The Post-16 question, Narrative & Fidget Spinners 6th May 2017 Dear All Our children’s futures = what happens next? Also, please read on for our list of local advice and information sources…
Post-16 = where next? Post-16 or Preparing for Adulthood (or anything after the usual school has finished) is one of the biggest challenges of the SEND Reforms. The SEND Reforms allow for support within Education to go to age 25 (instead of age 18). But… many colleges, employers and local statutory services are not yet geared up to do this. Why? Because it’s difficult! There are no true guidelines for this – best practice is developed as the changes to the various systems develop. Within Achieving for Children (provider of children’s services within Kingston & Richmond) there are several services that support these age group. Each service does a different bit. The plan is to harmonise these teams, with the intention being to make life better for young people; to improve outcomes and increase local options. Here are some of the areas they’re working on: • • • • •
Create a single Post-16 panel for agreeing provision and placements, to place greater emphasis on college and vocational options (training for a job or work placement). Increasing young people’s independence (travel etc) Enabling schools to offer better careers advice for those with SEND Increasing work experience opportunities for all young people
Question: We’ve been asked to seek parent’s and family’s views on this. We know there is a kind of ‘cliff edge’ after school is completed and, as parents, we all want our children to do the best they can. So… 1. Overall, what do you think? 2. What would help your young person get into further education and/or paid work? 3. What would you like to see more of? (or less of?) Reply to: sendfamilyvoices@outlook.com
Come and chat… (and eat cake) We are holding a series of Informal Open Meetings for parents to meet other parents. Letters are in the post next week! Whether you are new to the world of SEND or an 'old hand', we aim to answer your questions and facilitate open discussion on what is important to you. Our meetings will provide the chance to talk to other parents in a relaxed atmosphere and to learn from each other. Thursday 15th June - 10.30am to 12.30pm Express CIC, 452 Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 7EL Friday 16th June - 10.30am to 12noon
MeToo&Co*, Crossways, St. Stephen’s, Twickenham, TW1 2PD Thursday 22nd June - 7pm to 9pm The Strada, Griffin Centre, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1JT Thursday 29th June - 7pm to 9pm The Petersham Hotel, Nightingale Lane, Richmond, TW10 6UZ * crèche available at meetings hosted by MeToo&Co. Please contact Tel: 07946 646033 or e-mail: info@metooandco.org.uk to book a crèche place.
Information and Advice services There are a mix of statutory, voluntary and commissioned services available locally. Here’s a starter for ten:
Statutory For information, we would recommend the Local Offer. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please send in a query using their Contact Us page. Karen Lowry, the Content Manager, is friendly and persistent (in navigating the local authority) https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/
Voluntary Local Voluntary Sector Services also can also offer information, and all will work across both Kingston and Richmond. These include: MeToo&Co (Early Years especially)
www.metooandco.org.uk
Express CIC (autism and related conditions)
www.expresscic.org.uk
NAS Richmond (autism)
www.richmondnas.org/index.html
Richmond Dyslexia Association (name says it all)
richmonddyslexia.org.uk
ADHD Richmond
https://adhdrichmond.org/
SEND Family Voices (that’s us; pan-disability)
www.sendfamilyvoices.org
21andCo (Downs Syndrome)
www.21andco.org.uk
TRAPHIC (hearing impairment)
www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/organisations/8202traphic-twickenham-richmond-area-parents-ofhearing-impaired-children?term=traphic
Phyz (physical disabilities)
www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/organisations/20476-phyzsupport-group-for-parents-of-children-and-youngpeople-with-physical-disabilities?term=phyz
And, of course, Mencap (for learning difficulties – into adulthood) Richmond http://richmondmencap.org.uk/ Kingston http://www.kingstonmencap.co.uk/
Commissioned Services – Education, Health & Care Plans / Transfers of Statements Independent Supporters https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/organisations/7766-independent-support-partnershipisp?term=independent+support+partnership KIDS SENDIASS (SEND Information, Advice & Support Services): https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/organisations/14483-kids-richmond-and-kingston-sendinformation-advice-and-support-service-sendiass?term=kids+sendiass
Commissioned Services - Benefits Advice KIDS SENDIASS (as above) Citizens Advice Bureau https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/
And more IPSEA (independent legal advice) https://www.ipsea.org.uk/ SOSSEN (independent legal advice and parent workshops) http://www.sossen.org.uk/ …and it’s always worth asking the voluntary sector services what else they offer or suggest (eg Express CIC can offer help with EHC Plans - MeToo&Co offer SEN Advocacy)
‘The narrative that budget cuts will hit students with SEND hardest is inaccurate – and unlawful’ From TES (was Times Educational Supplement); Parent comment and Practical advice (author sought legal advice). Something for schools and parents to read… “There is no lawful reason why children with SEN should not receive their educational entitlement because of budget cuts. Teachers, schools and colleges should work with parents to secure the right funding by following the law rather than local authority policy. Do not be put off by your local authority. Please work with us to give our children the education they need.“ https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-views/narrative-budget-cuts-will-hitstudents-send-hardest-inaccurate-and
The SEND Review & the London Leadership Strategy The SEND Review Guide, part funded by the Department for Education and produced by teachers and school leaders, is now available to download. The SEND Review Guide was created in partnership with over forty outstanding special and mainstream schools, as well as organisations such as Contact a Family, Ofsted, Council for Disabled Children, the Institute of Education and Teaching Schools Council. It is powered by the London Leadership Strategy* (LLS), a not for profit organisation created by school leaders for school leaders to transform schools and improve outcomes for children and young people. http://www.thesendreview.com/ The London Leadership Strategy* also held a Whole School SEND Summit in February. We’re pleased to say that one our steering group attending and has continuing membership. More information here: http://www.wholeschoolsend.com/content/summit
@SENDFamilyVoice @SENDFamilyVoice
This week, 200+ tweets, 40 new followers with a few snippets and links
below‌ How to apply for a TfL 'please offer me a seat badge' - takes seconds! https://tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility/please-offer-me-a-seat ASD, outings, supermarkets - this is a fantastic video clip on how hard these can be. One for every professional working with SEND parents to watch https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10154630421952984&id=157687092983&refsrc= http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FOXUGkp6b3L&_rdr Download Dimensions' free SEND reasonable adjustments voting passport to vote in general election https://www.dimensions-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/Dimensions-Voting-Passport.pdf What options have you found for Post-16? Please fill in this National Parent Survey from Special Needs Jungle http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/NSParentSurvey/ IPSEA training day on SEND law for parents on 31 May https://ipsea-training.myshopify.com/products/ipsea-send-law-training-day-for-parents-3105-2017 Every Child Included conference has free places for parents/carers https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/every-child-included-conference-tickets-32527306048 What options have you found for Post-16? Please fill in this National Parent Survey from Special Needs Jungle http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/NSParentSurvey/ New funding rules for early years' SEND https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/explainingnew-funding-rules-for-early-years-children-with-send/ Poor careers advice for SEND pupils https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breakingnews/pupils-arent-prepared-careers-because-high-stakes-accountability-and Seven-week training course for parents from Me Too & Co https://www.metooandco.org.uk/activity/32/families-helping-familiesPetition about blue badges and learning disabilities https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/185386 What does learning disability really mean - great clip on YouTube from Mencap https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3yvZYyeWE20
What’s New on the Local Offer Dance, move, laugh, and learn with experienced dance Artist Karl Morgan at the world renowned BalletBoyz studios. Who: Males and females 14+, pan-disability https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/organisations/20533-balletboyz-ymca-lsw-for-creativemovement-classes?term=ballet
Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities Parenting Group, Welcare is running at Parkside Community Centre, SW19. https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/blog_articles/1051-strengthening-families-strengtheningcommunities-parenting-programme The TAG youth group have launched their new junior group for 10 to 15 year olds https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/blog_articles/1047-tag-junior-club-launches-this-friday-5thmay
Everyone welcome! Open to all and no need to book - Park Lane Stables are opening their doors to stalls, pony rides, fairground rides, bouncy castle, craft activities and lots more - all in aid of 21&Co - a charity supporting children with Down's syndrome. Saturday 20th May – 12.30pm to 5pm Park Lane Stables, Teddington https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/events/23885-park-lane-stables-openafternoon?date=2017-05-20
Families Helping Families MeToo&Co run courses for parents, with The School and Family works. The course is a peer to peer, psychologist led series that enables development, understanding and building of a strong peer community dealing with a range of issues arising from parenting children with disabilities and additional needs. Please note that, in order for the group to work well together, places are limited on this course and participants are asked to make the commitment that they will be able to attend most sessions. For more information: https://www.metooandco.org.uk/activity/32/families-helping-families-/397#event-397
Have you heard of fidget spinners? They're the latest thing in school playgrounds. Originally designed for children with autism. http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/39798767
The Present This is truly lovely! Thank you to the parent that for sent this in‌ a short, animated film about a boy and a disabled puppy which was the graduation project of a German film student who on the back of it was offered a job at Disney. 3.24 minutes (and a minute of credits) No adverts on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/152985022 or You Tube if you prefer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjqiU5FgsYc 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, Caroline North (for Kingston) and Romany (for Richmond) Phone: 07469 746 145 www.sendfamilyvoices.org