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Inside this edition

Review and progress checks

1. Written Statement of Action

SEND and Inclusion service improvement plans

2. SEND and Inclusion Partnership Board Self Evaluation Framework (SEF)

3.Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in schools (PINS)

4. Autistic spectrum disorder (ACS) Pathway

5. Family First for children Pathfinder (FFCP) update

 - FFCP City wide SEND offer

 - FFCP SEND Health Pathway

6. Health related Behaviour survey

For information

7. Support for school Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCOs) & SEND Leaders

Young people making a difference

8. Youth Voice manifesto

9. HY5! On the Move

Review and progress checks

Written Statement of Action (WSoA) Review A review of progress against the WSoA took place with the Department for Education and NHS England on 4 November 2024. They found that it was clear that continued sustainable progress was being made against the activity in the WSoA and that there was evidence that this work is having a positive impact. They stated that strong accelerated progress can be seen across all parts of the system to strengthen leadership and governance and that this has resulted in a strong and effective strategic partnership which includes a strong Parent Carer Forum, strong young people’s voice and schools that are engaging well.

SEND and Inclusion service improvement plans

Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in schools (PINS) Primary schools across the Black Country ICB region are taking part in the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools project (PINS). There are up to 10 schools in each of the localities: Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Walsall and Dudley. The Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools project is testing a new model for supporting good outcomes in mainstream schools for Neurodivergent students and to strengthen parent carer and school partnerships. For further information please visit the Local Offer - News.

Autistic spectrum disorder (ACS) Pathway

Work has been taking place for over a year, due to the complexities of the commissioning arrangements and the number organisations/stakeholders involved.  4 task and finish groups were held to look at specific areas of concern regarding the existing pathways. 

These groups included clarifying waiting times data, understanding what is currently available as support pre-, during and post-diagnosis as well as identifying what gaps exist in the pathways taking stakeholders, including significant numbers of parents’ views into account, modelling current pathways against the national specification and then undertaking a review to look at Current Practice against National Policy, Legislation and Standards. 

There have been lots of people involved in the meetings who are keen to give their lived experience of having a child or young person who was experiencing difficulties and was going through or had gone through the ASD pathway as well as staff who work within the pathway.   

Data is not easily accessible due to different systems being used.  The work is continuing as due to the complexities outlined it has taken slightly longer than anticipated due to the modelling and data collection taking longer than planned. 

Family First for children Pathfinder (FFCP) - City wide SEND offer

As part of the Families First for Children's Pathfinder, we have reformed our service offer for children and young people with Disabilities and/or SEN (SEND).

The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Family Help Service offer’s support to children and young people from birth up to 25 years of age, who have a disability or Special Educational Needs (SEN). If it is considered that this is their primary, presenting need.

The new service has been expanded from the previous Disabled Children and Young Persons team. Providing a wider more inclusive offer of support. Working with children, young people with varying SEN/disability need’s, forming a city wider offer.

The SEND Family Help Service enables children and young people with lower levels of SEN/disabilities, to access a specialised service from a SEND Family Help worker, with a strong focus on early identification and early support provision. The service delivery works in partnership with Health and Education services, supporting our families to only have to share their story once, with improved access relevant support and services.

Early Support Plans (ESP’s) are completed by health services and education partners if a child has a SEND need. Education, Health and Social care will all have access to the ESP, ensuring a joined-up approach is provided, and the appropriate level of support is identified for children and young people with SEN/disabilities. If the identified needs require an enhanced level of support. Health and Education can refer into the Local authority, for consideration of support from the SEND Family Help Service.

The SEND Family Help service has a strong link with the local authority’s Front door. Ensuring children young people and their family gets the right support, suitable for their needs. Mainstream social care teams may also work with children and young people with SEN/disabilities. They are supported by trained specialist SEND champions within their teams and have access to the SEND Family Help Service for specialised guidance and support.

The SEND Family Help service is a developing offer, with a clear focus on a multi-agency approach, wrapping support around our children and young people with SEND and their families, at the earliest opportunity. The SEND Family Help offer is City wide; parents, carers and professionals can also access the service from Cherry Street SEND Hub, for informal advice and guidance.

Family First for children Pathfinder (FFCP) - SEND Health Pathway

• The need for a SEND pathway within the Family First Children’s Pathfinder (FFCP) was recognised early on within implementation of FFCP across health. A task and finish group was therefore established to support with the offer.
  
  
• The Task and Finish group is due to be merged with the Local Authority’s SEND group to discuss the SEND offer as a Partnership.
  
  
• The SEND Health Pathway incorporates health’s statutory role around Early Notification of SEND as well as the offer of Early Support Plans (ESPs) to the SEND cohort.
  
  
• There are no set criteria for an ESP to be instigated; other than Children/Young People having SEND as primary need and parents have consented to an ESP.
  
  
• As they are our most vulnerable cohort of patients and families the vision is that we are wrapping support around the SEND cohort at the earliest opportunity, accompanied by the creation of an ESP (therefore only one plan) that parents and all services and agencies have access to and can update. This will support with families only having to tell their story once. 
  
  
• An approach whereby working with Children/Young people and their families to enable access to support as soon as needs emerge. Families will be supported at the earliest opportunity to receive the right support from the right agencies/partners to prevent needs and vulnerabilities increasing with a particular focus of joining up with our education as our partner agency as a priority. This should reduce the need for statutory interventions.
  
  
• If families with SEND need a wider multi-agency response and/or involvement from the Local Authority then an ESP will support referrals and enable a timelier response with accessing Family help and additional support.

Health related Behaviour survey

The Health Related Behaviour Survey (HRBS) has been completed every other year in Wolverhampton schools since 2006. The most recent survey was completed in 2024, for more information visit Wolverhampton Health Related Behaviour Survey (HRBS) | Get Involved | Wolverhampton Health & Wellbeing. 

The findings of the 2024 survey are also available to the public online through the Director of Public Health's Annual Report 2024.

For Information

Support for school Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCOs) & SEND Leaders The SEND Development Working Group brings together representatives of the Local Authority (LA), external agencies, SEND leaders and Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs). Its responsibilities include preparing and planning joint content and training sessions for SENCOs and SEND Leaders. The group plays a crucial role in ensuring clear communication between various services and support networks is delivered. Evaluation of the SEND Development Programme indicates that the SEND Development Working Group is effectively planning and delivering content to SENCOs and SEND leaders across the city. Attendance at both SEND Networks and the SENCO Induction Programme sessions are increasingly excellent. SENCO Induction Programme delegates report increased understanding of their roles and responsibilities as well as a strategic overview of SEND. SEND Networks receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from delegates who attend. SENCOs report increased confidence to have conversations with Ofsted inspectors about SEND in their school.

Young people making a difference

HY5! On The Move

HY5! has been on the move visiting places and spaces in the city to see how easy they are to access and what support they have to help with young people with additional needs and disabilities.  So far they have visited WV Active Leisure Centres, Community Hubs and local parks. 

They have shared what they think, with managers, and have agreed a plan of action to help people with additional needs and disabilities feel more confident about using these places and spaces. For more information about HY5! visit Yo! Wolves Get Involved and scroll down to HY5!

Youth Voice Manfesto

The manifesto was developed in 2024 at a youth-led workshop where young people from HY5! joined other youth forums across the country to share their thoughts, experiences and hopes for the future on Health, Education, Social care and Community.

Participants hope the Manifesto will help to drive the changes they want to see in the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities system and inspire other disabled children and young people, and those with special educational needs, to take part in decision-making opportunities in their local communities.

The annual Youth Voice Matters Conference is hosted by the Council for Disabled Children as part of the Making Participation Work programme, a partnership with KIDS and funded by the Department for Education.

Related news

For information about what’s on, information, awareness raising, sessions, activities and local support please see news from the following trusted sources:

Wolverhampton Local Offer

Voice4Parents

Latest News | Wolverhampton Young Opportunities (yowolves.co.uk)

WIASS E-Bulletins

Wolverhampton Voluntary and Community Action