Medway’s Joint SEND strategy runs from 2019 until 2022. It has seven main priorities:
- Early identification and help at all ages including an improved Local Offer
- Make sure that SEN provision in schools, setting, and services is high quality and ensure inclusion and good progress for all
- Plans for more provision in schools, settings, and services – more places locally
- Support young people to have more opportunities to be as independent as possible as they become adults
- Increase working together with CYP and parents/carers – participation and co-production
- Ensure join planning and pooled resources for accessible services locally
- Enable CYP with SEND to have the best possible physical and mental health and wellbeing
To help us implement the strategy to improve SEND services, each priority has several actions. Many of these actions have now been completed and we are starting to see the impact of these on children and young people’s lives.
Work has already started on the new strategy: We'll provide further updates in future editions of the SEND newsletter
1) Pilot success
In September 2019, four Medway schools started the European Schoolwide PBS (SWPBS) Pilot with the British Institute of Learning Disability (BILD). The UK pilot programme is part of a wider European programme and includes training and some guided coaching sessions with a focus on systemic and systematic implementation of SWPBS. The pilot programme establishes and teaches clear expectations for all students, using positive reinforcement for desired behaviours and clear consequences for behaviours that can be challenging.
The Pilot is due to finish next spring and the schools are all working towards embedding PBS. One of the schools (Saxon Way) have noticed an improvement in fixed term exclusions thanks to the implementation of SWPBS, with the number of exclusions halving between September 2019 and December 2019 compared to the same period in the previous year (and have since maintained 0 exclusions). Early data has also shown a notable reduction in fixed term exclusions at one of the other participating schools at Robert Napier in Gillingham.
Thanks to the pilot, all of the schools are also hoping to see an improvement on student engagement across learning, attendance and attainment in the future. The primary schools have felt that it has been really helpful for supporting new children in particular, to ensure that there are no disruptions caused and that there have been behavioural improvements.
Take a look at how Saxon Way have been implementing within their school
2) Community of Practice
If you’re interested in improving the behaviour support for individuals with a learning disability, autism and complex needs, why not join our Community of Practice Group.
Meetings are quarterly and the group is a supportive community sharing and learning from others who work with, care for, those with disabilities.
Join us for our next session on Thursday 5 August (between 10am - midday)
Find out more
Additional links:
- Free PBS helpline for parents/carers around supporting individuals with learning disabilities, autism and mental health difficulties with the challenges of living in the COVID-19 pandemic (using PBS approaches):
https://www.bild.org.uk/positive-behaviour-support-helpline/
- Medway’s PBS website has resources and information for professionals and parents, including some applications to consider around managing challenging behaviour:
https://www.medway.gov.uk/pbs
- PBS Schoolwide resources:
http://www.midwestpbis.org/materials/classroom-practices
Our Local Offer homepage has had a complete redesign. We asked parents and young people what they thought of the Local Offer homepage. After receiving constructive feedback, we came up with two draft designs and asked parents and young people to choose their favourite.
After a few final tweaks, the new homepage design is live now and ready to view at https://www.medway.gov.uk/localoffer. Take a look
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Strengthening Minds
As part of the Moat Foundation Communities Project, Strengthening Minds are responsible for the development of partnerships and activities across their four hubs – Gravesend, Gillingham, Sittingbourne and Ashford.
Their work links to three strategic aims:
- Supporting young people into education and employment
- Reducing social isolation for our elderly residents
- Ensuring thriving communities through sustainable interventions
All activities provided through the hubs are always free for everyone. The hubs also provide a free venue for partner agencies to deliver their services (including meetings, group delivery and team events).
To take part in any activities or for more information, contact Annmarie Frenchum: annmariefrenchum@strengtheningminds.co.uk
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Free independent travel training
MPCF in partnership with Think Forward have arranged for a travel training experience day for young people with SEND. Arriva will be one of the services in attendance to provide the following:
- A introduction followed by how to buy/ask for a bus ticket along with bus routes
- Safety advice on how to use a bus
- A trip on an Arriva bus to one of their local bus stations. This tour will include showing individuals how to ask for help if they're confused when trying to make a journey by bus
Email medwaypcf@googlemail.com to secure a registration link to book your place (via Eventbrite)
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  Ofsted have recognised improvements in Medway Council's Children's Services following a recent focused visit.
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