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SEND Newsletter
May 2023

Discover all the current news and information about Special Educational Needs and Disability in Telford & Wrekin

Welcome from the SEND & Personalisation Service Delivery Manager

Welcome to the May edition of the SEND Newsletter, I appreciate it’s a busy time for many colleagues with exam season underway.

This month we have some lovely stories to share with you from our Sensory Inclusion Service, they provide an excellent service support children and young people with hearing and visual impairments across Telford & Wrekin. Please do take a look at their newsletters to see the amazing work they do.

Once again, it’s the time of year that we are requesting parent carers and family carers to submit applications for travel assistance, we are pleased to announce a new application system is in place. This system will make the process of applying, tracking and awarding travel assistance easier for families. Please can we request you support to share this message with your families who are eligible and encourage them to apply before the 30 June 2023.

The SEND Working Together Charter is still a high priority for us, we know that early years settings, schools and post 16 providers are key in our journey to embed co-production with families throughout Telford & Wrekin. A workshop on Thursday 15 June 2023 has been arranged to support education providers to continue developing co-production in your settings. Best practice guidance and a self-evaluation tool being published for schools and settings to use to get the most out of using the charter.

A new website has been launched by our partners in NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, the Healthier Together website provides consistent, accurate and trustworthy health care advice for everyone living and working in the area. The website provides links and information to local services and resources.

Please save the date for our next SENCo Network Meeting on Thursday 8 June 2023, we are currently organising a face to face venue for the event and I look forward to seeing everyone in person!

Natalie Bevan
Service Delivery Manager
SEND & Personalisation

Sensory Inclusion Service

England v Germany
Men's Deaf International Football

Young people who are supported by the Sensory Inclusion Service (SIS) were invited to the England v Germany Men’s deaf international football match at AFC Telford United on Friday 24 March 2023. They led the team onto the pitch as mascots.

At half time, there was a penalty shootout with Bobby the Buck. Following the game, the children got to meet the players. It was a wonderful evening!

Deaf Awareness Week
1 May 2023 - 7 May 2023

Did you know that there are over 45,000 deaf children in the UK?  Hearing loss can be in one or both ears and can range from mild to profound. There are lots of different types of hearing devices, from conventional hearing aids to cochlear implants/processors to support children with hearing loss.

Why not take this opportunity to share the Sensory Inclusion Service’s Top Tips for deaf awareness during an assembly for Deaf Awareness Week.

Deaf awareness Top Tips:

Make sure you are inclusive – if a deaf child hasn’t heard what you have said, don’t say it doesn’t matter, make sure you take the time to repeat clearly what has been said so that they can join in with the conversation.

Talk at normal speed with normal lip-patterns. Did you know that lots of people with hearing loss rely on lip-reading to support their listening? Make sure that when you are talking, the person with a hearing loss can see your face clearly.

Try not to stand in front of a light source, like a window, as this can obscure your face and mean that the deaf person cannot read your facial expressions or lip-read effectively.

Try not to make unnecessary noise as this can be very distracting for someone who wears hearing aids.  Think, are you tapping a pen? Shuffling in your chair? Talking when you shouldn’t be? This can all make it harder for the deaf person to hear.

Suggested Activities for the week:

• Have a bake sale to raise money during the week for the local Shropshire Deaf Children’s Society.
• Find a story book that includes a deaf character for a literacy focus
• Research famous deaf people.
• Try a lip-reading challenge.
• Learn to finger spell the alphabet.
• Organise a visit from the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.

If you want more ideas or information, please contact the Sensory Inclusion Service on 01952 385269 or SENDandInclusion@telford.gov.uk

Bowling Event

Our role is principally about supporting children and young people (CYP) who have a Visual Impairment (VI) to maximise their potential in educational settings or at home when pre-school. However, we know how valuable it is for someone who may be the only child in their school with a VI to meet others like them to help reduce social exclusion and improve confidence and self-image.

On Friday 3 March 2023, we organised a bowling event for 36 children and young people who we support along with some of their brothers and sisters. The youngest participant was only 2 years old!

I can say with confidence that they all enjoyed themselves, made new friends, let off steam and talked with others who also have needs due to their vision. Parents also had a chance to talk and share their experiences with each other. Several approached us on the evening to say how they enjoyed the opportunity to meet others in similar circumstances.

Nichola Clarke one of our Social Inclusion Facilitator’s organised the event which consisted of 2 games of bowls and a meal and drink, all paid for by The Shropshire and Mid Wales Head and Neck Charity. Mr Bowyer is an ENT Consultant and Chairperson.

If you know of a child or young person in Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire with a visual impairment who you feel would benefit from our service’s support, want to know more about our role or if you can offer funding for future events, please contact me:

Rob Tipton Lead Qualified Teacher of Visually Impaired, Sensory Inclusion Service

robert.tipton@telford.gov.uk

Newsletters

Available to download is the Visual Impairment Newsletter - April 2023

Available to download is the Hearing Impairment Newsletter - April 2023

Travel Assistance

Independent Travel Training

Please take a look at the new video on the SEND Local Offer, Josh shares his experience of Independent Travel Training.

New Application Portal

Behind the scenes we have been working hard on a new travel assistance application system. This should make the process of applying, tracking and where eligible, awarding travel assistance much easier for parents/carers. 

It is really important that where parent carers and family carers are looking to apply and are eligible for travel assistance from September 2023 then parents do not wait until the summer holidays to apply as this can cause long delays. 

We are therefore encouraging all applications for September to be made by 30 June 2023. 

Who needs to apply?

• If a child is statutory school age but does not currently receive travel assistance and is eligible then they need to apply.
• If a child is statutory school age, already receives travel assistance and is changing school in September then they will need to re-apply.
• If a child is statutory school age, already receives travel assistance and is not changing school in September then this will carry on next year and there is no need to re-apply.
• If the young person is leaving secondary school and is eligible for travel assistance to help them attend their post 16 setting then they will need to apply.
• If the young person is already in post 16 provision and receives travel assistance then they will need to re-apply.  Travel assistance is only granted for one year for post 16 students.
• Parent / carers must also re-apply at any point in the year when you move house.

How to apply:

Applications must be submitted on the council's new travel assistance platform www.travelassistance.telford.gov.uk   This has been developed based on feedback received from parents and carers over the last year.

In order to submit an online application, parent / carers will be required to create a new account.  Once they have created an account and submitted their application, parent /carers can also log on at any point to see the progress of their application.  If parent / carers need support in creating a new account, they can call 01952 384545 (Monday to Friday, 7.15am-5pm).

Telford & Wrekin SEND
Working Together Charter

The Telford & Wrekin SEND Working Together Charter, supports children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families to get involved in shaping and improving local services.

SEND Working Together Workshop

Please book onto the SEND Working Together Workshop in June to see how the Charter can be used to develop and improve co-production in your school or setting.

Best Practice Guidance and a Self-Evaluation will be shared during the workshop.

15 June 2023
4pm - 5pm
Microsoft Teams

Invitations will be sent to everyone on our contact list for SENCo Network Meetings. If you don't receive an invite to the Network Meetings and would like to attend, please book your place by email: SENDandInclusion@telford.gov.uk.

Shout Out Young People's Group

Shout Out Young People's Group provides an opportunity for young people to have their voice heard and to influence the decisions in Telford and Wrekin.

The group is interested in working collaboratively with schools and post 16 settings. They would like the opportunity to visit school councils and/or parliaments to share information about the group and discuss how they can work together to encourage young people to share their views.

Further developments are underway to strengthen the voice of children and young people in Telford & Wrekin. If you know a young person who is passionate about sharing their voice and would like to make a difference in Telford, please do encourage and support them to join the young persons group.

If your school or setting would like to request a visit to find out more please contact us via email: localoffer@telford.gov.uk.

Inclusive School Forum

The Inclusive School Forum (ISF) is a school led forum within Telford and Wrekin that provides support and challenge to mainstream schools regarding the provision and practice they deliver for children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). It aims to provide an opportunity to network and deliver peer to peer guidance. The focus is, through sharing best practice, to develop an inclusive education system within Telford and Wrekin whereby children with increasingly complex needs achieve and succeed within mainstream schools.

Education Health and Care Plans

Thinking of requesting an EHC assessment?

We ask that all educational settings first discuss new EHC need assessment requests with your allocated SEND officer before starting an application. They will work with you to discuss how best to get SEND support and provision in place for children and young people.

Thank you for your support.

Annual Review Listings

Annual review listings are being sent out to all schools, settings and post 16
providers, detailing the dates when we require annual reviews to be completed by and returned to the Local Authority.

There has been some changes in how the reports are being presented, a colour coding system has been used to identify when the reviews are due:

• Red – the review is overdue (the due date of the review has already passed and this review is a priority)
• Amber – the review is due in the summer term 
• Green – the review is due in the Autumn term or beyond.
• Blue – the review is in process

Please may we request that you carefully check through your listing and let us
know if there are any inaccuracies by emailing
the sendandinclusion@telford.gov.uk.

To support the changes we are planning an Annual Review Workshop and Drop In session on:

Thursday 18 May 2023
4pm - 5pm
Microsoft Teams

Invitations will be sent to all SENCO's on our contact list a week before the workshop, please save the date in your diary.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Telford Mind Calm Café for 11-25 year olds

Telford Mind Calm Café sessions aim to provide a person centred and holistic approach to support young people through the challenges that they are facing. There will be activities to engage in, 1:1 support and the opportunity to meet peers facing similar experiences. Free light refreshments are also offered during the sessions.

The sessions are held as follows:

Monday - Brookside Community Centre 4-6pm (13-16yr olds)

Tuesday - Donnington Community Hub 4-6pm (13-16yr olds)

Thursday - Wellington Boardroom Cafe 4-6pm (16-25yr olds)

BEAM

Beam is an emotional well-being service for children and young people under 25 years old who are registered with a GP in Shropshire or Telford & Wrekin.

Come along to our drop-in session and be seen by an Emotional Health & Wellbeing Practitioner on the days below, no appointment needed.

• Monday ‘Drop Ins’ – 12pm - 4pm (last session 3.15pm) at The Lantern, Meadow Farm Drive, Shrewsbury, SY1 4NG
• Tuesday ‘Drop Ins’ – 10am - 6pm (last session 5.15pm) at Beam, 9 Market Square, Wellington, TF1 1BP
• Thursday ‘Drop Ins’ – 10am - 6pm (last session 5.15pm) at Beam, 9 Market Square, Wellington, TF1 1BP

You can also register via our website: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk//beamshropshire
Young people aged 14 years+ can register themselves.
Young people aged 13 and under will need a parent/carer to register on their behalf.

If you have any questions about the Beam service, please contact us by email: shropshirebeam@childrenssociety.org.uk

Kooth

Kooth provides an anonymous 24-hour online service offering peer support, self-help and have trained counsellors to talk to. Anyone aged 11-25, living in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, can register to access this service and you don’t need to be referred or have an appointment Whilst the website is available 24 hours, there will be someone to talk to online at the following times:

• 12:00 to 22:00 (Monday to Friday)

• 18:00 to 22:00 (Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays)

For more information visit Kooth: http://www.kooth.com  

Health

Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Healthier Together
A new website for families

Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System has launched a new website that provides consistent, accurate and trustworthy healthcare advice to parents, carers of children, young people and professionals.

Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Healthier Together is a free website developed by healthcare professionals to help parents and carers keep their children safe and healthy.  The website provides clear advice and information for anyone in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin who wants a reliable source of local information and is available by visiting www.stw-healthiertogether.nhs.uk.

The Healthier Together programme first originated in Wessex and its success has led to it being adapted and launched in other parts of the country. Information on the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin website has been reviewed by local healthcare professionals and means that links and information about local services and resources have been made available.

The site aims to improve outcomes for children and their families and offers practical advice to families on numerous health conditions (such as skin rashes, mental health, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea) and on whether a child should go to nursery or school if unwell, along with advice on keeping children safe, well and in good general health.

Dr Priya George, NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Lead for Mental Health and Children and Young People has led the project from a clinical perspective, and commented: “The Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Healthier Together website is an incredible local tool for healthcare colleagues, families and patients. It is a single resource for anyone concerned about childhood illnesses, and even has the functionality to send text messages to the patient, parent or carer - easily giving them the information they need.

“The simple ‘traffic light’ system helps guide parents to the right care at the right time and place for the symptoms their child is experiencing.

“With typical waiting times for health services currently higher than we would like, we hope this new website will provide parents with an alternative way of helping to identify the support they need in a quick and easy way.

“The Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Healthier Together website will be a boost for children and their families, and will also support health services by ensuring the right people are being directed to the right services.”

The easy-to-use self-triage tool gives health advice via a system of red, amber, and green signs which directs the user to the right place for the care of the child. If the website suggests the child does not need professional medical care, it may still suggest self-care for minor ailments (green), that can be provided at home or via their local pharmacy with over-the-counter treatments.

For children rated as amber, parents will be directed to primary care services, or NHS111 if outside normal GP practice opening hours.

In cases where urgent or emergency treatment could be required (red), the website will signpost the parent or carer to a nearby Accident and Emergency Department.

Annual Health Checks

Annual health checks are for adults and young people aged 14 or over with a learning disability.

An annual health check gives people time to talk about anything that is worrying them and means they can get used to going to visit the doctor.

To help explain what is involved in an annual health check, a group of inspiring young people from Derwen College have created a video to raise awareness of the importance of annual health checks

The video is aimed to help young people with learning disabilities to understand the process of an annual health check in a simple, easy to understand format.

For more information and to watch the video please use the link below.

Message from Shropcom – Advice Line

Please can we remind all schools and educational settings to use the Advice Line for Shropcom prior to making a referral to OT (Occupational Therapy) or SALT (Speech and Language Therapy). The advice line provides a triage service for referrals, including answering enquiries during your call.

Speech and Language Therapy

Advice Line: 01743 450800 (option 4)

Occupational Therapy

Advice Line: 01743 450800
E-mail: shropcom.OT4kids@nhs.net

Early Years

Specialist School Outreach

The Bridge School, Southall, Haughton and the Severn School Training Alliance have all worked together to create an outreach service for our mainstream settings – including early years providers.

This menu of support is intended to complement what is already available from central support services within Telford & Wrekin and to support settings in providing for pupils with more complex needs.

Applications

• Applications for Outreach are via EYIP or from discussion with your Early Years team
• Any request in writing must specify why you feel Outreach is needed and what you anticipate the impact will be.
• There must be parental consent
• A decision will be made with Special School Head teachers and outreach workers as to whether Outreach is agreed
• When Outreach is agreed the request will be forwarded to the Outreach team to discuss the nature of support that will be provided.

Who can I talk to about the support and if it’s really needed?

You can contact your Early Years team, SEND team and SEND Services.

For more information email: SENDandInclusion@telford.gov.uk

Preparing for Adulthood

SEND Drop In
Parents, Carers & Families

A new SEND Drop In has been arranged, it provides and opportunity for parents, carers and young people to talk to a SEND Officer. The Drop In location has been arranged to enable young people and their families to request advice from Future Focus Careers Advisors at the same time, if appropriate.

Time: Every Monday 1pm – 4pm

Venue: Youth Hub (Floor 2), Southwater One, Southwater Square, Southwater Way, Telford, TF4 4JG

Please can we request that this information is shared with your parents, carers and families.

Telford 16-19 Website Post 16 Prospectus

The Telford 16 - 19 prospectus has information on the post 16 offer in Telford & Wrekin including almost 300 A - levels, BTECs and Apprenticeships across six schools and colleges, making Telford an inspirational hub for learning, opportunity and achievement.

For more information please contact Future Focus by email: Future.focus@telford.gov.uk or, by phone: 01952 388988.

SEND Training Courses

Save the Date - SENCo Network Meeting

Please save the date in your diary for the next SENCo Network Meeting , it will be on:

Thursday 8 June 2023
4pm - 5.30pm

Face to Face - Venue to be confirmed.

Please keep a lookout for more information!

SENCO: Establishing Yourself as a SEND Leader

This is a 6 part series, there are 1 session remaining this year.

Information report writing – Wednesday 28 June 2023, 4-5pm via Teams.

Governor’s Responsibilities for SEND

This course ensures governors with the responsibility of SEND have up to date knowledge of the SEND agenda and develop their skills as a critical friend.

Wednesday 14 June 2023
5pm to 7pm via Teams

Course Code: LSAT 212

AET Autism Education Trust

A reminder for any school wishing to book AET GAP training to get their training requests in as soon as possible. We are now taking requests for training in 2023/2024 for those of you looking to plan PD days for the upcoming academic year.

For more information about Training Courses, please take a look at the Telford Education Services Website to view the CPD Booklet for Schools and download the course booking form.

TalkBoost - Reminder Online Tracker

Please can we remind all schools who have been on the TalkBoost Training to make sure they use the online tracker and tick the data sharing box in settings so that data can be collated.

If you have any queries please contact us by email at: SENDandInclusion@telford.gov.uk.

Talk Boost KS1

Following a successful bid for funding, Telford and Wrekin LSAT Team and Shropshire Community Health Trust are in a position to be able to offer training and resources for ICAN’s Talk Boost KS1 programme free of charge to all Infant, Junior and Primary schools in Telford.

Thursday 8 June 2023
9am - 3pm
Microsoft Teams

Please note, this is likely to be the last opportunity to access this free of charge.

What is TalkBoost KS1?

Talk Boost KS1 is a targeted intervention for 4-7 year old children with language that is delayed, including children in Reception classes.

The programme is delivered in primary schools by classroom teachers and teaching assistants and provides a structured programme that boosts children’s progress in language and communication by an average of 9 - 18 months after a ten week intervention.

Why should you sign up?

As previously communicated, The Speech and Language Therapy team are moving towards a graduated response model which, for some children, will involve collating evidence of having implemented one of the recognised screening and intervention tools prior to referral. Being able to deliver TalkBoost KS1 in your school will enable you to evidence your graduated response.

What’s included?

• 
  One pack of resources per school (RRP £500)
• A full day of online training for 2 members of staff (this should be a Foundation Stage or KS1 class teacher and a TA who will be
  overseeing and delivering the intervention together).
• NB: as a Junior school, you can sign up for the TalkBoost KS1 free training if you feel it will be beneficial.
• NB: if your school has already had a free resource pack via LSAT TalkBoost KS1 training, you are eligible for 2 free delegate places
  but will not receive another resource pack.

The closing date for signing up is: Thursday 25th May AT 5PM

Someone from your school will need to come and collect your free resource pack from a central location, you will be e-mailed with details regarding this shortly after booking has closed.

If you wish to send more than 2 delegates, there will be an additional charge of £135 per person (with a 10% reduction for 2 or more paying delegates).

To make a booking, please send a completed booking form to: cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk

TalkBoost KS2

Following a successful bid for funding the Telford and Wrekin LSAT Team is in a position to be able to offer training for ICAN’s Talk Boost KS2 programme free of charge to all Junior, Primary and Secondary schools in Telford.

Thursday 29 June 2023
9am - 3pm
Microsoft Teams

Please note, this is likely to be the last opportunity to access this free of charge.

What is TalkBoost KS2?

Talk Boost KS2 is a targeted intervention aimed at children 7-10 years old with delayed language, aiming to boost their language skills
and help them to catch up with their peers. The programme aims to accelerate children’s progress in language and communication,
after an eight week intervention.

Why should you sign up?

As previously communicated, The Speech and Language Therapy Team are moving towards a graduated response model which, for
some children, will involve collating evidence of having implemented one of the recognised screening and intervention tools prior to
referral. Being able to deliver TalkBoost KS2 in your school will enable you to evidence your graduated response.

What’s included?

• For Junior and Primary schools only:
  One pack of resources per school (RRP £500).
• A full day of online training for 2 members of staff (this should be a class teacher and TA who will be overseeing and delivering
  the intervention together)

For secondary schools:

We recognise that not all secondary schools will need to carry out this intervention. We are offering free training for 2 members of staff from your school and will then have packs of resources that we can loan out for secondary schools who have students in Years 7/8 who will benefit.

We will ask our Primary and Junior schools to indicate during transition any Y6 students who are coming up in September who they feel would benefit. You will not be able to borrow the resources and deliver the intervention unless someone has had the training.

The closing date for signing up is: Thursday 15 June 2023.

To make a booking, please send a completed booking form to: cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk

PODS

PODS Spring Newsletter 2023

Download the PODS Spring 2023 Newsletter.

PODS Referral Form

PODS have recently amended their referral process, professionals are now welcome to fill out the Referral Form to make the process easier, however, you are more than welcome to also contact us to discuss individual cases.

Download: PODS Referral Form

Contact Details:

Phone: 01952 458047 Email: support@podstelford.org

Free challenges at home sessions

Support sessions
(for child/young person with Autism with/without diagnosis).

Open to 0-18 years from mainstream and special schools. For families to discuss home/life concerns and seek information and advice from Educational Psychologist team around emotional, behaviour, social, anxieties, routines, etc.

We use these sessions to support families to find solutions together and share experiences and offer mutual support in a safe and supportive place.

Autism Hub

Children's Autism Hub 

The Children's Autism Hub Spring Newsletter is available to download.

A selection of flyers for event that support children, young people and their families are available to download on the SEND Local Offer, including:

• Coffee & Chat Sessions
• Primary Fun Sessions
• Family Session - Dugout 11-18
• SEND Support and Play for Early Years Families
• Cafe Uno - Games & Puzzles
• Workshop - Understanding My Autistic Child

SEND IASS

Telford & Wrekin SEND IASS have a full programme of workshops and drop in sessions available for families to access.

Talking SEND Sessions

Join our 'Talking SEND' sessions and speak to a fully trained SENDIASS advisor, to book a place please use the link below.

SEN Support Information Session

Increase your confidence to be able to participate more fully in your child's education

Education Health and Care plan Drop In

Increase your knowledge and gain confidence to express your views in relation to the EHCP processes

Short Breaks Forum

The forum is an opportunity for parents, children and young people that use Short Breaks services, working together with Local Authority colleagues to talk about what is working well, what isn’t and how we can make improvements to the Short Breaks offer.  It is a place where we can share knowledge for the benefit of all, including inviting guest speakers on particular issues or services.

Short Breaks Forum Newsletter

The Short Breaks Forum Newsletter - April 2023 is now available to download, please share with your parents, carers and families.

Learn Telford

Learn Telford is part of Telford & Wrekin Council and exists to provide high quality learning opportunities to the people living in the borough.

They aim to widen participation so that as many sections of the community as possible can experience the joy of learning and take advantage of the wider benefits that participation in learning brings, such as improved confidence, reduced social isolation, improved wellbeing, improved social cohesion and increased civic participation.