What’s new?

Become a Play Therapist

Play Therapy is becoming one of the most effective methods of supporting children facing a range of mental health and emotional wellbeing problems. The evidence base held by Play Therapy UK suggests success rates range from 77 to 84 per cent.

The Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC) has trained over 4,000 therapists over the past 20 years. If you hold a Level 6 qualification and professional experience of working with children, you could become a Registered Certified Play Therapist.

01825 761143 contact@apac.org.uk apac.org.uk playtherapy.org.uk playtherapyregister.org.uk

Change lives – foster for Derbyshire

Derbyshire County Council needs foster carers to help it keep brothers and sisters in its care together. You don’t need any special qualifications to be a foster carer and the council provides training, a wide range of benefits and additional financial support to people who foster siblings.

Foster carers need to be aged 21 or over, have a spare room and go through a few checks to make sure fostering is right for them before they’re assessed. If you could help siblings in care get the best start in life, visit

derbyshire.gov.uk/fostering

Trainee therapy dogs join Fairfield Farm College

Fairfield Farm College has some new employees. Mouse, Sully and Chewy are training to work with the College as therapy dogs. Although still in training, they are already doing amazing work, helping to reduce student anxiety and enabling them to fully participate throughout the day. These four-legged helpers will be visiting the college each week, helping to provide positive changes towards learning and improve the motivation of students.

Students thoroughly enjoyed having the new additions around, with one student saying it was the “best day at college ever!”

ffc.ac.uk

Children’s epilepsy seizure alarm from Medpage

The Medpage Model MP5V2 epileptic seizure movement detector is designed to detect a variety of seizure types in people of all ages, from babies to adults. The high-sensitivity, high-performance sensor and control software positively identify seizure movement from a sleeping person, ignoring usual sleeping movements. Detected seizures are notified via two carer pagers. Additionally, the included camera is automatically triggered to record seizure activity.

For more information, search “MP5V2” at easylinkuk.co.uk

New Deaf Academy

This summer, a new residential special school and college for deaf young people opens in Exmouth, Devon.

The Deaf Academy (Formerly Exeter Deaf Academy) is designed to meet the needs of deaf children and young adults with additional disabilities, ranging from mild learning disabilities and autism to multi-sensory impairment and physical disabilities. The Deaf Academy employs DeafSpace architecture from the US, with managed acoustics and light. It is fully accessible with lifts, wide corridors and spacious classrooms and bedrooms. Specialist education, care and therapy staff support students to gain language, confidence and independence.

exeterdeafacademy.ac.uk

National Autistic Society: online training

With more than 50 years of learning from first-hand experience, no one has more practical knowledge of autism than the National Autistic Society. Developed by autistic people, the National Autistic Society’s online modules will enhance your knowledge of autism and fit into your busy schedule. Modules include: Understanding autism; Autism and communication; Autism and sensory experience; Autism, stress and anxiety; Autism, sport and physical activity; and Safeguarding children on the autism spectrum. Training is £30 + VAT per online module licence. Bulk purchase or subscription packages are available.

autism.org.uk/training

New provision from Ruskin Mill Trust

This year, newly developed programmes and provisions will extend Ruskin Mill Trust’s specialist education and social care offer. Operating for over 30 years, to reimagine the potential of learners through its method of Practical Skills and Therapeutic Education, Ruskin Mill Trust offers people with learning difficulties (including autistic spectrum conditions and complex needs) a range of provision from schools, colleges and gateway to independence programmes, to adult social care.

To find out more, or become part of the team at sites throughout England, Scotland and Wales, contact 0330 055 2653 or admissions@rmt.org

Could you be the family this little boy needs?

His carers say he is a tremendous character and has a really mischievous sense of humour. He loves the theatre, stories, wheelchair football, Mary Poppins, getting messy in sensory play, and music brings a smile to his face. He is a snappy dresser, likes baking and shopping, and is a real people person.

If you think you could provide a forever family for him and would like to find out more, Sheffield Adoption Team want to hear from you. Email lizzy.pannell@sheffield.gov.uk or call 0114 273 5010.

Sunken Trampolines for schools and residences

Since spring 2019, Sunken Trampolines have been producing and installing the first wholly UK manufactured inground Rebound Therapy trampoline.

Two sizes have been made, a standard schools trampoline size 15’ by 9’ and a 12’ by 8’, both of which comply with sporting equipment safety standards, meaning schools and residences can have an easily accessible sunken option instead of a heavy, clumsy above-ground trampoline.

Compatible for outdoor and indoor use, the ST100 and 110 are perfect for Rebound Therapy and recreational use with great responsiveness and power combined.

sunkentrampolines.co.uk

Would you like to create an outdoor sensory space, but have no funding?

The outdoor sensory space in any setting should be fully inclusive and provide the same opportunity for everyone to explore regardless of their ability or special need. It should be a place where diversity is respected and valued, enabling children of all abilities to explore their surroundings in a safe child-centred inclusive environment.

Timotay Playscapes have a free funding guide and free inspiration guide to outdoor sensory play spaces and outdoor sensory play equipment.

For a free copy, email enquiries@timotayplayscapes.co.uk or call 01933 665151.

CVI Range assessments at WESC Foundation

Staff from WESC Foundation have announced an assessment service for children with a cortical or cerebral visual impairment (CVI).

Assessments based on Christine Roman-Lantzy’s CVI Range framework are carried out to provide a baseline assessment of functional vision for children with this condition. Staff from the charity recently presented the results of a pilot study that showed how subsequent interventions carried out by WESC Foundation staff resulted in improved functional vision in students over the period of several years.

For more information, email Richard Ellis at

REllis@wescfoundation.ac.uk wescfoundation.ac.uk

EarlyBird Plus Programme updated

Do you support autistic children aged four to nine?

The National Autistic Society’s EarlyBird Plus Programme helps families of school-aged children understand autism, encourage communication, and understand and support behaviour. It is the only autism family support programme which specialises in children aged four to nine and focuses on a consistent approach between home and school. Taking part in the programme has had a life-changing impact on many families, with parents describing it as an “absolute must to help you begin to learn and understand how your child’s mind works.” Learn more at autism.org.uk/earlybirdlicense