Lorra Lorra News, Advice & Singing Hands go Pop 13th May 2017 Dear All Sometimes, trying to find a title to encapsulate the variety of subjects in these newsletters is difficult. There were open auditions for the part of Cilla Black this week, so we’re going with the Lorra Lorra tag…
Post-16 more… Last weekend, we asked some questions on Post-16 support and provision. We have two more questions, please help us to represent you by replying with your answers.
First Questions: We know there is a kind of ‘cliff edge’ after school is completed and, as parents, we all want our children to do the best they can. 1. What would help your young person get into further education and/or paid work? 2. What would you like to see more of? (or less of?) Reply to: sendfamilyvoices@outlook.com Two more Questions: 1. Independent Travel Training We’d like to hear families’ experiences (positive and negative) of how it worked for their young person: did the young person progress to being a fully Independent Traveller after being trained to complete the journey to/from school or college? How many sessions did the young person receive and do the family feel that this was enough and transferrable to other routes so they can confidently and safely get to social activities, work placements etc and lead a more independent life post 16? 2. Post 16 education/work combinations What would be the ideal balance of the two for your young person, i.e. 3 days college to improve maths/english/life skills and 2 days work placement or more college; less work or the other way around? Should the emphasis be on gaining a qualification (i.e. Level 1 certificate in Catering) or on-the-job work experience/apprenticeships? Is your young person further down the line so you can tell us about how a combined education/work programme (i.e. Project Search) was for them and whether they found paid employment upon completion?
Post-16 – useful links
#1 Government Guidelines Young people with SEND are not automatically entitled to maintain their EHC (education, health and care) plans after they turn 19. Information on: • Managing 19- to 25-year-olds’ EHC plans • Education, training and benefits • Funding • Considering health and social care needs • Including young people in decision-making https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-19-to-25-year-olds-entitlement-to-ehcplans/send-19-to-25-year-olds-entitlement-to-ehc-plans
#2 Future Hub & Opportunities Pack “You can view local apprenticeship vacancies on our Future Hub website, designed and developed with and for young people and aims to help 16 to 19 year olds progress their prospects through traineeships, apprenticeships, and employment. The Opportunities Pack sets out post 16 education and training options (up to and including Level 2) available locally – whether in learning or apprenticeships and provides links to access further information.” https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/pages/home/preparing-for-adulthood/preparing-foremployment/future-hub-and-the-opportunities-pack
#3 Preparing for Adulthood One of the most useful set of resources out there – covering everything from mental capacity to finding a job. Originally funded by the Department of Education prior to the SEND Reforms of September 2014 http://www.preparingforadulthood.org.uk/resources/resources-stories-and-videos
Time to Give your Brain a Break – mindfulness for children Richmond Dyslexia Association are running a workshop for children aged 8-12 on mindfulness. Children will come home with an activity pack for you to support their resilience skills (on managing stress and anxiety). The courses are run by Dr Florence Charles, Educational Psychologist, at a cost of £5 per child. Sunday 7th June - 4.30pm to 6pm The Old Town Hall, Whittaker Ave, Richmond, TW9 1TP Booking is essential: bookings@richmonddyslexia.org.uk
Counselling – rsvp… Express are exploring the possibility of offering a low-cost counselling service to parents and carers of children with autism and additional needs. “As parent/carers, life can be very challenging. It can feel overwhelming trying to manage the needs of your child and balance this with all the other parts of your life; family, work, friends. It is often hard to talk about your feelings with those close to you because you don't want to burden them or it can feel like they won't understand. Parenting a child with additional needs also puts huge pressure on relationships with partners and families that can be difficult to resolve. Counselling can offer a safe space where you can talk through all of your difficulties and anxieties. A counsellor is trained to listen and support you in a non-judgemental way, creating a safe space for you to express your feelings, whatever they may be. By talking, worries and difficulties can often seem clearer and easier to manage. We are inviting expressions of interest in receiving counselling so that we can assess the need for such a service and how we might best organise it to the meet the needs of our parents/carers. The service would be offered at the Express offices in Tolworth by counsellors with knowledge of autism and special needs. There would be a charge for sessions, on a sliding scale (£10£30 per session) based on ability to pay. This is to cover our costs in delivering the service. We would offer 12 sessions initially, with the possibility of extending this to further sessions, depending on demand.
We appreciate that even acknowledging that counselling may be of help to you can be a big step but if you would be interested in this, and feel able to, please let us know by email to info@expressic.org.uk . It would also be helpful to know what time/day that you would be able to come to counselling. All expressions of interest would be treated in the strictest confidence. Many thanks, Annette & Tracey at Express CIC “ info@expresscic.org.uk
Hustings – update There are now two confirmed events where voters can come and meet the candidates and ask questions. Follow the booking links below…
Kingston borough Confirmed candidates: Ed Davey and James Berry. We are awaiting declaration of other candidates. Thursday 18th May - 7.30pm to 9.30pm Surbiton Hill Methodist Church, 39 Ewell Rd, Surbiton KT6 6AF Book here: http://mailchi.mp/expresscic/be-heard-general-election-2017-kingston-andsurbiton-hustings
Richmond borough Confirmed Attendees: Dr Tania Mathias, Sarah Olney, Vince Cable and Catherine Dunn. Saturday 27th May - 2pm to 4pm St Mary's University, Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4SX Book here: www.2017ElectionHustingsrichmondtwickenham.eventbrite.co.uk
Phyz – dates and PLSA’s Phyz is the local support group for families of children and young people with physical disabilities. Two new dates for your diaries and two questions…
Meeting dates are: Friday 9th June and Friday 7th July - 10:00am to 12:00noon MeToo&Co, Crossways, St. Stephen’s, Twickenham, TW1 2PD
Question 1: Is there interest in organising another pub evening? If so we will sort one out - the Alba (opposite Marble Hill Park) looked after us very well last time - but other suggestions for venue and suggestions on date / day of the week gratefully received.
Question 2: We have an option to invite Charis Penfold, Achieving for Children’s DIrector for Education Services to one of our meetings. Charis is the person responsible for the current PLSA team and also oversees the work that the SEN team do (or don’t do) in relation to EHCPs etc. If you’d be interested in meeting Charis, please let Phyz know. info@phyz.org.uk
PLSA news (peripetetic learning support assistants) “An update on the PLSA team (peripetetic learning support assistants) who currently support many of the children in Richmond in mainstream schools who have physical disabilities or a visual impairment…
Following the meetings held by Achieving for Children prior to the Easter holidays, a group of parents via the Phyz group put together a detailed list of questions relating to the new support model being proposed (as well as how the transition will be handled). Currently there is no information on the details of the proposed model - we understand it is still undergoing consultation. We are told to expect answers to many of our questions by 15th May. Assuming the answers are available on this date we will be in a better position to understand the impact and further steps we may need to take. “ If anyone would like more information on the current status of the consultation vis a vis parents, as we understand it or would like to suggest further action, the best contact is Penny via info@phyz.org.uk
SOS!SEN drop-in Advice centres “SOS!SEN is a national charity aiming to empower parents and carers of children with SEN to tackle successfully themselves the difficulties they face when battling for their children’s rights. We concentrate on helping people to find their way through the legal and bureaucratic maze that is so daunting to so many.”
Drop-in Advice Centres: 17th May and 21st June and 12th July 10.15am to 12.15pm Hampton Court, 11a Creek Road, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9BE (opposite Hampton Court station) 7th June and 5th July 4.30pm to 6.30pm Worcester Park SOS SEN Charity Shop, 90 Central Road Worcester Park KT4 8HU (free parking in Waitrose car park nearby) 25th May - 8th and 22nd June - 13th July 5.30pm to 7.30pm Waterloo, Chaplin Close Community Hall, Gray Street, London SE1 8TU Further information: http://www.sossen.org.uk/advice_centres.php
Workshops: 13th May – Writing a working document for tribunal appeals, and what to expect at tribunal 16th May – Understanding professional reports Further information: http://www.sossen.org.uk/parent_workshops.php
Talking about the Golden Binder Penny from SEND Family Voices will be at the Kids SENDIASS drop-in next week. Please come along with any questions you may have on Education, Health & Care Plans (EHC Plans) and, of course, the Golden Binder. The hosts, SENDIASS, offer a parent partnership service (now known as SENDIASS) to help families applying for an EHC Plan. Wednesday 17th May – 12.30pm to 2.30pm Hook Library, Hook Rd, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 1EJ
Disabled Living Newsletter - link Articles include: recent publications and a supplier directory, moving & handling children and details of their latest workshop: Single Handed Care.
https://issuu.com/disabledliving/docs/may_2017?e=26748259/48451600
@SENDFamilyVoice
@SENDFamilyVoice over 100 tweets this week, on so many topics. Please follow us! Not noticing too many SEND pledges so far in the run up to the General Election - more to follow. Highlights below: An urgent evidence base for opticians to go into special schools https://www.seeability.org/news/three-years-of-eye-care-in-special-schools Top ten tips for supporting literacy difficulties in the classroom http://dfl.newsoftdemo.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/DfL-Top-Ten-Tips-factsheet-.pdf Have you had a carer's assessment? Find out more here http://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/practical-support/getting-care-andsupport/carers-assessment?platform=hootsuite Mental health needs resources not tinkering with the law https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/may/08/mental-health-needs-resources-nottinkering-with-the-law?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter Please read this on behalf of PECS users http://www.speechsproutstherapy.com/2017/04/i-made-these-3-mistakesteaching.html?m=1 How to employ a Personal Assistant https://community.scope.org.uk/discussion/33325/how-to-employ-your-own-personalassistant How to prepare for a PIP assessment https://community.scope.org.uk/discussion/33294/how-to-prepare-for-a-personalindependence-payment-pip-assessment?utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral Five priorities for improving children's mental health https://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2017/may/05/five-priorities-childrensmental-health?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other The new SEND Code of Practice needs investment https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/without-proper-investment-newsend-code-practice-will-have-very
What’s New on the Local Offer Play,learning,social and physical activity session for children on the autistic spectrum and/or social communication difficulties. Family weekly session https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/events/24175-playagogo?date=2017-06-10 The Summer Jazz Funday will be a fun afternoon for all the family with performances from the GoLocal Community Choir. https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/events/24165-otakar-kraus-music-trust-summer-jazzfunday?term=otakar YMCA Inclusive Lives are celebrating inclusion by hosting a welcome at YMCA Hawker on 19th May. There will be activities running throughout the day for everyone to try!
https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/events/24125-ymca-inclusive-lives-welcomeday?date=2017-05-19 A programme to help parents of children with dyslexia and or dyspraxia support their child with school and homework. https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/events/24134-supporting-parents-of-children-with-dyslexiadyspraxia?date=2017-05-30
Autism – becoming mainstream…? Following the publication of his autobiography last year, Countryfile and Springwatch presenter Chris Packham revealed his “condition”, which was diagnosed in 2005. On Springwatch, the filming crew know not to mess with the contents of his precisely-ordered location caravan… http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/chris-packham-I-didnt-push-anyone-awaybut-people-cant-reach-me/ Young people with autism want to remind people that everyone's normal is different and that those quirks that everyone has are what makes them who they are. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLJACPxcojg&feature=youtu.be And two articles on the Power Ranger with autism (he’s the blue one). Generally good reviews… https://themighty.com/2017/03/autism-power-rangers-movie-review/ and http://www.teenvogue.com/story/power-rangers-autistic-billy-blue-superhero
Singing Hands go Pop Two local parents set up Singing Hands - and use MAKATON sign language and symbols to translate the meaning of the lyrics of songs with the aim to teach, demonstrate and communicate the sign language in a fun, effective and creative way. They are creating a fresh and contemporary album and DVD of popular songs for teenagers and adults who use MAKATON. Pledge to buy your copy – to get this album made… http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/singinghands 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