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SEND News

Welcome to your update on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Sheffield.  For parents, carers, professionals, and everyone interested in SEND.

Encourage others to sign up to SEND News.

If you have any difficulties with the sign up page then please e-mail localoffer@sheffield.gov.uk.  

Mainstream Advice & Phase Transfer drop-in support sessions

We know that transition to a new school can be an uncertain time for children and young people and their families. It can also be a time of excitement. We know it can be disappointing for families when they don’t get their first choice of school. It’s really important to make this as positive as possible for every child and young person.

The Sheffield SEND Services have put together a helpful document. It gives information and advice on how mainstream education supports those with SEND.

The service are also offering Phase Transfer drop-in support sessions for families. These will be on Microsoft Teams:

• Wednesday 19 April 2023 12:00-13:00 Click here to join the meeting
• Thursday 11 May 2023 12:00-13:00 Click here to join the meeting

Preparation for Adulthood

Have you and your child/young person been thinking about the 4 areas of Preparation for Adulthood?  

1. Education, Employment and Training
2. Independence
3. Community and friendships
4. Health

It's important to start planning from the earliest years.

The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) have a webpage with lots of tools and resources.  These are designed to help children and young people with SEND develop the skills needed for a happy, successful life.

Join the Sheffield SEND Facebook Group

Good news!  Our SEND Facebook group page is now live!

It is the place on Facebook to get updates and be involved in all things special educational needs and disabilities from the 0-25 SEND Service in Sheffield City Council.

We encourage you to join today!  The page is for anyone with an interest in SEND – from young people and parents through to those who work in SEND.

Starting Your Own Business

Did you know that Business Sheffield can give advice to young people and adults who have special educational needs and disabilities with starting their own business?

They can help with:

• what you need to know to start a business

• advice on business premises

• helpful workshops on business topics

• one to one support

• networking

An advice page has been created on the Local Offer webpages. Check it out for more information and how to contact Business Sheffield.

Sheffield Directory 

The Sheffield Directory has improved and has a new look!

The Sheffield Directory contains useful information for both adults and children. It is also where you will find the Local Offer for families and young people with special educational needs or disabilities aged 0-25.

You can find lots of activities in the community, helpful advice and guidance, and how to access local services.

Take a look around!

Sheffield Children’s Foundation Trust Information Resource Library

Sheffield Children’s Information Resource Library has lots of health information for you to look at and read.  There is advice on autism, speech and language, epilepsy, hearing and sleep to name but a few. 

Check it out by clicking on the below button.

Health and Communication Passport

This is a personalised record that provides important information about a person's support needs.  It makes things easier for them when they come to the hospital. It is for children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism.

The NHS can upload completed passports to their electronic system.  They can add an alert to inform staff that a child or young person has a learning disability and/or Autism.  This lets them know to make reasonable adjustments.

Download from the website.

Paediatric Pain Profile (PPP)

Children and young people with SEND may find it difficult to explain their pain.  They may need a personal plan for their pain assessment.  Based on a full understanding of their affect and behaviour when in pain.  The NHS Paediatric Pain Profile (PPP) can help to achieve this.

As a parent/carer you can complete a baseline assessment in advance with your child.  You can then bring it with you to the hospital to help with staff assessment of pain.

Download from the website

Sheffield Mental Health Guide

Sheffield Flourish continues to develop the Sheffield Mental Health Guide. The contract to do this is through Sheffield City Council with funding through the NHS Integrated Care Board.

The Sheffield Mental Health Guide will be developed into an all-age guide. They will look at relaunching a site that is easy to use for children and young people.

The website provides information on:

• local mental health support
• services
• mental health friendly activities.

Sheffield Support Hub

NHS South Yorkshire and Mental Health Matters have opened a new out-of-hours mental health and emotional support service. 

It is open every day for people in Sheffield.  It helps people aged 16 and over.  They provide this in a safe, comfortable, and non-judgemental environment.

0-5 SEND Support Service – Parent and Early Years Providers Surveys

The 0-5 SEND Team would like to hear your views about Portage, Early Years Inclusion Teachers and Assistants and SEYLC/UCan. 

This feedback will be used by managers to help refine and shape the 0-5 SEND Support Service. There is one survey for Early Years settings and one for parents. To complete the surveys, click on the buttons below.

The surveys will close on 1st May.

0-5 SEND Support Service phoneline

Exciting news!

A dedicated 0-5 SEND Phoneline launched on 20th March 2023.

The phoneline will be operated by the Early Years Inclusion Teachers and will be available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1-4pm term time only. Parents and professionals are welcome to use this service.

Contact number: 0114 203 7773

Better Learners Better Workers competition winners

A fantastic group of students from Sheaf Training have won an NHS competition for a digital campaign on preventative medicine. They produced a video for their entry, focusing on the topic of mental health, in particular the stigma attached to young people and mental health as this is something they have personally experienced.

The project was a team effort, involving other students and tutors.  The whole team worked together, showing dedication and commitment as well as compassion and empathy for one another. 

Always an Alternative Knife Crime awareness art exhibition

At present across our city there are concerns about Knife Crime and the increased amount of young people who feel the need to arm themselves with such a weapon. As a result, awareness was raised amongst Sheaf Training learners in the shape of the `Always an Alternative` Knife Crime awareness art exhibition, headed up by Anthony Olaseinde.

Sheaf Training provided a piece of artwork to spread awareness of knife crime created by their pupils. 

Feedback for an Autism resource

Sheffield University has developed a resource to educate young autistic people about their autism and how to manage it. A draft version has been written with families and autistic children.

They are now looking for feedback from professionals and families. They are inviting families to take part in a one off online zoom call over the Easter holidays.  This is to help refine it before releasing it to services to use.

The child must attend a mainstream primary school and they cannot recruit families who work for the NHS.  If interested, please click the e-mail button.

Latest news from Sheffield Parent Carer Forum

Peer Support Service

New! Peer Support Service now available from the Sheffield Parent Carer Forum.

• Dedicated parent and carer phone line. Open 10am-1pm Monday to Thursday during term. Telephone 0300 321 4721
• One to one appointments available. By phone, virtual or face to face in communities.
• Drop ins and information workshops planned.

State of Sheffield Survey: give feedback to win shopping vouchers

This survey is aimed at parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-25 years who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and who live in or access services in Sheffield.

Sheffield is due another visit from the Ofsted and CQC SEND inspectors soon, and your feedback will help us evidence what’s working well, and what needs to change. The closing date is 31 March 2023, and you can win £20, £30 and £50 shopping vouchers!

Parents information sessions

Sheffield SENDIAS (Sheffield SEND Information and Advice Service) offer free online information sessions.  These are for parents and carers of young people aged 0-25 with SEND.   The sessions answer some of the most frequently asked questions.

There are 3 sessions available, which run in both the daytime and evenings:

- Book What is an EHC Needs Assessment

- Book SEN Support in Schools

- Book Checking a Draft EHC Plan

Deaf Friendly Swimming

Do you know how to take your deaf child swimming?

If you are the parent, carer, class teacher or swimming instructor of a child with a hearing loss, check out the National Deaf Children’ Society website.  They have lots of information on Deaf Friendly Swimming.

Parents and class teacher can talk to the child’s Teacher of the Deaf if they have any questions.

Little Sparklers

The ‘Little Sparklers’ group is for pre-school children with a visual impairment (and their siblings). It takes place every Wednesday 10am to 12noon at the Mappin Street Centre during term time.

Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind run this with staff and volunteers.  The staff from Sheffield City Council's Vision Support Services also support.

If you are interested please contact 0114 272 2757.

Little Ears baby and toddler group

The Sheffield Deaf Children's Society host a baby and toddler group called Little Ears.

There are plenty of toys to entertain the little ones and refreshments for the adults. If you are interested in coming along or would like further information please contact 07497 261426.

Useful links

Parenting support

Sheffield’s Parent Hub runs seminars, discussion groups and programmes to give parents practical help and advice. Some have been specifically developed for families of children and young people with SEND.

Useful links

1. Learn Sheffield. Information and guidance for SENCOs in Sheffield.
2. Local Offer. Information about support and services for children and young people with SEND. 
3. Sheffield Parent Carer Forum. A parent-led charity that provides support, shares information and influences policy and practice.
4. SSENDIAS. Impartial, confidential information, advice and support to families.
5. Sheffield Children’s Hospital – patients and parents information.