Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Date: 15/05/23

Bringing you the latest information on Devon SEND

Welcome

In this issue, hints and tips to help with transition, free courses to book, help to define needs and resources to support children and young people's mental health.

Don't forget it's nearly time for our SEND conference on 8th June at Sandy Park, Exeter. If you haven't booked already, be quick as the spaces are filling up fast.

As you know the conference is great opportunity to network, share good practice and listen to keynote speakers. This year we will be welcoming: 

• Gary Aubin (Head of SEND at Future Academies, EEF SEND associate, author of The Lone SENCo) will be one of our keynote speakers this year. He is well known for his work around the inclusion of children with SEND in mainstream schools and his use of evidence-based research (such as the EEF 5 a day principle) to support pupils engage successfully in the classroom.
•  Chris Bonnello (autistic advocate , writer, speaker, trainer and former teacher), who will discuss the art of accommodating young autistic people the way they deserve and he will offer insights into how to help them navigate a system that was largely built without them in mind

Supporting you as a SENDco:

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

SENDCo 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

Book your space at our online workshops to explore the new SEND profile tool that will be available to all schools from the Autumn term. Two dates available: 4th July and 6th July both starting at 15.45. Book your FREE place using the following link:

Update from Communication and Interaction Team

3 new raising awareness videos, that will help support the children and young people in your setting: Celebrating autistic strengths and differences (autismeducationtrust.org.uk) What is Autism? - YouTube New autistic voice (YouTube channel): Director supports new YouTube Channel sharing autistic voice (autismeducationtrust.org.uk)

C & I training courses

Browse the extensive range of C&I courses available to you and your SEND Team using the link below 

Supporting Transition

We know when children and young people move onto the next phase of their education or come to the end of their time in school that these transitions are particularly significant for all involved. The following one minute guides will give you valuable advice to make the process go smoothly.

Supporting transition for pupils with SLCN - pre-school to primary - Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk)

Supporting Transition for Pupils with SLCN - Primary to Secondary - Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk)

Afasic:  ‘Getting Ready for Secondary School course’, which aims to support Year 6 students with SLCN and their families prepare for the transition to Year 7 - Website-content_Transition-Courses.pdf (afasic.org.uk)

The DLD Project have also produced a pupil passport which includes information about DLD - Get to know me template (thedldproject.com)

Update from Sensory and Physical team

Curriculum Framework for Visual Impairment.

You may have noticed on our reports that we are using the CFVI, to set appropriate outcomes for the children and young people that we support.

The CFVI has been developed to support children and young people with vision impairment access an appropriate and equitable education, alongside existing curriculums. The framework presents outcomes within 11 teaching areas.

More information on the CFVI can be found on our website:

Visual impairment - Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk)

A parent guide has recently been launched which you can download here.

There are two free webinars for parents, carers and schools to find out more about the CFVI. Click here to book.

The CFVI also has a free resource hub. Here is an example for younger children to promote listening skills. This will help prepare learners to use speech to access learning (Area 2 Sensory Development).

Games similar to 'I went to market and I bought...' are great to include in a listening skills programme. They're fun, can be varied ('I went on holiday and I put in my suitcase...'; choose items starting with successive letters of the alphabet; choose items that are themed etc.), and they also highlight any memory issues that, if unrecognised, could be confused with auditory skills difficulties. If that weren't enough, they're good games for playing in a peer group to develop social skills.

For more ideas take a look at the CFVI resource hub on RNIB Bookshare

Documents to support transition

This term you will be thinking about transition. We recommend sharing with school staff the sensory and physical checklists from the Plan and Review section of the Graduated response. These can be used to ensure that all universal provision is in place across the whole setting. You can find the checklists using the link below. (EYFS checklist from page 36, KS1 from page 24,KS2 from page 23 and KS3/4 from page 27.)

Supporting Mental Health for CYP with Sensory and Physical needs

Jenny Cracknell, Advisory Teacher for Visual Impairment shares a useful resource to support mental health at the start of Mental Health Awareness Week.

There are many reasons why children and young people with sensory and/or physical needs can experience mental health challenges, but having even basic knowledge – as a school – of some things that you can do to support can make a positive difference. Take a look at this article for more information: Disability and illness : Mentally Healthy Schools

Below is resource that you can download to help encourage positive self-image with children and young people who have vision loss. I often use this sheet in my ATVI role as a session plenary: it has proven to be a useful way for the learner to reflect on our discussions. The sheet is modified to font size 24, Comic Sans bold, with bold outlines.

We recommend:

• Introduction to British Sign Language
• Preparing and Modifying text for learners with VI
• Impact of VI on Mental health and Wellbeing
• Moving and Handling for children with physical difficulties
• Using iPads as an effective learning tool

Update from Education Psychology team

Attachment Based Mentoring

What is ABM?

In simplistic terms, attachment based mentoring is used  to support social emotional and mental health and attainment of children. It has the potential to remove barriers to learning and supports inclusion.

You can read more about it by clicking here.

Two FREE one day courses are running this term, 6th June and 4th July to support your understanding. Click the links below to book your space.

Building relationships that make a difference: Developing Relational Support Plans  (1 day course)

This one-day course explores the theories which underpin our understanding of effective relationships and their role in learning, development and wellbeing as well as developing the skills and practical strategies that underpin the relational and ABM approach. The course is aimed at Senior Leaders, DTs, SENDCos and teachers in school who have responsibility for co-ordinating relational support and who may be facilitating relational support plan meetings.

Dates: 6th June     Venue: Coaver Club, County Hall, Exeter EX2 4QD

Building relationships that make a difference: Developing Relational Support Plans | DES (devoneducationservices.co.uk)

Attachment Based Mentoring for Designated Teachers, SENDCos, and Senior Leaders (1 day)

The course provides a comprehensive overview of the key components of the Attachment Based Mentoring Approach. The course will support participants to co-ordinate and facilitate the mentoring within school as well as developing personal skills. In addition, the course is a comprehensive guide to understanding the needs of CIC and vulnerable children and as such will help to develop practice across the school as well as supporting systemic change. This course is aimed at designated teachers, SENDCos, and senior leaders.

Dates: 4th July    Venue: Coaver Club, County Hall, Exeter, EX2 4QD

Attachment Based Mentoring for Designated Teachers, SENDCo’s and Senior Leaders | DES (devoneducationservices.co.uk)

Look out for the next edition of the SEND Update 5th June!

Further information on Devon SEND

Sign up to this newsletter

Follow Devon Education Services on Twitter Facebook Linked In