Website & links – a brief update! 12th April 2015
Dear All A very brief update; really just to advertise our website as it’s had a bit of an update itself: www.richmondsendfamilyvoice.org The most recent ‘Dear All’ bulletins are uploaded as .pdfs under News (and with thanks to my youngest son who explained how Ctrl V worked and made this possible!). Here is one of the most colourful and useful images from Preparing for Adulthood people – which will make this bulletin show up on the website…!
Georgie A reminder… the point of the SEND Reforms is to place the child or young person at the centre of all decision making (about them). I’ve published this before, but again… here is a lovely, articulate video from a young lady called Georgie talking about how valuable her One Page Profile has been through primary school and on to college. I especially like her comment that "The Statement [of SEN] didn't really help my teachers know about much more than my disability. And that's not me." and in terms of how the One Page Profile helps her now... "I'm a young adult, and I want to be in charge of my own future."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0DNl8z6xPw The new Education, Health & Care Plans are much more than the old Statements of SEN and are intended to describe the child; their strengths, their needs, their aspirations - more than their disability. An alternative to the One Page profile might be a Wiki. Here is a link to an article from Shane’s brother on how his Wiki helps Shane. http://rixmedia.org/my-wiki-a-siblings-perspective/ Whether you have a Wiki, or a paper One Page profile – what’s important is the voice of the child or young person is loud and clear. Links The Preparing for Adulthood website, the image above came from these people: http://preparingforadulthood.org.uk/who-we-are A useful, thoughtful article from SNJ on the role of the SENCo, how this has changed and how the role continues to change in light of the SEND Reforms… http://www.specialneedsjungle.com/the-role-of-the-senco-what-do-you-need-to-know/ A relatively new website: “Disability Matters is designed to support organisations, services, workers and volunteers across a range of sectors to develop the communication and problem-solving skills required to engage confidently with disabled children and young people, to hear what they tell us that they need and to respond positively, warmly and with an inclusive welcome.” https://www.disabilitymatters.org.uk/ Finally, our first Open Meeting is this coming Friday 17th April at 10.30am, The Castlenau Community Centre in Barnes, SW13 9AG As ever, should you have any queries at all, please ask and I'll do my best to find an answer. With best wishes, Romany www.richmondsendfamilyvoice.org Tel: 07469 746 145