Action, wiki’s, jobs, benefits & fun 1

Action, Wiki’s, Jobs, Benefits & Fun 26th July 2015 Dear All Winding down, and finishing reports etc in readiness for the summer… (Word version of this bulletin is attached, as the formatting goes awol occasionally)

Spring Open meetings – summary report & actions We held ten Open Meetings with Anna Chiva (Head of SEN) and Eamonn Gilbert (Strategic Lead, 14-19 Commissioning) and we’ve now finalised the report and Top Ten actions. Our thanks again to: Anna, Eamonn, the Independent Supporters and Sophie Marshal (Support Broker for Personal Budgets) for giving their time – day & evening – to meet and talk with parents. This quote sums up the impact: “I have felt listened to and respected - it's hard to explain just how much weight this lifts off my shoulders."

The summary report & actions are under our Events page – please reply with any queries at all – and in the meantime, we’ll get on with actions!

Accessibility Strategy – participation One of the requirements of the Local Offer is that it must include an Accessibility Strategy (directed at schools). This is another opportunity for positive change and parent/carer participation as it encourages everyone to keep this document up-to-date. LEAD Kingston and RSFV are a part of these discussions. Whilst the current version of the Accessibility Strategy covers access for physical and sensory impairments, there is not as much on autism (eg having a quiet entrance for those that can’t cope with the playground etc).

Any parent/carer who would like to be included in these discussions via e-mail, please reply to this bulletin.

Wiki’s are Wonderful – How to get one!

1. If you haven’t heard of Wiki’s or don’t really understand them, please take 11 minutes to watch this video… it’s by far the best illustration: http://rixmedia.org/portfolio/case-study-video Here’s a short article (blog style) about Alfie, that also explains the difference a Wiki can make (still recommend you watch the video as well): http://rixmedia.org/i-will-never-forget-alfie-after-seeing-this-a-parents-perspective

2. Would you like your son or daughter to have a Wiki? If yes, please contact James Mannion: James.Mannion@achievingforchildren.org.uk or Tel: 020 8831 6394 Yes… it’s that simple !!

3. Still not convinced? Come to the AfC Wiki Showcase Event in October. We are expecting to provide childcare / crèche if needed (and you must book in advance for this)

The message from Shane in the video above is “Offer me services to suit me, not [expect] me to suit services”; you can learn more about this and Wiki’s at: The AfC Wiki Showcase Langdon Down Centre, Normansfield, 2A Langdon Park, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 9PS Monday 12 October - 5.00pm to 6.30 pm.

The plan is to include people with special educational needs, their parents/carers and all professionals. The event will show case studies of how people are using Wikis now. Who knows, we may have a case study from Kingston or Richmond?! Everyone will also have the opportunity to build their own Wikis ‘hands on’ at the event.

If you would like more information about Wikis and the work AfC are doing, or about the Wiki Showcase Event, please contact: James.Mannion@AchievingforChildren.org.uk

KIDS Job Opportunities Kids have just taken over the SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities, Information, Advice & Support Services) which provide Information and also what used to be known as Parent Partnership Services. They are recruiting: http://www.kids.org.uk/benefits-information-advice-and-support-practitioner “To provide specialist benefits advice, information and support to disabled children, young people and their families as part of the Richmond and Kingston SEND Information, Advice and Information Service. (15 hours per week)” http://www.kids.org.uk/sendiass-coordinator “To coordinate and develop high quality information, advice and support service to children and young people with SEND aged 0-25 years and their parents and carers in line with the Code of Practice and national and local standards. Providing line management to a team of practitioners and managing a caseload of service users you will work closely with all stakeholders to promote the service ensuring it is responsive to the needs of the community.

(36 hours per week)”

Reminder…

“If your statement is being transferred independent supporters can advise you. If you live in Richmond, Kingston or Hounslow, and want to find our more please get in touch with us; staff are available all summer to talk to you about the process.” http://www.richmondaid.org.uk/services-disabled/independent-support-partnership/

Sitting & Befriending “Ruils is a Richmond charity supporting people (irrespective of age, impairment, health condition or capacity) to live independently at home and in their community. One of our services is the Sitting & Befriending Service which helps families find a sitter/befriender for their child/young person with additional needs.

Ruils can now offer the Sitting & Befriending Service to families living in Richmond and Kingston with a child/young person aged 0-18 years and to families with a young adult aged 18-25 years. We may also be able to offer a service to some families living in neighbouring boroughs where the distance from our core area is not too far.

(Previously we have only been able to offer Sitting & Befriending support to families living in Richmond with a child/young person up to their 18th birthday.)

During the summer holidays we will be able to answer enquiries and provide information about the service as well as send out our registration pack. We will follow up new registrations with home visits from early September.

Sue Robson, Sitting & Befriending Coordinator, suerobson@ruils.co.uk Tuesday-Friday, 9.30am-3pm 020 8831 6083 “

Top tips for getting the right benefits – from Mencap https://www.mencap.org.uk/about-learning-disability/money-benefits-andassessments/money-and-benefits/top-tips-getting-right-benefits  Read our top tips for making sure you get the right benefits.  Make sure you know what you are entitled to  As a parent it is important to find out exactly what benefits you are entitled to, and what financial support you can receive. It is also a good idea to find out about the various assessments that are available for you and your child, and the services that will be provided.

What next?

Read the Mencap guides on carer's assessments and community care assessments Visit the gov.uk website to find out more about the different types of benefit that are available, and who can claim them.

Call the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00. The service is available 8:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday, or 9am to 1pm on Saturday.

Contact the Learning Disability Helpline for support and advice on 0808 808 1111.

Free - Inclusive Play Sessions for the summer Marble Hill Play Centres – indoor and outdoor play opportunities in Twickenham for children aged 5-15 and for those with additional needs. They have a free play event called Shipwrecked on 5th August. http://marblehillplaycentres.com/inclusive-play-project/ “This extremely successful project includes play sessions designed specifically for children and young people with additional needs, their parents or care givers and siblings. They also have an Inclusive Playworker who supports children with additional needs within the mainstream sessions. One to one support is also available for your child if they need it in order to access the mainstream sessions. There is no need to pre-book your visit” Saturdays & Tuesdays during the holidays - 10 to 12noon Free, but donations appreciated

Free - Family Fun – 22nd August The Integrated Service for Children with Disabilities (ISCD) at Achieving for Children is holding a Family Fun event again this year. Families of children and young people who live in Kingston and Richmond are invited. Details are: Saturday the 22nd of August 2015 - 13:00-16:00 The Moor Lane Centre – Chessington - KT9 2AA. For more information, go to the Local Offer: http://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/events/15855family-fun-day-2015-moor-lane-centre?date=2015-08-22

Stupid Questions Not to Ask a Disabled Person BBC Three asked a group of people with disabilities what some of the stupidest questions they've been asked are. Here's what they had to say. (Enjoy‌) http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02xbqpn More news on Transport and Short Breaks next week... bulletins during early August ( ď Š )

There will be a break from these

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

With best wishes, Romany RSFV phone: 07469 746 145 www.richmondsendfamilyvoice.org