What’s new?

My Independence will transform outcomes for young people with SEND

ASDAN’s new programme, My Independence, has been designed to help all learners with SEND prepare for adulthood. My Independence is structured around the four pathways for preparing for adulthood. It has been created alongside government advisers and SEND experts NDTi (National Development Team for Inclusion), and caters for learners working from pre-Entry level to Entry level 3.

Free samples at asdan.org.uk/my-independence

Become a Foster Care Hero

Do you have room in your heart and in your home to change someone’s life? You need to be over 21, have a spare room and go through a few checks to make sure fostering is right for you. You don’t need special qualifications, and you’ll receive training, benefits and financial support. Fostering is one of the most rewarding things you can do, and Derbyshire County Council would love to talk to you about becoming one of their foster care heroes. Call 0800 083 77 44 or visit derbyshire.gov.uk/fostering for more information.

Lasting Power of Attorney Service

Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, has expanded the benefits and Lasting Power of Attorney service offered by its in-house Advice Team.

The Advice Team offers support to anyone with a physical or learning disability, and their carers and families, on a matter of topics including PIP, ESA, CSA, wills with trusts, and Lasting Power of Attorney documents. During the pandemic, the team has been able to expand this service outside of Dorset at a reduced cost due to providing support over the phone as opposed to inperson appointments. If you require help or support, visit diverseabilities.org.uk/advice to find out more.

New solution for false fire alarms

The new Low Profile Universal Stopper from Safety Technology International is an invaluable deterrent against false fire alarms, featuring a refined slimline design that provides the necessary protection without encroaching into the surrounding area. An optional sounder is now accompanied by a flashing LED acting as an additional visual alert, ideal for adapted settings for people with hearing impairments. A sturdy polycarbonate shell deflects heavy blows making it ideal for all education settings, busy corridors, and sports halls – you may have seen STI protective call point covers in the background of recent BBC Documentary “A Special School” filmed at Ysgol Y Deri.

sti-emea.com

Fairfield Farm College getting creative

Students are getting creative during lockdown, taking part in a Virtual Bake Off. Students cooked up a variety of delicious chocolate chip mug cakes, with students taking to Zoom to judge each other’s creations. This is just one of many online activities that students have been enjoying as part of their virtual learning programme during the latest lockdown. Fairfield Farm College offers predominantly vocational lessons, such as Hospitality, Catering, Retail, Horticulture, Animal Management and Equine Studies, so offering these lessons online has been a challenge for teachers. However, the team have risen to the occasion, and have learned a variety of new ways to interact and enjoy a shared learning experience.

fff.ac.uk

Support for Children with Sight Loss

NEW resources available on their website providing practical information to support you and your child – including a guide to what experts you may meet, and what they can do to help. You can also find detailed advice to help your child receive the education support they are entitled to – including everything you need to know about the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process. Plus resources to help keep your child active and engaged at home, including advice on home learning. Find out more at guidedogs.org.uk/children or call 0800 781 1444 to speak to their specialist team.

A new handy guide to playground design

Leading play and outdoor equipment manufacturer, HAGS, have been working with renowned experts in play and child development to create a handy guide to creating an inclusive play space. The guide provides valuable tips for every step of the playground design journey and demonstrates some of the inspirational playgrounds HAGS have designed. To download your free copy: hags.co.uk/sen-mag-guide

Virtual open day

Beechwood College is hosting a Virtual Open Day for parents who are looking for a placement for their son or daughter. As the College cannot permit visits at present due to COVID restrictions, the Open Day should answer all the questions both parents and students might have about the education and care the College provides. Reserve your space at the Open Day at

https://bit.ly/BeechwoodVirtualOpenDay

Beechwood College is a specialist further education college, based in South Wales, for students between the ages of 16 and 25 with complex ASD and related diagnoses. They are currently accepting enquiries for new student placements.

www.beechwoodcollege.co.uk

MemRabel 3 (MR3) Daily Task Scheduling Calendar Clock

The MemRabel 3 by Medpage allows media files including videos, photos, and voice memos to be used as reminder prompts for people with challenging memory or cognition skills. The MR3 has 150 pre-loaded, ready-to-use daily living prompt videos. You can also create your own with your Smartphone and send them via the APP. The MR3 is now available for £99.99 and if you want to use the Smartphone APP for reminders it’s only £29.99 per year.

easylinkuk.co.uk/MR3

The Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to use their mobility allowance to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair without the worry of owning and running one. Insurance, servicing and breakdown assistance are all included and car adaptations are available. Family members and carers can also drive the car on behalf of the disabled person. Motability, as a national charity, provides grants to disabled people towards the cost of a Scheme vehicle, adaptations or driving lessons. For more information, visit motability.co.uk or call 0800 093 1000.

New primary residential provision

A new primary residential floor has just opened, providing a wonderful space for the school’s infant and junior pupils to enjoy. A lovely welcoming environment has been created to ensure pupils feel safe, happy and are well cared for. A range of on-site and off-site activities are on offer every evening to help develop pupils self-confidence and friendships with other pupils. Muntham House School is an all through special school, catering for boys with Autism, SEMH and other SEN conditions. Day and residential placements are available for pupils aged 5-18.

muntham.org.uk

Understanding and supporting your autistic students

The National Autistic Society has been running autism-specific schools and learning for autistic pupils and their families for more than 50 years. The National Autistic Society offers training for school staff or bespoke packages for your entire team.

Upcoming courses

• Essential autism licensed user training • Autism and continence • Autism and SPELL licensed user training • EarlyBird licensed user training • Understanding stress and anxiety in autism

autism.org.uk/training

Supported Internships for young people with special education needs and disabilities in North London

Supported Internships are aimed at young people aged 16-25 who have an Education, Health and Care plan and want to move into work but need extra support to do so. Taking place at Whittington Hospital, interns can develop a variety of workplace skills including administration, maintenance, hospitality and housekeeping. The unpaid Supported Internships form part of the intern’s education and equip young people with special educational needs and disabilities with the skills needed for adulthood and employment. The programme is run by Ambitious College in partnership with DFNProjectSearch and Whittington Trust.

ambitiouscollege.org.uk/supported-internships

Digital Assessment solutions

Supporting face-to-face and remote sessions.

Each child has the potential to become a successful learner, but some may require additional support with their unique educational needs.

So that you can help your students throughout their educational journey, you can find a number of SEN and Mental Health assessments on our comprehensive, innovative, research-based digital tools, Q-global and Q-interactive. These tools allow you to identify students who are at risk or require additional support as well as pinpointing their strengths and areas of need, either face to face or via remote sessions.

pearsonclinical.co.uk/digitalsen

Unlock learning for all

Global learning company Pearson has announced a collaboration with leading online speech therapy and counselling provider Mable Therapy, to help schools and children in the UK access more online speech therapy and mental health support during the Covid-19 pandemic. Together, they provide you with quick access to direct, engaging, online therapy for pupils as well as highquality training for teachers - delivered by qualified and experienced UK therapists.

go.pearson.com/mable

Leading autism charity Prior’s Court unveils new branding

Since opening as a specialist school for young people with autism in 1999, Prior’s Court has become so much more. The new branding was developed to be more reflective of the organisation it has become today - now additionally offering 52 week residential care including a young adult provision, a training and development centre with world-class expertise, its own research programme, a bakery providing real work opportunities and pioneering technology to better understand autism. Their purpose is simple; to transform the lives of young people with complex autism, helping them to build a brighter, more independent future.

priorscourt.org.uk

A special twist on a classic

An extra special twist on a classic sensory resource. Rhino UK’s Wipeable Ball Blankets are perfect for users with anxiety or stress. The balls inside the blanket provide calming deep pressure stimulation, soothing proprioceptive systems, and helping users feel safe and protected. Their comforting Ball Blankets are made from hospitalgrade materials, both robust and hard-wearing, making them perfect for shared use in classrooms. What’s best is that they’re also easy to wipe down and clean, meeting infection control guidelines.

rhinouk.com/product/wipeable-ball-blanket

Grace Garden School now open

Ruskin Mill Trust is delighted to announce the opening of Grace Garden School. Offering an education to young people aged 9 – 16 with complex social, emotional and behavioural difficulties including autism spectrum conditions. Grace Garden School is set in 18 acres of cultivated landscape on the outskirts of Bristol. At Grace Garden School, children and young people are supported to learn as much as possible outside, participating in crafts, gardening and the exploration of nature. From these experiences their young people will come to understand the larger world and their place in it, along with the connections between themselves and their community. To find out more contact 0330 055 2653 or admissions@rmt.org

SEND now offering CPDs and other services

The SEND Group has been developed to deliver high quality services within the special educational needs and disability community. SEND Group delivers unique opportunities for those that work within SEND by offering Continuing Personal Development (CPD), along with additional services to support their needs within the education setting. We also deliver high quality webinars.

sendgroup.co.uk hello@sendgroup.co.uk

Sensory Play Environments

Sensory Play is an important aspect of a child’s learning. Sovereign’s research shows that it has a key role in the development of essential social skills, speech and learning. For children with special educational needs, sensory play is particularly valuable in assisting with their personal development. Including Sovereign Sensory Play equipment will enable children to communicate in a natural way with others. Sensory play allows children to reduce stresses, anxiety and distract from difficult behavioural situations and build concentration.

As specialists in providing Sensory play environments, Sovereign will work with you to create the perfect play space.

sovereignplayequipment.co.uk

Queen’s Birthday Honours

The trustees of St. John’s School in Seaford and St. John’s College in Brighton were delighted that the CEO Simon Charleton was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in October 2020. The amazing team effort from all 350 staff members at St. John’s was reflected in the citation ‘for services to young people with SEND during the pandemic’. Simon said, “for neuro-diverse young people the pandemic has been a difficult time and, owing to the professionalism of the whole staff team, learning has continued to be of a high quality whether on-site or off-site.”

01273 244 000 / 01323 872 940 admissions@st-johns.co.uk st-johns.co.uk

Sunken Trampolines Ireland

Having had unprecedented response during Covid-19 for trampolines across the globe, Sunken Trampolines have now launched in the Republic of Ireland. Ireland, where they now sell and install. If you are a school, OT or residence wanting a trampoline either in the ground or above, Sunken Trampolines has a wide range of trampolines to suit your needs.

Look them up: www.sunkentrampolines.ie

Eco-Buildings at Petty Pool

Petty Pool Vocational College commission modular offsite solution from TG Escapes Eco-Buildings. Petty Pool is a specialist education provider for young adults with learning difficulties, supporting over 100 full-time students from across Cheshire, Halton and Warrington. Site Manager Ian West says, “The space is bright airy and a great space for learning. It’s a great-looking building and fits into the woodland environment with ease. The teaching space is fantastic and really well designed. It has a great feeling of space and is light and airy, giving our students a calming space to learn.” For inclusive learning building case studies visit

tgescapes.co.uk

Online skills-based trainings, conferences, webinars, resources

Vital CPD and training needs for all child professionals (from education, social work, counselling, psychology, occupational therapy etc.) on child and adolescent mental health and child trauma. Providing practical tools, techniques and key innovative strategies from international trainers and practitioners, all experts in their field. Upcoming live stream events include: 6 March 2021 - Top international experts/ practitioners discuss: The Neuroscience of Emotions and Relationships - what you need to know to support children & teenagers 24 April 2021 - Dr Dan Hughes presents: Therapeutic Interventions to Heal (vital elements of attachment and mental health)

childmentalhealthcentre.org 020 7354 2913 info@childmentalhealthcentre.org

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.

New products from Tough Furniture

One of Tough Furniture’s newer products, the Colstey 2-seater chair, is constructed of a solid piece of rotationally moulded plastic and is ideal for use in SEN environments where furniture may occasionally be subjected to challenging behaviours. It’s suitable for inside or outside use and comes in Lime, Magenta, Charcoal and White. It can also be weighted with sand to make it difficult to throw or tip over. For added versatility, it can also be teamed with the individual Colstey chair and the accompanying table – which features a built in space for toys or books.

www.toughfurniture.com 01588 674 340

VisionAid OrCam Read Smart SpLD Edition

OrCam Read Smart’s breakthrough, AI-driven assistive reading technology is designed for students with language processing challenges, including dyslexia. Handheld, pen-sized, easy-to-use point and click operation, seamlessly captures and reads aloud the complete text – in real time – from any surface (book, newspaper) or screen (computer, smartphone). The only assistive device that can do this! Entirely offline operation – resulting in instant readback and ensuring data privacy. New interactive “Smart Reading” feature, increases accessibility by enabling students to target specific text using voice commands like “read headlines”, or “find” a specific word.

visionaid.co.uk/orcam

Residential Short Break Bursaries Available

The Wingate Special Children’s Trust has been fortunate to receive funding which enables the charity to offer residential bursaries to groups in the following areas: North Staffs, Birmingham, Merseyside, Yorkshire and Cumbria.

Located in the Cheshire countryside, The Wingate Centre offers residential and recreational facilities to groups of children or young adults with physical or learning disabilities. Up to one third of places can be funded by a bursary. For further information on planning your school/ group residential holiday and bursary eligibility please contact The Wingate Centre on 01270 780 456 or email

enquiries@thewingatecentre.co.uk

Visual Times Tables

Some children with SEN have challenges with their short, long, and working memory and therefore the ‘automatic recall’ of times tables can be unattainable. It is essential we provide those children with a mechanism to understand multiplication as ‘repeated addition’ and a way to derive the times table facts.

The Maths Mum® “Skittles” Visual Times Tables use colourful, child friendly arrays to represent this concept. They build on existing knowledge of addition, counting on and number sequences to enable children to derive rather than recall the times table facts.

Read more and purchase at www.themathsmum.co.uk Email contact@themathsmum.co.uk

Inclusive Artistic support

SMART SEN & Creative is a community, not-for-profit, inclusive company, providing creative artistic activities. Through fun activities, children gain important social and emotional skills, personal development, and essential life skills. Our workshops are fun, for everyone to enjoy, including young people who may struggle with mental health, anxiety, and isolation. SMART provides Musical theatre workshops which are a combination of singing, dancing, and drama, creative after school activities, school holiday programmes and work in schools. We combine aspects of CBT and provide strategies in all our specialist programmes, working with either 1-2-1 or in groups, whilst providing positive support to children and their families. W: smartperforming.org P: 077941 24224 E: enquiries@smartperforming.org