SENCo Summer Compilation 2nd September 2016 Dear All Compilation of SFV’s “Dear All’ bulletins over the summer holidays…
Please look at the SFV website… We’ve been busy planning for the new academic year, we’ve updated our website including our Policies and more about who we are (About Us). More importantly, we’ve started planning events – please take a look at our Events page and get back to us with any questions or comments. You may be surprised at the breadth of our work! http://www.sendfamilyvoices.org/events Over the coming weeks, many disability specific support groups will be finalising their events programmes. You can find Express CIC’s calendar of autism related events here: http://www.expresscic.org.uk/events.html And, in the text below, you’ll find full details for the programme of talks from the Richmond Dyslexia Association. One of the thing that strikes us is that there are far more active disability specific support groups in Richmond (8) than in Kingston (3). We don’t know exactly why – but it is the way it is. Happily, the nature of support groups is that they welcome all parents and professionals regardless of where you live or practice.
New - Joint Social Care team manager Welcome to Sophie Evans - the new Social Care Team Manager leading the social work teams at Moor Lane, Chessington and the Croft Centre, Kew within Achieving for Children for both Kingston and Richmond boroughs. If you have any questions for Sophie, please contact: E-mail: sophie.evans@achievingforchildren.org.uk Tel: 020 8547 6595 or 020 8831 6023
New ‘free’ Special Schools You may remember that we held a series of ‘conversations & consultations’ on two potential new ‘free’ special schools. These two schools would be an addition to the new MultiAcademy Trust (MAT) combining Strathmore and Clarendon schools. The MAT is called the Auriga Trust and will span both Kingston & Richmond boroughs. The Department for Education (DfE) has approved the Auriga Trust MAT and, separately, the two headteachers have described the profile of the two proposed new schools more closely. SFV will be facilitating a Family Advisory Board and you are all welcome to be a part of this bearing in mind that we will need to keep to the profile & designation as described by headteachers. Please reply to this e-mail if you would like more information.
Government news… 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
High Needs Funding - reforms “In a statement to Parliament on 21st July, the new Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening, announced the Government will be delaying plans to introduce major changes to the way schools and local authorities are funded. The changes will now be introduced in 2018/19, rather than 2017/18 as originally planned. The written statement indicates that the Government remains committed to redistributing funds from higher-funded authorities to lower-funded areas.” https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/schools-funding
School Census “Information from the school census on pupils with special educational needs (SEN), and SEN provision in schools. This statistical first release (SFR) provides analyses on the characteristics of pupils by their: level of SEN provision - education, health and care (EHC) plan or SEN Support type of SEN” https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/special-educational-needs-in-england-january2016?mc_cid=59433d6bad&mc_eid=9610610f0b
SEND Ofsted At some point in the next 4.5 years, both Kingston and Richmond (separately) will be subject to Ofsted inspections on the local area’s SEND offerings. Whilst there is not a ‘judgement’ as such, the feedback is in the form of a narrative – a letter. Below are the ‘Outcome letters’ for the five boroughs that have thus far been inspected. “Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspect local areas’ effectiveness in identifying and meeting the needs of children and young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.” Bolton - 14 July 2016 Brighton and Hove - 14 July 2016 Enfield - 24 August 2016 Gloucestershire - 3 August 2016 Nottinghamshire - 10 August 2016 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-area-send-inspection-outcome-letters
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) “The Government is conducting a review, and has called for evidence into the assessment of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the submission of further evidence. The closing date for submission of evidence is 16th September 2016. The link to the survey is: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/personalindependence-payment-pip-assessment-second-independent-review-call-for-evidence The closing date is September 16th 2016.
Talks and Forums Meet the Richmond MPs Ruils are hosting a Disability Forum with Dr Tania Mathias and Zac Goldsmith. Both Tania and Zac will be there to listen to your issues and answer your questions. Thursday 8th September - 10.30am to 12noon Cole Court 150 London Road TW1 1DN Cole Court has free parking on site, or is a short walk from Twickenham station. Flyer attached. No need to book – just turn up!
Employment & Support Allowance (ESA) Following our very successful workshop on Personal Independence Payments (PIP) with Colin Morris (Dept. of Work & Pensions) on 17 March, we have invited Colin back to talk about ESA (Employment & Support Allowance). Monday 19 September - 12.30pm to 2pm Cross Way Centre, Richmond Road, East Twickenham Refreshments will be provided from 12.30pm. We welcome all parents, staff, voluntary sector representatives and anyone else involved. Please see the attached flyer and book using the contacts below: T: 020-8288-0042 E: denisecarr2@virginmedia.com W: http://www.richmondmencap.org.uk/
Dylexia These are open to everyone, irrespective of which borough you live and work in (there isn’t a Kingston association). “The Richmond Dyslexia Association has put together a programme of speakers, all experts in their fields, to discuss a wide range of issues of interest to teachers and parents of children with dyslexia. Each talk will last about an hour with an opportunity to ask questions at the end. Venue: Old Town Hall, Richmond, Whittaker Avenue, TW9 1TP Start time: 7.30pm Price: £8 per night or £45 for all 6 (members), £10 per night or £55 for all 6 (non-members) T: 07495 648 025 E: info@richmonddyslexia.org.uk W: http://richmonddyslexia.org.uk
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/
Hints & Tips Challenging Behaviour – help… “We want to pave the way to an ordinary life for children with extraordinary needs. We believe that understanding the cause of challenging behaviours is the first step on that path. “Paving the Way” is a joint project from the Challenging Behaviour Foundation and the Council for Disabled Children – working in partnership with families and professionals to share and promote good practice.” http://pavingtheway.works/
Cerebra Cerebra’s aim is to provide high quality health and social care information for the parents and carers of children aged 0-16 years with neurological conditions. Cerebra have a wide selection of guides for parents, including: Anxiety Guide: A Guide for Parents Decision Making, Confidentiality and Sharing Information: A Guide for Parents Finding and Assessing Sources of Legal Help: A Guide for Parents Pain in children with severe intellectual disability: A Guide for Parents Parent/Carer Rights: A Guide for Parents Problem-Solving Toolkit Social Care in England: A Guide for Parents Toilet Training for Children with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities http://w3.cerebra.org.uk/help-and-information/guides-for-parents/
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
Care Trade This organisation looks interesting. They have only just made it on to the section 41 list (independent special schools) so don't appear on the latest version on Gov.uk. They “create opportunities for young Londoners with autism” http://www.care-trade.org/
What’s New on the Local Offer We have a really good working relationship with Karen Lowry (LO Content manager); we send her stuff… Karen sends us stuff… and this helps to keep the Local Offer and our community up-to-date. SFV don’t advertise everything we’re asked to as often the best place for it is the Local Offer – hence our ‘What’s New’ regular slot. We recommend you check the Local Offer regularly and if you are struggling to find something, please use the Local Offer Contact Us page. Every request put into the Local Offer must be published and answered (it’s the law). It’s a really good way to keep the Local Offer alive! Richmond Council are consulting on the proposed model for the future of Learning Disability respite support in Richmond-upon-Thames. Take part… https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/blog_articles/607-richmond-respite-care-consultation Preparing for Adulthood advice on… “positive life outcomes for all young people with opportunities to succeed in education and work, to live independently and healthily, to have relationships and friendships and be included and involved in their communities.” https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/blog_articles/629-workforce-development-a-guide-for-useby-employers-and-professionals Department of Education (DfE) are inviting all those with experience of EHC Plans to complete an anonymous survey. https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/blog_articles/617-ehc-experience-survey Makaton Training for parents and professionals https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/blog_articles/625-makaton-training-for-parents-andprofessionals And some links are just for fun, like this one (Karen sent this through today). The Plaster cast song… the Echocardiogram song… http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/get-well-soon
AfC organisation chart Achieving for Children (AfC) is commissioned by both Kingston and Richmond Councils to provide children’s services. Their structure chart is published on the AfC website and just been updated: http://fluencycontent2-schoolwebsite.netdnassl.com/FileCluster/AchievingForChildren/Mainfolder/documents/FOI/AfC-seniormanagement-structure-August-2016.pdf
Jolly Bits A spectrum isn’t a straight line… We really liked this cartoon, published by The Mighty. Have a look at this and the pandisability stories on their website. “We publish real stories by real people facing real challenges. We are building a media brand and community around them. Having a disability or disease doesn’t have to be isolating. That’s why The Mighty exists.” https://themighty.com/2016/05/rebecca-burgess-comic-redesigns-the-autism-spectrum/
Things people with Downs Syndrome are tired of hearing… hee hee… just over four minutes long… https://www.facebook.com/bbcthree/videos/10153949919445787/
Accessibility? For those that really, really don’t like the London underground… “Transport for London has released a new Tube map showing the distance in steps between Underground stations. For instance, the walk from Cannon Street to Mansion House takes just 400 steps, while the journey from Oxford Circus to Bond Street will take 700 steps.” http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/tfl-has-released-a-walk-the-tube-map-showingthe-distance-between-london-stations-a3331686.html
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
More on Pokemon Go “Pokémon Go is an augmented reality game app in which you walk around capturing virtual Pokémon in the real world” From what we can see, Pokemon Go is the game for summer - at least it’s outdoors! We hear that Richmond Park (which has accessible trails) is a really good place to go! More news and advice on this summer’s hot game: Tips and Advice for keeping children safe on Pokemon Go https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/pokemongo-parents-guide/ Pokemon Go receives praise from autistic people http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/media-centre/news/2016-07-22-pokemon-go.aspx
Player claims to have caught all UK characters - BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-36912572
Life, Animated We enjoyed the trailer… www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n7fosK9UyY (“who gets to say; what is a meaningful life..?”) Thursday 29th September - 7.30pm to 9.30pm Richmond Adult Community College, Parkshot, Richmond, TW9 2RE www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/racc-monthly-cinema-bfi-present-life-animated-preview-screeningtickets-26223272514 Or entry on the night is just £8 “Synopsis: A documentary from Academy Award® winning director Roger Ross Williams, LIFE, ANIMATED is the inspirational story of Owen Suskind, a young Autistic man who was unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a unique way to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney films. This emotional coming-of-age story follows Owen as he graduates to adulthood and takes his first steps toward independence. All of the ticket sales go towards raising money for RACC to help us to continue to provide a range of courses including learning opportunities for Learners with learning difficulties and disabilities.”
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 If you wish to unsubscribe from this e-mail list, please reply to this e-mail with Unsubscribe in the subject line.