Lots on the SEND Reforms, plus bits & pieces 18th July 2015 Dear All Just in case, this bulletin goes a bit wild in your Inbox – a Word file is attached and you can also view it here: www.richmondsendfamilyvoice.org/news
88 free ice creams eaten! The Local Offer launch was a success with around 180 visitors throughout the afternoon. Many said how relaxed they felt and “what a lovely atmosphere” the event had. It was a true team effort and example of co-production in both organising this launch and getting the Local Offer up & running. Did you know that if you are a part of an organisation (eg Richmond Dyslexia) you can register on the Local Offer and create an account that allows you to update your details and add events to the Local Offer calendar? Please contact Karen Lowry, Local Offer Content manager, for straightforward instructions on how to do this: sendlocaloffer@achievingforchildren.org.uk
Kids – Information & Advice Lena Vantol recently sent out her first bulletin as the Kids Information & Advice Officer for Kingston & Richmond. If you would like to receive Lena’s bulletins in the future (we won’t routinely send them out from here) – please contact Lena on: lena.vantol@kids.org.uk
SEND Implementation meeting – 9th July 2015 This is a decision making forum held every two months within Achieving for Children and chaired by Simon James (Associate Director for SEND). The meeting is attended by Education, Health, Social Care representatives, plus parents and young people. With thanks to Penny (ECHP Lead, RSFV) for attending & writing this report... 1) SEN Team Anna Chiva (Head of SEN) reported on the progress with the SEN team reorganisation. Highlights included: 60% of Year 11 transfer reviews were completed by May 31 The team is consulting on a new structure with two new posts (including a Deputy for Anna). Should be complete by end of this week. SEN Panel workshops were held with SENCOs to help explain and educate about the process and improve the quality of submissions to panel. These were well received by the SENCo’s. SEN team case management tool is due to go live shortly (to help with management and escalation of all SEN cases – transfers, assessments and new requests) There will be an SEN survey launching in the autumn to canvass views from families and young people about the SEN team and provision. This is being developed nationally by InControl. Paul Mowat will share a draft with parent leads by the end August. It will also be discussed at the Young Champions meeting in early September