Autumn 2021 Parent Voice Newsletter

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October 2021

Welcome to our Autumn Parent Voice Newsletter! We are excited to share great ideas, information and exciting opportunities for children and families this season.


    Five October Half-term Activity Ideas for SEND Families

    A pumpkin patch full of orange pumpkins while families walk around in the background.


    October half-term is just days away and we have some great options for families with children and young people who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)!

    From enjoying a cosy day at the theatre to frolicking around Halloween themed trails at the farm, we’ve got you covered for various half-term activity ideas for SEND families to have a fun filled day!

    For up-to-date information on activity resources and ideas, follow our East Sussex i-go Facebook page at @eastsussexigo and our @ISENDEastSussex for our ISEND page. 


    Tips, Advice & Resources for Anxiety from the CLASS+ Team

    A video slide from the CLASS+ advice video on managing anxiety around routines and rituals.

     

    The ongoing changes have increased the feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, especially for families who have children or young people with additional needs.

    For this term, the Communication, Learning and Autism Support Service (CLASS+) have worked together to gather helpful information, tips and advice around the theme of anxiety for parents and carers to use at home.

    In this 5-minute video, the CLASS+ team focuses on tips and advice for strategies to manage anxiety around routines and rituals.

    The CLASS+ team will be sharing more advice videos on the theme of anxiety on our Facebook page @CLASSPlusEastSussex, where you can also find more resources.

    There’s also half-term tips-or-treats for children and young people with autism for you and your family to use for the half-term.

    For further advice and support, you can contact the CLASS+ Advice Line on Monday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 01273 336887 or you can call SENDIASS on Mondays to Fridays from 9.30am to 2.30pm on 01273 772289.

     


    Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy 2022-2024


    Children  sat at a long desk in a classroom in red uniforms working on ipads with their teacher while a little girl looks at the camera.

     

    The current Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) strategy runs until the end of 2021, so our teams are currently working to develop and co-produce a new and ambitious ISEND 2022-2024 Strategy.

    The new strategy will be launched early in 2022 and will set out the high-level direction while keeping children, young people and their families at the forefront.

    We are working with East Sussex Parent Carer Forum on how to ensure the parent carer voice is at the heart of the new strategy and a Strategy Steering Group is driving the development of the project. The new strategy will also set out a joint approach to service provision and commissioning across Education, Health and Care in our East Sussex communities.

    We are organising a programme of engagement and co-production activities, which will include families, children and young people.

    We will be sharing more information on the strategy and the co-production activities soon on our social media and other communication channels, so make sure to follow the ISEND Facebook page for updates and information! 

     

    SEND Resources & Opportunities for Families in East Sussex

    A woman on the bed with a cup of coffee and her laptop as a young girl plays with a toy on another side of the bed.

     

    As we settle back into the school year, there has been many new opportunities, resources and information for families with children and young people who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

    Important Updates & Information for SEND Families: 

    Secondary School Applications Deadline

    The application deadline for a secondary school place is fast approaching, so make sure to apply before the deadline on October 31, 2021. If you would like to ask any questions or get help with the application, you can use the online form

    Home to School Transport Applications

    If your child uses Home to School Transport, make sure to reapply alongside any school applications. You will need to use the application form if your child is: 

    • Moving school site (no matter which year group)
    • Moving From Nursery to Primary
    • Moving from Primary to Secondary
    • Moving Secondary to post 16
    • Changing address, timetable or need

    Find out more on the East Sussex County Council website for more information about eligibility and SEND school and college transport.

    Renew or Apply for an i-go Card

    If your child or young person is on the Children's Disability Register, they can apply for an i-go card where you and your family can get offers on activities from more than 90 venues throughout the county. 

    Make sure to find out more on the East Sussex i-go website.

    If you have had an i-go card in the past, you can also reapply for a new one!

     

    Stay up-to-date with the latest news, support and resources:

    As we continue to adjust to the "new" normal, there are various resources, activity ideas and updates for families.

    Make sure to follow our Facebook pages to stay up-to-date with the wealth of resources we have in our SEND community, from surveys to activity ideas for half-term to bespoke events for parents and carers: 
    @ISENDEastSussex
    @igoEastSussex
    @CLASSPlusEastSussex (for families with children with autism)

    You can also follow us on our Twitter page for quick updates and resources for schools and families @ISENDEastSussex!

    Get involved:

    To get involved and share your voice, check out the East Sussex Parent Carer Forum and see the latest updates, information and news from the Forum here!

    You can also follow them on Facebook at @EastSussexParentCarerForum.

    There is also a new Instagram project, known as @Inspireable_es, for young people who are neurodiversity to get involved with and contribute to for a social media community. If your young person or a young person you know would like to get involved with the Instagram project, please contact ISEND.comms@eastsussex.gov.uk.