Spring 2022 Parent Voice Newsletter

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Parent Voice

March 2022

Welcome to our Spring Parent Voice Newsletter! We are excited to share some exciting updates, helpful information and great opportunities for children and families this season.


    Five Spring Holiday Activity Ideas for SEND Families

    Child enjoying cotton candy at an outdoor event.


    Spring Holiday is just days away, so we’ve gathered some great options for families with children and young people who have who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to enjoy together!

    Whether it’s an all-inclusive cycling session in the sun or an entertaining show for the whole family, we’ve got you covered

    There are also still some spots available for the FREE Holiday Food and Fun activities that are available for families who have children who receive benefit-related free school meals.  

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

     

    Parents, Carers directly feed into new East Sussex SEND Strategy 2022-24 in Engagement Events

    A sign for one of the sessions na at the East Sussex Parent Carer Engagement Session

    In February and March, our team supported the East Sussex Parent Carer Forum (ESPCF) to host virtual and in-person engagement sessions where parents and carers joined us to shape the services that families across the county use.

    The virtual and in-person engagement sessions had different break out groups that explored four key themes:

    1. SEN support & attainment gaps
    2. EHCP processes
    3. Social care including respite
    4. Mental health

    Each session had parents, carers, ESPCF members, and representatives from our teams in the local authority. Our Health Commissioning colleagues also attended.

    It was great to hear the parent carer voice and ensure that it directly feeds into the new East Sussex SEND Strategy which is currently being developed. The SEND Strategy will be published later this year and it follows on from the important conclusions in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) from 2021.

    The engagement sessions were very informative. The sessions also highlighted some common themes for our ISEND Services to improve on, including the importance of the following:

    • Clearer communication
    • Accessible and clearer information about pathways for SEND support and services in schools, educational settings, health services and more
    • More recognition and acknowledgement of parent carer experiences from services and schools, as well as other settings

    We are grateful to the ESPCF for all their work on the sessions and to the parents and carers who attended and shared their experiences and their ideas on how the SEND system can work better for children, young people and families.

    All the themes raised in the sessions will be considered as part of the strategy. We are working with the ESPCF on the follow-up, including various areas that were highlighted to us.

    Make sure to follow our ISEND Facebook page and visit our East Sussex Local Offer Website for more updates, information and resources following the engagement sessions.

     


    New East Sussex Local Offer Website


    An illustration of a woman on a sofa researching information on the new Eats Sussex Local Offer website.


    The new East Sussex Local Offer website, a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Information Hub, was officially launched earlier this year. 

    The Local Offer is how we make parents, carers, children and young people aware of what support is available to them for SEND.

    Throughout 2021, parents, carers and SEND practitioners helped build the Local Offer to refresh the website to make it more comprehensive, clear, modern and inclusive.

    To celebrate the Local Offer launch, our team was joined by Ros Cook from the Amaze SENDIASS Service and Nathan Caine, the Head of ISEND Services, for a live Q&A  event. 

    The Local Offer also includes a new SEND Directory, East Sussex 1Space. The 1Space Directory has various types of contact information and resources for different services and organisations across the county, such as upcoming events and information for each ISEND Service. 

    Its important that the Local Offer continues to grow and develop with the help of feedback from the families who use it.

    Help us get the Local Offer website right by providing feedback in this quick survey or get in touch at localoffer@eastsussex.gov.uk.

     

    Help Us Rebrand the Parent Voice Newsletter

    Help us choose a new name for Parent Voice Newsletter

     

    We want to rebrand our seasonal newsletter for families, parents and carers to be more representative of the information and resources it gives to families from our ISEND Services.

    We want your help choosing the new name for our newsletter, currently known as Parent Voice Newsletter. 

    Please help us choose a new name in this quick and easy 2-minute survey

     

    SEND Resources and Opportunities for Families in East Sussex

    An illustration of a young girl pointing to a book asking for information from a woman.

     

    Throughout the county, there are 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: 

    New Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Website

    A new one stop shop for everything Gypsy, Roma and Traveller, The Stopping Place, was built for pupils, parents and professionals across East Sussex.

    The Teaching Learning Provision (TLP) team from ISEND East Sussex County Council have worked together with national charities, Traveller stakeholders and community members to create the new Gypsy Roma and Traveller (GRT) website.

    Make sure to check out The Stopping Place website.

    Join i-go: The Children and Young People’s Additional Needs Register

    i-go: The Children and Young People’s Additional Needs Register, previously known as Children’s Disability Register, is a register with a list of children and young people in East Sussex who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

    i-go includes a discount card to improve access to leisure activities for families across the county.

    There are many great reasons to join i-go: The Children’s and Young People’s Additional Needs Register, including:

    • Improved and Targeted Services
    • Exclusive Access to over 100 Offers and Discounts
    • Have Your Voice Heard

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

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

    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 neurodiverse 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.