‘enquire’ or ‘inquire’? New Services, Growing Up & Things to do 11th May 2018 Dear All We’ve said before, there’s a lot of consultations but they are important; and the first three items are all about having our voices heard and acted upon (we hope).
‘enquire’ or ‘inquire’? From the Oxford English Dictionary (OED): The traditional distinction between the verbs enquire and inquire is that enquire is to be used for general senses of ‘ask’, while inquire is reserved for uses meaning ‘make a formal investigation’.
1. National SEND Inquiry – How to have your say 2. AfC what you think: Local consultation on “the new SEND world” 3. Consultations: New SEN School Places – Feedback Meeting 4. DfE SEND Newsletter 5. New Services at MeToo&Co – home schooling & Welcare advice 6. New Services - Energise Holiday Groups 2018 7. Growing Up – TAG Youth Club, Driving and Relationships 8. Tower Bridge – early opening days for SEND 9. The Isle of Brimsker 10. BBC Proms 2018 – accessible events 11. Turtle Key Arts 12. 'I play Minecraft with my eyes'
1. National SEND Inquiry – How to have your say What do you think about the SEN Reforms and current SEND provision? The House of Commons Education Select Committee is seeking evidence from parents by 14th June on progress with the SEND reforms and SEND provision. “The Committee is inviting written evidence on the following by 14 June 2018: • Assessment of and support for children and young people with SEND • The transition from statements of special educational needs and Learning Disability Assessments to Education, Health and Care Plans • The level and distribution of funding for SEND provision • The roles of and co-operation between education, health and social care sectors • Provision for 19-25-year olds including support for independent living; transition to adult services; and access to education, apprenticeships and work” We have put our heads together with some other local voluntary organisations to provide support to parents who would like to make a submission to the inquiry. This is an important
chance to make your voice heard at national level and we would urge as many parents as possible to participate.
There are 3 ways that you can make a submission: 1. You can independently write your own submission and upload it to the inquiry via the website. We have provided a template and some guidelines which might help you with this (see the end of this article). Here is the link to the page where you can upload your submission. https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commonsselect/education-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/special-educational-needsand-disability-inquiry-17-19/commons-written-submission-form 2. You can come along to one of our drop in sessions, where we can help you either to write your submission or to upload it (or to explain a bit more what this is all about). We are running drop ins: Monday 21st May 13:30 – 15:00 Express CIC Offices, 452A Ewell Rd, Surbiton KT6 7EL Tuesday 5th June 13:30 – 15:00 MeToo&Co, Crossways Centre, 306 Richmond Rd, Twickenham TW1 2PD 3. You can email us at SENDFamilyVoices@outlook.com with what you want to say and we will include it in the submission that SEND Family Voices will make on behalf of parents in the Richmond and Kingston area. On our website you will find a template that you can use to make your submission (with thanks to Claire Ryan & Gareth Morewood who created it). You will also find some guidelines and some prompt questions that you might find useful. http://www.sendfamilyvoices.org/send-reforms
2. Consultations – “the new SEND world” Tell AfC what you think: Local consultation on “the new SEND world” Achieving for Children (AfC) have been conducting a consultation with schools and parents to talk about their SEND transformation plans. Several parents attended the meeting held in Twickenham on 1st May to hear about the consultation and provide their views. Some parents also completed the (rather complicated) online survey. This is now closed. Feedback will appear on the Consultation hub on the Local Offer. https://www.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/local-offer/information-and-advice/send-consultationhub-and-resource-bank/kingston-and-richmond-both-borough-consultations
3. Consultations: New SEN School Places – Feedback Meeting There was a good turnout for the feedback meeting on the New SEN School Places consultation at York House on Thursday 10th. A number of parental concerns have led to modifications or clarifications in the proposals, and others we believe have been heard (such as the need for more places at secondary) and although not actioned directly, will no doubt feed into future considerations of expansion of SEN Places. The consultation has now closed and the schools will be working with AfC and other professionals to establish the provisions that are due to open in September 2018. You can see the slides presented on our website here: http://www.sendfamilyvoices.org/reports
We will also shortly publish more detailed notes from the meeting AfC have written a full response to the parent feedback they received, which you can see here: https://5f2fe3253cd1dfa0d089bf8b2cdb6a1dc2999fecbc372702016c.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/uploads/ckeditor/attachments/3 452/AfC_response_to_SEND_places_consultation_responses.pdf
Thank you everyone who contributed to this consultation.
4.
SEND Newsletter
“Welcome to the May 2018 edition of the 0-25 SEND, Alternative Provision and Attendance Unit Newsletter. In this Newsletter we are focusing on: • • • • • •
Transfer of Statements to EHC plans DfE consultation on elective home education Supported internships in action Education Select Committee SEND Inquiry SEND School Workforce contract The European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education “
You can read the newsletter in full, here: www.sendfamilyvoices.org/send-reforms
5. New Services at MeToo&Co – home schooling & Welcare advice Home Schooling support group at MeToo&Co Me too & Co is pleased to host the local Home Education Support Group for parents of children with additional needs. Some parents of children with additional needs have children who are not in formal education or are considering de-registering their child from school. This can be for a wide variety of reasons and can be a deliberate long-term decision or a short-term measure due to difficulties with schooling or no school placement being named or available. Others have children who for various reasons have difficulty going in to school and can be seen as “school refusers” or “self-excluders”. The aim of this group is to support parent-carers in their choices and decisions, to enable them to meet each other, share information and ideas and to learn more about services available to home educators. The group occasionally invites outside speakers for advice on rights and responsibilities, tutoring and education and other information. While the parents are sharing ideas and supporting each other, the children and young people can join in with the activities we have on that day. On the Tuesday they are welcome to join our music therapy classes, cookery at 2.30pm, drama, karate and even have their hair cut! On the Friday, one of our volunteers can look after them in our playroom while the parents attend the meeting (please book in advance). This group is organised by Aldona Zywicka-Thorton, of Hounslow Parent Carers Forum, but is open to parents who live in any borough and is not linked to any Local Authority. The next
dates are: Tuesday 12th June - 2.30pm to 4pm Friday 6th July - 10.15am to 12 noon MeToo&Co, Crossways Centre, 306 Richmond Rd, Twickenham TW1 2PD If you would like to attend, please book your place through the Me too & Co website by registering with us at: W: www.metooandco.org.uk and… E: hounslowpcf@gmail.com
Welcare Advice and Guidance Clinics at Me too & Co We are delighted to announce a new collaboration with Welcare, a registered charity which supports families. Welcare is a Christian organisation working across South London and East Surrey, supporting people of all faiths and none. MeToo&Co families from any borough are welcome to use this service. Welcare offers a range of practical and emotional support and advice services, focusing on preventative work and life skills development. Welcare works to help and support to strengthen families who are experiencing difficulties by providing non-judgemental advice and guidance, helping to empower families to overcome any challenges they face. Workers from Welcare will be holding regular clinics at Me too & Co, where parents can book an appointment to ask questions and get independent information and advice. They have knowledge and expertise on a range of subjects including social care, rights and responsibilities, social services, family breakdown, domestic violence, benefits and social housing. http://welcare.org Fay and Debbie from Welcare will be offering 1:1 appointments for parent/carers who live in the any borough at MeToo&Co every other Friday at 09.30, 10.20 and 11.15.
6. New Services - Energise Holiday Groups 2018 “Achieving for Children (AfC) is really excited to be running a pilot project for the summer holidays, October half term and Christmas holiday period. The groups are for children aged between 5 and 8 years old with Moderate and Severe Learning Disabilities. The sessions will run on 2 days a week in each borough for 4 weeks during the summer. Each session will last 4 hours” Follow this link for more information and an application form: https://www.afcinfo.org.uk/local_offer/events/27387-energise-holiday-groups-2018-shortbreaks?date=2018-07-30
7. Growing Up – TAG Youth Club, Driving and Relationships TAG Youth Club “We are a youth club for disabled young people, who seek to provide a safe, stimulating and engaging environment for anyone with a disability to meet up with their friends, take part in fun activities and learn social and life skills.” TAG’s website gives details of their clubs (ages 10-15 or ages 16-25) and their forthcoming Transition Fair on TAG Transition & Local Offer Fair on…
Saturday 9 June – 1pm to 4pm Ham Youth Centre, Ham Close, Ham, TW10 7PL “If you are or you care for a young person aged up to 25 with a disability or additional needs, come and find out more about what’s available locally. The event has a focus on transition to adulthood support and services.” For more information please contact Giles Hobart E: giles@tagyouthclub.org W: https://tagyouthclub.org/news/tag-transition-local-offer-fair
Driving If you claim the higher-level PIP (ie mobility) you can apply for a driving licence at 16. So, someone with physical needs and no learning difficulties could, in theory, drive themselves to 6th form! “You would normally need to be aged 17 to hold a licence to drive a car (Category B) but if you receive the higher rate mobility component of DLA (Disability Living Allowance) or the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP (Personal Independence Payment) you may hold a licence from age 16. You can apply for your licence three months before your birthday.” https://www.drivingmobility.org.uk/information/first-time-drivers/1a-applying-for-your-firstprovisional-driving-licence
Relationships This page includes links to organisations that can help us, help our young people as they grow up; including advice on relationships from BILD and a couple of dating agencies. https://www.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/local-offer/information-and-advice/preparing-foradulthood/independent-living/relationships “Catering to physically, sensory and socially disabled people so they can make friends, enjoy peer support, and find partners. We hold lunches around the country and run an online Clubhouse. Applicants are vetted. Importantly, our club is much more than a dating club.” https://www.afcinfo.org.uk/local_offer/organisations/27202-the-outsidersclub?term=outsiders And for more direct advice, there is the Sex and Disability Helpline: “Run by sex therapists who specialise in disability. Callers are disabled people, their carers’ and parents.” https://www.afcinfo.org.uk/local_offer/organisations/27201-the-sex-and-disabilityhelpline?term=sex
8. Tower Bridge – early opening days for SEND “Our Autism Friendly Early Opening mornings return this spring when Tower Bridge will be opening its doors early for children with autism and other needs, as well as their siblings, families and carers.” Booking is essential. Autism Friendly Early Opening will take place on the following dates: 19th May, 16th June, 21st July, 18th August and15th September http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/AutismFriendlyEvents
9. The Isle of Brimsker “A lighthouse keeper lives alone on a desolate outcrop surrounded by stormy seas. Change is on the horizon but not in the form she expects. One day a runaway lands on the shore and together they face the inevitable. A new multi-sensory story from Frozen Light, specialists in making theatre for audiences with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities.
‘Frozen Light show perfectly how theatre can and should push the boundaries and be a place of accessible exploration and inclusion for all.’ Opening Night “ 25th and 26 May - 11.00am & 1.30pm Ovalhouse, London Box Office: 020 7582 7680 http://frozenlighttheatre.com/isle-brimsker
10. BBC Proms 2018 – accessible events Prom 59: Relaxed Prom - BBC Proms - BBC “Following the success of the first ever Relaxed Prom last summer, there will be a new chance to enjoy stunning orchestral music at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 27 August 2018 at 4.15pm!” All are welcome – adults and children, particularly those with autism, learning disabilities. https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/epncd4
Proms in the Park 2018, London - Disabled Access Information The BBC and Festival Republic want Proms in the Park to be an event that is accessible for all. “We work in partnership with the charity Attitude is Everything, who work to improve Deaf and disabled peoples' access to live music. How to apply for the disabled access scheme To apply for our disabled access scheme first purchase a standard ticket. Once you have purchased your ticket we ask you to complete and submit an access requirements application form. The form consists of a number of questions regarding your requirements at the event. Along with this we ask for supporting documentation for validation of your request.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5l87lgVlVSqTtVrjsTFvbC9/proms-in-the-park-2018london-disabled-access-information
11. Turtle Key Arts Musical Portraits is a music and art project for children aged 10-14 years old who have autism spectrum conditions. Musical Portraits is free to all participants. Follow this link for more information and the booking form: https://www.turtlekeyarts.org.uk/mp Turtle Key Arts “...have played a committed role in advancing participation in the arts by disabled, disadvantaged and socially excluded people, and are widely recognised as a leader in this field, often charting new territories…” https://www.turtlekeyarts.org.uk/projects
12. 'I play Minecraft with my eyes' “Becky is 15 years old and has severe quadriplegic cerebral palsy. She can’t control the muscles in her body which makes playing games near impossible. Now, after months of trials, the charity SpecialEffect has developed new software for the popular video game Minecraft.” This means that Becky will be able to play the game, using just her eyes. Video 1.46mins http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/technology-43998773/i-play-minecraft-with-myeyes?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbcnews&ns_source=twitter&ocid=socialflow_twitt er
As ever, if you have any queries at all, please ask and we'll always do our best to find an answer. With best wishes, Romany (for Richmond) and Caroline North (for Kingston) T: 07469 746 145 E: sendfamilyvoices@outlook.com W: www.sendfamilyvoices.org