Welcome to the latest edition of Shropshire's SEND newsletter, co-produced by Shropshire Council's SEND Local Offer, PACC (Parent Carer Council) and NHS Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin. 

The newsletter aims to provide easy access to key information for SEND families.

Please do continue to provide feedback on this newsletter, we want this to work for you and we are keen to hear what you think of it, and what articles you'd like to see in future editions. You can email us your thoughts at Local.Offer@Shropshire.gov.uk

A ground breaking photographic exhibition and trail shares photographs to tell a story of how young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) want to be seen and heard. 

The images and words show the importance of young people with SEND having access to activities in the community, enabling them to build confidence and friendships that are essential in securing a good quality of life.

To find out more about the project, how to visit the exhibition, and the work of the Shropshire Parent Carer Council who supported the project please visit the PACC website.

The Know Yourself series from the National Autistic Society offers free resources (videos, PDFs, worksheets) to support autistic teenagers in understanding what being autistic means to them.

In the resources young people will hear from young autistic people talking about their experiences and what has helped them. The aim is to offer information and ideas that will empower them to begin to explore their own experiences and understand themselves more.  

The series will cover six topics, the first four topics, ‘understanding yourself’, ‘energy accounting’, ‘exploring your identity’ and ‘setting yourself up for success’ are available below.

To find out more visit Resources for autistic teenagers on the national Autistic society website

A questionnaire has been introduced as part of the suite of forms used to gather information about a child or young person’s social care needs when an Education Health and Care Plan is being requested.

The questionnaire has been co-produced with Parent Carers and is designed to capture the child, young person and their families ‘care’ needs, what is working well and what support is already in place so that these can be recognised in the EHC needs assessment process.

The questionnaire also offers an opportunity for families to identify where they may need some additional help and signposting so that holistic support can be offered. The questionnaire is available on the SEND Local Offer.

Shropshire Council in partnership with Health, Shropshire Parent Carer Council (PACC), schools and college representatives are reviewing Shropshire’s SEND ‘Preparation for Adulthood' process.

We are keen to hear from all SEND young people, their parent carers and practitioners so we have launched a Preparing for Adulthood Survey.

The survey results will help us to understand the current landscape/practice and gaps with supporting transition from year 9.  For example, we are currently looking at developing our Transition Protocol and Transition Pathway further, to include young people and their families as well as professionals. 

All views will help to inform the review.  Please have your say and complete the survey below by 31^st October 2024.

These are the links to the 3 surveys depending on if you are a young person, parent carer or professional supporting children and young people with SEND and their family:

1. Young people 
2. Parent Carers 
3. Professionals   

Find out more on the SEND Local Offer.

Is it too early to be talking about Christmas? Popular Christmas experiences for children and young people with SEND are already advertising sessions to meet Father Christmas

Dobbies garden centres have venues in Shrewsbury and Telford and have a Santa’s quiet grotto, which is always popular with families. To find out more visit their website.

Blists Hill Victorian Town are also offering a calm Christmas experience which is a bespoke Christmas package for those individuals who may need a little more space, time, or some adjustments made to their surroundings to ensure that they can enjoy a Grotto experience. Visit their website to find out more.

If you know of any others please email Shropshire Family Information Service who gather information on events and things to do for families in Shropshire. Their email is ShropshireFIS@Shropshire.gov.uk

We have explained in previous newsletters that the current contract delivered by Citizens Advice Shropshire had to be re-tendered.

We are pleased to announce that Citizens Advice Shropshire have been awarded a new contract from 1^st September 2024 for a period of 4 years.

SENDIASS is a free, confidential and impartial service for children and young people with SEND that are aged between 0 – 25 years, living in Shropshire and their parent carers.

The service provides information in relation to education, health or social care matters on behalf of children and young people with SEND. To fine out more please visit the SEND Local Offer

SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) 

Partners from across health services and Shropshire Council are working together, in listening to feedback from parent carers and their children and young people, to improve the special education needs and disability (SEND) support available in the local area.

They have been issuing a number of surveys to understand families’ experiences and to inform the Accelerated Progress Plan (APP), which sets out how they'll make improvements to SEND services in Shropshire.

In Summer 2023, the first survey was used as a baseline to measure the impact of the APP.  The results and actions taken from that survey can be found on the Shropshire Parent Carer SEND Survey Report – November 2023.

In April 2024, the second survey received over 200 responses and provided valuable insight into families’ experiences of SEND services in the local area.  We have listened to what people have said, taken action and set out a number of next steps which can be read in the Shropshire Parent Carer SEND Survey Report - May 2024.

The third was launched in September, and the feedback will be shared on the SEND Local Offer and in the next newsletter.

I am delighted to introduce myself as the new Integrated Care Board’s Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). In my role as SRO, I will be working with colleagues within the Local Authority, Health, Partnerships, Education and yourselves as children and young people, parents and carers who support us in shaping our services to best meet your needs and the needs of our local population in Shropshire Telford and Wrekin. As a strategic lead in SEND within the ICB, I work closely with our Chief Nursing Officer who is our Executive Lead and our SEND team in ensuring the ICB SEND Programme is delivered in line with current legislation, policy and statutory guidance; working creatively and collaboratively with health services we commission and the partnerships to improve the outcomes for our children, young people and families.

My journey so far…

I joined Shropshire Telford and Wrekin ICB in November 2023 as Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children having moved from an NHS Trust in another area working as Children and Young People in Care Team Lead and previously the Safeguarding Children Team Lead. Prior to this, having spent time working in general nursing and outpatients, I went back to University to complete my Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Training in Health Visiting. I have thoroughly enjoyed my nursing journey and the experience this has provided me with to get to where I am today. I am passionate about the care I provide and enhancing service delivery to provide the best possible care I can to the children, young people and families I work with.

My family and Interests…

I enjoy spending quality time with my partner and our two boys. As a typical football mum, I am stood on the side lines cheering my youngest on or following him around the golf course as his caddy. I enjoy watching football, going for walks and time with family and friends.

I am looking forward to working with you all soon.

Patients experiencing a mental health crisis can now benefit from support through 111.  

  The change means the NHS in England is one of the first countries in the world to offer access to a 24/7 full package of mental health crisis support through one single phone line.

People of all ages, including children, who are in crisis or concerned for family and loved ones can now call NHS 111, select the mental health option and speak to a trained mental health professional.

NHS staff can guide callers with next steps such as organising face-to-face community support or facilitating access to alternatives services, such as crisis cafés or safe havens which provide a place for people to stay as an alternative to the Emergency Department (ED) or a hospital admission. For more details visit the NHS England website here.

We asked Shropshire Parent Carer Council (PACC) and Dr Kathryn Morgan, Specialist Senior Educational Psychologist for Neurodiversity, from Shropshire Council’s Educational Psychology Service to give us an update on the Positive Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) project. Let’s hear from PACC first…

After the summer break the work on establishing school-based Parent Carer groups as part of the PINS project, has progressed at pace.

We had a great response to the survey sent out to all families at the participating schools, receiving 320 responses in total.  The survey asked families to tell us how welcoming they found the school environment, how included in the school community they felt and how well informed they were about the support their child received at school, amongst other things.  Out of the total responses, nearly 200 were from Parent Carers who were supporting a child with SEND or suspected SEND.  A wide range of experiences were shared but there are consistent themes around the benefit of improving communication between schools and families and the need for a consistent approach to understanding the needs of individual young people, throughout the school environment.  Summaries of the survey responses for each school, including key themes have been produced and will be shared with senior teaching staff and Parent Carers.

We are now booking the second Parent Carer group meetings with schools, all of which will be completed by the end of November.  These will take place during the hour after drop-off or the hour before pick up and will be open to any parent carer with SEND attending the school.  The meetings will be a chance to discuss the themes in the school’s survey responses, to identify the top 3 issues that Parent Carers would like to discuss with the school leaders, and to talk about how everyone can keep in touch and up to date with SEND news.  Each Parent Carer group has a closed Facebook group host by PACC, to support ongoing discussions and to enable information about the support and services available in Shropshire and wider to be shared.

After meeting with each Parent Carer group, PACC will work with the school leaders to understand the feedback from families and to work together to respond to the key areas for improvement. While PACC will host a further Parent Carer group meeting in the New Year as part of PINS, ongoing communication and discussion between schools and their Parent Carer community will be encouraged.

Shropshire Parent Carer Council (PACC)

The brokerage meetings have been overwhelmingly positive; it is evident from the discussions that school leaders are appreciating the time to discuss their school's individual needs whilst recognising and celebrating their strengths. Building on this, bespoke support packages are being developed that will provide coaching support in the school’s priority areas and will create a legacy of inclusion and celebration of neurodivergence. Moreover, the local Services working with these schools as part of the PINS Project are realising the links and support between their Services and there is hope that a longer-term collaborative approach supporting our schools and neurodivergent children will be maintained.

Dr Kathryn Morgan

Specialist Senior Educational Psychologist for Neurodiversity, Shropshire Educational Psychology Service

The impact of the Neurodiversity Practitioner Pilot Project was celebrated and it was shared that other authorities are exploring developing similar teams.  

The Neurodiversity Employability Index has started with ENABLE with explorations into what support is available in Shropshire Council and with the view of rolling out widely in Shropshire or across the region.

There has been a great response to the survey in PINS schools with 320 responses creating a useful data set about parent carers day to day experience of SEND in schools.  Nearly all the brokerage meetings will be completed by the end of September.

There are a wide range webinars on offer from Autism West Midlands (AWM). The coffee mornings hosted by AWM are being well attended by parent carers.

The SEND Change Programme is already showing the benefits of wider area working and sharing good practice (includes Shropshire, Telford, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire).

A review has taken place on the Healthier Together website, including sharing feedback gained from young people on the 18-25 pages, to ensure that the information is relevant and up-to-date.

Shropshire Council has published a report showing the results of a consultation on short breaks provision for children and young people with disabilities and/or special educational needs and their families. 

The consultation, which during the spring/summer aimed to gather feedback from various stakeholders, such as parent carers, professionals, and young people themselves, on the current challenges and gaps in the existing provision, as well as the preferred model and outcomes for the new service.

The surveys were designed in close collaboration with the Parent Carer Council Shropshire (PACC). PACC were also a key partner in getting the communication out about the consultation and encouraging stakeholders to have their say ahead in the recommissioning of short breaks.

You can find out more about the response on the SEND Local Offer news pages.

Over the next few months, the Commissioning team will be working with partners to agree options and a plan next steps. Updates will be shared on the Local Offer news pages and the Local Offer Facebook page.

The SEND and Alternative Provision (SENDAP) Change Programme is a national programme designed to test a number of policy changes to systems and processes for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those accessing Alternative Provision (AP).

The SENDAP Change Programme is advancing plans to enhance SEND and Alternative Provision in Shropshire. There have been many aspects of the programme tested since we last updated you in July 2024. 

Find out more about the Local Area Inclusion Plan (LAIP), Alternative Provision (AP), Multi Agency Panels, EHCP Standardisation and National Standards and Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP):

To find out more about the key developments in each of these areas visit the SEND Local Offer.

We are continuing to provide online advice appointments, book your slot online using the link below. No diagnosis is needed to access this service to Shropshire residents. Face-to-face appointments can be arranged (usually at Sunflower House, Shrewsbury, but other venues may be possible) if you would prefer this, email the team and they will let you know availability.  Please see below for details of our online support groups.

Here is an overview of our upcoming events:

Rising to the challenge early years, starting 12^th November

A six-week training for parents, carers and professionals - Rising to the challenge (RTTC) -Tuesday 12th November and every Tuesday until Tuesday 17th December 10:00am-11:00am, there is an opportunity to join us after each session for a Microsoft teams online interaction to ask questions. The link will be sent out to all those who register for the webinar. Our webinars are recorded, and anyone registered is sent the recording, they then have 14 days to view the recording. Topics include the following subjects over six weeks.

• Understanding Autism
• Autism and understanding social communication
• Autism and sensory
• Autism and food
• Autism Toileting and sleep.

Click this link to book on.

Training for Professionals

16^th October – Autism and Behaviour, The Lantern Shrewsbury

11^th November – Autism and Anxiety, The Lantern Shrewsbury

Email shropshire@autismwestmidlands.org.uk to book a place

We will have an advisor at each of these Early Help SEND drop ins.

Tuesday 15 October, 1.30pm-4pm - Bridgnorth Youth Centre, Bridgnorth Family Hub, 45 Innage Lane, WV16 4HS

Thursday 7 November, 9.30am-12 - Meole Brace Primary School Family Drop-in, Church Road, SY3 9HG  

No booking needed, just drop in.

Book an online advice appointment with an Autism Specialist Advisor here…

WEEKLY Teams Advice slots

For those who would like some online advice we are offering this virtually via video appointments. Teams also works well on mobile phones. To book a 45 min advice appointment with a specialist autism advisor please book via our shop.  If the dates/timings of our online advice appointments are not convenient for you, please contact us to make alternative arrangements – scroll down for details. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shropshire-online-autism-advice-consultation-sessions-parents-carers-tickets-664530557787?aff=website

Virtual Support Group for Parents - Wednesday Mornings 10am - 11am & Wednesday Evenings 7.30pm – 8.30pm – 1^st and 3^rd Weds of each month

Our online support groups meet twice a month via Teams. 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

Advice and support

We 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

Mon – Fri - Kerry McLafferty - 07900784186

Mon, Tue, Wed  - Dawn Lewis - 07706309382

Mon, Tue, Thu   - Nicola King - 07706337511        

Email - shropshire@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

Please remember - No formal 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 on our Shropshire email address.  You can also use our helpline.