I am delighted to announce that I have commenced my role as Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO) for SEND in Herefordshire. I wanted to introduce myself, update you briefly about the role, and welcome you all to get in touch with any questions or queries.

I’m Jessica Davies, I am a qualified social worker and have worked for Herefordshire Council since 2016, with the majority of my experience in working with children with complex additional needs and disabilities and their families.

The role of the DSCO in Herefordshire will be alongside my role as Service Manager for the Children with Disabilities (CWD) service, but will span across all teams in children’s social care.

The DSCO role is a leadership role and will focus on operational outcomes, such as improving links between social care and the SEND system and embedding social care's essential place in this system for children and families. It will also focus on strategic functions, such as how we commission care and short break services for disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs (SEN).

Whilst we fully establish the role in Herefordshire, I wanted to let you know that I am here! This includes to assist where you have children or young people with SEND, to work with you to think about how we best ensure their needs are met, support in improving the social care contributions to a child’s Education, Health and Care Plan and assist generally in making sure that we all have a clear awareness and understanding of our children’s needs and / or disabilities.

I am really looking forward to working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for all of the children we work with.

Jess

Jessica.davies@herefordshire.gov.uk | 01432 261946

My name is Tracey Duffy and I have just started as the Participation Officer for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) for Herefordshire.

My role is primarily to develop, increase and establish children and young people with SEND's active participation in decision making that affects them. Currently we have a number of schools and organisations where children and young people with SEND form part of a network, named by the children and young people ‘Herefordshire Helpers’. By taking part in the network children and young people with SEND can have their voices heard. This is open to all children and young people with SEND.

As a Local Authority we want to understand any issues that children and young people face, in relation to any aspects of their lives and experiences and to promote better outcomes for our children and young people with SEND, through a ‘you said, we did’ approach, with the children and young people at the heart of this.

Initially, I will be looking into targeted work that has been identified previously, for example social opportunities, housing, the ‘voice of the child’ in EHCPs and buddying services. Not all projects will be suitable for every setting, however I am passionate about including children and young people of all ages and localities to enable us to build a child centred approach to living in Herefordshire and I would welcome you to be part of this.

To register your interest and for further details, please contact me by email: Tracey.Duffy@herefordshire.gov.uk and I will be happy to visit your setting and meet with your children and young people.  

The Early Years SEND Teams have been working closely with a range of health services to support early years professionals to deliver inclusive provision. The Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) project has had excellent feedback with 76% of early years settings now having an active ‘Communication Champion’.

Collaboration with SaLT has also led to new ‘drop in’ system for pre-school children which has removed the need for early years settings and professionals to make referrals. This allows children and families to access support much earlier. Currently, 67% of those attending went on to have an immediate referral and 33% needed only advice and reassurance. This is now being implemented as the main referral route for support from early years SaLT for pre-school age children only.

For those pre-school age children awaiting an appointment with the community paediatrician, the Early Years SEND Team and the Child Development Centre (CDC) have developed a monthly ‘While You Wait’ group for children on the Neurodevelopmental assessment waiting list. This is a stay and play session where many services attend and support families before their first appointment. 92% of families attending the While You Wait sessions report that they found a service to give them immediate advice to help their child.

Find out more about the support available in the early years on the Local Offer.

During the national Coproduction Week (1-5 July), a prominent display at the Plough Lane offices celebrated and promoted the importance and benefits of coproduction. The promotion was planned and organised by the multi-agency SEND Coproduction Work group, including head teacher and SENCo representatives.

Our parent carer forum and SEND officers co-ordinated the activities around the display during the week including a staff photo-shoot demonstrating our shared commitment to this way of working.

Over 40 pledges were received to support further action on Coproduction and senior leaders from the council and health services signed our Altogether Charter, describing the commitments and key features of working coproductively. The display featured good practice examples from Healthwatch Herefordshire, children’s social care and community well-being to name but a few.

Find out more about how we work together on our Coproduction page of the SEND Local Offer.

Herefordshire has been selected to take part in the SEND and AP Change Programme as part of the West Midlands Region. The SEND and Alternative Provision (SENDAP) Change Programme is a national programme designed to test a number of policy changes to systems and processes for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those accessing Alternative Provision (AP).

Telford and Wrekin have been selected as the lead local authority for the West Midlands Region, working alongside Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire. Together, the West Midlands Region will work with the Department for Education (DfE) to pilot the SEND and AP Change Programme, sharing practice and learning from the other 8 regional areas nationally.

The Change Programme is advancing plans to enhance SEND and Alternative Provision in Herefordshire. Please click here for updates relating to the testing that has been happening recently in our local area.

The Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools  (PINS) programme has now launched in Herefordshire, with 39 schools signed up to participate! The PINS programme will:

• Help shape SEND provision
• Provide early intervention at a school level
• Upskill school staff
• Strengthen partnerships between schools and parent carers

Parent Carer Voice (PCV) are looking for volunteers who are parent carers with an interest in being involved in shaping what schools offer to support neurodiverse children in mainstream settings. Volunteers will help organise meetings with parent carers and the SENCO in their school and share ideas of what will help children with SEND in a mainstream setting.

Please get in touch with PCV Herefordshire through their website or email admin@pcvherefordshire.com to find out more and register your interest in being part of the PINS programme.

Parent Carer Voice are inviting you to review and feedback on the new 'Children's Autism and ADHD Diagnosis Pathway' currently being developed for Herefordshire.

Anna Swift, Lead for Neurodivergent Children & Young
People from NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire will be
online to explain the current challenges, outline the consultation work undertaken to date and will walk parent carers through the proposed joint diagnosis pathway.

PCVH members are invited to sign up to the Teams meeting as the event is being held online on Thursday 7th November 2024, 7pm till 8.30pm. 

To book a slot please scan the QR code or click here to register your interest.

Did you know that there is a wide range of free SEND support and advice that parents and carers of a child with special educational needs and/or a disability can access for free?

SENDIASS is a local independent service offering confidential and legally-based information and advice including support around the Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process. They also offer free training and information sessions for parents. To find out more visit: www.hwsendiass.co.uk

Parent Carer Voice Herefordshire (PCVH) is a local group of parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Their aim is to ensure that the voices of parents and carers are heard and are used to help shape the delivery of services for children with SEND. More information can be found on their website www.pcvh.co.uk

IPSEA is a national charity who run a free helpline and have a range of legal guides and factsheets available for parent and carers. For details visit their website www.ipsea.org.uk

For information about local support and services for children and young people with SEND, visit the Herefordshire Local Offer webpage www.herefordshire.gov.uk/localoffer

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WyePlay are delighted to announce that they have been awarded funding from BBC Children in Need to provide specific stay-and-play sessions for families with children who have additional learning needs (SEND). The new sessions started in September 2024.

These new stay-and-play sessions provide a relaxed and supportive environment for parents and carers to bring their babies and pre-school age children who require additional support or have specific learning needs. Children who struggle with communication and social situations are welcome to attend these sessions with their parent or carer – no diagnosis is required.

The 90 minute sessions take place at Tudorville and District Community Centre on Mondays and Walford Village Hall on Fridays during term time. Sessions costs £3 per adult and £2.50 per child. Book here: www.bookwhen.com/wyeplay

Both venues have on-site parking, are accessible and have toilets and baby changing facilities and kitchen areas on site.

Sunday 15 December, 10.30am – 3pm*
*Half day option, 10.30am – 1pm
(Ages 8 to 15)

Join The Courtyard for a festive Christmas party workshop! Start your day with a delightful performance of Elves and the Shoemaker, followed by an afternoon of Christmas games. The Courtyard's practitioners and staff are experienced in working with young people who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring a joyful and inclusive experience for everyone.

To book a place, please contact Rebecca Cook by email: rebecca.cook@courtyard.org.uk or call 01432 346511.

Since opening in the Autumn term 2023, Widemarsh Explorers has supported 13 families of children with additional needs. The staff have worked tirelessly to build strong and supportive relationships with the families to give our children the best possible start to their educational journey.

Widemarsh Explorers is a warm, nurturing and caring setting that treats all the children with respect and dignity. They have a fantastic team of staff who all bring a wealth of experience and expertise in both SEND and Early Years. They celebrate every step of progress that the children make no matter how small. The children are at the heart of everything that Widemarsh Explorers do and they understand the importance of working closely with the whole family to make the setting a success.

Despite the challenges of a new start up, the dedication of the staff at Widemarsh Explorers and the support from leadership at Hampton Dene School has meant that the setting has gone from strength to strength during its first year. As well as improving the physical environment of the base, due to its location, the children have been lucky enough to go on several trips within the local area including to the park, cafes, the May Fair, shops and the train station.

At the end of their first academic year, Widemarsh Explorers showcased the year with a stay and play with parents and celebrated the success of the children. They felt very proud of the achievements of the children and were confident that they were ready to move on into school. In September there have been many new families joining Widemarsh Explorers. It is a progressive assessment base and staff have worked with the Herefordshire Council to adapt the setting and the offer to best meet the needs of the children starting in September.

Widemarsh Explorers is an asset to the SEND Local Offer in Herefordshire for children in the Early Years. Take a virtual tour of Widemarsh Explorers by watching their introductory video.

Does your child get extra help at nursery, school or college as they find it hard to learn or do things for themselves at home? If yes, they may be able to get extra health support from your GP Practice, including an Annual Health Check from the age of 14 onwards.

NHS England have created a new leaflet that helps you think about whether your child or someone you care for could be considered to have a learning disability and should be on your local GP practice’s Learning Disability Register to help them get the help they need.

Download the new leaflet below to find out more.

We’re excited to share that Lumi Nova is available to families in Herefordshire & Worcestershire in partnership with Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB. 

Lumi Nova supports children and young people to build confidence and learn lifelong skills to manage their worries through an intergalactic adventure game! The offer is instantly accessible to families by visiting luminova.app/handw

Lumi Nova is: 

• Designed for children aged 7-12 years 
• Suitable for mild to moderate anxiety
• Provides Exposure Therapy & Psychoeducation (CBT)
• Safe & Secure
• Recommended by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

Watch this short animated video to learn more:Lumi Nova Introduction Video