noon
Contact: Lynne Barton : lynnebarton@entrustcarepartnership.org.uk Tel : 07712 326273
For information on this or other workshops and events, visit the Coventry PCF webpage.
Parent Carer Forum's work with local councils and health to improve services for families, children and young people with additional needs. If you are interested in having your say about local SEND issues why not join the Coventry PCF.
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SENDIASS offer a range of SEND related sessions throughout the year both independently and in partnership with other agencies. You can find out more information about the upcoming SENDIASS events below, or future sessions, via the SENDIASS website.
To hear about our sessions and events first hand contact us via iass@coventry.gov.uk and ask to join our mailing list!
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Coffee Morning - 27/02/2024 (9.30am-11.30am)
New Venue: The Wave, Coffee Tots Community Room, New Union St, Coventry, CV1 2PS
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SENDIASS Drop-In Session - 13/03/2024 (10am-12pm)
Venue: Mosaic Family Hub, Jardine Crescent, Tile Hill, Coventry, CV4 9PL
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The Autism Cafe sessions this term at St George's Church will be held on the following dates:
Cost: £5 per family (siblings welcome)
Time: 2pm - 4.30pm
Venue: 116-118 Barkers Butts Lane, Coventry, United Kingdom, CV6 1EA
For more information please contact: Sue Moazzenkivi: susankivi@yahoo.co.uk
Did you know Coventry Wave offer ‘Quiet Time’ sessions ideal for families and individuals who have complex needs and disabilities.
These sessions offer a calm and relaxing environment with no music, sensory toys in the lazy river as well as accessible changing facilities. All slides are available for these sessions.
According to the website their latest quiet time session has sold out, but you can find out more information about these sessions and future sessions via their website so you don't miss out on future dates.
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Contact have a 'Helpful Guide' available to parents and carers to help them navigate disability services and the complex SEND system.
The 100-page book has advice and information about accessing support for your family in the UK - from your disabled child’s early years through to their adulthood transition.
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CASS are offering a range of FREE workshops for parents and carers including their 'CASP' toolboxes which provide short, 1hr topic-based online sessions for parents, carers and family members of autistic, or undiagnosed autistic, children in Coventry and Warwickshire.
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Contact are running FREE online workshops for parent carers in the Midlands with young disabled children (aged 0-5).
The sessions will cover advice on financial support options for your family, handling meetings with your child’s professionals, and managing issues with your child’s sleep.
20 February 2024 - 'Money Matters' - Helping you to make sense of benefits, grants & money
27 February 2024 -'How to handle meetings' - Develop your skills preparing for and communicating in meetings
5 March 2024 - 'Managing your child’s sleep' - explore some of the issues around sleep and look at ways of supporting your child, raising awareness of the importance of sleep and the effect on the whole family.
Find out more/book your place.
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The 'Short Breaks' Booking Hotline for Spring Half Term Activities will be open from Monday 4 March 2024 until Friday 8 March 2024 from 9.00am until 4.00pm. Please be aware bookings outside of the dates and times stated will be placed on the waiting list.
Please call 024 7697 5464 to book. Bookings can also be made online at www.coventry.gov.uk/bookashortbreak during this period.
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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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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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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 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 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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