Acronyms, MPs, Risky Behaviour & Participation 30th September 2017 Dear All SEND = Special Educational Needs and/or Disability OK, we probably all know the acronym SEND, it just kind of feels like ‘acronym week’ on the SEND Bake Off…
EPS = Educational Psychology Services Last week saw the first – of four - Educational Psychology Service (EPS) focus group...
How did it go? Ten parents attended. The first part of the focus group had parents talking amongst themselves of their experiences of any educational psychology services they had experienced (recent, distant, private or local authority). This allowed the EP to hear firsthand what worked for parents, and what didn’t – from a wider perspective than local services. The focus group then became more formal with a discussion on what parents would like from the EPS. Parents questioned what they could do when a school says No to EP assessment or when should or could a parent push for an EP assessment (when they are worried about their child). Like many things SEND Family Voices do – the parents who came were clear that whilst it is good to talk – evidencing change and improvements as a result of such focus groups is vital.
Why should you attend one of the other sessions? Because it is an opportunity to influence a service our children need. Most of the readers of this newsletter will have a child, or children with a Statement or EHC Plan. As we said last week… an assessment from an Educational Psychologist (EP) is one of the most important evidence gathered to support an EHC Plan. The EP’s assessment and written report describes a child’s strengths and needs; which is crucial in understanding the interventions and adjustments required within an educational setting. Achieving for Children's Educational Psychology Service (AfC EPS) are front line workers with our children, young people and the schools. They are highly trained professionals and they want to understand how parents experience EPS, and then improve their services where needed.
The next Focus Groups… Please let us know if you plan to come along (it helps us with our planning). Tuesday 3rd October - 7pm to 9pm at York House, Richmond Rd, TW1 3AA Friday 6th October - 10.30am to 12noon at MeToo&Co, The CrossWay Centre, Twickenham, TW1 2PD *
* creche available. Contact Fiona: info@metooandco.org.uk Monday 16th October - 7pm to 9pm in central Kingston, venue tbc (please check our Events page early next week)
Reminder – CAMHS Chats 2 CAMHS = Children & Adolescent Mental Health Services These meetings are follow on from the summer term. The Kingston Commissioner will be attending each of these meetings to share proposals, talk and listen. If you are able to come along, please confirm your attendance with the contact given below. Tuesday 3rd October - 1.30pm to 3pm at MeToo&Co, The CrossWay Centre, Twickenham, TW1 2PD To book e-mail: info@metooandco.org.uk Monday 9th October - 1pm to 2.30pm at Express CIC, 452 Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 7EL To book e-mail: info@expresscic.org.uk Tuesday 10th October - 7pm to 8.30pm at Langdon Down Ctr, Normansfield, 2A Langdon Park. Teddington. TW11 9PS To book e-mail: sendfamilyvoices@outlook.com
SEND Forum – with Sir’s Vince Cable and Ed Davey MPs MP = Member of Parliament Ruils and SEND Family Voices are jointly facilitating this opportunity for parents, carers and young people to address their concerns directly to local MPs Sir Vince Cable (Twickenham) and Sir Ed Davey (Kingston). Zac Goldsmith MP (Richmond and North Kingston) was unfortunately unable to attend. Friday 20th October -12noon to 2.30pm at Cole Court Lodge, 150 London Rd, Twickenham, TW1 1HD The aim is to allow the MPs to understand the extent and seriousness of the issues faced by families as a result of the 2014 SEND reforms and cuts to education budgets. Subjects likely to arise include: • EHCPs: administration, transfers, interactions with Achieving for Children, staffing levels, complaints and recourse • Schools: choice, SEN support, funding, provision for those with and without EHCPs During the first hour facilitators will listen to parents’ concerns and produce an agenda. In the second, we will be joined by the MPs, we will present our agreed issues and they will hear your stories. Time will be very limited, and if you wish to contribute it would be very helpful if you could send a precis of your experiences / concerns, as soon as possible, to: E: Penny@sendfamilyvoices.org E: Alexhardy@ruils.co.uk
www.sendfamilyvoices.org
www.ruils.co.uk
This is an extraordinary chance to influence local and national policy through personal testimony, and we hope you will join us; please register here so we know how many people to cater for: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/send-forum-tickets-38335644946
Risky Behaviour Review - SEND Next Tuesday 3rd October, we are taking part in a Public Health review on Risky Behaviour and the services provided to young people in both Richmond and Kingston, including sexual health, drugs and alcohol and smoking. This is a collaborative project between the Kingston & Richmond Public Health Teams, the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) and Achieving for Children (AfC). As SEND Family Voices, we are taking part specifically to talk about SEND (pan-disability). The topics are • service design and delivery • involvement of young people • monitoring and evaluation • publicity and promotion • current issues facing young people • sharing information • gaps in provision • referrals, signposting and staff training. Our young people are like most young people; there are risks to varying degrees around sex ‘n’ drugs ‘n’ rock & roll. Our young people are vulnerable in a way that others aren’t. For some that have more access to mainstream, there could be an element of self-medication with drugs. For all young people, there may be a vulnerability about understanding puberty and sexual behaviour from other people. What worries you? What would you like us to raise? Please reply to romany@sendfamilyvoices.org
Participation – you can be paid for your time and expenses It occurred to us that not everyone may realise that for participation and consultation events like the Educational Psychology Services (EPS) focus groups and CAMHS Chats (both listed above) parents and carers may claim for their time and expenses. SEND Family Voices receive funding from the Department of Education to support families to take part (to participate). This support takes the form of remuneration for your time in meeting, focus groups and consultations plus expenses such as travel and child care. It’s possible to be paid by cheque or in vouchers (we’re not allowed to offer cash). The remuneration rate is £10 per hour and you must provide receipts for expenses. We will have forms to hand at the EPS and CAMHS meetings.
SEND Action Board Last week we promised an update in this week’s news on the SEND Action Board…. funny how Life takes over. This will, we hope, be in the next news!
We never know where life will take our children “You were born to a young, single mother in a small Midwest town. We were not alone, good friends near and family not too far. But many times, we felt alone.” https://themighty.com/2017/08/to-my-adult-sonwith-down-syndrome-about-our-amazing-journey/ (left – Marcus at the United Nations)
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, Caroline North (for Kingston) and Romany (for Richmond) Phone: 07469 746 145 www.sendfamilyvoices.org