Opportunities, News and Prompts 19th August 2016 Dear All It’s all a bit quieter during the holidays. Here is a round-up of current news and other interesting stuff…
Opportunities SEND Family Voices’ professionalism and collective voice continue to reap rewards. We are receiving more interest from colleagues and potential partners outside Kingston & Richmond; whether this be other parent/carers forums seeking to understand our approach or fostering groups who see SFV as a source of pan-disability expertise. We are also receiving interest from other potential partners, for instance the dramatic arts and research. In order to make the most of these opportunities, please could we urge all families who have not yet done to so complete and return the attached Registration Form. And, of course, Thank You to all those that have already done so. In accordance with data protection guidance, please be assured that the information you give on the form will remain confidential to SEND Family Voices; each form will be printed once only and then securely filed (ie in a locked cabinet). As well as the reasons above; we know that being able to put families in contact with each other provides people with the greatest support. Whether that's seeing what installing a lift does to your home (and how to do it) or managing autistic teenagers (or any teenager come to that!!). Note; we can only share your data in this way after we have your written/email permission to do so. Thank you!
Facebook & we’re still here After a few hitches, we’ve managed to reactivate our Facebook page. Sam is taking the lead on posting and tweeting regular items such as the one below: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/05/10/uber-to-offer-wheelchair-ready-cars-inlondon/ Please go to https://www.facebook.com/sendfamilyvoices to ‘Like’ our page and receive notifications (you might have to tick the ‘get notifications’ box too) A reminder that you can contact SEND Family Voices all summer; SEND Family Voices are a parent led, volunteer collective. Our phone is still on and our e-mail is checked. Please do call or e-mail with any queries – and we’ll always try to find an answer (and usually do).
Free Music festival… We have checked with Richmond Council and are assured the ‘On the Edge’ events are accessible for those with limited mobility. We’re pretty confident the content is fully accessible for most!
“On the Edge is a free two-day festival of live performances that will transport you to the far flung regions of the globe, bringing you traditional beats and exotic summer sounds. A great weekend of entertainment for the whole family! On the Edge 2016 takes place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August, 1pm to 7pm on Richmond Riverside.” http://www.richmond.gov.uk/on_the_edge
Minister of State for Vulnerable Children and Families Ed Timpson MP is the politician responsible for driving through the SEND Reforms. We know the new system isn’t perfect, but the spirit and intention of putting the child and family first is solid. Ed’s family and professional background gives him a good understanding of what our community has to navigate. “Edward Timpson, previously the Minister of State for Children and Families, has been announced as the Minister of State for Vulnerable Children and Families. This new role comes with the responsibility of making improvements to children’s mental health.” http://www.cypnow.co.uk/cyp/news/1158555/timpson-handed-children-s-mental-healthand-ncs-responsibilities
Access Arrangements (for exams)
This is more to do with next year, than this year – however, now might be a good time for all families to start planning… “A student does not need to have an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP), be on ‘SEN Support’ or even a diagnosis of anything specific, to gain Access Arrangements (AAs). It is the identification and effect of any difficulty, not the application of a label that makes them eligible. Their issues, however, must be considered to be ‘disabling’. If you have a child who struggled with their exams, or have a child about to embark on theirs, then read on!” http://www.specialneedsjungle.com/exam-access-arrangements-what-are-they-and-whogets-them/
Reminders from the Local Offer #summer Search #summer in the Local Offer to find out what is going on in the summer holidays https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/site_search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search_site%5Bterm%5D=%2 3Summer Please reply to this survey to continue to improve OUR Local Offer: https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/blog_articles/613-local-offer-website-satisfaction-survey How to use the Local Offer; this page is in development, all feedback welcome! https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/pages/home/find-out-more-about-the-local-offer/how-touse-the-local-offer-website
Common Misconceptions - IPSEA The Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA) has identified some common misconceptions relating to when in law a local authority must carry out an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment and whether schools can send pupils home from school informally. IPSEA have created resources to direct you to the relevant law. IPSEA do not use (and have never used) any government or local authority funding to run their range of free services. This means that they are able to provide thousands of families each year with independent information, advice and support based on the law. If you have any legal questions over the holidays, remember you can always call the IPSEA advice line and/or send e-mail questions. https://www.ipsea.org.uk/news/2016/common-misconceptions-august-2016
Short Breaks elsewhere... We know how important short breaks and respite care are to family’s wellbeing (and sanity). In the case below two families took their council to a judicial review and were successful; although West Berkshire council are still maintaining that it’s about the process rather than the cuts (missing the point somewhat that the two go together!). Locally, these short breaks and respite services are provided by Achieving for Children (AfC) – who themselves are commissioned by both Kingston and Richmond Councils. Hence, when the Councils make cuts – AfC must decide where to apply them for children’s services. We are not aware of any significant cuts in this area – and, as readers will know, SFV continue to challenge eligibility criteria and question how provision meets local needs (or not). “West Berkshire Council disabled children cuts "unlawful", High Court rules The High Court declared today (Friday, July 22) that West Berkshire Council did not properly consider its legal duties before deciding to make the cuts, and that the subsequent decision was merely to “rubber stamp” the first decision without being able to cure the original flaws. The hearing took place on June 22 and 23 at the Royal Courts of Justice in London with the judge siding with the families, forcing the council to rethink its plans. However, the presiding judge, Mrs Justice Laing, said… there was “no trace” of consideration by members of West Berkshire Council of any of these other legal duties, which are “mandatory relevant considerations”. “ http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/news/news/18765/west-berkshire-council-disabledchildren-cuts--unlawful---high-court-rules.html
PhD Research – Complex emotion understanding in ASD To all parents, carers sand young people… “My name is Hayley Spurin (nee Hunt) and I am an MSc graduate, in Child Psychology, from Kingston University with 10 years’ secondary school experience. Please would you consider giving some of your valuable time to help me develop scientific understanding of social communication strategies in Autism Spectrum Disorders that is central to my PhD thesis? I hope to be able to contribute to research in this area with a
future focus of developing interventions for schools and clarify information to help parents further understand the needs of their child with ASD.” You will be reimbursed for your costs. Please contact Hayley on 07976 085 966 or e-mail k0840946@kingston.ac.uk More information is in the attached letter.
My Son’s not Rainman “My Son's Not Rainman is a heartfelt and uplifting account of everyday events in the life of John and his son (The Boy). The Boy is twelve years old and autistic. He isn't a genius. His only special power is making his dad laugh. A lot. Funny and heart-warming, this is a book about living with the often frustrating and bewildering but always fascinating world of the autistic mind. It's about finding the positive in everything, from the joy and wonder of the Special School Disco to the unadulterated thrill of getting the front seat on the Docklands Light Railway. Ultimately, it's a celebration of what it really means to be different.” Publisher: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd ISBN: 9781782433880 https://www.waterstones.com/book/my-sons-not-rainman/john-williams/9781782433880 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, Romany (for Richmond) and Caroline North (for Kingston) Phone: 07469 746 145 www.sendfamilyvoices.org