The Parent and Carer Council’s (PACC) Preparation for Adulthood (PFA) Navigators are now offering Healthy Parent Carer Sessions.
The programme runs for 2 hours a week (1 session) and is delivered online over 12 weeks. Parent carers face increased risks of mental and physical health problems. They often prioritise the health and wellbeing of their children and their caregiving responsibilities, sometimes to the neglect of their own needs. Many parent carers don’t feel empowered to look after their own health. They may feel too tired or stressed to engage in healthy behaviours, or feel guilty about taking time for themselves. However, poor health of parent carers can have negative consequences on their wellbeing and on their children and families.
The Healthy Parent Carers programme aims to improve health and wellbeing among parents of children with additional needs and disabilities through:
- Promoting greater empowerment, resilience and confidence of parent carers;
- Taking small steps that are associated with better health and wellbeing;
- Encouraging setting achievable goals and taking a problem-solving approach.
For more information on the programme, please email Denise@paccshropshire.org.uk
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The Parent and Carer Council (PACC) Healthy Lives Programme provides great opportunities for young people with SEND aged 14 - 25 to try new activities and spend time with friends, all of which supports both their physical and mental health. At the core of the programme will be the offer of small group sporting and wellbeing activities, in addition to this the 2023 programme will include an all-age family activity offer and an improved offer for young people with the most complex needs.
If you are interested in joining Healthy Lives this year, please register your interest in the programme now. Those families who register will then be contacted directly to have individual conversations about support needs and to help you book your preferred activities. The programme cannot provide 1:1 but some additional support will be available, and PACC are working with experienced providers. If a young person has an existing support worker, they are welcome to attend, or parent carers can provide support if available. If 1:1 support is needed to support participation, PACC will work with families to explore how this can be provided. To find out more visit the PACC website and to register your interest in the programme please complete this form. this form.
Carers Week is an annual event to raise awareness of caring. The theme this year is ‘Recognising and supporting carers in the community.’
Carers week is our opportunity to say thank you to all unpaid and family carers in Shropshire. We do recognise and appreciate the valuable support carers give others.
Shropshire Carers Support Team are excited to share this year’s programmes for both face to face and virtual activities with you. Please click HERE for face to face activities and HERE for virtual activities. Like last year, we have extended the programme over a two-week period (5 – 18 June 2023) to try and reach as many carers as possible. There is a blended mix of face to face and virtual options – whether you want to come along to the activities or join them from home we hope you will find something for you and look forward to meeting you.
The High Sherriff will be joining Carers at Shrewsbury Art Gallery and Museum on Friday 9 June for ‘Sounds Great! An introduction to 'music-care'’– see the programme for further details on this and all of the other activities. To book please email shropshire.carers@shropshire.gov.uk or telephone 01743 341995.
Competition Time!
We have a copy of ‘The Canny Cook Freezer and Store Cupboard Meals on a Budget’ signed by TV chef Phil Vickery to give away to a lucky winner. The competition will be judged by Phil Vickery himself. To enter send us your original ‘go to’ budget recipe with a photo. Tell us why it’s your favourite – is it quick and easy, holds nice memories or simply delicious!
Email your entries to shropshire.carers@shropshire.gov.uk
Closing date Sunday 28 May 2023. Winners will be announced during Carers Week (5-18 June) 2023.
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An Accelerated Progress Plan (APP) has been developed by the SEND Partnership and approved by the Department for Education, following the judgement by Ofsted/CQC that sufficient progress had not been made against the weaknesses outlined by the recent re-inspection. The APP has 5 priority areas and 17 different workstreams.
- There are significant wait times for large numbers of children and young people on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnostic pathways. The aspiration is that the needs of children and young people related to ASD & ADHD are effectively identified at early stages and there is high quality support both pre, during and post diagnosis.
- Significant wait times for large numbers of children and young people on the ASD and ADHD diagnostic pathways. Children and young people who require a diagnostic assessment to easily access a high-quality diagnostic assessment in a timely way.
- Significant waiting times for those needing assessment and treatment from the speech and language therapy (SLT) service. Ensure speech language and communication needs (SLCN) of children are effectively identified at early stages and there is high quality support at universal and targeted levels to reduce the number of children who require more specialist support.
- Significant waiting times for those needing assessment and treatment from the speech and language therapy (SLT) service. children and young people who require Speech and Language Therapy support can access this in a timely way.
- Inconsistency in the quality of input from education, health and care into EHC assessment and planning. Improve the consistency and quality of EHCP’s supported by good assessment and planning process.
This page summarises the five areas of work, and 17 workstreams in the APP and will be updated as progress is made on each.
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All applications for travel assistance for September 2023 will need to be received by 30 June 2023 at the latest.
For nursery and post 16 students all students in these age groups need to apply annually for travel assistance.
Any applications received after 30 June 2023 will still be processed but transport may not be set up for the start of the academic year and parent carers will need to make their own transport arrangements in the interim.
For Nursery students (ages 0-4) and Post 16 students (ages 16-18) please note that a contribution charge is applicable to entitled students. Further information about this can be found by clicking the links to their pages.
If you have any questions or queries, please email the Specialist Travel team on special.transport.team@shropshire.gov.uk
For full details and how to apply please visit the travel and transport pages of the SEND Local Offer.
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There’s another school holiday just around the corner, and we know that the holidays can be a struggle for many families – trying to balance life and keep the children occupied and entertained can be a challenge.
Thankfully information on holiday clubs and things to do during the school holidays can be found on the online Family Information Service Directory.
You can click this link for holiday clubs and then filter by area or postcode. And keep checking this link for school holiday activities, which are being added all the time.
The Actio website also has listings of activities for All In Short Breaks members and Actio members, and is worth looking at.
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Free information, advice and support drop in sessions are now taking place at the Early help hubs in Market Drayton and Oswestry. The aim of these sessions is to make it easier for families to get the help and support they need.
There are a range of services attending the venues, including Early Help Family Workers, parenting team, housing, school nurses, Family Information Service and the SEND Local Offer. Although some services may differ week on week there will always be someone to help.
Drop ins take place at:-
- The Centre, Oak Street, Oswestry SY11 1LW every Monday morning from 9:30am – 12:30pm
- Raven House, Cheshire Street, Market Drayton, TF9 3AH every Tuesday afternoon from 1pm – 4pm
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Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System (ICS) have released a new neurodiversity awareness video series. These videos have been produced to help us all understand the basics of neurodiversity issues and build genuine and empathetic relationships with neurodivergent people.
Neurodiversity describes the differences in how all our brains process information. One in seven people in the UK have neurodevelopmental differences, so it’s likely we all know someone who is neurodivergent. Examples include autism, ADHD, dyspraxia and dyslexia.
Neurodivergent people, especially those who are autistic, sometimes face barriers to accessing services. Sometimes professionals fail to understand their health needs, making their experience disproportionately worse.
Each short, animated video explores a different topic or issue, and includes interesting stories from people with lived experience to give us a new perspective.
The video series includes:
- Neurodiversity - what is it exactly?
- Strengths and challenges - what are some of the unique characteristics of neurodivergent people?
- Health inequalities - how does being neurodivergent affect access to and experience of healthcare?
- Inclusive language - what’s the appropriate language to use when talking about neurodiversity?
- Supporting neurodiversity - ideas for supporting neurodiverse patients, service users
To watch the videos, please click here.
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We want to spotlight the work of those who support children and young people, or their parent carers, or the wider SEND community.
In this edition we caught up with Sue Carroll, Early Years SEND Lead in the SEN team, to find out more about what she does to help the very youngest children with SEND.
If you are a parent carer or from an early years setting, and you have concerns about a child's development you can contact the SEN Early Years Team for advice and guidance. Let’s meet Sue and find out more about her role.
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The PACC April 23 Newsletter is now available. It’s filled with lots of information about local services and opportunities to share your experiences and feedback.
This month they want to hear your thoughts on this newsletter, co-produced by PACC, Shropshire Council and NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, which is published on the Shropshire Local Offer.
They also have a new regular feature called 'Being Me' where they share individual stories about young people with SEND and their lives in Shropshire. If you know a young person who would like to share their story, please do get in touch with PACC.
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Your local SEND Local Offer is a single place for information on all things SEND in Shropshire. Alongside the website, a lot of useful information aimed at parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, is also shared 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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Remember - No diagnosis is needed to access the AWM Shropshire service and there is no formal referral route – parents/carers can self-refer by booking an advice appointment or contacting us directly.
Team update
Autism West Midlands (AWM) have some fantastic news to share with you about the Shropshire team! They are delighted to have been joined by their new Autism Specialist Advisors Kerry McLafferty and Nicola King. Nicola started working with AWM last year and has recently increased her working days and Kerry joined the team at the end of April. Kerry and Nicola both have personal and professional experience of supporting autistic children and bring a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm with them. They will be involved in all aspects of the service and are looking forward to helping reach more families in Shropshire.
Rising To The Challenge – FREE webinar series starting Friday 9th June
Week by week this webinar covers topics of key importance to help parent carers understand more about autism and how best to support their autistic child/young person. Watch live or on catch up – but make sure you register before 9th June! Click here to register.
Book an online advice appointment with an Autism Specialist Advisor here…
WEEKLY Teams Advice slots – every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
For those who would like some online advice AWM are offering this virtually via video appointments. To book a 45 min advice appointment with a specialist autism advisor please book via the AWM shop. If the dates/timings of their online advice appointments are not convenient for you, please contact them to make alternative arrangements
Virtual Support Group for Parents - Wednesday Mornings 10am-11am and Wednesday Evenings 8pm-9pm – 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month (term time)
This online support groups meet twice a month via Teams. This is an opportunity to talk with other parents, share ideas, and offer support. It is recommend that you have attended an online advice appointment with a member of the team before joining group sessions
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. Click here for more information and booking details.
Advice and support
AWM also offer advice and support over the phone and via email. Parents/carers and professionals can contact the team directly to arrange an appointment including face-to-face if preferable.
Shropshire office 01952 454156
Weds, Thu, Fri Emma Hegenbarth 07881109480
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu Dawn Lewis 07706309382
Mon, Tue, Thu Nicola King 07706337511
Mon, Thu, Fri Kerry McLafferty 07900784186
Email shropshire@autismwestmidlands.org.uk
Helpline 0121 450 7575
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Direct Payment is a social care personal budget which is used to meet an assessed social care need, either for children and young people aged 0-18 under the Children Act 1989 or young people aged 18 and over via the Care Act 2014.
The information in this article relates to adult social care for those young people aged 18 and over.
A Direct Payment allows adults to receive funding directly from the council, so they can choose how and when they receive their support to meet eligible care and support needs. They can give people greater flexibility and choice in how they receive the support that best suits them.
- Further information on Direct Payments from adult social care can be found on the Direct Payments in Adult Social Care website
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A new free service has recently been launched called Shropshire Personal Assistant (PA) noticeboard this website lists PAs looking for work and where Direct Payment recipients can advertise for a PA.
- The following three videos featuring local people who receive direct payments explaining how they use their payment and receive support.
- In the first, Rich says that direct payments give him freedom, flexibility, and choice. Using his payments, he has employed a team of personal assistants that offer a personal service and enable him to live the life that he wants, a life full of excitement and surprises. You can watch Rich’s video
- In the second video, Grace says that direct payments enable her to pick and choose what works for her, and to choose what she does, where and when. She says that direct payments are a ‘game changer that gives me so much more freedom’. You can watch Grace’s video
- And in the third, PA Oliver explains his role. You can watch Oliver’s video
- 'Game changing' payments on offer to Shropshire social care recipients - Shropshire Council Newsroom
- Direct Payments Leaflet
- Direct Payment Standard Hourly Rates 23/24
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The SEN Team recently received thanks from a parent carers for the time, care effort and compassion they’ve always shown. The parent carers also shared a poem which she I hoped parents and care workers get inspired and enjoy.
I am just ME
me - myself and I
In a big world, there's a little boy,
With a heart so pure, filled with endless joy,
But he sees the world in a different way,
Autism's his guide, guiding him every day.
Through his eyes, colours dance and shine,
He sees the beauty in every design,
Though the noise may overwhelm his mind,
His spirit's strong, his love's one of a kind.
Oh, this little boy, with his autism embrace,
Navigating a world with a unique grace,
He's a shining star, in his own special way,
In this big world, he's teaching us how to say.
Sometimes he feels lost, in a sea of sound,
But he finds solace, in the music that surrounds,
Melodies and rhythms, speak his soul's delight,
They unlock his spirit, like a beacon in the night.
Through his eyes, melodies intertwine,
Each note's a story, a moment so divine,
With music as his language, he finds his voice,
In this big world, he sings, and we rejoice.
Oh, this little boy, with his autism embrace,
Navigating a world with a unique grace,
He's a shining star, in his own special way,
In this big world, he's teaching us how to say.
Though the road may be tough, he's not alone,
Surrounded by love, in a place he can call home,
With understanding hearts, together we'll stand,
Supporting this little boy, hand in hand.
Oh, this little boy, with his autism embrace,
Navigating a world with a unique grace,
He's a shining star, in his own special way,
In this big world, he's teaching us how to say.
So let's spread the love, let acceptance grow,
In this big world, let everyone come to know,
That every little soul, with their colours and dreams,
Can inspire us all, and bridge the gaps it seems
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What does it do and who is a member?
The SEND 0 – 25 Partnership Board (SPB) is a regular meeting of those who are responsible for delivering SEND services in Shropshire, and those who use these services. It is an equal partnership of representatives from education, health and care providers, Shropshire Council, the Integrated Care System, and representatives of parents carers and children and young people with SEND. All members of the SPB, act as representatives for their sector and as champions within their own services / organisations for children and young people with SEND.
The purpose of these meetings is to work together to deliver the SEND Strategy and to oversee the wider work programme for SEND across every service/organisation represented, to deliver our shared vision, values and priorities.
The SPB is responsible for driving improvements, ensuring outcomes are effective and that they have a positive impact on the lives of children and young people with SEND. It embraces co-production where children and young people with SEND and their parents, carers and representatives are involved at every stage of decision making to ensure their voices are heard and that services are developed to meet their needs, based upon their lived experience of services; not just consultation or canvasing opinion but creating and doing things together with shared decision making and accountability
The SPB set, check, and challenge the progress of the SEND action plan. They ensure that the Accelerated Progress Plan (APP) is implemented, and that there is full scrutiny of the work that is being delivered and that workstreams meet the milestones and outcomes of the action plans in an effective, transparent and timely manner. It ensures that those outcomes reflect the outcomes and priorities of the SEND and Inclusion strategy.
They will identify and remove any obstacles to implementing the workstreams. If this needs intervention, the board will involve the relevant senior officers in the organisation to resolve.
Ultimately the purpose of the SPB is to ensure the lived experience of children and young people with SEND is improved, and that their needs are met through the effective delivery of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and through the SEND support they receive.
Meetings take place in September, November, January, March, May and July.
In December 2021, Shropshire Council commissioned a Digital Carer Support service. Mobilise was awarded the contract and works closely with the Shropshire Carer Support team to ensure we provide an all-round service to identify and support more carers in Shropshire, including carers who may previously have been marginalised eg working carers, parent carers, young adult carers and hidden carers.
The digital carer support contract is ending in December 2023, and we are recommissioning a digital service. We are asking all carers who have used the digital support service delivered by Mobilise to tell us their thoughts on what went well, any difficulties they had and anything that may be missing from the digital service.
It’s important to us that the services we provide are well-designed for the people who will be using them. The feedback we receive will help us to do this. We are hoping to hear from adult carers with a wide range of personal experiences and different circumstances; we know that everybody’s story is unique. We would particularly like to hear from young adult carers and working carers.
If you are a carer, please complete our short form and tell us your experience of receiving digital support and any suggestions to improve the digital service we are recommissioning.
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