Welcome
Welcome to the March edition of the SEND Improvement Board newsletter. In this you will find a newsletter article from a student in Bidwell Brook School on his thoughts of lockdown. Alongside this, there is some information on the SEND Transformation Project STARS. Below are items regarding Annual Health checks and a Speech, Language and Communication update.
Easter is soon approaching, we hope you all have a lovely break.
Did you know your young person or a young person you care for needs to be listed on their GPs learning disability register to ensure they are invited for their annual health check? They or you can do this simply by asking your GP practice to add their name to the register.
An annual health check helps you stay well by talking about your health and finding any problems early, so they get the right care.
If your young person or a young person you care for has not yet been invited to their annual health check, please do contact your GP practice to book this appointment. For more information please click here.
Are you a parent/carer of a child/young person with a learning disability aged between 14-20? If so, we want to hear from you.
The NHS in Devon, together with the Parent Carer Forum Devon, Torbay and Plymouth are committed to increase the uptake of Annual Health Checks (AHC) for people with a learning disability, particularly in children and young people over the age of 14.
Please access the survey here, we ask for your support by inviting you to complete this short survey before 30th April 2021.
For more information on the surveys please click here. If you have any questions, please do contact us here.
Since August 2019, DiAS and the Parent Carer Forum Devon (PCFD) have been working in co-production to build a network of volunteer ambassadors for parents and carers of children with SEND. The Ambassador Volunteer (AV) project aims to connect parents within their own communities and more widely into a support network across Devon. AV’s are based in their own communities across the county functioning as a link in their area to the wider Devon network ensuring parents are informed and know how to access advice and support.
Please click here for more information on the project and what it includes ad feedback received.
Getting involved: If you would like to know more about connecting with the Ambassador Volunteer network or how you can train to be an Ambassador Volunteer please click here.
To book on the next Demystifying SEND session: Next session Tuesday 27th April 2021 10.30-12.30 (virtual online using Microsoft TEAMS) please click here.
EHC Review- Myth busting. Following on from the successful Demystifying SEND sessions we have been listening to parent carers and are working on our next new sessions in partnership with PCFD. The next free parent information sessions on EHC reviews will be delivered in May so look out for the news that booking is open.
 We are pleased to share that Devon County Council has won Petroc College’s Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Supported Apprenticeship Champion Award.
We currently have four SEND supported apprentices working across our service areas and completing a Business and Administration apprenticeship with Petroc College, after successfully completing their supported internships. Click here for more information on this fantastic award. |
A student at Bidwell Brook school has published a fantastic article about his thoughts on the previous lockdowns. Please click here to read it.
SEND Transformation Staff Reference Group-Seeking STARS to guide the future
Could you be a SEND Transformation Advocate Representative (STAR)?
The SEND Transformation project team is looking for staff who work in services for children and young people aged 0-25 years with SEND to help shape the future of SEND services in Devon.
The project looks to change the way we work into a more integrated service to deliver the best possible outcomes for children and young people with SEND, and their families.
As part of this, the team has set up a Staff Reference Group that will play a vital role in developing the way the new service will operate. The staff on the group will act as SEND Transformation Advocate Representatives, known as STARS.
If you’re interested and would like to find out more about joining the Staff Reference Group to become a STAR, please email the send improvement programme - mailbox for more information.
If you would then like to become a STAR, please discuss it with your line manager before contacting the mailbox to let the project team know you are interested.
Across the whole of Devon partners are working together to ensure there is an integrated system wide approach to supporting children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. Please find attached an overview of the Improving Access to Communication Services and Support Programme.
This is a free, informal workshop for parents and carers to consider the links between behaviour and speech, language and communication needs. This event will be held virtually on Tuesday 15th June 2021, 10am – 12pm
For more details please see the attached flyer.
Between November 2020 and February 2021, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy (RCSLT) conducted a survey of people’s experiences of accessing speech and language therapy during the first UK-wide lockdown.
The report – Speech and language therapy during and beyond COVID-19: building back better with people who have communication and swallowing needs – tells the stories of the five hundred people who filled out the survey.
While some people were able to access speech and language therapy during lockdown, many more were not. The report details the impact on them and their families and carers of not having speech and language therapy or having less therapy than they had before lockdown. It also sets out what needs to happen to ensure that people with communication and swallowing needs can access the speech and language therapy that they need.
The report (including an easy read version) can be found here.
Tanya Haigh, Babcock LDP SEND Advisor has created a series of How Can I guides for SENDCOs.
The latest guide, attached, provides guidance of how to support testing (for Covid - 19) of pupils and students with SEND.
You can access the other guides here Babcock LDP - SENCO Guides: How Can I?
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