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As you know there is a Local Offer for parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Work has been taking place to co-produce a Local Offer specifically for young people. This will include a new website and social media channels which will be a place for young people with SEND to access information and answer any questions they might have about their future. Young people have told us what information they want on their Local Offer, which includes having fun, where they might live, information on money, keeping safe etc. They have also told us how they want that information presented – video is key.
We now want young people to give their Local Offer a meaningful name and help design a logo, so we can then start to build the website, set up social media channels and develop promotional materials.
I would be grateful if you could share opportunity with any young people who you think would like to be involved. We are also offering young people the opportunity of working with one of our designers to turn their ideas into a digital reality.
The deadline for names and logo ideas to be submitted to Local.Offer@Shropshire.gov.uk is Thursday 7th April 2022.
Parenthood can be extremely rewarding and enjoyable. It can also be demanding, frustrating and exhausting. Shropshire Council’s Parenting Team is here to support parents and carers to raise healthy, well-rounded children in a loving and stable environment.
Do you have any questions around child development and parenting?
Why not call our Parenting Helpline where one of our trained Parenting Practitioners will be ready to listen?
Call 01743 250950 - Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 12.30pm
If you would like to find out about other services the Parenting Team offers please email Parenting.team@shropshire.gov.uk
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Recently updated information was published about the level of physical activity recommended for disabled children and young people. Being physical active brings important benefits for disabled children and young people, including;
- Opportunities to meet new people
- Increased confidence and concentration
- A sense of achievement
- Improved mental health
- Feeling calmer, less stressed
- Improved balance and coordination
- Improved muscle strength and motor skills
Below are the Chief Medical Officer’s physical activity guidelines for disabled children and disabled young people.
- For good health benefits, do 20 minutes of physical activity per day.
- When starting, build up slowly. Ask: can you do this today?
- Do bitesize chunks of physical activity throughout the day.
- Do challenging but manageable strength and balance activities 3 times per week.
- Small amounts of physical activity are good for you as well.
The NHS Long Term Plan committed to:
“Make sure that the whole NHS has an awareness of the needs of people with a learning disability and autistic people, working together to improve the way it cares, supports, listens to, works with and improves the health and wellbeing of them and their families.”
To ensure this happened a small amount of funding has been made available to local areas to create Learning Disability and Autism Champion roles. In Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin two posts were created and are now active. Introductions to the local LD&A Champions, Janet Cobb and Eric Health are provided here.
Shropshire Information Advice and Support Service (IASS) provides information, advice and support to parents and carers of children aged 0 to 25, and young people aged 16 to 25 who have, or may have, special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
We are so pleased to provide an update from our Youth Worker Lynne. Over the pandemic, it proved extremely difficult for us to engage with young people without being able to attend events, visit schools and colleges and have that face to face interaction. Lynne is so excited to be able to get back out there and start working with young people again.
“This month, I visited Derwen College, Gobowen. I enjoyed a tour of the campus, visiting horticulture, print, retail and hospitality departments. There is even a Premier Inn on the site, exactly the same as any other Premier Inn, where students learn skills to take them forward in that career path. It is open for bookings. Brilliant!
It was lovely to meet 11 students. We chatted about their courses, learned what IASS offer, and they gave feedback on our draft young people’s leaflet, cheers guys! I am taking their ideas on board and am making some changes. I hope to revisit soon and get their approval, then we print!”
Lynne has also been busy arranging a craft session for children and young people over the Easter holidays at St Chads Church in Shrewsbury. Please come along with your child and get crafty with her! An IASS officer will also be attending if you fancied dropping by and having a chat.
To find out more about our service and keep up to date with all our events, please visit our website and find us on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube!
Tel: 01743 280019 Please leave a message on Shropshire’s Citizen’s Advice answerphone and someone will get back to you
Email: iass@cabshropshire.org.uk
Young people can contact Lynne - call or text: 07706069739
Email: lynnetaylor@cabshropshire.org.uk
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Welcome to Autism West Midlands roundup of upcoming events and activities for Spring/Summer 2022. We are starting to plan for more face-to-face events especially during the school holidays however we are also aware that accessing some opportunities via the internet or phone has been easier for many parents and carers. Feedback about not having to find childcare, no travel or transport issues, being able to watch webinars on catch up when you can grab a moment or two plus other benefits means that we will continue to offer “remote” opportunities while starting to build back in some real-life events too.
Remember – No diagnosis is needed to use the Autism West Midlands Shropshire service; we are here for families with children aged 0-18 with or without a diagnosis.
We are finalising details about our Easter holiday activities for families – keep an eye on our events page to find out more…
FREE Webinars
For parents, carers and professionals throughout the region, watch “live” or via an automated link to watch a replay. Click on the links to find out more including registration details –
Understanding Autism – Wednesday 27th April 9.30am-10.30am
Autism and the teenage brain – Friday 29th April 9.30am – 10.30am
Rising To The Challenge – six webinar series starting Friday 13th May 9.30am
Rising to the Challenge is our flagship webinar series covering a variety of autism-related topics appropriate to parents and carers of autistic children aged 5+. Each weekly presentation is followed by an optional ZOOM session where parents can discuss and explore the topic in more detail with members of the team.
All In Short Breaks Easter event for young people aged 12+ - Monday 11th April, Shrewsbury
Join us for a day of games, crafts, baking and a film at Belle Vue Youth Club! A great chance to meet other autistic young people supported by Autism West Midlands staff.
Find out more, including booking details here
ZOOM Together – Monthly online group for young people aged 12+
A fun, supportive opportunity for autistic teens to get together play games and share experiences hosted by Autism West Midlands staff. More details here
WEEKLY Zoom Advice slots – every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
For those would like some face-to-face contact we are offering this virtually via video appointments. Zoom works well on mobile phones. To book a 45 min advice appointment with a specialist autism advisor please book via our shop.
Virtual Support Group for Parents - Wednesday Mornings 10am-11am & Wednesday Evenings 8pm-9pm – 1st and 3rd Weds of each month (term time)
Our online support groups meet twice a month via Zoom. This is an opportunity to talk with other parents, share ideas, and offer support. If you would like to join either of the support groups, please email the team shropshire@autismwestmidlands.org.uk
Dad’s Group – Monthly on a Thursday 7pm-8pm
This is an opportunity for dads to meet online, share ideas, celebrate their children’s achievement’s and offer support to each other with a member of Autism West Midlands present. For more information and booking details please click here
Advice and support
We also offer advice and support over the phone and via email. Parents/carers and professionals can contact our small team directly to arrange an appointment please call:
Shropshire office - 01952 454156
Mon, Wed, Fri - Wendy Cowton 07900784186
Weds, Thu, Fri - Emma Hegenbarth 07881109480
Tue, Wed, Thu - Dawn Lewis 07706309382
Email shropshire@autismwestmidlands.org.uk
Helpline 0121 450 7575
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There has been a real growth in the dance opportunities for children and young people with SEND in Shropshire over the last few years.
Identity Dance offers weekly inclusive dance classes for children and young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and is based in Shrewsbury. They offer a range of classes including contemporary and street dance for a variety of ages. On the 8th March the young adults class performed at Theatre Severn in ‘Shrewsbury’s School’s Gotta Dance’ show. They performed 2 contemporary dances and one street dance routine to a packed theatre and received a great response. The group is currently preparing for the Audacity Dance Championships in May.
You can find out more about Identity Dance on their Facebook page they are also running a taster dance workshop on April 10th if you want to get involved.
Identity were joined at the SGDGS event by a group of students from Severndale Academy, who also performed on the night and wowed the audience.
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In September 2021 a call went out for young people in the West Midlands, aged 16-30, to join a new inclusive dance collective, to be known as Critical Mass. It was an ambitious and ground-breaking project, bringing nearly 300 disabled and non-disabled young people together to perform at big events such as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Read all about how 6 fabulous dancers from Shropshire, who go by the name of Darwin Dancers, have joined Critical Mass, how they have made new friends, gained new skills and confidence and most of all had FUN!
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Shropshire Inclusive Dance (SID) was started in 2012 by Rachel Liggitt and Ray Jacobs, to offer a shared, inclusive space to celebrate dance in Shropshire. Working with people of all ages and abilities to share the joy of moving and moving together. Groups that SiD engage with include young children in special schools, youth groups, professional dance companies, and dementia support groups. SiD aims to make sure that everyone fulfills their right to watch and participate in dance regardless of age or ability.
Highflyers is SiD’s youth company and is supported through the All In programme to offer dance opportunities for young people with SEND, aged 11-18 and their siblings. The group have recently produced a film called ‘Into the Light’ which has been selected to be shown as part of the brilliant Oska Bright film festival. You can find out more about Highflyers here.
SiD also offer a range of weekly inclusive dance classes for adults on Wednesdays at The Hive, 5 Belmont, Shrewsbury, SY1 1TE – Find out more here
Shropshire Parent and Carer Council (PACC) have been in touch with Richard Pulford, who is the Disabled Supporter Liaison Officer at Shrewsbury Town Football Club (STFC) to find out more about his role.
Richard says that the idea of the role is to bring a different perspective to the supporter experience and make sure that disabled supporters have a voice when it comes to issues, problems and opportunities for them and the club. He feels strongly that everyone, no matter what their disability, should be able to experience live football and particularly the fantastic atmosphere at Shrewsbury Town Football Club. He is a lifelong Town fan and as a disabled supporter he brings knowledge and experience of what issues may be a barrier to all fans, no matter their disability, to enjoying the live match experience.
Whilst talking to Richard, he told us that the Disabled Supporters Club has just been launched by STFC and Shrewsbury Town in the Community. This club is for all ages who have a disability and their Carers/Personal Assistants. It will create opportunities for fans of all ages to attend STFC fixtures. The benefits of joining the club include an access to membership card; social activities on home match days; away day travel to certain games across the season; physical activities on home match days run by Shrewsbury Town in the Community Staff; fundraising events; player Q&A sessions; voting for the Disabled Supporter Club player of the month/season. To join up please click here.
Shropshire PACC think you’ll agree that this is a wonderful opportunity for disabled supporters to raise thoughts, ideas and get involved socially. Richard is looking forward to welcoming both existing supporters and to hearing from non-match going fans to find ways of overcoming barriers to attendance.
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What’s Your Story is a creative writing and art competition for young people aged 7 – 16 years old, who are either diagnosed or awaiting assessment as autistic, in Shropshire or Telford & Wrekin. We are looking for stories, poems or pictures from autistic young people sharing their experience of school life. Successful stories will be part of a booklet created for schools to support staff and students to understand more about the experiences of autistic young people in school.
This competition is part of the North Midlands Autism in Schools pilot and is being supported by Ignition CIC. All entries should be sent to hannah@i-gnition.co.uk by the 1st May 2022. The winning entry will receive a £50 book token
Shropshire Council is working with local schools, voluntary and community organisations and childcare providers to run an exciting holiday programme this Easter, with the majority of activities being suitable for children and young people with SEND.
During 11 to 14 and 19 to 22 April, children and young people are invited to take part in a range of fun activities, happening at over 55 venues from across the county.
From sports, arts, cooking, forest schools and other fantastic opportunities, there is something on offer for everyone. Free nutritious meals will be provided at each session, as well as information on nutrition to benefit the whole family.
There are free places available on the programme for children and young people aged 4 to 16, who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
HAF vouchers and information flyer will start arriving at schools this week and will be handed out to families who are eligible for free school meals.
To book onto activity, please contact the holiday providers direct, using the contact details listed in the What’s on Guide, which can be found online here. Families will need to quote their voucher code.
Some of the holiday programmes also include spaces for children and young people who are not in receipt of free school meals.
PACC is currently evaluating its role in supporting SEND families in Shropshire and we would like to hear from you about what you value about PACC. We have created a short survey which should take no more than 5 minutes to complete and would really appreciate it if you could spare some time to share your thoughts with us. You can access the survey here. |
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The Shropshire SEND Local Offer is a single place for information, services, and resources for children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and / or disabilities, their families, and the practitioners who support them. It's been designed with a family’s needs at the heart of the process. We'd be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to complete an online survey to provide us with feedback on the SEND Local Offer.
The survey results will help us to understand if the information is accessible, what you like/dislike, and if there are any gaps that need addressing. We value all comments and will share with you feedback we have received, and how we have responded to the comments made to improve your Local Offer. Click here to complete the survey Thank you for your time
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Karen Levell has joined Shropshire Council as the new Service Manager for SEN and Inclusion. Karen brings great experience to the role and knows Shropshire well having worked here several year ago. Karen is very much going to be focused on building on the work already underway on the SEND written Statement of Action (WSOA) and the SEND Strategy. |
Hello, I am Sally Johnston. I am the interim designated clinical officer for special educational needs (DCO for short) and will be covering the post for 12 months. I am qualified as an occupational therapist and have worked with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities for over 20 years.
For those who are not familiar with the role, the DCO plays a key part in implementing the SEND agenda and in supporting joined up working between health services and local authorities. With the recent publication of the long-awaited SEND review and the Education white paper, I am looking forwards to working alongside colleagues in health, education and social care to strengthen services that support the best outcomes of all children and young people.
Three independent non-executive directors have been appointed to the newly-formed Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board (ICB).
Integrated Care Board are being established for every part of the NHS in England. From 1 July this year they will become a statutory NHS body and will take on NHS planning functions currently held by Clinical Commissioning groups. They will aim to improve outcomes in population health and health care; tackle inequalities in outcomes and experience; enhance productivity and value for money; and support the broader social and economic regeneration in the area.
Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) play a key role on the Board, with a remit to challenge the executive directors in decision-making and to help develop strategies for the future.
The three new appointments to the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB are:
- Dr Niti Pall - who has been a practicing clinician for over 30 years and a GP Partner at Smethwick Medical Centre from 1992 until 2013. She is currently a Global Medical Director for KPMG (since January 2016), as well as being a NED for Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital.
- Professor Trevor Macmillan – who is the vice-chancellor at Keele University. As a Biomedical Research Scientist, he has worked with clinicians for most of his career. He will chair the Remuneration Committee.
- Roger Dunshea – who is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, he is currently a NED and chair of the Finance and Investment committee for the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. He will chair the Audit Committee.
Sir Neil McKay, Independent Chair Designate of the Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Integrated Care System, said: “I am delighted to be welcoming Niti, Trevor and Roger to our ICB and look forward to working with them.
“These are pivotal appointments as we move closer to ICBs becoming statutory bodies from 1 July, subject to the will of parliament.
“Our integrated Care Board will be a partnership of NHS organisations, the two Local Authorities and Primary Care networks, working closely with Healthwatch, the community and voluntary sector and others.
“The three appointments I am announcing today will bring a wealth of experience, which will be to the benefit of all our communities.”
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