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Welcome to our
December 2023 E- Bulletin
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Season’s greetings to all of our readers and families
who have used the service throughout the year.
Christmas opening hours:
IASS will be closed from Friday 22nd December 2023
to Tuesday 2nd January 2024.
Please leave a message or contact us via email at ias.service@wolverhampton.gov.uk
and we will respond when the team returns after the holidays.
IASS December Training events
Checking a Draft Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Do you have a child who is going through an Education, Health and Care needs assessment? Or does your child have an EHCP?
Join IASS’s Lauren Jones and Stacey Roalfe for this workshop looking at how to check the contents of a draft EHCP. There will also be fun and interaction with Merry Makaton signs you can use with your child and family over the festive period.
Wednesday 13th December 10.30-11.30am
Low Hill Family Hub
26-28 Fourth Avenue, Wolverhampton WV10 9LZ
Book a place on the workshop:
SEND Solutions: Checking a draft EHCP Tickets, Wed 13 Dec 2023 at 10:30 | Eventbrite
Feel free to drop in beforehand from 9.30am
for a coffee and chat.
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IASS SEND Solutions Drop in
at Low Hill Family Hub
Pop in for a coffee and chat to IASS staff on
Wednesday 13 December from 9.30am to 10.30am.
Low Hill Family Hub 26- 28 Fourth Avenue, WV10 9LZ
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IASS Annual Survey
Our Annual Survey runs throughout the year as we gather feedback from parents, carers and young people who have used the service. As we fast approach the end of the year we really need your help to gather as much feedback as we can. Whether you are a parent, carer, young person or professional, even if you only receive this e-bulletin your views are important to us.
Please complete the survey and tell us what you think of the service. It takes a few minutes and helps us a great deal to ensure we are offering information, advice and support families need in the way they want to access.
Please complete our survey at:
Wolverhampton IASS Survey Jan - Dec 2023 - City of Wolverhampton Council - Citizen Space
Law Commission launch a review of
disabled children’s social care law
At the request of the Department for Education, the Law Commission has commenced a review of the law on disabled children’s social care in England.
The Law Commission project was recommended in the 2022 Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, which heard from families of disabled children struggling to understand what support they are entitled to and how to access it. The project will play a role in the Government’s ongoing programme for the reform of children’s social care and the system for supporting disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs.
The overarching aim of the review will be to simplify and strengthen the law, ensuring that the system is fair and works for children, parents and other care givers, and local authorities. The review will focus on the provision of support and services in family-based care.
The Commission will be engaging with a range of individuals and organisations with experience of social care for disabled children in the coming months to inform this process. A published consultation is expected in Spring 24.
More information about the review, including the terms of reference, can be accessed here.
Primary and junior
school applications
Parents and carers of children transitioning into primary school, or from infant to junior school in September 2024 are encouraged to complete the application for school preferences.
All primary schools in Wolverhampton provide numerous opportunities for you and your child to visit before expressing a preference.
The deadline for applications is 15 January 2024 and parents are asked to complete the application over the next few weeks at:
School Admissions Applications | City Of Wolverhampton Council
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Families urged to Embrace help offered by autism support group
Embrace Autism WV was established in 2019 after a group of parents attended an autism awareness course run by the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Special Needs Early Years’ Service.
The group hosts a coffee morning every 4 to 6 weeks inviting various professionals to talk about the services they provide which could help an autistic child and their family.
The group’s next coffee morning takes place on Thursday 18 January, 2024, at The Special Needs Early Years Service, Warstones Primary School, Warstones Road, Penn, from 9.30am to 11.30am. In the meantime, for more information, please email embraceautismwv@outlook.com or search for ‘Embrace Autism WV’ on Facebook.
Find out more Embrace WV by reading the full article at Families urged to Embrace help offered by autism support group | City Of Wolverhampton Council
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Wolverhampton CAMHS parent carer workshops
 CAMHS is running a series of free virtual workshops to help parents and carers support their child in navigating mental health challenges.
This is open to any parent or carer with a young person accessing Black Country CAMHS services.
To book call Andrea on 01902 444021.
Free Mental Health Support for Secondary School Pupils in the Black Country
The Witherslack Group:
Free webinars SEND training
How to find the right SEN School
Tuesday 5th December 10:00am
Register here.
Gain the information and knowledge you need to search for the best SEN school for your child.
The session will outline what an SEN provision looks like, what makes them unique, where to find local schools, and how to get a placement for your child.
You will also find information on what to consider when choosing a school in the IASS “Choosing a school factsheet”.
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Strategies to support self regulation
Tuesday 12 December 10:00am
Register here.
Explore why neurodiverse children and young people face challenges over the festive season, identify how these challenges might present in your child or teenager, how you can support emotional self-regulation and top tips for regulating behaviour during the holiday period.
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Family Fund:
New grant programme open
Family Fund has opened the new Support for Families with Disabled Children (SFDC) grant programme in England, open to families with disabled or seriously ill children and young people aged 17 or under, on a low income. The SFDC programme is funded by the Department for Education, and replaces the previous main programme for families in England, but offers grants for the same wide range of items to make family life that bit easier, including household items or grants for days out and family breaks for fun and relaxation together.
The application process has been changed and it should be simpler to apply, and many grant awards will be made more quickly. If you have further questions, contact Clare.Bonetree@familyfund.org.uk
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The Way Youth Zone: Sensory Saturdays
Every Saturday The Way Youth Zone offers its SEND Families access to weekly themed activities and sensory room.
Enjoy soft play, arts and crafts, board games and Lego, climbing wall and parachute games.
Find out more here.
Wolverhampton Christmas Holiday Activities
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Cineworld Cinema: Autism friendly screening
On Sunday 3 December, Cineworld Cinema in Bentley Bridge Wednesfield will be hosting an Autism Friendly screening at 11:00am of Disney’s latest release ‘Wish’.
During the film lighting will be kept on during the screening, volume levels will be reduced and there will be no advertisements or trailers. Seating will not be allocated. Customers are allowed to bring in their own food.
Book your tickets here.
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Wolverhampton Grand Theatre:
Snow White Pantomime
access performances
Throughout the festive period the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton is offering Access Performances of this years Pantomime 'Snow White'.
Accessibility includes BSL interpreted, audio described, captioned and autism friendly relaxed performances.
Access performance tickets are limited so don't miss out and book yours here.
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Luminate West Park:
Christmas Sensory Sessions
Luminate are offering two sensory friendly sessions on Tuesday 5 December and Monday 11 December at 4:45pm for their Christmas Light trail this December.
During these sessions, the capacity on the trail will also be reduced during these timeslots, making the experience less crowded and more relaxed, with the audio volume being reduced for the first hour.
Book your tickets here.
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Curiosity Club Christmas Activities
From 2 to 5 January 2024 Wolverhampton children aged 5 -16 are invited to attend the Curiosity Club's Inclusive Creative Activity Days to enjoy arts, crafts, games and drama.
To find out more and book your place click here.
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Martial arts fitness and fun
From 27 December to 5 January children are invited to Martial Arts Fitness and Fun sessions organised by Wolverhampton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Learn confidence building and Martial Arts skills, as well as gym access for teenagers.
Book your place at 07847 045749 or info@wolvesbjj.co.uk
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Real Arts Workshop and BSL
From 2 to 5 January, children are invited to attend Real Arts Workshops at The Workspace ASAN to learn art, crafts and BSL.
No previous experience required and young people with EHCPs are welcome up to age 25.
Book your place here.
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Active Future Winter Blast
From 27 December to 2 January, Active Future welcomes Wolverhampton children to their Winter Blast Multi Sports and Activity Camps.
Sessions take place at Hilton Hall Community Centre and Ashmore Park Hub and include a variety of Christmas themed activities.
Any children who receive benefit related Free School Meals can attend for FREE and receive a free lunch meal on each day they attend.
For 13 & 14 year olds they offer a fantastic Active Future Leadership course.
Book your place here.
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Genius Tuition Winter Club
From 28 December to 5 January Genius Tuition offers its winter club to children aged 5 -14 years in Wednesfield, Penn and Bilston.
Enjoy a packed full week of trips, arts, sports and crafts along with fun food sessions.
Book your place here.
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YMCA Wolverhampton activities
From 27 December to 5 January, YMCA Wolverhampton offers activities including archery, yoga, dance, team games and arts and crafts from 10am to 4pm.
For further details get in touch here.
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Wolverhampton ginger bread trail
Until 7 January, families can embark on a delightful adventure through the streets of Wolverhampton with the Ginger Bread Christmas Trail! Ten charming gingerbread statues await young explorers, making it an experience the whole family can cherish.
But there's more sweetness to this treat! Those who successfully locate all ten statues stand a chance to win magnificent prizes – 3 Enjoy Wolverhampton Gift Cards loaded with £1000, £500 and £250, redeemable at over 100 local businesses. So run run as fast as you can and support your favourite local shops and eateries by entering the Ginger Bread Christmas Trail, making this Christmas truly special.
Register for free here.
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Autistic Friendly Christmas
Christmas can be difficult for autistic people. Things that are seen as ‘tradition’ & what ‘must’ happen can be tricky. When thinking about Christmas for your family there’s no should involved, it might look different but that’s OK.
Autistic girls network offers its top tips to an Autistic friendly Christmas here.
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Back to the Future The Musical:
Autism friendly performance
On Sunday 10 March at 3pm, The Adelphi Theatre, London is hosting an
Autism friendly relaxed performance of 'Back to the Future The Musical'.
During the show significant adjustments are made to sound and lighting,
house lights left on, chill out sensory zones available and relaxed theatre rules.
Find out more and book your tickets here.
Turtle Key Arts: Theatre project for
Autistic young people
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 ias.service@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 early January, so please send any inserts by
20 December 2023.
Follow us on social media
We post lots of information and advice on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Pages to keep you aware and informed of upcoming events, activities, useful resources and other information:
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@wolvesiass |
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@wolvesiass |
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