Department for Education: Supporting Children and Young People with SEND

by BeckiNo Comments
The Department for Education have released their guidance to schools and colleges on supporting children and young people with SEND during the reopening of education settings. The key elements of the guidance is around updating risk assessments and how the phased return to education settings will be managed. Particular care will be needed in planning for and supporting children and young people with EHC plans to return to their schools and colleges. In the spirit of coproduction, educational settings should contact parents and involve them in decisions about their child who has an EHC plan.Similarly, they should contact and involve young people over 16 who have EHC plans.Schools and colleges will need to ensure that they have the staffing needed to support children and young people at safe ratios. Local authorities will also need to reinstate safe home to school transport arrangements. Differentiated Return to School "We recognise that some children and young people with EHC plans will need careful preparation for...
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Healthwatch Survey (Impacts of covid19 on healthcare)

by BeckiNo Comments
Healthwatch Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are looking for feedback about how the covid19 situation is impacting on you. There have been many temporary changes to the way health care is being delivered in a short space of time to delay the spread of the virus. The survey will ask you about the following topics:  Information and adviceUsing your GP practiceUsing your pharmacySocial care support Ongoing healthcare Mental health and wellbeing  Follow the link here to fill in online. ...
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Mental Health Awareness Week

by BeckiNo Comments
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week which is organised by the Mental Health Foundation, and the theme they have chosen this year is Kindness. We have chosen kindness because of its singular ability to unlock our shared humanity. Kindness strengthens relationships, develops community and deepens solidarity. It is a cornerstone of our individual and collective mental health. Wisdom from every culture across history recognises that kindness is something that all human beings need to experience and practise to be fully alive.Mark Rowland, Chief Executive, Mental Health FoundationFor more, go to their article here. What can you do? Reflect on an act of kindness. Share your stories and pictures (with permission) of kindness during the week using #KindnessMatters and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeekUse the Mental Health Foundation resources in your family, school, workplace and community to join with thousands in practising acts of kindness to yourself and others during the week Share your ideas on how you think we could build a kinder society that would...
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Details on phased wider opening of schools, colleges and nurseries

by BeckiNo Comments
The Department for Education has released their statements on how schools, colleges and nurseries can begin to prepare to open to more young people from 1st June. You can read the full press release here. All of this depends on the infection rate staying low, and will be monitored daily by the government. The age groups expected to attend school are: Nursery ReceptionYear 1Year 6 The Government is also asking schools, colleges and sixth-form to offer some face to face support to year 10 and year 12 students in preparation of their exams next academic year. There is guidance to the education sector that is available for you to read. Some of the changes include: Reducing the size of classes and keeping children in small groups without mixing with othersStaggered break and lunchtimes, as well as drop offs and pick upsIncreasing the frequency of cleaning, reducing the use of shared items and utilising outdoor space It's key for parents and carers to understand that there...
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SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN ENGLAND ‘RIDDLED WITH INEQUALITIES’

by BeckiNo Comments
Damning report by MPs finds many pupils miss out on support and end up being excluded from education. Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are being failed by a system “riddled with unexplained inequalities”, according to a damning parliamentary report. The report says many of the 1.3 million pupils in England with SEND are not getting the support they need and end up being excluded from school, damaging their education, wellbeing and future life chances. You can read more in the Guardian or TES. What do you think about these findings? ...
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Council for Disabled Children: COVID 19 FAQs (Part 2)

by BeckiNo Comments
On the 18th April we shared the Council for Disabled Children's first FAQ document. They have now released Part Two, which you can access by following the link below. https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/sites/default/files/field/attachemnt/FAQs%202%20-%20Covid-19%20-%20Final_1.pdf Some of the questions/topics covered are: What to do if you are supporting an adult with specific needs - can you go outside together for things such as shopping?Changes to employer expectations on staff attending work - especially when you have a child with SENDChanges to benefits and how to apply during coronavirus lockdownDealing with residential settings - particularly considering the changes to the lawWhat expectations parents/carers should have on schools regarding differentiated tasks and activities for children with EHCPs (or with SEN support)The impact on social care (such as respite). The impact on health services for those with learning difficulties and disabilitiesMany questions about how to effectively shield whilst still dealing with personal care and social distancing.Issues around risk assessments and how these will be handled. ...
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Disabled Children: A Legal Handbook (Council for Disabled Children)

by BeckiNo Comments
Disabled Children: A Legal Handbook (3rd Edition) is available from the Council for Disabled Children for free. Disabled Children: a legal handbook is an authoritative yet accessible guide to the legal rights of disabled children and their families in England. The authors expertly navigate the many, often overlapping, sources of law, explaining the difference between what public bodies must do to support disabled children and that which they may do. Every chapter is available as a PDF download at the bottom of the page. This is a great resource that can back up your understanding of your rights (and your childs). You can get in touch with us if you have questions or require more information. We understand that the world of SEN/D and the legal frameworks can be very overwhelming, and it is our job to support you in a manageable fashion. ...
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Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times

by BeckiNo Comments
Supporting-Individuals-with-Autism-through-Uncertian-Times-Full-PacketDownload The above document (which you can download for free) has been produced by Karen Hume and the Autism Team at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. It covers 7 key stages to support individuals with ASD: Support Understanding Offer opportunities for expression Prioritize coping and calming skills Maintain routines Build new routines Foster connections (from a distance) Be aware of changing behaviours Each of these stages has extensive advice and information on how to implement the support. There are also many examples of various apps and resources to help with this....
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Council for Disabled Children: COVID 19 FAQs

by BeckiNo Comments
Please follow the below link for an extensive FAQ document that the Council for Disabled Children has produced. This may answer many of your questions about the impact of COVID 19 and the closure of schools on you and your family: https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/sites/default/files/field/attachemnt/FAQs%20-%20Covid-19%20-%20Final.pdf ...
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