Inquiry, Growing Up and so to Music (via Yoga)

Inquiry, Growing Up and so to Music (via Yoga) 8th June 2018 Dear All This time, we’ve kept the events (roughly) in date order, rather than by subject matter.

Roughly speaking there are formal events, local news and good things to do with our children.

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National SEND Inquiry – Deadline Thursday 14th June TAG Youth Club – Transition Fair – Tomorrow!

SEND Futures Conference - July 3rd Secondary Transfer Events – mid-July Save the Date – 27th September New post-diagnostic groups (asd) – starting 19th June For Dads (and Grandads) only!

Independent Support Partnership (ISP) - update IPSEA calls for a rethink of school exclusions From Special Needs Jungle SEND Family Voices and the DfE Grant Kingston Hospital Blue Badge Parking review – take part Things to do (from yoga to trains to relax…)

Music…

1 National SEND Inquiry – Deadline Thursday 14th June Last chance to make a submission…

What do you think about the SEN Reforms and current SEND provision? The House of Commons Education Select Committee is seeking evidence from parents by 14th June on progress with the SEND reforms and SEND provision. We have put our heads together with some other local voluntary organisations to provide support to parents who would like to make a submission to the inquiry. This is an important chance to make your voice heard at national level and we would urge as many parents as possible to participate.

1) To make your submission and upload it to the inquiry website use the link below. https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commonsselect/education-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/special-educational-needs-anddisability-inquiry-17-19/commons-written-submission-form We have provided a template and some guidelines which might help you with this http://www.sendfamilyvoices.org/booklets

2 TAG Youth Club – Transition Fair – Tomorrow!

“If you are or you care for a young person aged up to 25 with a disability or additional needs, come and find out more about what’s available locally. The event has a focus on transition to adulthood support and services.”

Saturday 9 June – 1pm to 4pm Ham Youth Centre, Ham Close, Ham, TW10 7PL For more information please contact Giles Hobart E: giles@tagyouthclub.org W: https://tagyouthclub.org/news/tag-transition-local-offer-fair

3 SEND Futures Conference - July 3rd A reminder to save the date Richmond and Kingston SEND Futures Many schools and others in SEN, health and social care are already signed up to attend and we understand that AfC are just finalising the ticketing arrangements for parents. We will send you information on how to book your ticket when we have it as well as details of the agenda and list of speakers.

The conference will: • celebrate inclusion and diversity in our communities • consider progress made on implementing the SEND reforms • reflect on and learn from examples of best practice within our local area • continue the process of shaping and implementing changes required to improve experiences and outcomes for all children and young people with SEND in Kingston and Richmond Andre Imich, the Department for Education's SEN and Disability Adviser, will be the keynote speaker. Andre will be one of several influential speakers at the conference, and he will also facilitate an interactive session involving conference guests.

Tuesday 3rd July – 9:30 – 15:30 (exact timings still to be confirmed) at the Stoop, Langhorn Drive, Twickenham, TW2 7SX There is no charge for the conference and lunch will be provided. We will let you know how you can book tickets as soon as we know.

4 Secondary Transfer Events – mid-July …for parents and children with EHCPs in Richmond and Kingston Achieving for Children are organising two events for Year 5 children with EHCPs and their parents to attend an information event on secondary transfer.

The event will provide: • An opportunity to walk through the ‘Secondary Transfer’ process with a presentation from the SEND Team (AfC) followed by a question and answer session • The opportunity for parents and year 5 children to talk with representatives from each Maintained Secondary and Special School in Kingston, as well as members of the SEND team (AfC) If you would like to attend this event please obtain your free tickets (maximum of 3 per family) via Eventbrite, details below For Kingston children in Year 5: Monday 9th July 18:00 – 19:30 Coombe Girls School. Clarence Ave, New Malden KT3 3TU

Tickets: go to www.eventbrite.com search for KINGSTON SEND Secondary Transfer Information Open Event.

For Richmond children in Year 5: Wednesday 11th July 18:00 – 19:30 Orleans Park School, Richmond Rd, Twickenham TW1 3BB Tickets: go to www.eventbrite.com search for RICHMOND SEND Secondary Transfer Information Open Event

5 Save the Date – 27th September Do you need to know about the rights of 16 to 25 year olds with SEND? You are warmly invited to come and listen to Steve Broach, a leading barrister and expert on health, education and social care for SEND. Steve is an articulate and entertaining presenter who will guide us through the maze that surrounds post 16 provision.

Steve will cover the practical application of the law.

Thursday 27 September 2018 10am – 3pm Clarendon Hall York House Richmond Road TW1 3AA There will be a Q&A session and topics will include: • Respite/Short breaks • Mental capacity • Education choices • Support to work • Parental responsibility • Social care • Community health • EHCPs The event is free to residents of Kingston & Richmond. Booking is essential: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/edit?eid=46882380462

6 New post-diagnostic groups (asd) – starting 19th June Project for Autism at Richmond CAMHS (parc) The project is for family’s resident in Richmond or registered with a Richmond GP “We are now starting to facilitate post-diagnostic groups and will also be offering 1:1 appointments for Richmond families whose children (aged 5-18) have been diagnosed within the last year.”

Support & information group for young people (aged 9-14), Tuesdays 4-5pm Venue: Richard Reynolds Catholic College, Twickenham Dates: June 19th, 26th, July 3rd, 10th, 17th (5 week programme) Attending this afterschool group will help young people to find out more about ASD and how to manage difficult situations, as well as learning how to use their strengths to their best advantage.

Support & information group for parents, Tuesdays 10 – 11:30am Venue: Hampton Hill Junior School, Hampton Hill Dates: June 19th, 26th, July 3rd, 10th (4 week programme)

This group aims to help parents and carers to learn and understand more about ASD and associated difficulties and strengths. It will also be an opportunity to meet other parents and carers in your local area and to share knowledge and experiences.

To book a place in either group or to find out more about our service, please contact: T: 0203 5133238 E: parc@swlstg.nhs.uk

7 For Dads (and Grandads) only!

ADHD Richmond A chance for Dads, Grandads, Brothers, Uncles to hear about Surviving and Succeeding in SEN and ADHD with Fintan O’Regan, European ADHD Alliance one of the leading behaviour and learning specialists in the UK. Finn is a SEN and Behaviour Consultant for the Schools Network and the National Association of Special Needs.

Fin is both entertaining & highly experienced—join us for a great night out Wednesday 20th June – 7pm to 9pm (doors open at 1845 Please don’t be late) Ham Youth Centre, Ham Close, off Ashburnham Road, Ham, near Richmond TW10 7PL Booking is essential E: communications@adhdrichmond.org

Express Our monthly 'Dad's Group' continues as a great success! Come and join us: Wednesday 13th June or 11th July – 7.30pm to 9.30pm The Waggon & Horses, Surbiton.

The group is an informal, mutual support group for Dads, Granddads and male carers of children and young people with an autism spectrum condition. Free to attend but buy your own refreshments Please email us to register your interest E: info@expresscic.org.uk

8 Independent Support Partnership (ISP) - update The current funding arrangements for the Independent Support Partnership (ISP) will end on 31 July 2018. There will be new arrangements, but for now we can have been given the following information: “It appears that the majority of free support available to families after this date will be provided by: 1. The local IAS services (who will be supported in doing this work by the Council for Disabled Children) 2. The national telephone helpline run by the charity Contact.

3. Other sources of support provided in the charity and voluntary sector.

The ISP service through Richmond Aid has been working on plans to ensure that families who have been provided support by ISP and have ongoing support needs are redirected to other sources of support. Please get in touch with Jonathan Rourke j.rourke@richmondaod.org.uk if you have any questions.

Alex Hardy will continue to provide an SEN advisory service through the Ruils Family Matters service. He will continue to work with families in the borough of Richmond supporting them to prepare, develop and put in place the provision specified in their EHCPs. Alex’s contact details are AlexHardy@ruils.co.uk “

9 IPSEA calls for a rethink of school exclusions Independent Parental Special Education Advice (known as IPSEA) “IPSEA has called for a rethink of school exclusions in our response to Edward Timpson CBE’s call for evidence, as well as highlighting key concerns with the way exclusions are used in practice. Children with SEN are seven times more likely to be excluded than their peers who do not have SEN.” https://www.ipsea.org.uk/news/ipsea-calls-for-a-rethink-of-school-exclusions

10 From Special Needs Jungle Many of you may already be subscribed to these blogs. If not, here’s a few thought provoking articles on the state of SEND (and how to sign up for more)

EHCPs in 2018: Are we ‘bedded in’ yet?

By Matt Keer - May 25, 2018 “It’s the second May Bank Holiday – and for sad people like me, that means a special treat.

Because that’s when the Department for Education (DfE) unloads its annual statistical review of Education, Health & Care Plans on an eager public.” https://specialneedsjungle.com/ehcps-in-2018-are-we-bedded-in-yet/

£50 million extra for SEND school places and facilities. But will it help inclusion?

By Tania Tirraoro - May 29, 2018 “…today, the SEND Minister, Nadim Zahawi, is announcing an additional £50 million capital funding for "children with additional needs" to go on "good" school places (whatever that means) and to improve facilities.” https://specialneedsjungle.com/50-million-extra-for-send-school-places-and-facilities-but-willit-help-inclusion/

Shocking rise in autistic pupils being excluded from England’s schools

By Tania Tirraoro - June 7, 2018 “Ambitious about Autism has obtained and analysed figures that show just how bad the problem has become. It's calling for urgent action to find out why children with autism are disproportionately at risk.” https://specialneedsjungle.com/shocking-rise-in-autistic-pupils-being-excluded-fromenglands-schools/

Become a member of SNJ (its free!)

“Signing up gives you a number of benefits: • ASK IPSEA: Get your SEND legal questions answered.

• EHCP Clinic: Ask a question about your child's EHCP for a fast turnaround reply.

• RESOURCE HUB: List your SEND activities & resources so parents can search & find them.

• PRINTABLES: Download print-ready articles as PDFs without bits of the website you don't want to print. (You'll see a PDF logo at the top right when you are logged in) • SIGN UP to receive new blog post alerts” https://specialneedsjungle.com/subscribe/

11 SEND Family Voices and the DfE Grant Earlier in the week, we sent an extra newsletter outlining our decision for not applying for the Department for Education (DfE) Participation Grant. We’re pleased to say that our decision has been applauded by many families and stakeholders.

We expect to continue to act as the Kingston & Richmond parent carer forum and will keep you informed. In the meantime, please see Achieving for Children’s response to our decision https://www.afcinfo.org.uk/local_offer/blog_articles/1768-response-to-send-family-voice-sdecision-not-to-seek-department-for-education-grant

12 Kingston Hospital Blue Badge Parking review – take part Kingston Hospital is planning to charge Blue Badge holders for parking at the Hospital. Blue Badge holders often have more appointments than others and require more time to get to their appointments due to their disabilities.

The Hospital has sent their survey, consulting on the parking: W: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/X76LYBJ

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Things to do (from yoga to trains to relax…)

Inclusive Yoga – interested?

As a result of our work on short breaks, we have heard from a Kingston organisation who have funding and are keen to run weekly yoga sessions for children and young people at a cost of £5 per session. The organisation has approached us to ask when would be the best time for families - after school, evenings or weekends?

Please get in touch with rachel@sendfamilyvoices.org to let us now your preferences, so that we can pass them on.”

Ruils Sitting and Befriending We’ve covered this before… so just another reminder of this great service: “We can help find a Sitter/Befriender to support your family, give you a break from caring or to be a companion to your child or teenager helping them to access social and leisure activities.Sitters are interviewed, DBS checked, referenced and trained” http://www.ruils.co.uk/services/sitting-befriending/

Annual Railway Outing From Kingston Mencap.

“Free entry and free train rides - plus cakes and refreshments! Wheelchairs can be taken on some trains” Sunday 17th June – 2pm to 5pm Thames Ditton Model Railway, Claygate Lane, Thames Ditton, KT7 0DL For more information, please contact: T: 07745 814 050 E: michelle@kingstonmencap.org.uk

The Hive The People Hive is an exciting new project being launched by RHLT; a provider of services for people with learning disabilities in and around the borough of Richmond upon Thames.

W: www.rhlt.org.uk “The Hive will also be welcoming new ideas from the Twickenham community for creative activities and workshops for those in the local community as they hope to eventually hold these within the new premises. They will also be partially staffed by volunteers with learning disabilities who will gain valuable work experience in customer service and general office duties, which they hope will eventually lead to paid work” To discuss anything which you may have to offer to the Hive, whether of artwork, time, ideas or activities contact Alice Maslen:

E: alicemaslenroberts@gmail.com

Disability Challengers Fantastic to see Disability Challengers set up a new three-week summer playscheme for SEND kids aged 4-12 at Bedelsford School “Kingston Playscheme is for disabled and non-disabled children aged 4-12. Sensory areas including inflatable Pod, fully accessible mini adventure playground, Chill out garden with sounds of the river nearby, arts & crafts, cooking, visitors that include Magician, Reptiles and the Farm. Fully accessible indoor swimming pool.” https://disability-challengers.org/what-we-do/playschemes/kingston

Just Relax: Relaxation techniques for children and Self-Care for Parents Ruils Family Matterss next workshop on 26th June - is about relaxation for children with special needs, and their parents. You can book a place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/just-relax-relaxation-techniques-for-children-and-self-carefor-parents-tickets-46473022060

14 Music…

This 7 year old autistic blind girl in a wheel chair plays guitar for the first time… watch her calm down… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-WLHO_ldBQ

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 from all at SEND Family Voices T: 07469 746 145 E: sendfamilyvoices@outlook.com W: www.sendfamilyvoices.org