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We hope you are well and looking forward to Summer! We're still optimistic the weather may improve!
In this edition of our newsletter, we have News including our new Local Offer consultation - we hope you will provide us with some feedback on your thoughts on the Local Offer, and what we can do to improve it! This is a resource that we would love to improve for parents and carers, and would love your input on how we can do so. We also have a reminder of our Autism Terminology Consultation outcomes, and the recent Resource Provision proposals that were presented at the Council Executive meeting on 4 June.
In Events and Things to Do this month we have a really exciting opportunity for children and young people with SEND to join the first Cumberland SEND Youth Forum Meeting on 10 July. We hope these youth forums will be an exciting and fun opportunity for children and young people with SEND in the area to have their voices heard, and contribute their views to how services are run. We also have news from SEDNAC of a new Healthy Parent Carers Programme, SEND services run by Family Action in the West and South of the Cumberland area, and the Holiday Activities and GF Programme which is returning for the Summer holidays.
In Resources we have an exciting new podcast from the ADHD Foundation; The Neurodiversity Charity, as well as a range of articles on neurodiversity from the Guardian. There is also resources from the Council for Disabled Children surrounding transitioning from a home environment to an environment such as nursery or pre-school for early years children.
Finally, a reminder if you have any content you wish to share in our newsletter, please contact Steph, our Communications and Engagement Officer. You can get in touch by emailing her at stephanie.campbell@cumbria.gov.uk.
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Our Local Offer Improvement Consultation
We are currently working to improve Cumberland's Local Offer website, and would love your input and feedback!
As a reminder, each Local Authority has a website called a Local Offer. This is a statutory (required by law) resource, made for young people with SEND and for their parents, carers and families.
The Local Offer contains information on what is available in the local area for children and young people with SEND aged 0 - 25. This can include education provision, social care provision, council services, local charities and support groups and more. We also have information and templates on our Local Offer concerning processes such as applying for an Education, Health and Care plan.
The consultation is on Microsoft Forms and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. During the consultation we ask questions about how often you access Cumberland's Local Offer, and what you like and dislike about it. We will also ask you to take a brief look at some other Local Offers in the country provided by different Local Authorities, and ask what you like and dislike about these websites. This is just so we can consider real, concrete examples on what families feel work well and doesn't well on different websites, rather than only asking about what we currently have and working with trial and error.
Please click the button below to complete the consultation; we really appreciate all feedback so we can work towards making our Local Offer the best resource it can be!
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 Autism Terminology Consultation - Implementation of Outcomes
We were really pleased to launch our Autism Terminology public campaign on June 4 2024, following consultation in late 2022. The outcomes of the consultation have been sent to several colleagues and organisations across Cumbria, and have made it into local news!
As a reminder, the outcomes of the consultation were:
1. Use identity-first language
'I am autistic', 'he/she/they are autistic', 'an autistic individual' is the preferred terminology (identity-first language) instead of person-first language 'I have autism', 'she/he/they have autism', 'a person with autism.'
Identity-first language was the preferred response of almost half of all respondents (49%, 227 total respondents). It was also favoured by autistic respondents, with over two thirds (69%, 90 respondents) and similarly, by 66% (103) of neurodivergent respondents.
2. 'ASD' and 'ASC' to only be used in clinical settings
‘Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)’ and ‘Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC)’ are only to be used in clinical settings. The words ‘disorder’ and ‘condition’ carry negative connotations for autistic people. Paperwork such as letters and reports should also be updated to eradicate the terms ASD and ASC. The terms should no longer be used in verbal and written communications from Local Authorities and NHS services in Cumbria or employees.
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will remain as the medical diagnostic term and therefore will still be used when discussing an official diagnosis or within the formal diagnosis letter.
3. The person's preference must come first!
If someone says they prefer terminology and language that’s different from above, let’s respect that! Remember everyone is unique and has their own preferences. Although there is a clear preference amongst respondents for identity-first language to be used when speaking about autism which offers an opportunity for services to adopt consistent terminology, it is evident identity should be put first before any diagnosis, disorder or medical condition.
You can read our joint newsletter with Westmorland and Furness SEND Partnership on the Autism Terminology outcomes here.
You can read the BBC Cumbria article about the Autism Terminology outcomes on their website.
We know that implementing these outcomes into every-day use with services won't happen overnight; while we have been working hard to spread the message, we really appreciate your patience and support.
We will keep families updated with ongoing work related to these outcomes, and how we are measuring the success of the campaign.
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Proposals Published for Additional SEND Provision in Cumberland
On 4 June, Cumberland Council published formal proposals to create 58 additional Resource Provision placements for children and young people with SEND in several schools and academies across the Cumberland area.
Resource Provisions operate within a mainstream school. They are designed to provide specialist and targeted support for children and young people with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP). Children accessing a Resourced Provision will be on the roll of the mainstream school and will be fully supported by specialist staff and the staff of the mainstream school working in partnership.
The proposals would see 26 Resource Provision places being created at Cumberland Council maintained schools across Carlisle, Millom, and Cleator Moor, and an additional 32 places at Academy schools in Carlisle, Maryport, and Whitehaven.
If approved, the proposals would ensure that children and young people’s needs can be met closer to their homes, and that Cumberland is taking action to ensure all children and young people can access education in a supportive setting that meets their individual needs. The proposed new 58 places would support children with a variety of SEND needs, including autism, severe learning difficulties, SEMH (social, emotional, mental health needs), physical and medical needs, and speech, language and communication needs.
The formal proposals will be brought to an Executive meeting in July for a final decision.
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Cumberland SEND Youth Forum (Carlisle)
If you are aged 11 - 24 and identify as having special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), then this is your chance to get your voice heard by Council Officers, and make changes to the way services work for local young people!
You will meet other young people and work as part of a team to speak up for SEND related issues.
The first event will take place on Wednesday 10 July 2024, between 5pm - 7pm at Cumbria House, 117 Botchergate, Carlisle. Events will then take place every second Wednesday of the month. Refreshments will be provided at the event!
There will be an optional waiting space for parents/carers, and tea and coffee available.
The council are hoping to set up similar youth forums in the west of the Cumberland area later this year.
To sign up for the event, or if you have any questions, please contact Chris Barry at Chris.Barry@cumberland.gov.uk, or call 07788 396257.
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 Family Action SEND Support Group and Sensory Room for Hire
A reminder that Family Action Copeland are offering services for SEND families.
This includes a SEND Support Group running ever Wednesday, for children aged 0-6 and their families, parents and carers. The group offers fun activities, sensory play, and a chance for parents and carers to meet and share advice and support.
The group takes place on Wednesdays between 3.30-4.30pm at South Whitehaven Family Centre, CA28 8BN. For more information, contact Bethanie.Curwen@family-action.org.uk.
They also offer Sensory Room hire, designed with a range of stimuli, including lights, colours, sounds and soft play equipment. The rooms are available to hire Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 4.00pm. There is a room at South Whitehaven Family Centre, and Millom Family Centre.
For more information and to book:
South Whitehaven Family Centre: 01946 64600
Millom Family Centre: 01229 777592
SENDAC Healthy Parent Carers Programme
An update below from SENDAC, the statutory parent-carer forum for Cumbria:
As carers week is coming to an end, we are super excited to announce, SENDAC have paid for two of our parent representatives, Lisa and Jilly to become trained and licensed facilitators to deliver the healthy parent programme to parents and carers in Cumbria!
In February 2023 we sent a poll out asking parent carers what free training they would like to receive, the top three were Sensory processing, Makaton and the healthy parent carer programme. We funded two sensory processing sessions and 2 Makaton sessions and now we are so happy we can offer the healthy parent carer programme to parent carers in Cumbria!
This programme aims to improve health and wellbeing of parents carers, in a realistic, accessible and fun way. This programme is also ran by Parent carers themselves, who really do get it!
Lisa and Jilly will be running the programme towards the middle-End of September. The course is made up of 12 modules and this will either be delivered as 2 modules per week for 6 weeks, or 1 module per week for 12 weeks!
It will be delivered in small groups of around 8-10 parent carers online and it is completely free.
Parents will receive a well being pack at the start and a certificate at the end of the course!
If you would like to register your interest please enter your details here! Then we can keep you up to date when we know the exact days/ times the course will be running from, so you can decide if you're still interested!
If you would like to find out more about the programme you can visit the Healthy Parent Carers website, or register your interest using the link below:
Visit the Healthy Parent Carers website 
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Holiday Activities and Food Programme
The Holiday Activities and Food Progamme is back for the Summer Holidays!
The Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme provides free, fun activities during the Easter, summer and winter holidays funded by the Department for Education. The activities are for school-aged children (between 4 and 18).
Children of families supported by benefits-related free school meals and other children in particular circumstances can access up to four days of funded activities during Easter and winter holidays, and sixteen days during the summer holidays.
Some providers are also provided free SEND spaces for children and young people - just check with the provider if this is the case! These spaces may fill up very quickly, so we advise booking as soon as you are able if you'd like your child or young person to have a space.
You can find HAF activities by following the link below. When contacting providers to book spaces, we ask that you please quote either of the following codes (depending on your situation) so funding can be allocated correctly:
HAF 2 if a child is SEND/has an EHCP and receives benefit related free school meals
HAF 4 if a child is SEND/ has an EHCP and does not receive benefit related free school meals
You can contact the HAF team at HAF@Cumberland.gov.uk if you have any questions about eligibility, or the programme.
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 Neurodiversity Natter Podcast
Neurodiversity Natter is a new podcast from the ADHD Foundation: The Neurodiversity Charity.
The podcast is available on YouTube Spotify and Amazon Podcasts, and will often include guest interviews with leaders in the fields of Neurodiversity, Psychology, Education and beyond. In their latest episode, the hosts speak with Michele Gutteridge, an Assistant Professor at Warwick Medical School, who speaks about the importance of teaching medical practitioners about neurodiversity.
You can view the podcast on YouTube below:
Guardian Articles on Neurodiversity
The Guardian newspaper have released a number of articles in the past few weeks about life and neurodiversity, particularly autism and ADHD.
The articles range in topic from why diagnoses of autism and ADHD are soaring, a neurodivergent dating guide, medication for ADHD and if it works, changes and considerations for neurodivergent people in the workplace, and the struggles for neurodivergent pupils accessing education.
Many articles are written by neurodivergent individuals or their families and friends.
To view the catalogue of articles, you can visit the Guardian website below.
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Manage your Own Wellbeing Whilst Navigating your Child's School Avoidance Toolkit
BBC Bitesize have published a toolkit for parents and carers surrounding your own wellbeing while navigating your child's school avoidance.
The toolkit includes information surrounding what Emotionally-Based School Avoidance (EBSA) is, and offers six tips on protecting your own mental health whilst still supporting your child with EBSA.
The toolkit includes the account of a parent currently navigating their child's school avoidance, including practical tips for keeping in contact with their school, and support from mental health charities.
You can access the toolkit on the BBC Bitesize website below:
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 Changing Places in the Early Years - Council for Disabled Children
Changing places in the early years’ is a transition resource to support young children with speech, language and communication needs.
It may be a useful resource for parents and families of children about to start nursery or pre-school, or transitioning from nursery or pre-school to reception.
It includes an example of a communication passport and information on how families, early years practitioners and local authorities can support transition.
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 Dingley's Promise Entry Exit Pathway and toolkit
Dingley's Promise are a charity that support children with SEND in the early years.
They have created a set of tools to support children, families & settings, as children move from a home environment to a different setting (nursery, pre-school etc). The tools include:
- A pathway monitoring tool
- Child progress reference chart
- Family self-assessment survey
- Guidance and information sheets on the benefits of inclusion
- Transition measurement tools.
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SENDAC Sensory Packs!
A huge congratulations and thank you to SENDAC, who have recently launched free sensory packs for children and young people with SEND in Cumbria.
SENDAC told us:
These sensory packs have a different sensory toy/item that targets each of the 8 sensory systems, as well as a sensory tips & tricks card deck- which really are the main feature!
These cards give you lots of free resources to learn about sensory processing, as well as tips and tricks on how to possibly spot sensory hypersensitivity (sensory avoiding) or hyposensitivity (sensory seeking). They also include activities you could try at home and equipment for both avoiders and seekers in each of the 8 sensory system.
The toys / equipment inside will be based on which you would prefer for your child/young person and what sensory differences they have! There are three different types of packs! And all are worth between £15-£17.
These sensory packs will be given out at our own events and ones we attend.
We only have 280 of these packs! If we get enough positive feedback from them, we’re hoping to possibly fund more! So make sure to tag us on Facebook with your sensory packs!
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