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 24th April 2023

Bringing you the latest information on Devon SEND

Welcome to the first SEND Update of the Summer Term

I hope you had a good rest over the Easter Holidays. The summer term is long and full of lots of different activities including exams, trips, residentials, sports day and leavers events, on top of all the usual work. It is made slightly easier by the warmer weather (hopefully) and longer days, but it can feel like there is a lot to get done before the summer holidays.

Have a look at our SENCo tips for the Summer term to help you prioritise key jobs for this term and begin the preparation for September.

SENCo support

Would you like some bespoke support to help develop an area of your SEND practice and provision? For example:

• Understanding and developing the role of the SENCo as a leader of SEND across your setting
• Identification of need and the SEND register
• Embedding a robust graduated response throughout your setting
• Adapting the curriculum to meet needs of SEND learners
• Writing high quality individual school-based learning plans
• Using data to monitor and evaluate the progress of pupils with SEND.

SEND strategic support can be purchased through Devon Education Services. If you think this would be useful for you and your setting, do get in touch and we can devise a specific plan of support.

NEW SEND profile workshops

An introduction to the new SEND profile tool that will be available to all schools from the Autumn term. Come along to this workshop at the end of the Summer term to find out more about the tool and how it will support you in your role in school. Book via the shop

Looking forward to seeing you all at our SEND conference on 8th June at Sandy Park, Exeter. A great opportunity to network, share good practice and listen to keynote speakers.

Free SENCO webinar, 14th June, to help you improve health outcomes for children and young people with SEND

Join virtually to share knowledge, skills and ideas to drive improved health outcomes as a SENCO for people with a learning disability. Click here for more information and how to  book your place.

Devon's SEND Improvement Plan has been published

Devon’s SEND Improvement Plan has now been published and sets out plans to move forwards in the four areas of weakness set out in the inspection findings: Strategy, Communications, Timeliness and quality of EHCPs, Autism identification and assessment. Click below to read:

Communication and Interaction team news

The Education Endowment Foundation have recently launched their Vocabulary in Action guidance. 

Pupils with DLD or language disorder may additionally benefit from the pre-teaching of vocabulary. Pip St John’s evidence-based Pre-Teaching Vocabulary resources are available as free downloads from the NAPLIC website.

Secondary colleagues may additionally be interested in the set of vocabulary intervention lesson plans freely provided by the University of Sheffield. The project overview and lesson plans from this 11 week intervention programme are available here.

The language of Maths

The language of Maths can be the stumbling block for many pupils, including those who are academically able but have DLD or other language difficulties.  These needs can impact on their ability to identify and understand the Maths questions hidden within the language.  The Education Endowment Foundation has recently published a blog to support teachers to create Meaningful Moments for Mathematical Talk within the classroom.    The EEF’s guidance reports Improving Mathematics in Key Stages 2 and 3 and Improving Mathematics in the Early Years and Key Stage 1may also be helpful.   The speech and language therapy team at Hereford and Worcester NHS Trust have made a number of great visuals  available free of charge, and you can find them here.    The Maths team at Devon Education Services organise regular Mathematics Research talks, and the recordings of previous sessions are freely available here.  Session 7 Supporting Reading Comprehension for Maths Word Problems may be of particular interest.

Training opportunities

Lego Therapy 9.5.2023 – 9.30.11.00 -Okehampton Primary 

This training is aimed at school staff across key stages 1 – 4. LEGO therapy was developed to improve social competence in children with autism, however it may also be helpful for children with other social communication difficulties and anxiety conditions, depression or adjustment difficulties.

Preparing for your 2023-24 Reception class from a Communication and Interaction perspective - 13.6.2023 - 15.30-16.45

This FREE briefing will provide primary school SENDCOs and reception class teachers with a range of strategies to support children with identified SLCN, as well as those whose needs may not yet have been formally identified.

Supporting transition from Primary to Secondary for autistic students - Online - 25.4.2023 - 15.30-17.00  This module will focus on the needs of autistic students through the transition journey from primary to secondary settings. 

Autism and girls - 18.5.2023 - 9.30-12.00 – In person event – North Devon  

A workshop designed for school staff to develop their knowledge of and skills in supporting girls with autism, both pre- and post- diagnosis.   All key stages.

Signposting for families

Signpost families to the free programme, Autism and Us, using the link below: 

Sensory and Physical team news

Looking for activities for pupils with physical disabilities? Adventure Therapy exists to improve the emotional and physical wellbeing of children and young people and adults through outdoor and adventure-led activities. They can also fund or loan specialist equipment. For more information click here.

FA Para Football Talent ID Workshop and Talent Day

Upcoming events 2023 England Disability Talent Day Saturday 10th June, 10.30am – 1.30pm. Venue: Manadon Sports Hub, Plymouth Online Booking Form: https://forms.office.com/e/V3Nqt5DZsf  For players aged 7 – 16 years with the following impairments: Cerebral Palsy, Visual Impairments, Deaf FA Para Football Talent ID Workshops – Online and FREE These sessions are designed to give anyone involved in ALL formats of football the opportunity to understand more about the Para Football player pathway, who we are looking to identify & recruit, and how to go about referring talented players. Online booking form - https://forms.office.com/e/XrgwFV3Xu5

Look out for the next edition of your SEND update, 15th May.

If you would like to contribute an article that highlights good SEND practice or would like us to  focus on a particular topic, please contact hannah.chamings@devon.gov.uk or claire.l.hayter@devon.gov.uk

Further information on Devon SEND

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