News, Transition Protocol, Aiming High & CBeebies 26th March 2015
Dear All There is a huge amount of information being circulated right now; perhaps it's because we're about to go into Election fever and there's a certain amount of tidying up !? There will be more news on the Local Offer soon. In the meantime... Developments in implementing the SEND Reforms First, yesterday's letter from Ed Timpson MP, which describes three recent key developments within the SEND reforms. These developments are: 1. Supported Internships and other preparation for employment for young people with SEND 2. The Support Offer (for parents, and for LA's & their partners) 3. Accountability Arrangements The government link is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-reforms-edward-timpsonletter?utm_source= Second, today the government's updated SEND Guide for Parents & Carers was published (think it's actually got smaller). It's an easy read version of the SEND Code of Practice (which spans 270 pages). The link is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-guide-for-parents-and-carers Also, here is an article from Special Needs Jungle on the SEND Accountability Framework, in which they comment and ask for your views. Link is here: http://www.specialneedsjungle.com/fleshing-out-send-accountability-we-look-at-theframework-and-ask-for-your-views/ Finally, Preparing for Adulthood have published two workforce development guides for people working with Young People with SEND. Whilst the documents "...are written for employers and staff within education services - schools, further education colleges and Local Authority; social care within both children's and adult services; and health services - community, specialist, hospital and primary care. It includes interfaces with other services such as housing, transport, employment and leisure. The more detailed guide aims to offer overarching workforce support and development guidance. This incorporates evidence and common core messages across the sectors, to help employers develop good practice over young people's preparation for, and transition to adult life." ...parents and young people might find these useful. The link is here: http://preparingforadulthood.org.uk/what-we-do/workforce-development Moving from children's to adult services - a Transition Protocol in development Below is an invitation from Becky Powell asking for parent / carer to participate in developing this protocol. In talking to Becky, she is happy for people to do this via e-mail or telephone and has also booked some days in the Easter holidays (and afterwards) to meet with parents. Please contact Becky direct.
"Dear parent and carers organisations I have been asked to create a Transition Protocol document for young people with additional needs moving towards adulthood. The protocol will be multi-disciplinary and across both Richmond and Kingston. It will be for young people and adults aged 14-25 years. The final document will identify the steps and stages through transition for all client groups. The aim is for young people and families to be confident of a smooth transition to adulthood and for professionals and services to be clear about the expectations of them. So far I have been working with professionals to identify what currently happens. I have identified some gaps and am considering some new practice to tackle them. I am contacting you to ask if you or anyone from your membership would be interested to become involved in this work. After these discussions, I will circulate a draft for wider comment. This will be in mid April. Please let me know if you would like to get involved in this work, I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks Becky Powell Transition and Family Support Team Manager (Disabled Childrens Services) Achieving for Children Phone: 020 8487 5363 (LBR) and 020 8547 6569 (RBK) Email: becky.powell@achievingforchildren.org.uk " Short Breaks, Funding ...this year & next At the end of this bulletin are the following: - a letter from Caroline Jager about the new Aiming High funding - a very helpful table illustrating Aiming High provision this year (2014-15), and what is planned for next year (2015-16) The following leaflets are available from the contacts given in the table, or send a e-mail via our contacts page (website): - AfC Aiming High Short Breaks 2015 - funding for individual children - enhanced ration funding - the inclusion grant - an explanation of the disability discrimination act requirements, plus a Q&A Marble Hill Park's Inclusive Play sessions "Age Range : 0-15 years This extremely successful project includes exclusive play sessions designed specifically for children and young people with additional needs, their parents or care givers and siblings. We also have an Inclusive Playworker who supports children with additional needs within the mainstream sessions. One to one support is also available for your child if they need it in order to access the mainstream sessions. There is no need to pre book your visit. Opening Times Term Time: 10am to 12 noon every Saturday School Holidays: 10am to 12 noon every Friday morning" The link is here: http://marblehillplaycentres.com/inclusive-play-project/
Survey on Cerebal Palsy & Physiotherapy "Support4SDR Wales has teamed up with Support4SDR in England to launch a survey of ALL families of children who have CP, and not just those eligible for SDR. The survey asks about how much physio children are getting funded by the NHS, how much they are paying for privately and whether this has changed in the last 5 years. The survey is anonymous but we are collecting postcode prefixes so we can look at how the responses vary across the UK. If you've not already done so, please complete the survey HERE - it only has 20 questions and takes 5 minutes." https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CPphysiosurvey Let's end on something lighter... Karen Lowry, from Achieving for Children's Early Years Information Officer, found this on CBeebies.... specifically for families of children with SEND. Please let me know how useful (or not) you find this. Link follows: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/age-and-needs/special-needs#filter As ever, any queries at all, please ask and I'll do my best to find an answer. With best wishes, Romany Tel: 07469 746 145 www.richmondsendfamilyvoice.org