Short breaks, ipsea, videos and links

Short Breaks, IPSEA, videos & links 9th June 2015

Dear All A reminder of the open meetings on Short Breaks this week and more. Please feel free to circulate this to your own groups and networks.

Short Breaks & Aiming High Recent changes to these services have prompted a steady stream of queries to RSFV: What is the eligibility criteria? What is a short break and who is it for?

Caroline Baxter, Head of Integrated Services for Disabled Children (ISCD), Jodi Williams/David Arrow, Inclusion Development Officers and Caroline Jager, Aiming High & Short Breaks manager have arranged some dates to meet with parents to talk about the changes in short break services. The dates are: Wed 10th June: 6.30-8pm in The Terrace Room, York House, Twickenham Wed 17th June: 12.30pm-2pm Windham Croft, Windham Road, Richmond If you can’t make it, or want to prepare, you can watch ADHD Richmond’s helpful video of Caroline Jager’s presentation to their group on 2nd June: http://adhdrichmond.org/grants/ Alternatively, Caroline Baxter also offers parent’s drop in sessions where you can just literally drop in and speak with Caroline about anything relating to the Integrated Services for Disabled Children: Windham Croft: Windham Road, Richmond, TW9 2HP 24th June 1.00-2.30 16th July 12.00 - 1.30 Moor Lane Centre Moor Lane, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2AA: 25th June 10.00 - 11.30 20th July 1.00 - 2.30

Please complete the CAMHS survey Would you like your experiences to inform the future of the Children’s & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) strategy and help to shape CAMHS services locally?

A reminder of this important survey which closes on 19th June: The parent’s survey: http://goo.gl/forms/8e8lBe0HLR The school’s survey:

http://goo.gl/forms/jaSZHlt0Fj

A reminder of IPSEA… IPSEA stands for the Independent Parental Special Education Advice and offers help to get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities.

“IPSEA gives advice and support on:  Local Authorities’ legal duties to assess and provide for children with special educational needs  Exclusions of children with special needs/disabilities  Action/inaction by Local Authorities and/or schools which discriminate against children and young people with disabilities.  IPSEA's services are provided by our highly trained volunteers. Many of our volunteers are parents of children with special educational needs.  IPSEA relies on donations and grants from trusts, companies and individuals in order to run our free services (rather than Government funding). Our independence enables us to hold statutory bodies to account.  We seek to improve SEN policy across England using the evidence we gather via our services. We make complaints against Local Authorities, take part in Government consultations and provide training on SEN/disability law.  IPSEA also provides training on the SEN legal framework to parents, professionals and other organisations.” http://www.ipsea.org.uk/

More videos…

Supported Internships with the National Grid On June 4th, National Grid held its EmployAbility Let’s Work Together conference in Warwick a supported internship programme run by National Grid UK for local school children with learning difficulties.

In January, Children's Minister Edward Timpson visited National Grid to see the scheme in action (following the elections, Ed Timpson is still the Children’s minister). A short, but reassuring video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4i58LvVudM Lucy’s story Lucy shares her experience of the transition from children’s to adult’s Health services. Not a perfect experience, but certainly a reminder to think of things from the young person’s point of view. Excellent supporting cast too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufvILowUVZo&feature=youtu.be myVoice are recruiting “Are you aged 16-25 and on the autism spectrum? Why not join our myVoice project and have your say on the issues that matter.” http://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/myvoice/blogs/2015-06-02/we-are-recruiting The video is here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/sKxfXRTZr08 CAMHS The prolific ADHD Richmond provide us with a video of Janet Grimes, manager for CAMHS Kingston & Richmond: http://adhdrichmond.org/

Links The SEND Code of Practice… has been updated again (small edits perhaps?) and can be found here. It’s been updated on May 1st 2015, even though the document is dated January 2015. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25 Schools… Information about all state-funded and independent schools in England, from the Department of Education: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-in-england Sibs… the UK’s only charity for siblings of children and adults with a lifelong learning disability.

This article seeks greater recognition for this comparatively invisible group. It says care professionals often overlook the role of adult siblings whom it believes should have a nationwide peer support network http://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2015/may/26/charity-siblings-adultsdisability-sibs The Family Fund helps… “families across the UK who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 17 or under. You can apply to the Family Fund if:  You live in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.  You are the parent or carer of a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 17 or under.  You have evidence of your entitlement to one the following: Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit*, Employment Support Allowance*, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit. If you do not receive any of the above, further information may be needed to complete your application. Please only send photocopies of this information as we cannot return it to you.  You have permanent legal residency in the UK and have lived in the UK for six months.” http://www.familyfund.org.uk/grants/who-we-help Action Attainment… are seeking expressions of interest for the following activities. (Cost approx. £15-£25 depending on numbers)  Kayaking and Paddleboarding at Brentford Canal, planned for 20, 22 and 27th July (age 12+)  Ball Sports at Rocks Lane Tennis/Football centre, planned for 21st and 28th July (age 5+; 8+ and teenagers - depending on demand)  Family Kayaking on the Thames, out and back with the tide, planned for 16th August. (age 12+) This link tells you about their last year's programme, and you can also express your interest: http://www.action-attainment.com/summer-sport-register-for-2015/ Comedy… a reminder of ExpressCIC’s comedy evening at the Rose Theatre in Kingston; booking details follow: http://www.rosetheatrekingston.org/visiting-productions/express-cic-comedy-gala As ever, if you have any queries at all, please ask and I'll do my best to find an answer.

With best wishes, Romany RSFV phone: 07469 746 145 www.richmondsendfamilyvoice.org