Open Letter on the SEND Crisis

by Becki Comment Closed
Educational Psychologists and relevant organisations have written to the Department for Education (DfE) asking for a new approach to the SEND system. The full letter can be found below. They are asking for: "a repositioning of ‘SEND’ within the wider education system so that it is no longer viewed as a ‘bolt-on’ or afterthought as it is now. Rather, those children and young people who need something additional and/or different to access education must be considered as central to all educational policy"....
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Key measures proposed in SEND and alternative provision green paper

Key measures proposed in SEND and alternative provision green paper

by BeckiNo Comments
Legal requirements for councils around inclusion and the creation of national standards focussed on support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are among a raft of proposals laid out in the government’s SEND green paper. The SEND and alternative provision green paper has been published following the completion of the Department for Education’s long-awaited SEND review which was launched in 2019. The proposals, backed by £70m of new funding, will be subject to a 13-week public consultation due to close on 1 July, DfE has announced. https://youtu.be/Ut_LI2sK1R4 Proposals Increased early intervention for children with SEND and a single system combining SEND and alternative education provision feature highly in the plans. The creation of new national standards across education, health and care to build for a higher performing SEND system are also among measures set out in the paper. The national standards will build on the Children and Families Act 2014 which is currently the subject of an enquiry by peers. The standards look set to...
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Leicester health, care & wellbeing delivery plan 2022-27

by BeckiNo Comments
"The Leicester health, care and wellbeing delivery plan has been designed to improve future health outcomes of the people of Leicester. It sets out high-level priorities that local health and care organisations will work together on over the coming years. We want to hear your view on which sections of the plan should be given priority over the next few years." To fill in the survey, visit the website here: https://consultations.leicester.gov.uk/public-health/hcwb/ Survey closes on 9th January 2022....
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Rix Wiki

Rix Wiki

by BeckiNo Comments
The Rix Wiki pilot project is aimed at Children and Young people 0-25 who have one or a combination of the following diagnosis: AutismLearning disabilitiesComplex physical health needs where a Personal Health Budget has been allocated These young people may have more than one service involved in their care such as Education, Health and Social care. Rix Wiki is an online portal to share your story, vital information, progress reviews and other important information, etc; personal to you. You can share your Rix Wiki with people who work with you and your family, to help them to learn more about you and understand how to best support you and reach your GOALS! If this is something that may interest you or your child, then have a look at the further information and registration form: Rix Wiki Registration FormDownload The-Rix-Wiki-poster-2Download...
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Employ Autism: Resource Hub

Employ Autism: Resource Hub

by BeckiNo Comments
Are you an autistic young person?Are you a parent of an autistic young person? Are you worried about employability?Ambitious About Autism have designed a collection of toolkits to help more autistic young people access sustainable and meaningful employment opportunities.  The resources will help employers to develop their awareness and understanding of autism. They will support the hiring and retaining of talented autistic young people. These resources are also relevant for autistic young people, their parents/carers, teachers, and other relevant professionals to support a young person to make informed choices about their future employment opportunities. The resource has been co-produced in partnership with Ambitious about Autism Youth Patrons as experts by experience and expert partners Creased Puddle, utilising best practice and up-to-date research, the Autism Education Trust, and the Department of Education. Click the button below to access the hub. Employ Autism...
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SEND Engagement Survey

SEND Engagement Survey

by BeckiNo Comments
The Leicester City Council is running a survey on the following: Overview "Key partners and stakeholders were asked for their views on a draft Special Education Needs and Disabilities Strategy in 2019. As a result of this consultation, a new strategy was developed and launched in April of that year. We would now like to develop the strategy further, by encouraging families, schools, colleges, community groups and partner organisations to work together to further improve services for children and young people with special education needs and disabilities across Leicester." Survey SEND Strategy can be read here:...
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Personal Transport Budget (Leicester City)

Personal Transport Budget (Leicester City)

by BeckiNo Comments
A Personal Transport Budget is a payment designed to help you to get your child to and from school. It is available to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who have been assessed as eligible to receive Home to School transport by Leicester City Council. You can find more on the Local Offer website, including how to apply. We have been kindly given a small presentation for you to find out more, and an Information and Guidance document for 2020/21. Personal Transport Budgets: An Alternative Way to Travel Personal Transport Budgets   SEND Transport 2020/21 Academic Year Information and Guidance for Parents, Guardians and Carers  ]...
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Challenging Behaviour Foundation – Survey on Family Experiences

by BeckiNo Comments
There is a new project that the CBF is involved with that may interest you and your family. The Challenging Behaviour Foundation is working with the Institute of Health Visitors to find out about the experiences of parents and carers supporting young children who display difficult or challenging behaviours. This survey is aimed at parents or carers of children with difficult or challenging behaviours aged 11 or under. The results will help to inform training and awareness raising materials for health visitors to help improve their support for families. The survey should take less than 15 to complete. Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BSD83RD...
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£8.1m scheme to create hundreds of new SEND school places

by BeckiNo Comments
Leicester City Council has announced that £8.1 million will be invested in scheme which will create hundreds of new school places and provisions for children with special educational needs. The proposals include: 3 of the Leicester Special Schools would provide extra facilitiesDesignated Specialist Provision (DSP) and Specialist Units would be created at 10 further schools across the city. Total of 228 permanent new school places would be provided for children with extra needs. Schools included are the Leicester Partnership School in Knighton (extra 40 places), Ellesmere College (extra 60-70 places) and Netherhall Special School (extra 30 places). They will all also receive various new or renovated facilities. Some of the proposed DSPs are: Sandfield Close Primary SchoolRushey Mead Primary SchoolKestrel Mead Primary SchoolWill Brook MeadFullhurst Community CollegeOrchard MeadMellor Primary SchoolBraunstone Primary School Read more at the Leicester Mercury....
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