IASS December '21 E- Bulletin Newsletter

New IASS Website: 
We Need You! 

We are always looking for ways to improve and provide the best support for local children, young people and families. With this, we have exciting news of our new website due to launch in April 2022! 

But we need your help! Have your say on our current website https://wolvesiass.org/ detail what you visit our site for and what you would like to see featured on our new website.

Please take a few minutes to complete our website feedback form: 
https://forms.office.com/r/FrPeHJ5wMA

Government guidance
on after school clubs and transport

In light of the new Covid-19 Omicron variant, the government has updated its policies on protective measures for after school clubs and transport to educational settings. 

Read the after school clubs article at Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Read the transport to educational settings article at Dedicated transport to schools and colleges COVID-19 operational guidance (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Open letter from Children and Families Minister Will Quince

Children and families Minister Will Quince has written to all parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities to talk about his ambitions for them and their children.

Within the letter he detail the Government's commitment to the SEND review, steering groups and funding provided for supporting the most disadvantaged children and young people. 

To read the full letter visit the following link: An open letter to parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities from Children and Families Minister Will Quince - The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)

CAMHS 24/ 7
Crisis Helpline

CAMHS Black Country Healthcare Foundation Trust offer a 24/ 7
mental health telephone support line where children, young people and families/ carers can access advice and
support from a CAMHS healthcare professional. 

This can be accessed by calling 0800 008 6516. 
Visit their website for further details https://www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/contact-us/help-crisis

Carers Strategy Survey

Wolverhampton City Council's Carer Support Team, are now consulting with carers to renew the All Aged Carers Strategy.

Your views and opinions as a carer are really important and will be taken into deep consideration with the renewal of the strategy.

Please click the relevant link below and fill out the consultation survey: 

Adult Carers- https://bit.ly/30SRImU
Young Adult Carers (18-25)- https://bit.ly/3kUCLHW
Professionals- https://bit.ly/3CEk41d

The closing date for comments is Friday 14th January 2021. Contact The Carer Support Team on 01902 553 409 if you have any further questions. 

Telephone Befriending Service 

Christmas can be a lonely and upsetting time of year for many isolated individuals. Wolverhampton Homes continues to provide a twice weekly telephone befriending service over the festive period, regardless if you are a Wolverhampton Homes tenant or not. 

This service is entirely free and available for everyone within the Wolverhampton area. 

For more information and to get started, please contact the Tenant Engagement Team at Wolverhampton Homes on 07866 006145 or email Victoria.rogers@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk

Feedback on Wolverhampton
SEND Services

Sam Cartwright, a Social Worker in the Disabilities Team, is interested in gathering the views of parents and carers of children and young people with disabilities in Wolverhampton.

She would like to hear about your experiences of accessing resources and facilities that specifically cater for children
and young people with disabilities in Wolverhampton. 

Please complete the following survey to express your views:
https://forms.office.com/r/B4cAqXjNeF

Easy to follow cook- along

The CookABILITY series brought to you by United Response is a cooking channel providing easy-to-follow cookery videos made by and for people with learning disabilities.

New recipes are released every Monday where you can learn to cook a range of dishes from chilli con carne, mac and cheese, cottage pie, korma curry, chow mien and many more! CookABILITY | Accessible Recipes for People with Learning Disabilities - YouTube

Free audio books to download

Calibre audio is a national charity that proivides free audiobooks to anyone who is print disabled. This can include:

• A learning disability, such as dyslexia;
• A brain injury or cognitive impairment such as head trauma or stroke;
• A vision impairment or blindness;

• A physical dexterity problem such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Motor
  Neurone Disease (MND), Parkinson's disease, arthritis, paralysis or terminal illness.
  
  With Over 3,000 audiobooks specifically for children and young people and free to join, apply now via: Membership (calibreaudio.org.uk)

Grand Theatre Wolverhampton
Cinderella Panto Relaxed Performance 

On Saturday 11 December at 11am and Thursday 6 January at 11am the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton is providing a relaxed performance of its Christmas Pantomime Cinderella.

Tickets cannot be purchased online. Please call the theatre Box Office on 01902 429212 to book tickets for this performance.

Santa's Grotto in
Wolverhampton Mander Centre 

From 4- 23 December, visit Santa and his elves at his North Pole Grotto located in Wolverhampton's Mander Centre (Lower Hall). Entry of £5 is payable on the day and you will receive a lovely gift from Santa.

Reserve your booking at 
https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/santas-grotto/

Free Ice Skating Session 

From 1- 23 December, treat the whole family to a free ice skating session at the faux ice rink in Queen Square, Wolverhampton.

Book your 30-minute skating session at 
https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/ice-rink/

Dudley Canal and Caverns Boat Ride

Treat the family to a fairytale Christmas at Dudley Canal and Caverns. Board a Christmas Boat and sail into tunnels and caverns to follow the adventures of Red Riding Hood and her pantomime pals. You will pass through beautifully lit tunnels and caverns with decorations and music to add to the atmosphere.
Once ashore, you will meet Santa and his elves for
a gift for each child, mince pie and hot drink.

Boat rides take place on 3rd-5th, 10th-12th and 17th-23rd December.
To find out more and book visit Christmas - Dudley Canal Trust

Himley Hall Dudley:
Magical Christmas Portal 

Take your seats at Himley's Magical Christmas Portal, enjoy alfresco hot chocolate and immerse yourself in the show, as children get to interact with Father Christmas live from the North Pole via a large screen.

Audiences will be taken on an exciting journey to find the magic portal inside Himley Hall which will transport you to the home of Father Christmas. Receive a gift and enjoy a Christmas food market, festive entertainment and vintage fairground.

Available Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th December.
Visit MAGICAL CHRISTMAS PORTAL | himleyhall New Site (himleyhallandpark.co.uk)

Winter Wonderland: Telford Town Park 

Visit the winter village to meet Santa, Mrs Claus and their reindeers, disco dance with the Mad Hatter, enjoy a Christmas scavenger hunt and trek to ice mountain to meet Princesses Elsa and Anna.

Open from 27th November to 23rd December.  Purchase
your family tickets at Christmas | Wonderland (wonderlandmidlands.co.uk)

Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World Telford

Visit Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World  located in Hadley, Telford this December to see all your favourite animals habitats lit up for the Christmas season.

Explore the Dinosaurs enjoying their very own Cretaceous Christmas, visit the Elves in the Reindeer Barn before finally walking through the North Pole to leave a letter for father Christmas.

Buy Tickets for Cretaceous Christmas (digitickets.co.uk)

Severn Valley Railway: Santa Train

Celebrate a magical Christmas on board a vintage train with Severn Valley Railway! Settle down in your own private compartment, before steaming through delightfully decorated stations from Kidderminster to Arley for their festive winter show.

To discover more and book your tickets visit
Buy Tickets for Santa Trains from KIDDERMINSTER (digitickets.co.uk)https://svr.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/30192?catID=29644&

Christmas at Warwick Castle 

Visit Warwick Castle this Christmas to be amazed by its twinkling trees, dazzling decorations and festive flourishes. Join Santa as he settles down to tell charming tales and be wowed by the majestic birds of prey in an unforgettable demonstration.

Available from 27th November 2021 - 3rd January 2022.

To purchase tickets visit 
Christmas at the Castle | Warwick Castle (warwick-castle.com)

Winter Funland at NEC Birmingham 

Explore the UK's largest indoor Winter Wonderland at NEC Birmingham this December! A place for the whole family to enjoy the festive season with Christmas circus, unlimited family rides at the indoor funfair, ice skating and much more.

Meet Father Christmas in his grotto and watch out for his mischievous elves who will pop up around the event to make some special memories with you.


Open from 9 December 2021 to 2nd January 2022. Book your tickets at Buy Winter Funland - Birmingham tickets, Winter Funland - Birmingham tour details, Winter Funland - Birmingham reviews | Winter Funland Ticketline

Wolves IASS Survey

The views of our parents, carers and young people is of paramount importance to us. 
It lets us know what is working as well as highlighting areas for improvement. 

The survey takes approximately five minutes and we would be so grateful if you could complete it.

You can access the survey at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/83S8PNJ

Please note this survey link will close 17 December 2021.

Share Your News

We aim to share uplifting stories and good news events from around our wonderful Wolverhampton area! 

If you run services or activities for children with a Special Educational Need or Disability or support their families, we would love to hear from you! 

Also, if you have a happy news story or wish to celebrate the great work of an organisation, please email lauren.kirkpatrick@wolverhampton.gov.uk. Please attach a photo or videos and a short blurb to feature. 

We send out the e-bulletin monthly around the first Monday of the month, so we would appreciate this being sent to us by the middle of the previous week.

Our next e-bulletin will be shared on 10th January so please send any inserts by 6th December.