Welcome to the latest edition of the Early Help Newsletter. In this edition you will find out about changes to the Early help Module (EHM) of Liquid Logic, the updated guidance documents and a presentation of the changes. There's also information on how parent carers can have their say in the SEND reinspection taking place next week, the latest parenting courses and how you can get updates from the Family Information Service (FIS) through social media - including Instagram.
If you have information on your service area you would like to share in the next early help newsletter, please email Kate.Bentham@shropshire.gov.uk or if you know of a colleague who would also like to receive this newsletter they can also email to be added to the distribution list.
‘By treating our children and young people with respect, love and trust and with the right amount of encouragement we can inspire them to dream big, build relationships and connections that matter and together with kindness and a sense of belonging we can do great things.’
Children and Young People’s vision statement
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Whether you think a parent or family needs some support, or you are worried a child might be at risk of abuse or neglect, there is only one number you need – 0345 678 9021. From this number you will receive the support you need to get the right help at the right time to strengthen families and safeguard children.
Stage 1 changes to EHM went live on 1st November 2022
The changes have been informed by ongoing feedback over the last two and half years and a change in the national Supporting Families Criteria.
Main changes include:
- The whole family assessment is now broken up into 10 sections that reflect the national Supporting Families Criteria.
- Standalone forms are embedded into the workflow so they are easy to access and do not need consolidating
- We have reduced the need to complete unnecessary sections
- The format embraces whole family working and encourages inclusion of all family members
- Links have been included taking you to relevant support and information.
The EHM guidance (Whole Family Plan Guidance and Whole Family Assessment Guidance) has been updated to support you and there will be a number of open sessions on MS Teams to explain how the changes work and introduce you to the new assessment and plan templates.
There is also an on-line presentation to introduce the changes. You need to log into your learner account on our training booking system, Leap into Learning, to access this video. Log into Leap into Learning via this link to the video titled Stage 1 Changes to EHM November 2022.
If you cannot recall your log in details, please email leap@shropshire.gov.uk who will reset your password (your username is your email address). Please remember that all Early Help training modules can be accessed through logging into your learner account on Leap into Learning, so please log in from time to time to see what modules are currently available to support you.
It will take time to embed the new format. Partners currently managing an Early Help Episode can continue in the current format until you think you need to review the assessment or plan. At this point, if you e-mail ShropshireStrengtheningFamilies@shropshire.gov.uk with the case ID, we will migrate your current assessment onto the new template and reassign it back to you to check and finalise once it has been updated with any new information.
Over the next few months, we will be collecting feedback and provide opportunities for further consultation to inform stage two of this process.
If you have any queries regarding Early Help training modules, require additional support with the Early Help Module (EHM) or have any queries regarding the system, please contact the Shropshire Strengthening Families Partner Support Officers via email shropshirestrengtheningfamilies@shropshire.gov.uk or call 01743 253921, who will forward your request to the most appropriate person.
Thank you for your support and all the hard work with families to ensure they get the right services at the right time.
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As part of the Shropshire Local Area SEND reinspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which will take place from 21 November to 23 November 2022, there will be opportunities for parent carers to engage with the re-visit process and contribute their views. The inspection team are seeking to understand the improvements made in Shropshire's six areas of significant weakness identified at the inspection in January 2020.
Here’s how parent carers can get involved:-
Meet the inspectors
The Shropshire parent carer forum, PACC, are hosting two opportunities for parent carers to meet with inspectors to share their experiences with them.
- Monday 21 November 7-8pm – this is a virtual meeting via MS Teams. Please mail info@paccshropshire.org.uk for the link.
- Tuesday 22 November 10-11am – this is a face-to-face meeting at a location in Shrewsbury yet to be confirmed. Please email info@paccshropshire.org.uk for full details.
Parent Carer Survey
You can also share your experiences with the inspection team via their survey, which is accessible via this link. This survey is live until Friday 18th November 2022.
Email the Inspectors
You can email your contributions to Lasend.support@ofsted.gov.uk
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SSCP would like to announce the launch of the Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership’s new website. This website brings together information, guidance and resources for professionals and the public on all aspects of Children’s and adult safeguarding and Community safety.
The website includes useful links to local and national sources of support, as well as research and publications from the Partnership and other contributors and will be replacing the current Keeping Adults Safe in Shropshire and Shropshire Safeguarding Children websites in the near future.
Ivan Powell the Independent Scrutineer says: “This is an amazing resource for both professionals and the local community, bringing together the three areas that the Partnership covers into one website which is aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate”
You can find the website at www.shropshiresafeguardingcommunitypartnership.co.uk or by clicking here
If you have any further questions or feedback then please complete the feedback form on the website or contact us directly at sscpbusinessunit@shropshire.gov.uk
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Your local Family Information Service (FIS) shares a lot of useful information aimed at parent carers through their social media channels, which up to now have included Facebook and Twitter.
They are excited to announce that they are now also on Instagram – but probably draw the line at TicTok!
Follow them for up-to-date information to support children, young people and families in Shropshire. You can also still follow them on Facebook and Twitter
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Would you like to know more about why sleep is important for our health and emotional well- being?
- Does your child struggle with their sleep?
- Would you like to access support to help improve sleep and bedtime routines?
- Would you like to meet other parents/carers to share and discuss experiences?
Our workshop runs for 5 weeks from the start date excluding the School Holidays
Starting on Thursday 19th January 2023 from 12.30pm to 2.30pm
The workshop is delivered virtually via MS Teams
To book a place on one of our workshops or for further information on the workshops we run please contact the Parenting Team by emailing Parenting.team@shropshire.gov.uk or call us on 01743 250950
- Would you like to know more about your child’s development?
- Do you need support to understand your child’s behaviour?
- Would you like a chance to meet with other parents and carers?
Understanding Your Child SEND on Tuesday 17th January 2023 from 9.30am to 11.30am
SEND groups are for parents/carers of children who might have special educational needs and disabilities. No formal diagnosis is needed.
Understanding Your Child on Friday 20th January 2023 from 9.30am to 11.30am
The groups are delivered virtually via MS Teams
All our groups run for 10 weeks from the start date excluding the School Holidays
To book a place on one of our groups or for further information on the groups we run please contact the Parenting Team by emailing: Parenting.team@shropshire.gov.uk or telephone: 01743 250950
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. The Parenting helpline is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.00am to 12.30pm (Please note the Parenting Helpline will not operate between Christmas & New Year)
Call the helpline on 01743 250950
Beam is an emotional health and wellbeing drop-in service for young people under 25 years old who are registered with a GP in Shropshire, Telford or Wrekin. Their team of experienced well-being practitioners and volunteers will listen to whatever is troubling you.
Beam can...
- recommend strategies and techniques that aim to make life easier – for example, how to manage a panic attack, or how to improve sleep.
- give practical suggestions and advice – this might be suggesting you look at website or that you contact another service.
- provide a listening ear if you have something you want to get off your chest.
Beam hold weekly drop-in sessions in Shrewsbury and Wellington. you do not need an appointment; you can just turn up. From the 22 October 2022 they will be holding a new Saturday session in Wellington from 10-2pm.
Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board have been chosen as a pilot site for the delivery of the national NHS England Asthma care bundle. One element of the pilot is the development of asthma friendly schools. The asthma friendly schools project aims to improve care for children and young people aged between five and 18 with asthma in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin schools. They do this by raising awareness of asthma with school staff and providing information, training and support.
Becoming an Asthma Friendly School
To be recognised as an Asthma Friendly School, each school must address a set of criteria that establishes an Asthma Friendly environment and meets current legislation from the Department of Health guidelines.
These criteria are:
- An Asthma Policy
- Asthma training for school staff
- An asthma register
- Children to have immediate access to their own inhalers
- Purchase of an emergency inhaler and spacer
Benefits to becoming and Asthma Friendly School, include:
- Improving asthma awareness and management in the school
- Improving support to students with asthma encouraging an inclusive environment
- Supporting responsibilities for the health, safety and wellbeing of students and staff
- Ensures the school is implementing current and best practice asthma management strategies
- Enables the school to promote its self-evaluated status to ensure that the community is aware of the school's commitment to Asthma Friendly strategies.
For more information contact the school nursing team.
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Better Health Start for Life and the Department for Education have launched a new campaign to encourage parent and carers to chat, play and read more with their children to develop their communication, language and literacy skills before starting school.
A range of new resources are now available on the Campaign Resource Centre
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A recent Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel paper about bruising to children has been released.
This paper explores the current guidance on the management of bruising in non‑mobile infants in the light of published evidence and variations in practice.
The aim of this paper is to support safeguarding partners in reviewing their current policies on bruising in non-mobile infants and to make recommendations on how the evidence base and national guidelines can be further developed.
You can read the paper here.
A recent Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel paper setting out key findings from reviews where domestic abuse featured has been released.
This paper sets out key findings from a thematic analysis of rapid reviews and local child safeguarding practice reviews where domestic abuse featured.
It summarises the most common themes that emerged in relation to multi‑agency safeguarding for children who are victims of domestic abuse and includes examples of practice and recommendations.
You can read the paper here.
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 of school receive free school meals, known as Universal Free School Meals. Some children can continue to get Free School Meals from Year 3 right up until they are 18 if they are in full time education and their parents / carers receive a qualifying benefit.
Please visit this webpage to check to see if a child is eligible and how to apply. Children on benefits-related free school meals will also get support with food costs throughout the Christmas and half-term holidays. Find out more here.
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The regional National Health Service Executive (NHSE) team have created a useful toolkit to offer support across our education networks, children and young people’s workforce, suicide prevention teams, and CYP mental health services.
An interaction toolkit with links and information for a number of sources of practical support, training and information tailored to the following cohorts:
- School students
- University and college students
- Parents and carers of young people
- Teachers and education professionals
- CYP mental health professionals
The information shared includes; contact details for immediate support for young people and their parents/carers, useful digital tools, self-guided apps, guidance for professionals, and links to suicide prevention training.
There are two versions - a PDF which can be printed, or a PowerPoint which can be included in communications with live links to your organisations web-based tools and communication systems. The PowerPoint can be segmented by education settings for the relevant audiences to be included in their various communication apps to engage with students, staff and parents/carers.
To help residents stay warm and safe this winter, Shropshire Council and partners have compiled a range of venues, including libraries, village and town halls, community centres and faith buildings, where residents can go during each venue’s normal opening hours, enjoy the facilities and keep warm. You can find a list/ map of all the venues on offer here.
Each venue has different opening times and facilities, so please check these details beforehand using the 'Warm Welcome locations' button on this page.
You can just turn up and find a place where you feel comfortable to relax.
At all Warm Welcome venues, you’ll find:
- A warm welcome where you can enjoy the venue’s facilities alongside other users
- Easy access for all
- A warm environment where you can sit and enjoy a peaceful activity
- Most venues have toilets either in the building or close by. Please check directly with the venue before your travel
- Information to help with rising energy costs, financial support and the rising cost of living
If you run a community building that you'd like to offer as a 'Warm Welcome' venue this winter, please email shropshirecostofliving@shropshire.gov.uk to find out more.
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WEEKLY Zoom Advice slots
Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
For those would like some face-to-face advice 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.
IMPORTANT – WE EMAIL YOUR ZOOM LINK TO YOU THE WEEK BEFORE YOUR SLOT, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK YOUR INBOX INCLUDING SPAM/JUNK TO GET YOUR LINK
Virtual Support Group for Parents
Wednesday Mornings 10am-11am and 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. We recommend that you have attended an online advice appointment with a member of the team before joining group sessions (link above).
If you would like to join either of the support groups, please email the team here 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 visit this page.
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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