Accessibility, 399 & counting, links & holiday activities

Accessibility, 399 & counting, Links & holiday activities 1st December 2015 Dear All News from the recent rounds of parent consultations, plus a fine range of links…

Help with Education Health & Care (EHC) Plans A reminder that there are two services in Kingston & Richmond; one has an evening helpline which we would encourage families to use as it is a new aspect to what was the Parent Partnership service (and we want it utilised !)

SEND Information Advices & Support Services (SENDIASS) They can help you with existing Statements of SEN as well as transfers and new EHC Plans.

Opening hours are 10am to 5pm – 51 weeks of the year Evening helpline: Monday to Wednesday until 10pm (answered by one of the SENDIASS team. Yes a person!)

Tel: 020 8831 6179 e-mail: richmondkingston@kids.org.uk

Independent Support Partnership (ISP) They can help you with the transfers from Statements to EHC Plans and new EHC Plans.

Tel: 020 8831 6076 e-mail: independent.support@richmondaid.org.uk

“I just want to be like everyone else” …is the call that comes clearly from families when discussing Achieving for Children’s (AfC) Accessibility Strategy.

As well as the three parents meetings, over the last week we have held two meetings with young people on this topic. The young people were brilliant, succinct and gave their full commitment to the discussion. Their experiences covered asd, adhd, cerebal palsy, some used wheelchairs, some didn’t – all had been in mainstream schools (arguably a specialist school would already be accessible). A thank you to those families who contributed!

There is one more parents’ meeting tomorrow evening: Wednesday 2nd December, 6pm-8pm @ York House, Twickenham, TW1 3AA Following these meetings, SEND Family Voices and AfC will continue to develop the strategy and plan; plus we will jointly produce a guide on Reasonable Adjustments, alongside a model school trips policy for SEND. Discussing school Trips prompts the most reaction from young people and parents alike!

399 & counting SEND Family Voices have maintained an Issues Tracking Log for the past year (thank you Penny!). Whilst we keep specific consultations separate (eg SEN Transport, the recent Short Breaks survey and the Accessibility Strategy), we have logged 399 individual queries in the last year. That’s more than one a day!

Without judgement, top issues continue to be: 1. General muddle and "not very good process" around EHCPs, 2. Confusion / frustration over changes / lack of clarity around aiming high and short breaks 3. Lack of clear information around Post 16 options

4. General support and information being sought by parents (often referred by SENCOs) 5. A couple of difficult stories about school placements - either difficulties with current, difficulties accessing that wanted by family / or trying to find the right future placement 6. A couple of specific accessibility issues We write ‘without judgement’ as we should remember that the change from Statements to EHC Plans is the biggest change in law & support for thirty years. In the meantime, we continue to challenge AND work collaboratively to identify the stresses and improve services for families.

We also support individual families and cases where we put families in touch with each other and/or the right services. Sometimes we just help to unpick muddles and find solutions, or even reassure families they’re doing everything they can.

Our steering group is a collective team of eighteen parents, all volunteers, all with specialist interests and knowledge. Have a look at our website to find out more about us.

SEN Transport Thank you to the 37 parents and 2 young people who attended one of the four Open Consultations on SEN Transport and the new policy (all families receiving SEN Transport in Kingston & Richmond were invited). Here are the headlines: Emerging Principles:  The new policy needs to present a clear, transparent eligibility process  …and this to be a process that allows for a personalised approach that works with the capacity of the child or young person  Individualised assessments to ensure provision matches current need and supports aspirations  No-one should be concerned about their child or young person using SEN Transport (and then, what does that look like for you?)  Parents and young people are clear that a good experience of SEN Transport is an important start to the day (and its end)  The safety of the child is assured; that includes excellent management of health needs and medication if/when required.  Joined up processes between the SEN Team (responsible for Education, Health & Care Plans) and SEN Transport (responsible for this provision)  Articulate clearly the process/movement from SEN Transport (up to age 19) to adult transport services  Make clear any escalation and complaints process  From the parents point of view “Achieving for Children have some really good people.” Protecting this service / these people.  What are the minimum standards / expectations for: o Staff training & qualifications o Communications o Quality of vehicles o Journey time Next steps:  A draft policy will be written.  The Steering Group will review the draft policy on 3rd December.  On December 16th, the new draft policy will be available to all attendees of the Open Consultations for final comment – via the Councils’ websites.  Draft Policy will be ratified by the Steering Group on 12th January.  Policy will go the Kingston & Richmond Councils on 26th January & 16th February.

Benefits Advice “The SENDIASS service have a part–time Benefits Advisor who supports families of children and young people (up to 18 years) to complete Disability Living Allowance (DLA) applications and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). When you receive an application form for one of these benefits from the Department of Works and Pension (DWP) they will give you a date by which you need to return the completed form. To avoid disappointment we would request that should you require our help, not to leave it to late in contacting us as available appointments are limited. Waiting time can be arround 2-4 working weeks.”

Tel: 020 8831 6179 e-mail: RichmondKingston@kids.org.uk

Links Department for Education (DfE) On 4th November, “the Department for Education released their special educational needs (SEN) summary publication which gives an overview of the available data on SEN and a link to the external data sources. This document provides a combination of analysis and links to the key data sources on children and young people with special educational needs (SEN).” http://www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/news/july-december-2015/dfe-annual-reporton-sen-data-trends-just-published

No voice unheard…

“No voice unheard, no right ignored - a consultation for people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditions. The government response sets out its proposed actions, which are intended to see everyone being treated with dignity and respect by health and care services, and all enjoying the same rights.” https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-rights-for-people-with-learningdisabilities

Audiology services in Hounslow and Richmond 'among best in country' “Mum praises support for her son, who was left partially deaf following cancer treatment” Nicola Staines, who runs Twickenham & Richmond Parents of Hearing Impaired Children (TRAPHIC) and sits on SFV’s steering group, is featured with her son in this article (lovely photo!) http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/audiology-services-hounslowrichmond-among-10463178

Anti-bullying week 2015 “A story of how I overcame bullying by Jules Robertson. Young people with autism are more likely to be bullied. As part of Anti-bullying Week 2015, we have launched this animation to show that you can overcome this and there are people who can support you.” 2mins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_25evT6A68 “A teenager with Asperger's Syndrome has created a short film to highlight the torment he faces from bullying due to his condition. Ryan Wiggins wrote, produced, and starred in the short film armed with only a selfie stick, a broken tripod, and his mum's HD video camera, before posting it on the YouTube channel Anna Kennedy Online, which he runs for the autism awareness charity. The video, which the 14-year-old uploaded as part of National AntiBullying Week, has had more than 218,000 views.” 3mins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2wO9_7zPYw

Christmas is coming!

Lena Vantol’s round up of holiday activities can be found on the Local Offer. Contact Lena have this bulletin e-mailed directly to you: Lena.vantol@kids.org.uk http://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/blog_articles/338-some-suggestions-for-christmas-and-newyear-activities Preparing for Adulthood launched their annual Christmas card competition for disabled young people aged 14-25 years old. You will be in with a chance to win a prize and have the winning design published on their website and featured in their Christmas e-bulletin. http://preparingforadulthood.org.uk/news/news-2015/christmas-card-competition-2015

As ever, if you have any queries at all, please ask and we'll do our best to find an answer.

With best wishes, Romany (for Richmond) and Caroline North (for Kingston) Phone: 07469 746 145 www.sendfamilyvoices.org