End of term, a multi-coloured Zebra & Grenfell Tower 25th June 2017 Dear All We’ve got some really interesting events planned for autumn (with educational psychologists and the like); details soon. For now, two more parent meetings this term, details below…
Digital Parenting We came to the end of our workshops on On-line Safety and can’t thank those parents who came and our lead presenter, Peter Cowley, enough.
“Thank you [for the workshop], it was incredibly helpful and informative” Peter was thorough and entertaining! We’re in the process of putting the complete workshop onto our website and will be writing some Top Tips for families of children with SEND. In the meantime, we have a stock of Digital Parenting magazine. The magazine includes articles on Apps for under 10’s and a parent’s guide to gaming. You can read the magazine on-line, or we can post you a copy (please reply with your postal address. http://www.vodafone.com/content/digital-parenting.html/
Our last informal meeting this term… We hope our meetings will provide the chance to meet and talk to other parents in a relaxed atmosphere; and to learn from each other. We will also be able to answer your questions on the Golden Booklet (summary guide for parents on EHC processes). Thursday 29th June - 7pm to 9pm at the Petersham Hotel, Nightingale Lane, Richmond, TW10 6UZ
One more Meet the CCG Commissioners Following the national news on the proposed decision to cease diagnosising austim locally (unless there was already a presenting mental health need), we have arranged meetings with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) children’s commissioners. Thursday 13th July – 10am to 12noon with NAS Richmond, at York House, Richmond Road, TW1 3AA Additional guest: E Ruddy - Strategic Programme Manager (Transforming Care) - NHS England E: sendfamilyvoices@outlook.com T: 07469 746 145
AfC Info – a new family focussed website “AfC have developed a new family focused website. The new site, called AfC info, will incorporate the existing Local Offer site alongside a Community section and a dedicated site for young people. The new website is planned to go live on Monday 3 July. Alongside the Local Offer, the new site will also include information about: • Early Years • Childcare • Children’s Centres • Schools Admissions • Emotional health support • Parenting Support • Youth Services including leisure activities • Education and employment options for young people There will be a soft launch of the site initially with more publicity being generated in September after the summer period.
What does this mean for the Local Offer? The Local Offer has also benefited from a makeover as part of the site redesign. Our plan was to provide a one stop shop for all activities/services that children, young people and families can access, rather than just specifically for SEND. Parents and Young People with SEND, working with the Local Offer Development Group, have been very influential in designing the new site and we hope that the changes will make the site easier and clear to use. When the new AfC info site launches the web address for the Local Offer will change. Arrangements have been made for the existing web address to be directed to the new website. So, there should be no difficulty in finding the Local Offer using the existing web address. Eventually though, we will need to be using the new web address in any publications that are produced or where the Local Offer is signposted. When you first visit the Local Offer on 3 July look out for the multi coloured Zebra! Then you will know you have arrived! The Zebra link will take you to a page outlining the changes and guiding you round the site. Next week we will send you details of the new website address, Twitter account and Facebook page. If you have any questions please contact me.” Karen Lowry, AfCinfo/SEND Local Offer Website Manager T: 020 8547 6541 E: karen.lowry@achievingforchildren.org.uk
@SENDFamilyVoice @SENDFamilyVoice A very busy week again - 100s of tweets, 45 new followers, lots of conversations and news from the Autism Shows & The Education Festival. Highlights include: A rare, important direct insight into ASD girls, bras & puberty. Puts into words the experiences of many girls, some of whom are still learning to talk.
https://autnot.wordpress.com/2017/06/22/we-need-to-talk-about-bras/ Key points of SEN support in schools: https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/key-points-sen-support-schools/ Polly & Joe get married after being together for seven years https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/news/my-relationships-polly-andjoe/?utm_source=Twitter How to appeal a PIP benefit decision https://blog.scope.org.uk/2017/06/20/how-to-appeal-a-personal-independence-paymentpip-benefit-decision/?utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral The man from the LA: having a great case worker https://itmustbemum.wordpress.com/2017/06/21/the-man-from-the-localauthority/?utm_source= National statistics on EHCPs & statements, including transfers https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statements-of-sen-and-ehc-plans-england-2017 Brilliant new film to watch out for on learning disability and L'Arche, Summer in the Forest https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/21/power-french-village-summer-inthe-forest-film Have SEND reforms worked? http://www.driveryouthtrust.com/research-reports-joining-the-dots/ How can we improve outcomes in a broken system? http://blog.optimus-education.com/how-can-we-improve-outcomes-broken-system 10 Things I Wish I Knew on ASD Diagnosis Day http://itsatinkthing.com/uncategorized/what-i-wish-i-knew/
Grenfell Tower Driving on the Westway last week, I (Romany) drove past Grenfell Tower – it really is totem on the skyline. One of the most horrible and emotive sights I’ve ever seen – bewitching. Below is a short story about how one local family (of children with SEND) responded. They’re planning to go again and are seeking to increase inclusion. If you would like to join them or just want to find out what they’re planning, please contact Alina Dyer E: alina@londonvisa.co.uk T: 07467 208 399 “Two primary school children from Richmond have delivered treats to lift the spirits of the young survivors of the Grenfell Tower disaster. The children, who have Asperger’s, spent the day playing and chatting with the young victims, sharing toys and building Lego blocks.” http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/15365052.Primary_school_siblings_fro m_Richmond_spent_a_day_playing_with_Grenfell___s_youngest_victims/ 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