The network is keen to profile effective practice developed in the North West and other regional contributions. Do please consider sending your examples for inclusion in future editions.
If there are particular areas of work or themes that you would like support with, activities or events then do let us know. We would also welcome any good news you have to share, or challenges you’d like to work with others to find solutions for, in order that we can share the learning across the North West. We welcome contributions to network activities, requests for connections for support, information about forthcoming events for future editions of this newsletter and new additions to the newsletter circulation list.
Also, do check out our website www.nwsend.network which has everything you might want to know in one place, including previous newsletters.
Dr Cathy Hamer
NW SEND Regional Network co-ordinator
Email: [email protected] Mob: 0778 357 7284
REGIONAL NETWORK EVENTS
20.11.19 Preparing for Adulthood network meeting 9.30 for 10 – 1
The Edge Conferencing, Riveredge, Wigan WN3 5AB
This session will focus on outcomes and working together to identify what indicates that we are making an impact across the four PfA Outcomes.
The session will provide some information, and an opportunity to share current practice. If you have a local PfA dataset, dashboard or Key Performance Indicators please can you bring these with you.
We will be sharing ideas how we can demonstrate impact in relation to the four PfA outcomes.
The session is aimed at the NW PfA network members, SEN leaders, Post 16-25 education and training providers and children and adult commissioners from across education, health and care.
To book a place: The password should you need it is: nwpfanetwork 2
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/north-west-preparing-for-adulthood-network-tickets-73424983101?aff=
29.11.19 SEND peer reviewer training, Manchester
To express an interest email: [email protected]
5.12.19 North West regional workshop: Exploring the building blocks of joint working to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND
10:00 – 15:30, DW Stadium, 15 Loire Dr, Robin Park Rd, Wigan WN5 0UH
The Council for Disabled Children invites strategic managers working across education, health and social care and parent carer forum representatives to attend this full-day workshop on how joint working can support improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Attendees will have the opportunity to:
* Hear Dame Christine Lenehan give an overview of joint working, drawing on
– Exclusions review
– NAO audit report
– Select Committee report
– SEND review
– Integration report
* Undertake a deep dive on aligning different programmes through case studies illustrating the different programmes and pathways in a child or young person’s life
* Find out about work on aligning children in care/EHC processes in Oldham
* Find out about work on aligning CETR and EHC processes in Harrow
* Learn from the Alignment accelerated working group including mental health trailblazer and accelerator site in North Cumbria and the North East
* Explore opportunities for the alignment of Children in Care/Looked After Children/Education Health and Care processes as well as the alignment of Education Health and Care and Care Education Treatment Reviews
* Hear from Lorraine Mulroney, NHS England/NHS Improvement, about available funding and support and dynamic risk registers.
Who should attend?
- LA SEN leads, Disabled Children’s Service Managers, Social Care leads, Post-16 and Transition leads and Public Health leads
- CCG commissioners with responsibility for SEND agenda
- Designated Medical and Clinical Officers
- Parent carer forum representatives
NB The programme has been specifically tailored for the North West. In order to get the most out of this session it is recommended that attendees come along with at least one colleague from another agency and/or service area within your local area. If you have any questions please contact: [email protected]
Register for the event here: https://bit.ly/33VQCDI
13.1.20 The role of social care in embedding the SEND reforms
9.30 for 10:00 to 15:30 St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester M12 6FZ
This workshop, delivered by the Council for Disabled Children (CDC) is for social care practitioners, managers and leads (children’s and adults’ services, mainstream and disabled children’s services) as well as SEN teams, those involved in EHC needs assessments and planning and regional parent carer forum representatives.
The workshop will cover:
- • The Legal framework for SEND and social care
- • The role of social care in EHC needs assessment and planning
- • Good quality social care advice and information
- • Information sharing and consent
- • Role of the designated social care officer (DSCO)
3
There will be exercises and opportunities to put theory into practice throughout the day, drawing on examples CDC has gathered, as well as through colleagues sharing their practice on the day.
Please register for free here
For more information please contact Dan Martin at CDC [email protected]
16.1.20 Preparing for Adulthood/Transition network meeting 9.30 for 10 – 12.30
The Edge Centre, Riveredge, Wigan WN3 5AB
To book a place email [email protected]
26.3.20 Preparing for Adulthood/Transition network meeting 9.30 for 10 – 12.30
The Edge Centre, Riveredge, Wigan WN3 5AB
To book a place email [email protected]
OTHER EVENTS RELATING TO THE NORTH WEST
The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families have been commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to offer a comprehensive free Mental Health Awareness Training, centered around a one-day face-to-face training.
This one-day training will be freely available to those schools who:
- • have not yet received Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training in 2017 – 2018 and
- • are a mainstream secondary school, sixth form college, Pupil Referral Unit or a Free School
Who is the training for?
The training will be available for up to two members of staff from over 1900 eligible schools and colleges. View the directory of eligible secondary schools.
The first two years of the three year programme were delivered by Mental Health First Aid England (2017 – 2018). The training being delivered is different to MHFA.
Where and when will the training take place?
Blackburn: 29.11.19, 13.12.19, 28.2.20, 6.3.20
Carlisle: 2.3.20, 3.3.20
Liverpool: 24.1.20, 7.2.20, 14.2.20
Manchester: 18.12.20, 17.1.10, 31.1.20
View the MHAT Training Schedule
What will the Mental Health Awareness Training offer?
This one-day Mental Health Awareness Training for secondary schools is underpinned by the Centre’s longstanding experience of working within schools to support pupil, parent/carer and staff mental health. The training is grounded on a rigorous evidence base.
It covers:
- • What the evidence tells us about mental health difficulties in schools
- • Spotting the early signs of a mental health problem
- • Positive approaches to promoting mental health and wellbeing in the whole school community
How do I book a place?
If your school or college is listed on the directory, please email [email protected] with the dates of the training you would like to attend.
3 & 4.12.19 Autism Learns: Understanding and Managing Distressed Behaviour
Pendulum Hotel, Manchester
Autismlearns.co.uk
12.12.19 Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Conference
Media City, Salford Quays
For more information email: [email protected] 4
27.12.19 Jack and the beanstalk 1pm Southport Theatre
A special performance tailored to those on the autistic spectrum, those with learning difficulties or a sensory/communication syndrome. Elements of surprise will be reduced and there will be no pyrotechnics or loud bangs. The house lights will stay on and the audience are able to make noise and move around if they wish to. These changes help to provide a comfortable atmosphere so that all audience members can feel welcome and included
To book visit www.imaginetheatre.co.uk
9.1.20 Understanding and supporting autistic people in higher education
Manchester
This one-day introductory course builds your knowledge of autism and how to support autistic students at university. This course meets the BIS criteria for university mentors and non-medical helpers.
Autism.org.uk/events
14.1.20 and 16.1.20 High Quality (Quality First) Teaching: Train the Trainer Course
Tor View Teaching School, Lancashire, Ewood Campus
A free 2-day course to pilot a regional SEND CPLD resource programme
The Whole School SEND Consortium is part of a growing community of practice committed to improving provision and outcomes for children and young people with SEND. The work of the consortium is based on the principle that the knowledge and expertise needed to develop the workforce already exists in the system and that knowledge exchange can occur through effective collaboration.
The Department for Education, through the SEND Schools’ Workforce contract with the Whole School SEND consortium has provided funding for regional SEND events developed by the Regional SEND Leaders to address identified priorities. In Lancashire and West Yorkshire (LWY) upskilling SENCos in evidence-informed High Quality Teaching has been identified as a key regional priority.
Each LWY LA is offered 2 fully funded places for experienced SENCos (additional places are offered to large LAs) and some places will be made available for the RSC to nominate MAT SENCOs on the pilot course.
Participants on the free pilot will be trained in the process of delivering evidence-informed High Quality Teaching within their own school or to clusters of schools in a locality. The final resource materials will include a power point and resources for the delivery of a school-based 2-3 hour twilight. The intention is to ensure that all course participants feel confident in understanding and disseminating best evidence-led practice. The course will include materials suitable for Early Years, primary and secondary mainstream and Further Education Colleges.
To ensure pilot participants are able to make a full contribution to the development of the resource we are looking for a minimum of 3 years SENCo/ specialist school experience. All participants must be school based.
The time commitment required is two full days to receive the training. Once finalised a full set of resources will be made available free of charge for pilot course participants.
The deadline for applications is 1pm on Friday 29th November. To express an interest and if you have any queries, please contact Katrina Brockbank [email protected] or Angela Holdsworth [email protected].
22.1.20 Dealing with difficult people and situations, courageous conversations, Warrington
https://www.pccevents.co.uk/pcc/frontend/reg/thome.csp?pageID=1148870&eventID=2165
Motivational Interviewing Training course January – April 2020 (see course information for specific dates) This at-cost, six session training programme gives practitioners the opportunities to train to a 5
level of proficiency in MI. For further details, please click here https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.wixstatic.com%2Fugd%2F79e42a_ccdc50f31bcc4a099b65671ad3987ec7.pdf&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cad47b55fc3ed48d5a9c908d7523e6f93%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637068300416866488&sdata=UiFieYqHY9%2F3SHo2hlgC%2Fh3Y4WZ7AmtNr6ppXMEqBRA%3D&reserved=0 for further details.
28.1.19 Supporting Neuro-diverse Young People in Schools.
Warrington, NHS England Learning Disability and Autism Programme
The NHS England Long Term Plan aims to better support Children and Young People who are autistic or who have learning disabilities. In order to achieve the most positive outcomes for our young people, NHS England are keen to hear from young people across different sectors in order to make a difference to their lives. School is such an important part of a young person’s life and they would like to share with schools some feedback from positive outcomes for neuro-diverse young people across the North. They would also like to hear from schools about what they would like to help them support their young people in the best possible way.
The conference will hear from:
✓ Schools in the North East where changes in policy have led to improved teacher and pupil outcomes
✓ Young people about Autism Acceptance and how it feels to be in school
✓ How Parent Carer Forums have worked with schools and supported parents
✓ Recommendations from the DfE Timpson review around behaviours that challenge
✓ Young people with lived experience with an offer to support school to make reasonable adjustments
The events have been funded via NHS England North regions and are free for delegates to attend. The audience for these events are young people, parents/ carers, schools and wider providers of children’s services and places can be booked via the links below:
https://www.events.england.nhs.uk/events/learning-disabilities-and-autism-programme-warrington
28 & 29.1.20 PECS Level 2 Training Workshop
Manchester
Learn practical ideas for advanced lessons in expanding language and communication within functional activities, plus tools for identifying communication opportunities across the day. Successfully problem solve PECS implementation and take it to the next level.
Tel: 01273 609 555
Pecs-unitedkingdom.com
30.1.20 Children and Disability: Local and National Perspectives
9 – 3.45 The Quaker Meeting House, 22 School Lane, Liverpool L1 3BT
This one-day conference brings together a wide number of academics, NGO organisations, parent representative groups and Liverpool City Council to examine and understand the provision of services for children and young people with disabilities. The conference will provide an opportunity for researchers at the University of Liverpool to formally disseminate the findings of a pilot study carried out into the provision of services for disabled children in the Merseyside area which will be followed by a response by Liverpool City Council. Following on from this, the conference will explore the broader national context and explore how children and young people with disabilities, and their families, can better navigate a complex system, and have their rights upheld and secured. The conference will also include a “Know Your Rights” session which will be aimed at breaking down the law into a clear and understandable format for the benefit of families, parents and guardians.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/children-and-disability-local-and-national-perspectives-tickets-80240683043 6
15 – 18.6.20 ADOS 2: Administration and coding
Manchester
The course takes place over 4 days for Modules 1 to 4. Trainees will become familiar with the administration and coding of each of these modules through watching and coding videos of the ADOS, and through discussion with our highly experienced, expert trainers. Trainees will also have the opportunity to practice various tasks, and explore the materials and toys provided with the ADOS-2 kit.
ADOS-2 is the latest revision of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, and has been adapted to anticipate the changes to the diagnostic definitions of DSM-5 . The ADOS is the most widely used observational assessment in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, for both clinical and research purposes. It is often described as the “Gold Standard” research assessment for autism.
https://our.learningdisabilitieshealthnetwork.org.uk/t/ados2-administration-and-coding/1734
SHARING PRACTICE ACROSS THE NORTH WEST
Cheshire East toolkit
This is an online, one-stop resource providing detailed guidance for educational settings on identifying and supporting children and young people (0 – 25 years) with different types and levels of need.
https://bit.ly/2k0rUA4
The toolkit forms an important part of the Cheshire East Local Offer for SEND.
https://bit.ly/2lu1eYU
SEND REVIEW
The government has announced the launch of a crosscutting review of SEND. Five years on from the Children and Families Act, the review will look at the how the system has evolved since then, how it can be made to work best for all families and ensure quality of provision is the same across the country. Recognising the importance of joined-up support, it will also explore the role of health care in SEND in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care. The review will consider:
- the evidence on how the system can provide the highest quality support that enables children and young people with SEND to thrive and prepare for adulthood, including employment;
- how to better help parents to make decisions about what kind of support will be best for their child;
- how to make sure support in different local areas is consistent and joined up across health, care and education services, as well as ensuring that high-quality health and education support is available across the country;
- how we strike the right balance between state-funded provision across inclusive mainstream and specialist places;
- how we align incentives and accountability for schools, colleges and local authorities to make sure they provide the best possible support for children and young people with SEND;
- what is behind the rise in education, health and care (EHC) plans and the role of specific health conditions in driving demand; and,
- how we ensure that public money is spent in an efficient, effective and sustainable manner, placing a premium on securing high quality outcomes for those children and young people who need additional support the most.
It will conclude with action to boost outcomes and improve value for money, so that vulnerable children have the same opportunities to succeed, as well as improving capacity and support for families across England. 7
CONSULTATIONS
Data dashboard development
As part of CDC’s DfE-contracted work around data and SEND, they would greatly appreciate your insight and expertise by taking just 2 minutes to complete this short survey to help them deliver the next stage of the dashboard’s development: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/J3SGHPR
National Mental Capacity Forum Awareness Survey 2019
The National Mental Capacity Forum was established in 2015, following the publication of the House of Lords’ Select Committee’s post-legislative review of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, in order to improve implementation of the Act across all sectors.
This research is being conducted in order to assess whether there have been improvements in empowering and supporting those with impaired mental capacity to live as fully and independently as possible. This short survey will take approximately 8 minutes to complete.
https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/K4ZAD8TN.
Rare conditions survey
A national survey into the issues faced by those affected by a rare condition has been announced.
The Government is collecting the views of families and carers, patients, healthcare professionals and industry to inform the next stage in developing a rare disease framework. The current UK Strategy for Rare Diseases comes to an end in 2020.
The aim is to improve the lives of people living with rare conditions.
https://dhsc-mail.co.uk/form/Sx1iaZDJ/12fe439d08333dcf0e23be36/
Socio-emotional wellbeing in autistic children, children with Down syndrome and Williams syndrome
Child Development and Learning Difficulties lab, UCL Institute of Education
This study examines a lot of factors in order to obtain a better understanding of their wider socio-emotional wellbeing. It is hoped that parents of children aged 5 to 17 will complete the questionnaires.
Link to the questionnaires: https://fpse.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6KJ5r7TJ6GtL3Mh
For questions email: [email protected]
Educational experiences of children with Down syndrome
The University of Manchester, along with LETS Go! UK, are currently conducting a survey looking at the educational experiences of children with Down syndrome in the UK. They are looking for parents/carers and educators (including teachers, teaching assistants, SENCos) who have or are currently working with a child(/children) with Down syndrome who is attending a UK school (Reception-Year 11) to take part in the online survey (http://j.mp/2WSro9l). Information collected in this study will inform several important questions about what happens in school for this group of children and the factors which might support successful school experiences.
GUIDANCE:
Managing Bladder and Bowel Issues in Nurseries, Schools and Colleges
Best practice guidance on toileting and continence problems at nursery, school and college has been made available online. Supported by a short film, the downloadable resource seeks to help educational establishments understand and support pupils with bladder and bowel issues.
https://www.eric.org.uk/Pages/Category/help-at-school
https://www.bbuk.org.uk/ 8
A guide for schools on supporting young people with epilepsy
Youngepilepsy
This guide is for people who work in schools or other educational settings. It provides information on supporting young people with epilepsy to ensure they are safe and included in all aspects of school life.
https://www.youngepilepsy.org.uk/guide-for-schools/
Updated guidance on public examination access for children and young people with sensory impairments
This updated guidance is to help teachers of children and young people with hearing impairment (HI), vision impairment (VI) and multi-sensory impairment (MSI) understand the key principles underpinning reasonable adjustments for public examinations and the main access arrangements that may be appropriate for candidates with sensory impairment. It also includes examples of specialist reports written to support applications for access arrangements. Much of the content can be applied to all forms of summative assessment, but the primary focus of the guide is on general qualifications, i.e. GCSE and A level.
You can access the guide here: https://www.natsip.org.uk/exams-and-access/3697-2019-update-ensuring-equal-access-to-public-examinations-for-candidates-with-sensory-impairment
GLOBAL DISABILITY CHARTER CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
Building a disability friendly and inclusive tomorrow.
The Global Disability Children and Young People’s Charter has 12 commitments which underpins the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, United Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Sustainable Development Goals.
REPORTS:
‘Special or Unique: Young People’s Attitudes to Disability’
Published by Disability Rights UK this report suggests that there is widespread ignorance of disability issues among school children, even those who have special educational needs or who are disabled themselves.
Read the full report at: https://bit.ly/2KFYG2E
It’s Not Enough
An All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Autism report to understand support for autistic adults and their families in England.
www.autism.org.uk/not-enough
Educational cost of dyslexia
The APPG on Dyslexia and SpLD has published a report which looks at the financial, standards and attainment cost to education of unidentified and poorly supported dyslexia, and a policy pathway to end the educational cost of dyslexia.
https://cdn.bdadyslexia.org.uk/images/Educational-cost-of-dyslexia-APPG-for-Dyslexia-and-other-SpLDs-October-2019.pdf?mtime=20191024132817
Children and young people’s mental health: prevention evidence
Summary report and outputs from a review of evidence for universal approaches to improving children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-prevention-evidence 9
Research on children and young people’s mental health: interventions
After a systematic evidence review Public Health England has published a report containing short descriptions of interventions used to improve children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/842167/Descriptions_of_interventions.pdf
RESOURCES:
SEND info and advice providers
https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/SEND%20Orgs%20Info%20Sheet%20FINAL%202019.pdf
Online teaching activities for switch, touch, mouse and eye gaze
FOCUS: PROFOUND AND MULTIPLE LEARNING DISABILITIES
Core and service standards
http://www.pmldlink.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Standards-PMLD-h-web.pdf
Resources
Communication Bill of Rights
https://www.crporegon.org/cms/lib/OR01928264/Centricity/Domain/53/communication%20bill%20of%20rights%202.pdf
INFORMATION:
Social care questionnaires 2019: what children and young people told Ofsted
Ofsted uses questionnaires to capture views about social care settings, including children’s homes, boarding schools and living with foster carers and adopters.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-questionnaires-2019-what-children-and-young-people-told-ofsted
FOCUS: BLOG
Supported employment programmes for young adults with learning disabilities
Supported employment programmes for young adults with learning disabilities
LINKS TO OTHER NEWSLETTERS:
Afasic news:
https://mailchi.mp/eaa3f42f6d6d/afasic-online-updates-free-handy-hints-guides?e=99e418390f
Council for Disabled Children news:
https://mailchi.mp/ncb/your-september-newsletter-is-here-1297809?e=59c28d4a77 10
Learning disability newsletter: Issue 10
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/learning-disability-newsletter-issue-10/
Making Ourselves Heard news:
https://mailchi.mp/ncb/september-making-ourselves-heard-newsletter-1297833?e=59c28d4a77
Whole school SEND / nasen news:
https://dmtrk.net/2F68-1HR8I-527KZLHGDE/cr.aspx
