|
|
|
Introduction
Welcome to the first edition of the Sandwell SEND Stakeholder Bulletin. This bulletin is designed to keep you informed about the progress, developments, and collaborative efforts taking place across Sandwell to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Our shared commitment is to ensure that every child and young person in Sandwell has access to the right support, at the right time, to help them thrive, but we know that we still have a long way to go.
In this issue, you’ll find updates on key initiatives, upcoming events, and resources aimed at strengthening partnerships between schools, families, health services, and the wider community. (This is called the Sandwell SEND Area Partnership)
Thank you for your continued dedication and involvement. Together, we are striving to make a positive difference for children and young people with SEND and their families.
Sally Giles, Executive Director of Children's Services, Sandwell Council
(on behalf of the Sandwell SEND Area Partnership)
|
|
SEND Transformation Programme
Sandwell Council invests in SEND transformation
Sandwell Council, on behalf of the Sandwell SEND Area Partnership, has announced a major step forward in transforming Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services.
The council have appointed SEND transformation specialists, Newton to improve educational achievement, independence and wellbeing, for children and young people with SEND while ensuring resources are used as efficiently and fairly within the fixed amount of national funding that we receive from the government. They will provide expertise and capacity, ensuring improvements are delivered as quickly as possible.
The transformation programme will focus on:
- A clear SEND and Alternative Provision* strategy
- Local services for families
- Better support in schools
- Easier ways to get help
- Home to school transport arrangements
But we are not starting from the beginning and we have already made significant improvements to our SEND system through our current improvement programme
Read more about our achievements across our SEND partnership
We anticipate that Newton will be with us over the course of the next 12 to 15 months. This commitment underlines Sandwell’s pledge to create a borough where children and young people feel valued, listened to and supported – a truly Child Friendly Sandwell.
*Alternative provision is tailored education for pupils unable to attend mainstream school full‑time, delivered in specialist or off‑site settings to support their learning and development.
|
Picture caption : Visit to the Orchard Special School to view changes made to increase pupil places.
Left to right: Rachel Hill Project Officer, Cabinet Member for Children & Families Councillor Jalal Uddin, Headteacher Liz Hopewell, Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Hanoor Bhullar, and Sally Giles, Director for Children.
|
Other SEND news, activities and events
Sandwell SEND Local Offer website
Relaunching in partnership with families and communities
We are re-launching our SEND Local offer website in the later on this year.
Sandwell is committed to ensuring that children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), along with their families, have access to clear, comprehensive, and up-to-date information and support available to them through the SEND Local Offer—a statutory requirement.
Read more
Support for Transition to Adulthood
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust have put together a new Linktree listing a range of services preparing young people for transition to adulthood, adult health services, mental capacity decision-making, advocacy, inclusion and employment.
|
News from the parent carer forum: Sandwell Parents Voices United (SPVU)
 |
|
Who is the Sandwell Parents Voices United (SPVU)
SPVU is an independent organisation run by volunteers who are all parents or carers of children and young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Read more
|
|
You said-we did: Lived experiences, short breaks and local offer steering groups
SPVU work in together with partners from education, health & social care to ensure your voice is being heard by services and we all work towards positive improvement for our children and young people.
This is called ‘co-production’ so we can make sure decisions about how services are provided are made with you, not done to you.
Read more about our parent carer involvement:
|
|
 |
SPVU’s new refreshed website
SPVU are updating our website, https://spvu.squarespace.com/ and invite you to take a look. We are sharing information, resources and events on here. Please tell us what you would like to see added on the website to help you in your SEND journey.
Partnership for inclusion of neurodiversity in schools (PINS)
PINS in Sandwell is part of a national project and brings together health and education specialists and expert parent carers through the Parent Carer Forum and will help to support schools and children who are neurodiverse.
Read more
Upcoming events & contact details
Please check out our website and Facebook page for upcoming events which are also shared with partners and schools.
Please join us today, and ensure your voice is heard visit: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PBJKT5Y
If you need any support please contact us via:
|
Discover SPDC: Support, activities and community for families
Are you a parent or carer of a child with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) in Sandwell? Sandwell Parents for Disabled Children (SPDC) is here for you!
SPDC is a local charity that provides:
- Fun activities for children and young people with SEND, including sports, arts, and family days out.
- Support for parents and carers, helping you connect with others who understand your journey.
- Information and advice about services, short breaks, and opportunities in Sandwell.
Visit www.sp-dc.org to see what’s on, become a member, and explore the fantastic opportunities available.
|
Marvel Youth Club: fun, friendship and support for young people with SEND
The Marvel Youth Club is a fantastic space for young people aged 11–25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to enjoy fun activities, make friends, and build confidence. Sessions are held Mondays and Thursdays in Oldbury and Tipton.
Read more
|
Connect to Work Supported Employment Programme
Connect to Work is a voluntary employment programme for people age 18-24 with disabilities or health conditions.
The programme provides
- support if you are unemployed to help you find work.
- support if you are in work but at risk of losing your job.
Read more
Supported Internship Programme & Open Day – 24 February
Discover Life‑Changing Opportunities with DFN Project SEARCH at Westminster Specialist College, Rowley
Young people with learning disabilities and/or autism across Sandwell have an exciting pathway into paid employment thanks to the powerful partnership between Sandwell Council and Westminster Specialist College.
Together, they deliver two exceptional DFN Project SEARCH supported internship programmes hosted at Asda and Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust—and they’re now inviting prospective interns, parents, and professionals to their Open Day on 24 February.
More information
|
Children and young adults' disability and special needs register
Sandwell Council has a duty to keep a Register of Children and Young Adults with Disabilities/Special Needs whose home address is in the borough of Sandwell.
This is a voluntary register for children and young people, from birth to 25 years old who have a disability. It is the parent or guardian's choice to place their child on the register.
Registering will allow you to keep up to date with developments in service provision and the latest news including the SEND Local Offer and other relevant information that supports children and young people with SEND.
Please note we do a termly review of the register to remove any young adult who is over 25 years old.
More information
|
Family Hub support for SEND children and young people
Family Hubs provide specialised free programmes for parents/carers, such as Stepping Stones and Cygnet, alongside Parent/Carer Drop-ins for support, advice, and signposting to wider services.
We also host various inclusive free sessions for children and families, including smaller, calmer Relaxed Stay and Play sessions, and specialist groups like the Sandwell Deaf Community Association Stay & Play.
You will find the Local Authority Sensory Support Team delivering targeted sessions within the hubs for children with sight or hearing loss.
More information
|
SEND inspection – What parent carers need to know
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) work together to inspect education, health and care services for children and young people with SEND in a local area, to make sure they are effective and meet the needs of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Inspectors look at how education, health, and social care work together and how families are involved in decisions.
What to expect:
- Inspectors will review services and speak to families about their experiences.
- They want to hear honest feedback on what’s working and what could improve.
- Parent carer forums often play a key role in sharing views.
Our last inspection was in 2023, so another inspection is a distinct possibility. Being prepared means knowing your voice matters – your experiences help shape better services.
For more details, watch this short video: What happens in a SEND inspection?
|
Are you new to the world of SEND - don't understand the jargon?
The SEND world is full of jargon and abbreviations, sometimes its like another language. Sandwell's Special Educational Needs and Disability Information and Advice and Support Service (SEND IASS) has put together a useful jargon buster to help you navigate you way through all things SEND.
Did you know that Sandwell SEND IASS offers impartial information, advice and support to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
The service is impartial, confidential and free.
Visit their website now
|
|
|
