|
As part of Ofsted’s phased return to routine inspection, Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are carrying out a series of interim visits to local areas from autumn 2020 regarding special educational needs and disabilities arrangements. This guidance sets out the process and range of activities that inspectors will carry out for these visits.
|
Foundation Years COVID-19 Resource Hub – Includes all the latest policy announcements, Government guidance, and free resources relating to early years provision during the COVID-19 outbreak.
|
|
Emotional & Mental Wellbeing
|
|
|
Following a rise in calls to its helpline, the Down’s Syndrome Association has released free multi-media resources for parents, carers, social sector workers, and people who have Down’s syndrome or learning disabilities. They cover subjects like feelings, bullying, stress, relaxation, anger, growing up, bereavement, and changes that can happen within families. The charity has worked with people who have Down’s syndrome to ensure the resources reflect their lived experiences and needs.
|
|
|
Ambitious About Autism has shared some resources around autism and mental health, co-produced with young autistic people: How you can help young autistic people, Know Your Normal editable toolkit, and case studies around eating disorders, sexual assault, and Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
The Hub of Hope is a mental health support network provided by Chasing the Stigma. You can put in your postcode and it brings up local support organisations and groups offering support and help.
The Help Hub is a group of over 800 qualified therapists and counsellors offering their time to listen and support people during the pandemic. If you would like a free 20 minute chat on Skype, FaceTime or on the telephone, you can book a session through their website.
|
Barnardos has launched a new COVID-19 helpline for Black and Asian families. It’s called Boloh, which means speak in many languages. The charity is encouraging Black and Asian children, young people and families affected by Covid-19 to speak to them about their worries, problems and stresses during this time. The helpline is open between Monday and Friday, 1pm to 8pm - 0800 1512605 – and staff can talk in English, Urdu or Hindi. There is also a webchat facility.
Health For Teens is a brand new website about health, relationships, feelings, lifestyle and growing up, plus information on services in your area.
ChatHealth is an anonymous text messaging service for young people aged between 11 to 16 for help and support with their health needs. Trained school nurses can give advice and support on all kinds of health issues, such as sexual health, emotional health and wellbeing, bullying, healthy eating and any general health concerns. Text 07507 330205, Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm, including school holidays.
|
|
|
Disabled Living have sensory rooms at Redbank House, north of the city centre. The rooms have a calming and interactive atmosphere with fibre-optic strands across the floor, twinkling lights, bubble tubes, water beds and much more. Each 1 hr session costs £10 per participant, with no charge to parents and support workers.
|
The RNIB have new programme of online events for children, young people and their families, including Spooky Sensory Storytime and Creepy Critters - with slimy, smelly and hairy friends from the animal world!
For half term activities in the city, including a Halloween Trail in Manchester’s parks, see All Sorts to Do.
The team behind the award-winning Bee in the City event have brought a new art trail to the city. 50 Windows of Creativity transforms Manchester into an innovative art gallery, taking you on a colourful inspiring and safe journey around the city centre - until 5th December.
|
|
Our Boards Workshop with free board – this Thursday! I AM (Formerly the Autistic Society of Greater Manchester) invites parents to take part in two free workshops with Our Boards CIC - Thursday 29th October and Thursday 26th November, 6.30-7.30pm. Following the first session, participants receive a free communication support board.
A free online event has been set up by a mother of an autistic child, Florencia Djoe, to raise awareness and provide advice and support to parents and caregivers of children. Daily interviews on different topics started last week and run until November 8.
Don’t miss out on DLA - It’s vital that families with disabled children apply for this financial support. Take a look at Contact’s advice sheet.
Flu jab - Here is a link to the Manchester People First video that has been created with learning disabled people to explain why it is important to get the flu jab for themselves and their carers and support workers. There is also Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership’s easy-read leaflet and poster, and Public Health Englands’ British Sign Language (BSL) and caption video.
|
|
|
There are new resources to support parents and professionals working with a range of children with vulnerabilities, including children with special and education needs and disabilities. It’s called ‘Inclusive Digital Safety’ and is a collaboration between Internet Matters and the SWGfL.
|
|
|
Contribute To The National Disability Strategy
Disability Positive have released a survey asking disabled people what are the most important issues in North West England. This is a really important opportunity to make sure that the Government’s National Strategy for Disabled People includes the views from people in the region. It can be completed by carers as well as disabled people and will be live until mid-November. If you would like a Word version, email Mark Watts at Breakthrough: m.watts@breakthrough-uk.co.uk.
Are you 16-25? Do you have a disability/additional need? Are you passionate about making change and having your voice heard? Then join the Leonard Cheshire Change Makers project and be trained in the skills of citizen journalism, advocacy and campaigning for change! This opportunity for Manchester young people is for 6 months and begins in November. Places available! Get in touch through the webpage and find out more.
|
The National Autistic Society is running a project in partnership with Mind to review current mental health pathways, including how best to adapt psychological therapies for autistic people. The project will consult with autistic people and parents of autistic children, as well as professionals, about what works and what doesn’t. If you would like to be involved or have any questions, please email Felicity Stephenson, the Policy and Parliamentary Officer leading this project - felicity.stephenson@nas.org.uk.
|
|
If you don’t receive our newsletters and would like to,
find out how to subscribe here.
|
|
|
|
|