Local offer, send reforms & making holiday plans 1

Local Offer, SEND Reforms & making holiday plans 13th June 2015

Dear All The Local Offer is a really important part of the SEND Reforms, in terms of reducing the amount of detective work we parents do.

The Local Offer launch event & personalisation …promises to be fun and we’re hoping for sunny weather as this will be held inside and outside. There will be activities for children and young people, many of which will be run by Young People. There will be short formal launch mid-way through and refreshments and cake!

Monday 13th July from 4pm until 7pm @ The Langdon Down Centre, Teddington Booking details will be published soon. In the meantime, please mark the day in your diary!

Please also try the User Registration and Log In on the Local Offer as this allows you to (anonymously) personalise your searches and selections. www.afclocaloffer.org.uk

DfE SEND Implemention Newsletter Below is the link for the Department for Education’s (DfE) June newsletter on how things are going with the SEND Reforms implementation nationally. http://www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/resources/department-for-education-sendjune-newsletter The newsletter is intended for civil servants – but it is a public document and anyone can sign up for it by sending a request to this e-mail address: SEN.IMPLEMENTATION@education.gsi.gov.uk

Highlights from the above…

Links to Co-production video Co-production is working in partnership with the service providers and developing services together. Richmond SEND Family Voice and LEAD Kingston do a lot of this! The video below explains more about co-production and includes an introduction from Ed Timpson MP. It’s about 15 minutes long. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPa3qrDZWp8 Local Offer – feedback on services please One aspect of the Local Offer is that is must receive and publish feedback – and the newsletter includes examples from other local authorities. If you have any question, or feedback, on any of the services within our Local Offer, please submit it here: http://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/enquiries/new …you will receive a reply once the Content Manager receives it, and it will also be published on the Local Offer.

Survey of parent carer forums on SEND Implemention Earlier this year, Contact a Family conducted a survey with all the Parent/Carer forums on their experiences of the implementation – the intention being to build a national picture. The link to the .pdf is within the newsletter, and if anyone would like to see RSFV’s submission to this, please reply to this e-mail.

Short Breaks & Aiming High The final meeting on this subject is: Wed 17th June: 12.30pm-2pm Windham Croft, Windham Road, Richmond The Local Offer now includes all the up-to-date leaflets on Short Breaks & Aiming High and the links are here: http://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/pages/home/social-care/the-integrated-service-forchildren-with-disabilities http://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/pages/home/leisure-activities-and-short-breaks/aiminghigh-funding http://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/pages/home/leisure-activities-and-short-breaks/enhancedratio-funding-and-inclusion-grant As above, any queries on these, please feel free to direct them through the Local Offer feedback page.

Also attached to the e-mail version of this bulletin are:  a letter from Caroline Baxter (Head of Integrated Services for Children with Disabilities)  the Aiming High application dates  a Q&A on the new grants  the Eligibility Criteria for the disabled children’s team Please contact richmondsendfamilyvoice@outlook.com for a copy, or visit the Local Offer above.

Please complete the CAMHS survey Would you like your experiences to inform the future of the Children’s & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) strategy and help to shape CAMHS services locally?

Please take the time to complete this short survey is CAMHS affect your child or young person.

The parent’s survey: http://goo.gl/forms/8e8lBe0HLR The school’s survey:

http://goo.gl/forms/jaSZHlt0Fj

National survey on changes to local services…

Contact a Family want to know about changes to local services and support for families with disabled children across the UK. “We would also like to find out how the changes are affecting your family life. What you tell us will be used to shape our campaigning work in the new Parliament. We want to make sure disabled children are a top priority for the next Government.” https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FamilyCensus

DisabledGo DisabledGo is a really useful website to find out access information for places to go in London, including hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions. The access guides give a great deal of detail so that you can decide whether the venue is fully accessible before you visit. http://www.disabledgo.com/accessible-london-visit-london

SpecialGlobe A parent has sent this link in spotted in the International New York Times (thank you Lisa!).

Whilst it is US based, it’s definitely worth checking out… the site is intended for families of children with SEND. “We have created a site that will allow parents the ability to book custom trips, book hotels and share their experiences and learn from other parents and experts through forums and written articles about everything from tips and tricks, top ten things to do and basic travel advice.” https://www.specialglobe.com/

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