Welcome
Welcome to the latest edition of the SEND Newsletter. During the past couple months with Covid - 19, some of the developmental work to improve services across the board have been paused. We are working with other services and professionals to ensure families continue to receive the support they need. In this edition of the newsletter you will find many useful links, website and resources for children, young people and families.
We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to children, young people and families for showing resilience and bearing with us and to all the professionals for their continued efforts working to support families during this time.
During the coronavirus pandemic NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group want to ensure parents/carers and their children can still feel supported and can continue to access appropriate Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) health services, these Frequently Asked Question’s act as an aid to the most current updates and information available.
A SEND toolkit has been prepared giving advice to SENCOs in schools about the SEND risk assessments and EHCP conversations. The advice can be found here Leading SEND - What settings need to consider in Summer 2020 and is also on the Schools webpage. The toolkit provides a framework to use for these tasks and will be useful as more children are returning to school, especially if returning part time with an EHCP.
There is also a spreadsheet going to each school to ask for a return confirming that EHCP conversations have occurred and the result of any risk assessment. These will come from the schools daily return mailbox and should be completed by the SENCOs.
Devon Local Maternity System have purchased a multi - user licence for four Solihull Approach online courses. This course is for all parents and parents to be to understand your pregnancy, birth, labour and your baby. Understand your child and teenagers brain. Please click here for a link to the course and the access code is TAMAR.
Babcock have put together a collection of useful links for all ages ranging from education videos to fun arts and crafts. There are also sections of resources for Early Years Foundation Stage, Deaf or Hearing Impaired Children and EAL Learners. Please click here to take you to the Babcock website. |
Autism Spectrum Disorder Resources
Children and Family Health Devon have added some additional resources on their website for children, young people and families. Follow the link here to access their website.
In addition the Children and Family Health Devon now have a Facebook Page, the purpose of the page is to share information and resources related to Autism, for families on the pathway and for those who already have an diagnosis. Videos have been created on specific topics and more will be added over the next few weeks.
Vicky Ford MP Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families has written a letter to all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), their parents / carers and families, and others who support them. You will find the letter on the Devon County Council Covid - 19 website.
The NHS has released the Handiapp which is a free children paediatric app with expert advise for parents. The app has a range of information on common child illnesses and symptoms as well as helpful information and advise relating to Covid-19.
The coronavirus outbreak is having an impact on everybody’s life. Social distancing means that most events are cancelled, schools are closed for some children and young people, and people must work from home when they can. This is hard for everyone, but NAS know that for some autistic people of all ages these things could trigger intense stress and lead to a meltdown or a shut down. Therefore, the National Autistic Society have collected a series of useful resources that autistic people and their families can use during this time of changes.
Also, to help you during lockdown, the NAS have made available some articles from Your Autism – their award-winning magazine. These feature advice about managing anxiety, tips for a good night’s sleep, diagnoses in women and girls, plus more.
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