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Latest Issue: January 2025
Improving the lives of children with special educational needs and disabilities in the Dudley borough.
Keeping stakeholders, parents and carers informed about Dudley’s
SEND Improvement Programme.
Sal Thirlway, Service Director of Education, SEND & Family Solutions
Welcome to our first stakeholder SEND Bulletin of the year. I hope you had a fun-filled holiday at the end of last year.
There are a number of updates in this month's edition which includes details of the Care Quality and Ofsted Area SEND Inspection this month, and online survey for parents, carers, young people and practitioners. Please find details in the January SEND special edition below.
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Dudley Parent Carer Forum update:
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are visiting your area to inspect the local arrangements for children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).
The inspectors want to know about the help and support that children and young people with SEND get. You can tell us by filling in a survey below. What you tell us will be treated in confidence.
The surveys closes at 9am on Tuesday 14 January 2025.
Parent or carer of a child or young person with SEND could please complete this survey. If you have more than one child with SEND you can use the same link to complete a separate survey for each child.
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Coffee Morning with Dudley Parent Forum
Parents carers of children and young people with additional needs and disabilities living in the Dudley area can come have a drink and chat at the next Coffee Morning session.
Date: 6 February. 9:30am - 11:15am
Venue is Brockmoor Community Centre, Pensnett Brierley Hil DY5 3YH
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Capturing Young People’s voices – Youth Voice Forum
Ensuring that we engage with, capture and respond to the voice of our children and young people with SEND is an essential part of Dudley's SEND Improvement programme. Work is currently underway to 'map and gap' the current opportunities that are in place to work with children and young people and where further development is needed.
The Dudley SEND Local Offer is in the process of being redesigned and updated and this will provide a sound platform for this group to share their views, preferences, and experiences. In addition, we are also working with young people around the area of transition, with our Participation Officer visiting local schools and colleges to capture feedback.
To this end we have set up a Youth Voice Forum where young people with SEND can share their views .
Our first session is on Saturday 1 February, 2:30pm – 5:00pm at the Orchard Centre29 – 31 Lye Bye-Pass, Stourbridge , DY9 8HA and everyone is welcome.
To book your place or for more information please email lori.arthurs@dudley.gov.uk
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Support for carers and young carers
Are you a carer looking after a family member, or friend? There's lot of information, advice and practical support available for carers, from Dudley Carers Hub
Young carers aged under 18 and who live in Dudley can also find specialist support to help them learn their roles and responsibility in caring for their loved ones.
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New bases given 'thumbs up' by parent carers
Dudley Council’s project to extend school provision for children with SEND has received high praise from parent carers, who have seen significant improvements in their children’s lives. The initiative, which established new specialist bases at four primary schools across the borough, was designed to keep children with EHCPs (Education Health and Care Plans) within their mainstream schools.
Mid last year, each of the schools received up to £150,000 to create enhanced environments tailored to meet the needs of SEND pupils. Parent carers have celebrated the positive impact, highlighting the difference these spaces have made in fostering inclusion, confidence, and development for their children.
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Book free space in new sensory room at Coseley Family Hub
Parents and carers in Dudley can book time in the recently installed sensory room at the family hub in Coseley. This free space is available for 30 minutes to an hour, offering children of all ages the chance to enjoy sensory activities with their parents or carers.
The room is open for booking from 9:30 am to 3:45 pm, Monday to Friday. Sessions are self-led, but staff are available to provide support or answer questions. To book, call the hub at 01384 813096.
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Dudley SENDIASS is an impartial information advice & support service for parents/carers of children with SEND and young people with SEND aged 0-25 years.
Dudley SENDIASS offer termly workshops for parents/carers and young people on information and processes relating to SEND.
As part of the service offer SENDIASS can also provide information on SEND relating to health and social care.
All contact details and workshop dates are on Dudley SENDIASS website
Event calendar Spring Term
Spring Term 2025
Understanding how to access SEN support within settings
- Thursday 23rd January 2025 & Friday 21st March 2025
Understanding the EHCP request process
- Friday 31st January 2025 & Monday 31st March 2025
How to check a draft plan
- Monday 10th February 2025
Preparing and process for annual review
Preparation for key transitions
All of our workshops are from 10am - 11.30am and delivered via MS Teams
To book a place on the workshops email dudley.sendiass@dudley.gov.uk
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Please note that the service is no longer based at Saltwells EDC. Enquiries and meetings are now handled remotely via email, telephone or Teams. Contact details for the service can be found on the website (link above).
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Accessible Activities at DBLeisure
Programmes and classes at our borough leisure centres are designed to be all-inclusive, encouraging everyone to access as many sessions as possible. Our centres offer quiet and disability sessions for children and adults. Accessible facilities are also available throughout each of the leisure centres. Find out more at: https://www.dbleisure.co.uk/accessible-activities
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SEN Soft play sessions
Dudley leisure centres offer soft play sessions for children with SEN:
At Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre, there is a SEN soft play session every Wednesday from 5.00pm - 6.00pm
At Halesowen, there is a SEN soft play session every Monday from 4.30pm - 6.00pm.
Both sessions are suitable for children under 11 years of age with disabilities, special educational needs, ASD and their siblings.
More information https://www.dbleisure.co.uk/soft-play
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Soft play at Brierley Hill BabyBank
The Brierley Hill BabyBank offers a fantastic soft play area in Dudley where children can safely explore, build confidence, and develop essential motor skills like crawling, climbing, and jumping.
The space also features adaptable sensory equipment, including weighted blankets, stress balls, sensory panels and fidget toys, designed to support children’s well-being by promoting self-regulation and reducing anxiety.
Parents and carers can also use the space to practice mindfulness, learn calming techniques, and find moments of relief from daily stresses.
For more information on available schedules for the new year, visit Brierley Hill Babybank
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Live4Less course
When money is tight, every little bit helps. The Live for Less course offers practical tips and advice on managing your money effectively, including:
- Budget-saving ideas
- Reducing utility bills
- Eating healthily on a budget
These free, 2.5-hour sessions are held monthly at local venues across the borough, providing a welcoming space to learn and share ideas.
For more information, call 01384 818143 or email acl@dudley.gov.uk. Let’s work together to make life a little easier.
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Make 2025 the Year You Make a Difference: Foster with Dudley Council
As we step into 2025, many of us reflect on ways to make a positive difference. If you’ve ever thought about fostering, this year could be the perfect time to take that first step. By fostering with Dudley Council, you can provide a safe, loving home for children who need it most and help them build a brighter future.
Why Foster with Dudley Council?
Dudley Council offers a supportive fostering community with various opportunities, including short-term, long-term, and emergency care. Whether you're a single person, a couple, or a family, Dudley is looking for people from all walks of life to become foster carers. You’ll receive ongoing training, guidance, and a strong support network to help you succeed in your fostering journey.
What’s Involved in Fostering?
Fostering with Dudley Council requires patience, empathy, and a genuine desire to make a difference. It's about providing stability, security, and emotional support for children who have faced difficult circumstances. You don’t need to be perfect—just willing to open your heart and home to a child in need.
How to Start?
If you’re ready to make fostering part of your New Year’s resolution, the first step is to get in touch with Dudley Council’s fostering team. They’ll guide you through the process and answer any questions you have.
To find out more or to begin your fostering journey with Dudley Council, contact the team today:
Make 2025 the year you change a child’s life by fostering with Dudley Council. Together, we can give children the care, stability, and love they need to thrive.
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More information:
Visit the Local Offer website to learn more about the services available in the borough.
Useful contacts:
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