Events, sense and sexting

Events, Sense and Sexting 9th September 2016 Dear All Here we go again, lots of activities at autumn begins (not autumn weather obviously)…

What can a school do to support your child? And what can't it do?

This workshop, run by members of SEND Family Voices at the invitation of the host school, focuses on children and young people in mainstream schools where needs are often being identified for the first time (eg dyslexia, high functioning autism and adhd). There will be a focus on dyslexia and what both school and home can do. Similar approaches can be considered best practice for high functioning autism, social communications and adhd.

Both parents and professionals are welcome to attend. Please contact us for more information.

Wednesday 19th October - 10am to 12noon and Wednesday 19th October - 7pm to 9pm both at St.Paul's Cof E Junior School, Princes Road, Kingston, KT2 6AZ

Support for Families - Coffee & Cake These are informal meetings where you can meet other parents. Whether you are new to the world of SEND or an 'old hand', we aim to answer your questions and facilitate open discussion on what is important to you.

Any questions at all, please ask and we always do our best to find an answer (and usually do).  Monday October 17th - 7pm to 9pm at Express CIC, 452 Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 7EL  Monday November 7th - 7pm to 9pm at Express CIC, 452 Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 7EL  Friday 18th November - 10am to 12noon at MeToo&Co, The CrossWay Centre, Twickenham, TW1 2PD *  Friday 25th November - 10am to 12noon at MeToo&Co, The CrossWay Centre, Twickenham, TW1 2PD * * creche available. Contact Fiona: fiona@metooandco.org.uk

More family meetings We have a lot planned for the autumn term. We are also arranging a number of consultations. These include:  Short Breaks Commissioning – for 2018 onwards  Children’s & Young People’s Plan 2017-2020 for both Kingston & Richmond councils More information is on the Events page on our website. Details of dates and venues are to follow (and we’ll update our entry on the Local Offer webpage asap!)

Please look to the Local Offer events listings for details from all groups: https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/events

Shared Lives The Shared Lives Scheme is a registered service which offers people the chance to receive care and support that they need within the Shared Lives Carer’s own home. This applies to adults in Richmond.

NB: Family Links offers similar for children & young people in both Kingston and Richmond – more news to follow. http://richmondcareandsupport.org.uk/i-need-help-with/looking-after-someone/takingcare-of-yourself/taking-a-break-from-caring/short-stay-away-for-the-person-you-carefor/shared-lives-scheme.aspx

Sense Sense are a national charity that supports and campaigns for children, young people and adults who are deaf-blind or have sensory impairments. For more information, follow the link below: https://www.sense.org.uk/content/information-and-advice-service

More Sense Solicitors Irwin Mitchell has teamed up with deafblind charity Sense and Steve Broach, a barrister at Monckton Chambers, to design legal training for ‘Independent Supporters’ http://www.irwinmitchell.com/personal/protecting-your-rights/social-healthcare-law/thechildren-and-families-act-2014/factsheets-and-template-letters

First Aid “Watch our signed first aid videos explaining how to deal with emergency situations and first aid incidents” http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/First-aid/Accessible-first-aid/Signed-first-aid-videos

Children’s Centres – have your say Re-organisation of Richmond Children’s Centres… deadline 30th September. (Kingston to follow) Please take part in this survey and read the proposal document in the link below. Even if you no longer use Children’s Centres, please consider the ‘what and why’ of your experiences: https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/blog_articles/609-richmond-children-s-centre-servicereorganisation-consultation

What’s New on the Local Offer We recommend you check the Local Offer regularly and if you are struggling to find something, please use the Local Offer Contact Us page. Every request put into the Local Offer must be published and answered (it’s the law).

Here’s a good example… on Wednesday this week (7th Sept), a parent contacted SFV asking about community dentists. We couldn’t find anything, so we did some research and contacted the Local Offer. The parent received an answer (hopefully successful) and the Local Offer has published full details: “Community Special Care Dentistry is for patients who live in Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, Bexley, Greenwich, Croydon, Richmond, Kingston, Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth. The

service is offered at 26 community-based health centres and sites in south east and south west London, including a Mobile Dental Unit. The service provides a full range of dental treatment and oral healthcare for patients for whom treatment by a general dental practice is unsuitable “ https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/organisations/20972-community-special-caredentistry?term=dentist Whether you were able to come along or not, please complete the survey on Achieving for Children’s Family Fun day last weekend https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/blog_articles/657-family-fun-day-survey-for-all-parents-andcarers-tell-us-your-views Independent travel is a valuable skill… essential for employability and self-confidence.

Here’s a comment from a satisfied family: “We had a few weeks of travel training with Balance which went well. For the record, they are extremely thorough and quite professional and I would definitely recommend them. XXX made good progress and has been ‘signed off’ to make the school journey independently.” https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/pages/home/education/sen-transport/balanceindependent-travel-training “CYGNETS courses are designed for parents or carers of children and young people aged 8 to 17, with a diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder. The course aims to improve participants’ confidence in managing the challenges faced when raising a child with ASD.” https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/pages/home/information-and-advice/achieving-forchildren-parenting-support/barnardo-s-cygnet-training New…. Parents as Partners group for parents of children on the autism spectrum: https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/blog_articles/658-parents-as-partners-for-families-ofchildren-on-the-autistic-spectrum-free-programme-starting-this-autumn

Express CIC Many of you will know of Express CIC and their stated mission: 'creating a hub in the heart of the community, supporting young people with autism and their families, a place for everyone' SFV refer a lot of families to Express; they offer more autism focussed support groups and advice than anyone else locally. To help them achieve this goal, please take part in their survey (it took only four minutes when we did it).

“Please be assured your details will not be passed on to any other organisation. Thank you.” https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ExpressEvidenceNeed

MeToo&Co MeToo& Co starts again next Tuesday 13th September and will run Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings for the rest of the term. MeToo&Co offer on-site hairdressing, music therapy, drama, art, SEN Advocacy and much more… You can find details of their activities on their website, and please contact Fiona for an up-to-date schedule.

T: 07946 646033 E: info@metooandco.org.uk W: https://www.metooandco.org.uk/activities/what_we_do

Feeling inspired by the 2016 Paralympic Games?

Read how West Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre in Leeds are using their PE and sport premium funding to provide inclusive sport and physical education opportunities for their pupils with disabilities and special educational need https://teaching.blog.gov.uk/2016/09/09/inclusive-pe-how-the-pe-and-sport-premium-ishelping-to-encourage-sport-for-all/

Sexting This is a very easy read – and easy to share with young people.

“Sexting Guidance The NSPCC has produced a guide to assist parents talk with children about the dangers and legalities surrounding sexting, empowering them to say no to requests.” https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/sexting/

What would you change?

The BBC Radio 4 programme “Shared Experiences” discussed the impact of having a child with additional needs. Whilst the recording is about 30 minutes long, we liked the section (19minutes & 17 seconds in) on What would you change?

The answers are:  Their dealings with professionals who are patronising and demonstrate a lack of maturity and understanding.  A request that everyone looks at the child – not the label. Terms like ‘he/she is suffering with xyz’ are particularly upsetting.  More information and support. Of the three families interviewed, they all expressed their shock at the lack of support when leaving the consultants offices. The sense of ‘just having to get on with it’ with no guidance.

Sound familiar…? http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07cvlm8 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) Phone: 07469 746 145 www.sendfamilyvoices.org If you wish to unsubscribe from this e-mail list, please reply to this e-mail with Unsubscribe in the subject line.