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Info For You - All In One Place |
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Last week, we refreshed the Local Offer Coronavirus Advice & Information. This is the place to go to for information on education, Government updates, emotional support, benefits and money, stuff to do – and so much more! It’s all there, in easy lists. If there is anything you would like us to include, do get in touch.
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Accessible COVID-19 Videos
The NW Training and Development Team now have 45 videos in their You Tube library that explain coronavirus restrictions and support for people in a simpler way. The team shares an update most days to make sure that people have accessible, accurate and up to date information about COVID-19.
Face masks & coverings
In line with Government advice, Transport for Greater Manchester now expects everyone to wear a face covering when travelling on public transport, unless they are exempt. You have to provide the covering but it can be a simple scarf or bandana. Exemptions include children under the age of 11 and anyone with a disability or condition which means they are unable to wear one.
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You might find these face covering exemption cards helpful – there is a general one and another for children and parents. There is also this easy-read advice around wearing face masks.
What You Can & Can’t Do
The Government has updated the guidance on what you can and can’t do around outdoor activity, transport and work spaces. See here.
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SEND Tribunal – Pilot Extension
In April 2018, the Department for Education began a national trial to extend the powers of the SEND Tribunal to hear appeals and make non-binding decisions about health and social care aspects of Education, Health and Care plans. The trial was due to end on 31 August 2020 but has been extended to 31 August 2021 due to the coronavirus crisis. A toolkit with new resources is available here.
Supporting Transition
Digital Stories – How To Make Your Own
Digital Stories are short videos showing who the child is, including their strengths and preferences, rather than focusing on their difficulties and challenges. They can help professionals and schools learn about children before they transition in September and also be used to support assessments for EHCPs. The Autism Community Research Network at Southampton [ACoRNS] have created some short videos and resources about this creative way of telling the individual story.
The Big Transitions for Autistic and SEND Pupils After Lockdown
This online course offers practical help, advice and resources to help prepare your autistic and SEND children for the big transitions as lockdown begins to ease. It’s free for a limited period and aimed at parents, teaching staff and senior leaders.
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AbilityNet IT Support
AbilityNet’s digital accessibility services are still available at this time. Volunteers provide free IT support to people with disabilities of any age. They also have lots of other free resources and information. Helpline 0800 269 545 (freephone and minicom) during UK office hours or send an email to enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk.
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BBC Bitesize
We haven’t shared this before - it slipped through the net! The BBC have a SEND parents’ toolkit, including videos and information on mindfulness, helping to keep children calm, music activities and home-schooling.
CarerLinks – Crossroads Together
CarerLinks offers a range of services to help unpaid carers improve their health and wellbeing, including one to one support, advice, advocacy, and signposting. They can also offer support with applications, like carers allowance and blue badges. You need to be referred to the service by a worker - you’ll find a leaflet and referral form to the left of this information on the Local Offer.
NW SEND Regional Network Newsletter
The June newsletter is now out with lots of information for parent carers and professionals.
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School Uniform Programme
Last week, Wood Street Mission opened their free SmartStart school uniform programme. It’s for families with children aged 4-16, living in Manchester and Salford and finding it hard to provide the basics on a regular basis. It’s on a first come, first served basis until the funding has gone. See the website for more information and how you can be referred by a worker.
Welcome Back Manchester
As lockdown eases and more people go into the city centre, it’s important to share the latest health advice and reassure people. Support is available on the road to recovery. Visit www.welcomebackmanchester.com and get a #MCRHUG.
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Wouldn’t Change a Thing
If you are part of a UK Down Syndrome support group, health visiting team or maternity unit, you can get free copies of Wouldn’t Change a Thing’s new book. It’s designed to support new and expectant parents and maternity units in the UK by sharing stories of positive, lived experience. Get in touch at wcatbook@gmail.com. Here’s a slideshow of the book on You Tube.
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Manchester Libraries Resources |
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Don’t forget, library staff are filming a sensory story every month for younger children. Visit Manchester Libraries’ YouTube channel to view them and their other great stories and crafts. There's also the weekly bulletin for children and families – sign up here.
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Gaming & Virtual Activities |
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Spectrum Gaming
Spectrum Gaming is a friendly and accepting community for autistic young people aged 13 and above who have a shared passion for gaming. They can make friends, play games together and have fun. The group was set up by autistic advocates in Greater Manchester who oversee the community but all decisions are made by the young people. They run daily events and competitions and have a variety of safe ways for young people to chat with each other and develop positive relationships. They can also support individuals to set up their own games or YouTube channel. Find out more on their website.
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Minecraft
The National Association of Therapeutic Parenting has recently launched a server for young people on Minecraft Java Edition. It’s for anyone under the age of 18 (the typical age range is 9-14) and is for all SEND young people to access. They’ve added trauma-friendly extras to the game such as:
- The children can build a safe space that no one can enter or destroy
- If the child trashes their world during a meltdown, the moderators can restore the world
- Moderators have been trained to help children cool down
If you would like more information, email thehideout.minecraft@gmail.com.
The Therapeutic Forest
The Therapeutic Forest runs free alternate sessions of foraging treasure hunts, virtual forest school and outdoor yoga every Saturday for SEND young people aged 8-18. Spaces are limited - sign up here.
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Tell Us Your Stories
We’d like to share some of your stories in this newsletter - short pieces about how you’ve been getting on at this time. It’d be great to see some of your photos too. We’ll let you see what we’re using and you can change your mind at any time before publishing. Email Ali at a.davenport1@manchester.gov.uk.
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#LeftInLockdown
In May, the Disabled Children’s Partnership reached out to over 4,000 families of disabled children to ask how their lives had been affected by lockdown. People said they felt locked out and abandoned and were fearful for their own physical and mental health. Read the full report here. The Partnership would like to hear about your experiences of lockdown. Share your story on social media using the #LeftInLockdown hashtag or by emailing:
disabledchildrens.partnership@mencap.org.uk.
Henshaws COVID-19 Report
Henshaws surveyed over 900 people living in Greater Manchester about the impact of COVID-19 on blind and partially sighted people. Here’s the report.
Stories From Manchester’s BAME Communities
Are you from a black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) community in Greater Manchester? The Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre & Education Trust would like to hear about your experiences of the pandemic. This can be in the form of videos, photos, screenshots, newspaper articles, blogs, creative projects, journals and diaries – anything you think tells the story of you and your community at this time. Find out more here.
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The latest e-bulletin from the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN) features their new report on the impact of COVID-19 on Caribbean and African communities in Greater Manchester.
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