IASS April 2024 E- Bulletin

Welcome to our April 2024 E- Bulletin

IASS virtual workshops

The role of mediation in EHCP appeals  23 April at 10:00am A workshop for parents and carers who live in Wolverhampton whose child has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or are going through the EHC needs assessment process. Prime Resolution, a SEND Mediation provider for Wolverhampton, will be joining the Information, Advice and Support Service to "take the mystery out of mediation" . This online workshop will address the following questions: What is SEND Mediation? When can it be used? Who is it for? How is it accessed? How does it work? Book at: The Role of Mediation in EHCP Appeals Tickets, Tue 23 Apr 2024 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

Demystifying the EHCP annual review process 23 May at 10:00am    An IASS workshop for parents and carers living in Wolverhampton who have a child with an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP). Learn about the EHCP Annual Review process including: Timescales Who is responsible for the Annual Review Who should participate in the process What happens during the Annual Review process Outcomes following an Annual Review Book at: Demystifying the EHCP Annual Review Process Tickets, Thu 23 May 2024 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments 2 July at 10:00am    An IASS workshop for parents and carers living in Wolverhampton who wish to learn more about the EHC Needs Assessment process. Discover the timescales, who should participate in the process, outcomes and next steps.  Book at: Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments Tickets, Tue 2 Jul 2024 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

The Witherslack Group:
1 May parent/ carer training event 

Venue: Bob Jones Community Hub, Bromley Street,
Wolverhampton, WV2 3AS

When: Wednesday 1 May 10am-2.30pm

The Witherslack Group invites parents and carers of Wolverhampton to attend their free in person SEND training event on 1 May 2024. 

Guest speakers from leading SEND organisations will provide practical strategies to support your child's mental health, communication and sleep.

The IASS team will be attending this event so come along and meet us. We look forward to seeing you there.

Book your free ticket at: Strategies To Support Your Child's Mental Health, Communication And Sleep Tickets, Wed 1 May 2024 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

PLACES: Promoting Local Access to Children’s
Early Language and Communication Support

Newcastle University is working with Wolverhampton Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service researching early years (0-5 years) support for children with speech, language and communication needs. 

The project is called PLACES: Promoting Local Access to Children’s Early Language and Communication Support. The researchers will look at ways to make sure that all children receive the support they need in the early years to help their speech, language and communication development.

They are looking for parents and carers of pre-school children in Wolverhampton to help them make sure that the way the project runs is parent-friendly.  You will advise them on the things they use and the way in which they will gather information.

You can have as much or as little involvement as suits you, there will be some group sessions online and sometimes they will email you individually to ask for your feedback.  The first session will be a 2 hour online meeting and you will need to read some leaflets which they will send you.  They can offer you a Love to Shop or Amazon voucher for £75 as a thank you for your time.

If you are interested in taking part in the Advisory Group or you would like to talk about it before you make a decision please contact: project@speechandlanguage.org.uk

City of Wolverhampton College:
Open evening 24 April 

Wolverhampton College welcomes you to their opening evening event on 24 April from 4pm.

Whether you’re leaving school or you’re an adult looking to get back into education, up-skill, retrain or even learn a new skill, they have a wide range of full-time courses, part-time courses, T Levels, Apprenticeships, and university level courses so you can explore your options.

To book your place please visit: Open Events - City of Wolverhampton College (wolvcoll.ac.uk)

SEND swimming lessons: WV Active Bert Williams   WV Active Bert Williams is offering a range of swimming classes including: - SEND Children swimming lessons - 1:1 sessions - SEND adult swimming lessons (16+) - SEND family fun swims. Book the sessions by contacting or visiting WV Active Bert Williams Bilston on 01902 551010. Find out more at: Swimming | WV Active

Grand Theatre: Relaxed Performances   Treat your family to the magic of musicals with the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre's relaxed performances. During relaxed performances there will be a lowered volume, reduction of special effect lights and startling noises, open door access with free movement in and out of the auditorium, relaxed auditorium rules, sensory room, quiet spaces, changing rooms, live stream of the show and additional staff to help. Upcoming relaxed performances are: Madagascar the musical on Sunday 2 June 11am 101 Dalmatians the musical on Thursday 22 August 2pm Book your tickets at: What's On At Wolverhampton Grand | Forthcoming Events (grandtheatre.co.uk)

Yo! Wolves active membership

Yo! Active is a two-year pilot of offering a diverse range of free physical activity to children and young people in Wolverhampton between 0-18 and under 25 for young people with a special educational need and disability and care leavers.

It includes an inclusive offer across all sessions and specialised activities for certain groups that have bespoke needs, such as girls, children/ young people who have a special educational need and/or disability.

Adults, 19 – 24 years who have a special educational need and disability can access a fully funded WV Active membership, which then continues to the concessionary funded scheme if eligible post 25.

All children, young people and adults who require support with accessing facilities are able to bring a carer for no additional charge.

To access the offer, WV Active account is required with a YO! Active membership.

To see more offers and activities visit  www.wvactive.com and www.yowolves.co.uk. 

Outreach Service: SEND coffee morning 27 June

Book your place via Eventbrite:
SEND Coffee Morning Tickets, Thu, Jun 27, 2024 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

Contact For families with disabled children:
Advice and guidance 

Updated guidance on Free School Meals published The Government has published updated guidance on Free School Meals. The guidance now includes a section on making reasonable adjustments for disabled children, such as by offering a food voucher. It describes the duty to make reasonable adjustments as “anticipatory”. Schools should be actively looking at which disabled pupils might be missing out on their school lunch and offering an alternative. The guidance also includes a section on children with an education package called education otherwise than at school (EOTAS). This makes clear that local authorities should provide free school meals to eligible children unable to attend school due to their special educational needs and who have an EOTAS package. You can read more in this article by Contact: Updated guidance on free school meals published (contact.org.uk) The updated government guidance document is available at: Free school meals (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Parent and carers guide to 'understanding your child's behaviour' Contact for families with disabled children offers parents and carers its latest guide to 'understanding your child's behaviour'. The guide includes why children behave in certain ways, understanding the importance of routine, managing specific issues, adolescent queries and who can help. Read the guide at: understanding_your_childs_behaviour.pdf (contact.org.uk)

Support for handling meetings of children with rare conditions: 11 April 7:00pm Join Contact for families with disabled children for their 11 April virtual workshop. Learn more about how to handle meetings with the professionals and practitioners who work with you and your child. This includes exploring strategies to prepare for and attending meetings to support your child. Book your place at: How to Handle Meetings (Rare Conditions) Tickets, Thu 11 Apr 2024 at 19:00 | Eventbrite

Read more at: Autistic and OK | Ambitious about Autism

Witherslack Group:
Training events and support guidance

Neurodiversity and Anxiety: Exam Preparation  17 April at 10:00am  The Witherslack Group's free webinar will help shed light on the various ways anxiety can manifest during exam periods, helping to transform the exam experience into a positive and empowering journey for everyone. Key Highlights: Understanding neurodiversity: Learn about the diverse range of neurological conditions and how they influence learning styles and exam-related anxiety. Recognising anxiety triggers: Explore common stressors during exam preparation  Creating supportive environments: learning spaces that cater to the specific needs of neurodiverse learners. Proven techniques and resources that can enhance focus, time management, and overall well-being during exam periods. Book your place here: How to support neurodiverse children with anxiety exams - Witherslack Group

A Parents Perspective: Empowering Autistic Children  25 April at 10:00am Join The Witherslack Group's insightful webinar 'Empowering Autistic Children', presented by Sam Bailey, X-Factor Winner, Influencer & proud parent of a child with autism, sharing her perspective on navigating a neurodiverse family life. Book your place here: A Parents Perspective: Empowering Autistic Children - Witherslack Group

Autism West Midlands training

Understanding Autism Webinar
9 April 9:30am to 10:30am

Book your free place at: Understanding Autism Webinar | Autism West Midlands

Rising to the challenge
Summer 2024: 10 May to 24 June 

Join Autism West Midlands for their summer 2024 free six week training programme ‘Rising to the challenge’.

Available to parents/ carers who want to develop their understanding of Autism and how to support their child. Topics include understanding Autism, communication, the social world, sensory differences, anxiety, happiness and wellbeing.

To find out more and book your place visit:
Rising To The Challenge – Series of 6 Webinars | Autism West Midlands

Down's Syndrome Association:
Positive behavioural support

For people who have difficulties with other forms of communication, behaviour – things that they do – can be the most effective form of communication.

The latest Down's Syndrome Association publication provides an overview of and introduction to understanding behaviour and an introduction to Positive Behavioural Support.

Access at: Positive-Behaviour-Support-Final-Sept-22.pdf (downs-syndrome.org.uk)

Complete our evaluation survey 

Wolves IASS is always grateful for the wonderful feedback we receive from families that have benefitted from our service.

If you have been supported by IASS previously, we would love to hear about your experience with us.

Please complete our evaluation survey at:
Wolverhampton IASS Survey Jan - Dec 2024 - City of Wolverhampton Council - Citizen Space

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:

@wolvesiass

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