Three Tweets, Gold, Puberty and Scrutiny 3rd November 2016 Dear All Having had a gently reminder from a parent recently, we’ve hopefully minimised the acronyms in this newsletter…
Three Tweets Two parents (Sam and Caroline) from SEND Family Voices attended the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) annual meeting on our behalf. The day covered a lot of information with, unsurprisingly, Education, Health & Care Plans (EHC Plans) being a popular subject for Question Time. ie The spirit of the reforms is a great idea. The implementation is another matter. As it stands, the Department for Education (DfE) expect all Statements to be transferred to EHC Plans by March 2018. No exceptions. But… this is nationally proving to be a near impossible task – certainly hard to do and ensure quality and legality. The DfE are determined not to extend the deadline (so in theory all Statements not transferred will cease to be legal documents by March 2018) but the DfE might offer local authorities more funding. Surely, extending the deadline would make for better plans – and a better long term implementation?? Our attendees’ views were clear to the DfE representative. On the plus side, it’s good to know that co-production is still the way forward! TWEET#1 We're networking today at the National Network of Parent Carer Forums #letsparticipate. 90% of the country represented here – lots to talk about, lots to learn. TWEET#2 Department for Education #letsparticpate pledges: we will continue to ... coproduce, listen, work with parents, act on feedback and intervene where things aren't working. TWEET#3 DfE: 'EHC official timescale data only includes new EHCs. DfE will be monitoring March 2018 deadline for transfers, as not being extended.' More top-up money to come? #hopeful #letsparticipate
Golden Binder updates News from the Golden Binder Process Governance group (a multi-professional group jointly chaired by SEND Family Voices and Achieving for Children). A more detailed e-mail has been sent to every SENCo and major stakeholder. The highlights are: “When we launched the Golden Binder last April, we committed to reviewing it every 6 months to update any aspects of the forms or guidance that users were telling us needed improvement. We have just concluded that review process for the first time and are reissuing certain chapters of the guidance as well as many of the forms. The main changes that have been made are:
A major overhaul of the annual review form and guidance - and the creation of a separate document for the annual review for use prior to transfer (from a Statement). Some tweaking of the Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) form - most notably to create an addendum document for the Preparing for Adulthood categories that can be completed from year 9 upwards and appended. To try to make it easier to identify the forms visually and descriptively they all have a code - in the colour that corresponds to the relevant chapter in the Golden Binder.
The most up to date versions of all forms and guidance are always available on the Local Offer website under the Golden Binder page. We hope that you will continue to find the documentation useful. The Golden Binder Process Governance Group” If you have a memory stick of the Golden Binder, remember to update it accordingly. List of main changes: https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/uploads/afclocaloffer/document/file/479/List_of_Changes_ to_Golden_Binder.pdf The Golden Binder, complete: https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/pages/home/assessment-and-education-health-and-careplanning/the-golden-binder
Puberty and Sexuality (for families of young people with SEND) We have arranged two workshops with Mark Brown, at Special Help for Special Needs. The workshop will explore the issues faced by children/teenagers with special needs and the people around them when the child/teenager is going through puberty. This includes: identifying some of the characteristics of puberty that have a massive impact upon children/teenagers with special needs; provide some understanding in relation to anger management as a teenager; look at practical approaches towards inappropriate sexualised behaviour. Please contact sendfamilyvoices@outlook.com to book a place. Thursday 8th December - 10am to 12noon The Langdon Down Centre, 2A Langdon Park Teddington, TW11 9PS Thursday 8th December - 7pm to 9pm King Charles Centre, Hollyfield Road, Surbiton, KT5 9AL Note: there is a Varsity rugby match in Twickenham that day, so best avoid central Twickenham in the afternoon! These events are being advertised via this bulletin, our website and schools. Please do send on to your friends and networks.
Children and Young People’s Plan There are considerable financial constraints over the next few years – so it is important to have your say. The Councils have tasked us with the following…
The purpose of the meeting/s is for parents & carers of children & young people with SEND to express their own views. Parents & carers come as representatives of themselves and to speak on behalf of themselves. What we discuss at the meetings will provide depth and feeling to the information collected via the on-line surveys (links below) and will feed directly into the new Children & Young People’s plan 2017-2020. Monday 14th November – 12noon to 2pm Light lunch at 12.30pm The Strada, 1 Griffin Centre, Market Place, Kingston, KT1 1JT Tuesday 22nd November – 7pm to 9th Cakes and hot drinks The Terrace Room, York House, Twickenham, TW2 3AA It doesn’t matter which meeting you come to – the plan is for both boroughs. If you would like to comment, but can’t make it to either meeting, please contact us (call, text or e-mail). Richmond: https://consultation.richmond.gov.uk/afc/cypp16 Kingston: www.kingston.gov.uk/cypp
Scrutiny – Richmond Council SEND Family Voices have been asked if we could arrange for Richmond council officers to speak with some of our families. Please let us know if you would like to take part in this discussion. Note: this will cover local, operational issues (rather than Education, Health & Care Plans etc) – so accessible playgrounds for instance. “Throughout autumn and winter each year Richmond Council asks residents to suggest issues for Scrutiny to investigate. The Scrutiny Team at Richmond Council are hoping to receive as many suggestions for topics to review as possible. This is an opportunity for local people to let the council know which issued they think should be reviewed next. Examples of previous scrutiny reviews include the Cycling Strategy and Community Transport.” There is an on-line application form for individual queries. http://www.richmond.gov.uk/scrutiny
The Scott Report
With thanks to Special Needs Jungle “Lee Scott is a very nice man. Earlier this year, at the request of the then Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, he criss-crossed England speaking to schools, colleges, families and local authorities to find out how they all thought the SEND reforms were going. A kind of factfinding mission, if you will. Then Mrs Morgan was given the old heave-ho and we wondered what would become of his inquiry. Yesterday, we got the answer as SEND Minister, Ed Timpson unveiled Mr Scott's ninepage report telling parents what we already knew and what we now hope new Education Secretary, Justine Greening, will know as well.”
Special Needs Jungle’s article http://www.specialneedsjungle.com/the-scott-send-implementation-review-its-really-ratherdepressing/ And the full report from Government: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-experiences-with-schools-and-colleges
Dsxyiela We sometimes get asked what dyslexia ‘looks like’. This website with jumbled moving words shows you what life can be like for people with dyslexia. http://www.thememo.com/2016/03/08/this-website-shows-you-what-its-like-to-read-as-adyslexic/
A catalogue, a handbook and newsletters Speech & Language Communications Needs “At the Trust we work with over 50 charities that form our Consortium. With these charities we have developed a catalogue that provides information on the products and services available from the Consortium. The products and services are aimed at professionals and parents” https://www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/resources/resources/resources-forpractitioners/consortium-catalogue/?mc_cid=1b2fa743f3&mc_eid=7dbeace220
New ADHD Handbook… Please contact communications@adhdrichmond.org for a printed copy. https://adhdrichmond.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/adhd-richmond-handbook6.pdf
The latest newsletter from Richmond Mencap… …on their new website! http://richmondmencap.org.uk/
The latest newsletter from Express CIC… …including their Comedy night on 25th November. http://us3.campaignarchive2.com/?u=f01719d4eb48d6a9956c5eea9&id=efd97202c3&e=24890d0ea1
What’s new on the Local Offer Award ceremony for young people (0-25) with additional needs – 20th January 2017 – nominate now… https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/blog_articles/718-nominations-for-the-send-achievementawards-now-open NHS England and its partners have developed a toolkit to help health and social care organisations work together in identifying, assessing and supporting the wellbeing of carers and their families. https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/pages/home/health/information-for-carers An introduction to how sensory and communication needs affect learning and behaviour; understand why primary school experience helps plan for secondary school transition.
https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/events/22233-an-introduction-to-how-sensory-motor-andcommunication-needs-affect-learning-and-behaviour?date=2016-11-10 Heather Anderson has just taken the role of Interim Head of Service for the Integrated Service for Children with Disabilities. https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/blog_articles/728-a-new-interim-head-of-service-for-theintegrated-service-for-children-with-disabilities Heather plans to continue the parent drop ins. If you’d like to speak with Heather, here are the dates for the next drop ins: Moor Lane Centre Monday 9th January 2017 12.00-1.30pm Windham Croft Centre Wednesday 8th February 2017 10.00am-12.00pm
Sharing experiences… Research Please contact Anne direct: “I am currently undertaking a PhD research project at University College London, investigating the use of blended tube feeds for children and young people who are fed via a gastrostomy. I would like to invite parents/carers who may be using blended tube feeds to be interviewed to learn more about their views. The research will comprise of interviews with families who are using blended diets to understand their lived experiences, beliefs and concerns about different types of feed. Anne Breaks E: anne.breaks.14@ucl.ac.uk T: 07808723798 “
Radio A national radio station is looking for people to take part in a programme investigating what it’s like for mothers who are the only ones at the school gate experiencing something – for example caring for a disabled child. If you’re interested in sharing your story or finding out more, contact our press team press@cafamily.org.uk
A couple of different routes to employment… Picked up from Twitter… “According to new research from Santander UK, only 44 per cent of 15-16 year olds are familiar with apprenticeships, with only 8 per cent considering them an alternative to university. Apprentices are hired in every industry sector and many of them go on to be successful in their chosen field. If you want to be a solicitor, or work in a similar profession, university needn't be your only option.” http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2016/10/20/seven-common-misconceptions-aboutapprenticeships/ Auticon: IT and compliance consulting business. All Consultants are on the autism spectrum. http://auticon.co.uk/careers/ 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