Please disseminate this newsletter to parent carers, professionals and those who are interested in reading more. Haven't received a copy or know someone who hasn't? Email sarah.dimmock@westsussex.gov.uk.

Local Area SEND inspection finished!

​A message from Annie MacIver, Director of Family Operations and Deborah Myers, Director of Education & Skills We received notification on Monday 19 February that a joint Ofsted and CQC Inspection of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities services in West Sussex would take place from Monday 26 February until Friday 2 March. As well as meetings with a range of managers, practitioners, parent carers and children & young people, inspectors visited a range of teams and settings throughout West Sussex. This included nurseries, schools, children’s centres and further education providers. Despite the challenges with the weather, all these visits went ahead as planned. This means that the inspection team were able to conclude their evidence gathering and complete the inspection. We know a large number of people within the County Council, NHS, West Sussex Parent Carer Forum, schools & settings and other partners contributed to the SEND inspection at some time or other. Your flexibility in preparing information at short notice and organising evidence, people and materials afforded us the opportunity to demonstrate the strong partnership working and clear drive to give our children and young people with SEND the best start in life. The final letter reporting on findings will now be drafted, sent to us for a factual check before being returned to Ofsted for final quality assurance. We expect the letter to be released for publication within 33 working days. As soon as this happens we will send a copy to you. If you have any queries in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact Jon Philpot (Principal Manager SEN & Inclusion) or Claire Holliss (Senior Project Officer). Annie MacIver & Deborah Myers

Improving Services for Children with SEN&D and their Families

This is being led through the implementation of the SEND Strategy and this time we are focusing on the pilot of the Intensive Planning Team (IPT), a joint initiative with the WSCC Lifelong Services plan.

The IPT is an innovative project which is initially running for one year. We’ve set up a virtual team of highly skilled managers and practitioners, from health, education, care and voluntary sector. The team is focused on improving outcomes for children and young people with complex needs that challenge their families and schools. It provides a creative approach, pace and purpose and has a delegated authority to make funding decisions when needed. 

IPT offers 3 levels of support:

• Help to professionals and schools who are working with families and ‘got stuck’; looking at the system, process or barrier that is causing the problem and resolving it
• Short term work with the family and professionals, problem solving and creative planning.
• Intensive work (alongside professionals) with a member of the IPT involved.

Outcomes we want to achieve:

• The numbers of children and young people placed out of county in high cost specialist placements away from their families and communities is reduced
• Positive whole family-centred outcomes
• An increase in the numbers of young people accessing their local mainstream School and reduce the numbers placed in special school settings.
• Community and social links are established for families to build resilience
• The use of flexible alternative provision placements is developed

Over 100 young people have been introduced to the IPT in the last 6 months and data has shown that the pilot has produced:

• Significant cost avoidance – relating to 8 young people
• Prevention of family breakdown
• Reduction in use of out of county placements
• Evidence of life long plans being in place
• Positive feedback from families and professionals.

What was different about the Intensive Planning Team?

Social Worker “You really listened to the parents and asked them what would be helpful to them as a family – not just for (young person). You also just got in and did things, made things happen in a way that I’ve not seen in 20 years of social work!”

Voluntary Sector worker “I’ve really appreciated the range of skills and experience in the IPT. It has felt much more about looking at the whole family and what would make a difference, taking a real ‘outside the box’ approach.”

Parent Carer “We felt at this time there was no other choice than boarding school as we had no help and were not coping. We are now hopeful for (young person)’s future. We have not seen (young person) like this in a long time’

About the school “IPT gave school the confidence to do things differently. School have massively changed their attitude and in particular their policy to how they respond.”

For further information contact Charlie Connor or Debbie Buckwell.

Transferring statements to Education Health & Care Plans (EHCPs)

Staff within the SEN Assessment Team have been working to transfer all our statements of SEN to EHCPs by the end of this month. We are on track to complete the vast majority of transfers by then, but there will be a small number of complex cases which will require more time.   We are working closely with all the remaining families about their child’s transfer. It is important to note that for any statement of SEN for which a transfer review has not been completed by 31 March 2018, the special educational provision and the placement described in the statement will continue to remain in force until a transfer review has been completed and a decision is made about future provision. If you have any queries, please contact helen.johns@westsussex.gov.uk.

IPEH M8s

On 12 February, three representatives from the IPEH M8s SEND youth groups attended the ‘Making Participation Work’ youth conference in Birmingham. This was supported by Rachel Sadler, SEND Youth Participation Worker and Dan Sharpe from the SEND Commissioning Team.  The day before the conference the group stayed in a local hotel and had some team bonding time with bowling and pizza. The conference was run by Council for Disabled Children with the charity 'Kids' and was a fantastic opportunity for our young people from West Sussex to network with other young people from across the country and share ideas on how to get their voice heard as young people with Additional Needs. Jennie, who is also an EPIC award winner 2017 said, "This is the first time I have stayed away from home by myself". Kathy, Jennie’s carer said "She enjoyed the Birmingham trip. It really showed how she has matured." To find out more about youth voice and participation, take a look at our new team Wiki.

Bella The Bee

Congratulations to Phil Clarkson, Social Worker who has had his first children’s book published!  He wrote Bella the Bee to help children explore their individuality and encourage them to build their own self esteem. This is available in #WestSussex bookshops or can be bought online.  Phil says, "It’s also being used in a primary school in London to help children explore their goals and identity. Hopefully it will gain further interest and be used as a tool to aid these discussions as more teachers and caregivers use it."

Safer Sleeping

The Safer Sleeping month is taking place this year in March and in order to share key messages around this topic with as many people as possible, there will be 3 “Basic Awareness of Safer Sleeping Messages” sessions. 

These sessions will be delivered in partnership by a Named Safeguarding Nurse and the Lullaby Trust. Each session will be 2 hours long and are suitable for professionals who have not previously attended any similar training. Foster carers are also welcome to attend. 

These sessions will be taking place in Worthing Town Hall and a choice of times are available. Click here for more information and to request a place.

"Cards are a really good idea, great to have the information of the birth on the front and the safety information on the back” - Cot Card Feedback, from a new mum.

More information can be seen on the Lullaby Trust website or on Family Assist.

Work Experience Opportunities

12 week programme for young people interested in construction, highways or warehouse working. This will start on Monday 5 March 2018 for 16-24 year olds who are not in Full Time Education, Training or Employment and can get to 'The Phoenix Centre Bognor Regis' (travel expenses can be re-claimed). Interested young people will need to email Hilary Hughes expressing an interest by Wednesday 21 February.  Young People will then be invited to a Selection Day on Monday 26 February.  For more information contact Hilary Hughes.

Referrals to Scouts

Did you know that you can refer young people on an Early Help Plan to West Sussex Scouts? In 2017, West Sussex Scouts and WSCC signed a new agreement to provide funding for young people referred from IPEH, which follows on from previous funding provided to the Scouts under Think Family. 

Have a young person you think would be suitable? Refer them to West Sussex Scouts. 

One young person we have supported through the scheme has just achieved her Chief Silver Scout Award!

Documents including their leaflet and the application process/form can be viewed on request by asking Sarah Dimmock.

Contact Sharon.sawyer@westsussex.gov.uk or IPEH@westsussexscouts.org.uk.

Some of the services listed in this newsletter or on the Local Offer site are provided by private service providers and not by West Sussex County Council. These do not have a recommendation or endorsement from the local authority. If you decide to use a service / provision, you should be aware that you are responsible for doing your own checks to ensure they are suitable and fit for purpose. West Sussex County Council will not be liable for any damages or losses suffered by anyone who relies on the information in this newsletter.