SEND Newsletter
May 2022
Discover all the current news and information about Special Educational Needs and Disability in Telford & Wrekin.
 Welcome from the Service Delivery Manager
It’s not long now until Half Term, and I am sure that you are looking forward to your break!
Once again we have tried to keep the SEND Newsletter for May a little shorter, however there are a few important changes so wanted to make sure you have seen them! The main change is regarding the Emotional Health and Wellbeing Panel following the review, please make sure you take a look. The information covers referrals that have already been made to the Panel and the new process for referrals for ND Pathways.
Once again we are asking all education settings to share information about applying for Travel Assistance with families, we are requesting that families complete their applications by the following dates, Pre 16 before 30 June 2022 and Post 16 by 31 July 2022. Applying by these dates will ensure transport can be arranged in time for September. I would like to thank you for your assistance in sharing this message with parent carers and families.
Further support has been released to support Transition, the LSAT’s have been working with the Multicultural Development Team to support children and young people with English as an additional language, please do take a look. Support for children with a hearing or visual impairment has been shared by the Sensory Inclusion Service. Don’t forget to take a look at the training dates from the SEND services including the popular SIS courses on supporting children and young people with a hearing or visual impairment.
Please enjoy a restful break,
Best wishes,
Natalie Bevan
Service Delivery Manager: SEND & Personalisation
Emotional Health and Wellbeing Panel
Changes with immediate effect
Changes to the Emotional Health and Wellbeing Panel and referral pathway into the BEE U service (with immediate effect)
In January a review of the Emotional Health and Wellbeing panel took place due to feedback from parents/ carers, schools and professionals. Since then the LA have been having some ongoing discussions with Bee U about the best way forward for the panel and the Neuro Diverse pathways.
It has been agreed that the Local Authority will no longer manage the referrals into the Bee U service, and that the panel as it currently exists will not continue. Bee U has made a decision that they will now accept referrals directly from schools as access referrals, and will communicate directly with schools and parents about decisions made on acceptance onto pathways.
Discussions are continuing about how we could take the feedback from the review into consideration, and use this to develop a productive model for the Local Authority and Clinical Commissioning Group partnership moving forwards. There are plans for a working party to be formed to explore how we can work together on these developments.
From Friday 20 May 2022, all NEW referrals for all BEE U pathways must be sent directly to the BEE U service. BEE U have provided some supporting documents that outline the referral pathway and criteria which can be found below.
If you have already sent a referral into the EHWB inbox, the Local Authority will send these onto the BEE U Service on your behalf. We will include you into the communication to BEE U about your referral.
If you have completed the EHWB Panel paperwork and not yet sent to the EHWB inbox, please send directly to BEE U outlined below.
If you are thinking of making a referral, please complete a BEE U Referral form being clear on if this is for a ADHD, ASD or core assessment referral.
This needs to be sent directly to BEE U outlined below.
If you have already made an application and it’s been accepted through the EHWB panel but have concerns of a young person going into mental health crisis, please email 025spa@mpft.nhs.uk or call 08081964501.
If you have a child who is younger than 5 years old, please request that the family make contact with their GP and / or Health visitor.
More information about the Child Development Centre can be found online.
If you have a young person over the age of 17 ½ years please make the referral to Adults Autism Hub or through their GP.
If you are a Special School please send the referral to BEE U outlined below, who may send onto the LD team.
If you are a professional who wants to refer a child who is Electively Home Educated, you or under exceptional circumstances the child’s GP can make the referral outlined below.
If you have a young person that you have concerns about and don’t know where to go for advice and guidance, please raise with support teams within your schools (EP’s / BSAT / LSAT / Your Mental Health Lead / Mental Health support teams in schools) or support services like BEAM / Kooth / BEE U Access team detailed below.
All referrals from 20 May 2022 should be sent via email to 025spa@mpft.nhs.uk.
You can also telephone the BeeU Access Team on: 0808 196 4501 Option 1.
Please note that the above is subject to further change in the coming weeks but Bee U ND teams and Managers are fully committed to support the developments of both Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin in the efforts to improve and have more effective neurodevelopment pathways that are in line with the Community I-THRIVE approach.
More information is available on the SEND Local Offer:
Emotional Health and Wellbeing Panel - SEND - Local offer (telfordsend.org.uk)
If you have any queries about this message please email Natalie.Bevan@telford.gov.uk or Claire.mcguiggan@telford.gov.uk.
My Options
Recruiting for Summer Play Scheme Assistants
Do you know someone looking for a great summer job?
My Options are recruiting for this years’ Stay & Play Scheme for SEND children and young people. The scheme is run by My Options, Young People’s Service at a number of locations. The focus is on play and fun, and the feedback from last year’s scheme is that the young people had a fabulous time and it’s such a rewarding role… and we’re hoping that this year will be even better.
We’re looking to recruit highly motivated people. Experience isn’t essential but you must want to make a difference
The scheme runs for 5 weeks during the summer holiday and there are full and part time positions available, and we’d happily consider people who aren’t available for the whole of the scheme.
Travel Assistance
Travel Assistance for Children and Young People
Do any of the students in your school or setting use travel assistance?
If so, take a look at the information below to find out if they need to reapply.
Educational settings and parents in Telford and Wrekin that have young people with special educational needs and disabilities who are eligible for travel assistance for September 2022 are being told to apply now.
There is only a need to reapply for travel assistance in instances where children are due to move to a new school in September or if they are moving to a new home address.
However eligible young people who are starting in a post 16 setting or continuing in a post 16 setting must reapply. This includes those staying at their current school and moving into Year 12. This is because travel assistance does not automatically continue between academic years for any young person in post 16 education.
Information about eligibility and links to the relevant Transport policies and online applications can be found on the SEND Local Offer.
Applications for school age children should be made by 30 June 2022.
For young people post 16 they will need to re-apply by 31 July 2022.
Where applications are outstanding please complete as soon as possible.
Late applications will not necessarily be granted travel assistance for the start of the new school term.
Independent Travel Training
Independent Travel Training is available to support young people to travel safely, independently and confidently. It usually involves the use of public transport to get to school, college or a work placement.
Transition
Sensory Inclusion Service - Transition Support
As you know this is an important time for CYP who are transitioning either to primary, secondary, or further education. There may also be CYP moving settings who will also benefit from transition support.
It is important for settings to liaise with SIS and particularly CYP’s Teacher of the Deaf or Qualified Teacher of the Visually Impaired to discuss transition. It may be that some CYP require a lot more input than others with regards to transition support. ToDs and QTVIs can advise around what would be most appropriate for CYP with a hearing loss, visual impairment or for those with a multi-sensory impairment.
Supporting Transition for Children and Young People with English as an Additional Language
Further guidance has been produced by the LSAT and Multicultural Development team to support you in planning the best possible Y6/7 transition for pupils with EAL.
The Must/Should/Could document is best practice guidance and gives examples of activities and approaches to support a positive transition and can be used to help you plan the transition process.
The Background Information document should be used to ensure that all relevant information is recorded and passed on to the receiving school so that they are fully aware of each EAL pupil’s individual circumstances
SEND and Alternative Provision
Consultation
The Government’s SEND and alternative provision green paper has been published (Tuesday 29 March), it sets out a vision for a single, national SEND and alternative provision (AP) system that will introduce new standards in the quality of support given to children across education, health and care.
The plans to reform the system will be open for consultation until 22 July 2022.
The ambitious green paper is the result of the SEND Review, commissioned to improve an inconsistent, process-heavy and increasingly adversarial system that too often leaves parents facing difficulties and delays accessing the right support for their child.
Consultation Link:
SEND and AP Review Consultation
SENCo Workshop
“Right Support, Right place, Right time”
The SEND Review was commissioned in 2019 explore the challenges in the SEND system, as a result a government consultation was issued requesting all partners in the SEND system respond to the proposals.
The overall aim of the review is to:
Create a more inclusive education system with excellent local mainstream provision which will improve the experience and outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and those who need alternative provision.
A workshop has been arranged for SENCo's to share their thoughts and responses to these proposals, enabling everyone to have the opportunity to feedback and shape how they feel the new system will work in the future. We would also encourage you to complete the consultation independently.
The workshop will be held on:
Thursday 30 June 2022
3.30pm - 4.30pm.
Microsoft Teams
An invitation the event will be sent to all SENCo's a week before. If you would like an invitation to the session and don't currently receive an invite to the SENCo Network sessions, please book by email: SENDandInclusion@telford.gov.uk.
SEND Training Courses
Governors’ Responsibilities for SEND
Wednesday 8 June 2022
5pm-7pm
This course is designed to ensure governors with responsibility for SEND have up to date knowledge of the SEND agenda and develop effective skills as a critical friend.
This course will help governors to:
- gain an understanding of the national picture, the budget for SEND and inclusion and why SEND and inclusion is so important in schools
- review their responsibilities, including how to challenge schools on their approach
- receive information about statutory requirements, including a school’s duties under the Equality Act, accessibility planning and the need for a SEND information report that links back to the Local Offer website
- know what resources already exist which can be used to enhance a school’s SEND offer
- know what questions to ask the SENCO to gain a better understanding of your school’s approach
- understand the formal EHC consultation process and how to respond in line with the SEND Code of Practice
Course Code: LSAT 212
SEND Building Capacity in your School
Tuesday 21 June 2022
9.15am – 3pm
It is essential for any school to have a consistent approach across the whole staff in supporting children with special needs.
This course will give you the opportunity to develop ways of sharing skills and building the knowledge base of all professionals within your setting. This will involve exploring the use of joint working and cleverly directed support from senior leaders, and identifying how this can lead to whole school professional development and build continuing capacity for a skilled workforce.
The course is particularly significant in developing the leadership skills of SENCOs. The strategies and ideas within the session will also support ways of managing workload and improve the impact a SENCO can have within a short space of time.
LSAT 403
School Duties under the Equality Act 2010 and How to Write an Effective Accessibility Plan
Wednesday 6 July 2022
9.15am – 12noon
The SEND Code of Practice requires schools and settings to publish an accessibility plan which 'sets out how they plan to increase access for disabled pupils to the curriculum, the physical environment and to information'. Schools are also under a duty to publish equality objectives.
This course will look at what constitutes an effective accessibility plan and equality objectives and support delegates in developing information that meets their duties under the Equality Act 2010. Key Outcomes Delegates will:
- know what constitutes a good accessibility plan
- understand the equality objectives
- have the skills to publish information that meets their duties under the Equality Act 2010
LSAT 304
The full CPD Booklet continues to be available on the Telford Education Services site.
Course bookings are made by sending a completed CPD booking form via email to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk.
Teaching Children with SEND
Meeting the Needs:
Literacy Difficulties
Thursday 7 July 2022
4pm-5.30pm
Microsoft Teams
Part of a six part course, Teaching Children with SEND: Meeting the Needs, this course can also be booked as a standalone module. Each session has a specific focus and are designed to upskill teachers, in order for them to feel confident in teaching children with SEND.
Course Code: LSAT 508
The Hearing Impaired Child in your Class
The SIS-Hearing Impaired course is returning this year as a face to face event. Radio aid/FM users will be invited via the setting’s Teacher of the Deaf.
Please note that Teachers of the Deaf will invite settings for CYP the course is appropriate for.
29 September 2022
Full day
It is a fantastic opportunity for key staff to learn more about the HI child in your school. There will be a mix of talks and workshops, including practical hands-on activities during the day.
The course will focus on:
- Developing understanding of hearing loss and specifically the hearing loss of the HI child you support
- Hearing devices, including how to make optimal use of radio aids/FM systems
- Language and how to support the language needs of the HI child you support
- What inclusion looks like for deaf children
As part of the day, there will be talks by Lead professionals from SIS, as well as a talk from an experienced member of staff from a setting to share their views and guidance about supporting a deaf child in school. There will also be the opportunity to hear from a deaf young person and to hear about their experiences of being educated in mainstream settings.
Please speak with your school’s Teacher of the Deaf for more information and how to sign up for the course.
Cost per delegate: £65.00
The Visually Impaired Child/Young Person in your mainstream classroom
The SIS-Visual Impaired course is returning this year as a face to face event. Please note that Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with a Visual Impairment will invite settings for CYP the course is appropriate for.
Tuesday 11 October 2022
It is an invaluable course for anyone working with a child who has a visual impairment. It will provide knowledge and strategies to help key staff to support the child or young person with a visual impairment in your setting. There will be a mix of talks and workshops, including practical hands-on activities during the day.
As part of the day, there will be talks by Lead professionals from SIS, as well as a presentation from a Qualified Habitation Specialist to demonstrate the sighted guide technique that many children and young people rely on to orientate around their educational setting.
The last part of the day is often the most popular when an inspirational visually impaired young person is invited to share their experience of being educated in a mainstream setting.
Please speak with the QTVI that visits your school for more information and how to sign up for the course.
Cost per delegate: £65.00
|
