dudley parent carer newsletter · taxis were ordered, thermals were aired and the fez hats were...
TRANSCRIPT
Working Together for Change is an independent forum that is supported by two staff, Nicki Burrows and Donna Roberts from Dudley Council for Voluntary Services, who host and facilitate the projects on behalf of parent carers.
Nicki is the Children’s, Young People and Families Officer and has a strategic role within the forum. She is the person who brings the right people together so that decisions and services can be influenced by parent carers who are the ‘experts by experience!’
Welcome to this special edition of Dudley Parent Carer Newsletter Welcome everyone! Some of you will be familiar with the forum and will be used to seeing our newsletter, but for others this will be the first time we will have had contact with you, so we will be taking the opportunity to say hello and let you know a little bit about us.
Dudley Parent Carer Forum is excited to be the first forum to be providing information to the Children’s Disability Network in collaboration with Dudley MBC. Parents told us how valuable they found the information that the Carer Coordinator used to circulate. Unfortunately due to austerity this could no longer be produced, parents identified this gap and we are thrilled to say that the forum has the resources available to be able to share our newsletter. We hope you will enjoy this edition and find the newsletter interesting, engaging and informative. We have included a forum membership form for those of you who would like to be more involved in the work of the forum. We would love to hear from you if you have any thoughts or ideas about what you would like to see in futures newsletters.
Dudley CVS were awarded the contact a family contract to facilitate the development of the Dudley Parent Carer Forum in 2014. We are committed to ensuring that parent carers voices are heard to influence decisions and improve changes to service delivery and redesign.
As a forum we aim to: • Offer support and provide friendship • Listen with empathy • Provide signposting and share information in ways that are easily understandable and accessible • Be democratic, transparent and represent the collective views of parent/carers • Influence policy development • Be realistic in what we and partners together can achieve in the current climate of continued spending cuts
For a copy of the Annual Report visit http://dudleyparentcarerforum.com/newsletters-and-reports/
We are pleased to introduce
ourselves
Can you help shape Dudley
MBC’s Whole Life Disability Service?
Assess, Plan,
Do, Review
Steering Group updates and
dates for your diary
Working Together For Change – The Support Team Let us introduce ourselves
Donna’s background is in engagement, empowerment and communities. Her role within the forum is very much hands on with meeting support, organising and communication.
Nicki & Donna absolutely love working alongside organisations and groups that support parent carers as well as parent carers themselves.
The amount that the forum has achieved over the last 2 years has been phenomenal. Both are incredibly proud of the work that the forum has been involved in, the way that they have collaborated with professionals and how they have influenced decisions to make a real difference.
Dudley Parent Carer Newsletter Edition 4 - January 2016
I am really excited to be able to invite you to start this year with the opportunity to influence and shape a new Whole Life Disability Service. Dudley MBC have been listening to the experiences of parent carers and understand the need for more consistency and continuity from children’s to adult services for people with disabilities and additional needs. Tony Oakman, the Strategic Director for People’s Directorate, wants your views and thoughts to help shape a new Whole Life Disability Service that will transform this transition. Before any decisions are made about what this service will look like officers want to hear your views as ‘experts by experience’ so you can inform and influence the services that affect your children, families and lives.
The session will take place on Friday 29 January 2016 and all Dudley borough parent carers are invited to take part. We promise a warm welcome from 9:30am for coffee and networking and we will start the session at 10am and finish at
12pm. Please get in touch and let us know if you would like to attend.
My name is Donna and you can email me at [email protected] or give me a call 01384 573381.
Dudley Parent Carers forum – It’s Madness!!! On a cold dark night over the winter, members of Dudley Parent Carers Forum came out from their warm homes for a night of sheer Madness!
As a treat for all the hard work, and as recognition for everything we had achieved over the year, we decided to take the opportunity to get to know each other better and celebrate our success with a night out at the races to watch Madness, and it was awesome!
Taxis were ordered, thermals were aired and the Fez hats were dusted off! It was a unique opportunity for us to get together just for fun and collectively let our hair down together. For me it was a great reminder of how lucky I am to get to work with some truly remarkable, awesome people! It was a blast!
Can you help shape Dudley MBC’s Whole Life Disability Service?
What’s happening?
Let’s Dance Let’s Dance is a dance group for children and young people who have a disability or additional need. The group is for children and young people aged 5-25 years, under 8's have to be accompanied by a parent/carer. The group runs term time on Saturdays at Quarry Bank Community Centre. Sheffield St, Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill, West Midlands DY5 1EA. Current lessons are:- Ballet - 3:30pm to 4pm Musical theatre – 4pm-5pm Street/freestyle/rock and roll/slow dance (the style changes each term) – 5pm-6pm Tap - 6pm-6:30pm Children and young people can come along to learn new styles of dance that will help with balance, tone, coordination etc. They will also meet new friends, grow in confidence and build on their social skills. We do two performances which showcase what the children and young people have learnt in lessons where parents/carers and other family members can come along to watch. We also do performances for the local community events such as the Dudley Performing Arts Dance Festival, school fetes, fundraising events etc. These are optional, some children and young people love to perform, but you don't have to do the performances if it’s not for you! For more information email [email protected] or visit the Facebook page ‘let's dance’.
ADHD, ADD & ASD Parent Support Group For all parent/carers of children with ADHD, ASD and related diagnosis's (Asperger, ADD etc). A chance for a coffee and chat with friendly like minded parents and an opportunity for passing on any relevant information or get help with any issues that you may have. A Great support network and a place to make new friends. The group meets every month from 10am till 12pm.
Future dates Wednesday 20 January 2016 – DY1 Stafford Street, Dudley Thursday 11 February 2016 – DY1 Stafford Street, Dudley Tuesday 15 March – DY1 Stafford Street, Dudley
For more information contact Anne Davis at [email protected] or call 07763 875654
Chaos! Toy Library A specialist Toy Library for children with disabilities or special needs and their siblings. You don’t need a diagnosis just come and join in. A variety of toys are available including specialist sensory that help with OT, SALT and sensory issues, musical, traditional wooden and educational toys. Come play and find out what’s going on around the borough and borrow some toys!
Future dates Friday 5 February 2016 Friday 4 March 2016
All sessions take place between 10am and 12pm at Bank Street Church, Brierley Hill, DY5 3DA
For more information contact Anne Davis at [email protected] or call 07763 875654
Young Adult Carers Coffee & Chat Are you 18-25 years old? Do you look after or help to look after someone?
There will be a drop in at Dudley Costa coffee on Thursday 4 February from 11-1pm if you would like to pop in and talk to the project coordinator who can be contacted on the details below: Baldish Kaur 01902 877550 / 07964247389 or e-mail: [email protected]
Support for Young Adult Carers aged 18 - 25 Dudley offers support to young adult carers aged 18-25 who provide care or support for someone else i.e.
parents, siblings, grandparent or other relative. The service offers information, advice, opportunity to take
a break and an assessment of carers needs. There will be volunteer mentors assigned to each adult young
carer and they will support them within the project. The project offers a chance for the adult young carers
to develop the project and shape it as their own. Baldish Kaur is the Project Coordinator and can be
contacted on 01902 877550 / 07964 247389 or email [email protected]
What’s happening?
FREE WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS WITH CHILDREN WITH SEND & FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO 25 YEARS OF AGE WITH SEND DUDLEY SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS & DISABILITY INFORMATION, ADVICE & SUPPORT SERVICE (SENDIASS)
(Formerly Dudley Parent Partnership Service)
If you are a parent or carer of a child or young person with special educational needs (SEN) or a disability, or a child or young person up to the age of 25 with special educational needs or a disability, we can help you.
We provide legally based advice, information and support on all matters relating to SEN and disabilities including health and social care issues. Free - Impartial - Confidential
Workshop to support understanding of the LA’s transfer process, transferring from statement to EHCP Date: Wednesday 10th February 2016
Workshop for young people who have an S139a or Moving Forward Plan who may be considering requesting an Education, Health Care Assessment Date: Wednesday 24th February 2016
Workshop to understand the duties on LA’s to work together with Health & Social Care in relation to children & young people with SEND Date: Wednesday 2nd March 2016
These workshops will be held between 10.00 am & 12 noon at: Dudley SENDIASS, Saltwells Education Centre, Bowling Green Road, Netherton IMPORTANT! Please telephone 01384 817373 to reserve a place Sendiass drop-in surgeries for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. We will be available for young people to drop in and see us at:
Dudley College, Broadway Campus, Broadway Hub, Student Services Friday 26th February 2016, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
Stourbridge College, Hagley Road site, Student Services Wednesday 2nd March 2016, 1.00-2.00 p.m.
More information is available at www.dudley.gov.uk/dudleysendiass
What’s happening?
Autism friendly cinema screenings Our innovative autism friendly screenings provide opportunities for people with autism or sensory sensitivity to enjoy a trip to the cinema.
We work with ODEON, Cineworld, Vue and Showcase to host Autism friendly screenings at over 250 cinemas nationwide. On Sunday mornings throughout the month, films suitable for all audiences are screened in a sensory friendly and inclusive environment. Adjustments at the cinema reduce over-stimulation and create a welcoming place for people with autism to enjoy films with their families, friends or carers.
Visit for more information: https://www.dimensions-uk.org/families/autism-friendly-screenings/
ODEON autism friendly cinema screenings ODEON hosts autism friendly cinema screenings every month. Listed below are the participating sites for our autism friendly cinema screenings with ODEON. Tickets for the latest releases may come with a small Blockbuster charge of £1.
ODEON’s next autism friendly film screening is Star Wars: The Force Awakens (12A) on Sunday 24th January at 11:30am.
ODEON’s next autism friendly film for older audiences is In the Heart of the Sea (12A) on Monday 25th January at 6pm at 9 selected cinemas
Cineworld autism friendly cinema screenings Cineworld host an autism friendly cinema screening on the first Sunday of every month at 11am. Listed below are the participating sites for our autism friendly cinema screenings with Cineworld.
Cineworld’s next autism friendly film screening is Goosebumps (PG) on Sunday 7th February at 11am. Vue autism friendly cinema screenings Vue host an autism friendly cinema screening on the last Sunday of every month at 10am, from £1.99. Listed below are the participating sites for our autism friendly cinema screenings with Vue.
Vue’s next autism friendly cinema screening is Hotel Transylvania 2 on Sunday 31st January at 10am.
Carers amble through Saltwells Nature Reserve Thursday 11 February and Thursday 10 March 12.30pm Saltwells Lane car park DY5 1AX
Join us for a gentle amble through accessible woodland trails, take some time out for yourself or bring along the person who you care for to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and sculpture trail. The route is not demanding, is generally flat and everyone is welcome. You will get the chance to meet and chat with other carers and people will be on hand from local services to discuss help available in Dudley borough.
For more information contact Alan Preece, Senior Warden on 01384 812795 or email [email protected] Scope Face2Face Coffee Morning Stourbridge Children’s Centre, Forge Road, Stourbridge DY8 1XF. Are you the parents/carer of a child that has an additional need or disability? Come along and join us
Tuesday 21th January 2016 10 – 12 midday Tuesday 23rd February 2016 10 – 12 midday Tuesday 22nd March 2016 10 – 12 midday
For further information please call or email: [email protected] 07436 805 494
What’s happening?
Future Stars! Future stars are a drama group for children and young people who have a disability or additional need. The group is for children and young people aged 10 - 25 years. The group runs term time on Saturdays at Quarry Bank Community Centre from 2pm - 5pm. Children and young people can come along to develop performance skills to include expression, improvisation, body language etc. that will help with confidence and all aspects of performing they will also meet new friends and build on their social skills. We do 2 performances at Quarry Bank which is to showcase what the children and young people have learnt in lessons where parents/carers and other family members come along to watch.
For more information our email is [email protected]
SEND services in local authorities in England are required to clearly describe the role of schools and other settings in identifying and supporting children with special educational needs and disability. Known as the graduated approach, there is a 4 part cycle to managing SEN in school/ settings comprising:
Assess (Code of Practice 6:45 -6:47) Plan (Code of Practice 6:48 – 5:51) Do (Code of Practice 6:52) Review (Code of Practice 6:53- 6:56 )
The DfE has given little detail in the Code of Practice about thresholds and criteria because they want to remove as much 'prescription' as possible and give talented and dedicated staff more freedom to use the methods that work for their pupils as individuals. And although there will be no Individual Education Plans (IEPs) teachers will still have to
keep records that "Assess, Plan, Do, Review”.
Dudley MBCs Framework for SEND Provision can be found via the website using the link below:
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/localoffer/special-educational-needs-in-schools-and-educational-settings/responding-to-send-the-graduated-response/
This document aims to inform professionals, parents, carers, children and young people about the changes in practice as a result of the Children and Families Act 2014 and provides practical guidance and information for professionals, parents and children and young people and others where consideration is being given to making a request for a statutory assessment which may lead to an Education Heath and Care Plan (EHCP). It applies to: • Early years settings, schools, post 16 educational settings, academies, free schools and independent schools. • Professionals working in local authority teams, including those in education and children’s and adult social care. • Health partners including Clinical Commissioning Groups and those professionals attached to services which provide support or work directly with children and young people with SEND and their families. Utilising the Local Offer: an expectation on educational settings is to explore what is ‘ordinarily available’ and use their SEN Notional Budget to arrange support:
The Local Offer has two clear purposes: To provide clear, comprehensive and accessible information about the range of services
available, provision and how to access them, and To make provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations by directly involving disabled children and those with SEN and their parents, and service providers in its development and review
Dudley’s local offer can be accessed at: http://www.dudley.gov.uk/localoffer
Assess, Plan, Do, Review: the SEN Graduated Response for schools and settings
Are you the parent/carer of a disabled child?
Face 2 Face is a one-to-one parent befriending service offering emotional support to parents whose children have been recognised as having a disability or additional need. The service is delivered by trained parent volunteers who are supported by professionals working within a structured quality scheme. Many parents find it invaluable to talk to another parent of a disabled child. Having someone to talk to, who has a similar experience, gives a parent the freedom to express the emotion that many parents feel as a natural part of coming to terms with their child’s disability. Acknowledging those feelings, which may include pain, uncertainty and loss, can help them to process their experience and enable them to find better strategies for supporting themselves and managing their situation. Face 2 Face is free and confidential. We support parents of children with any type of disability or additional need. All enquiries and referrals are treated individually and sensitively. Contact: Sarah Thompson (07436 805 494) or Georgina Homer (07767 111868), Face 2 Face Co-ordinators, Email: [email protected] or Email: georgina [email protected]
Visit the website www.scope.org.uk/face2face
Spotlight on Scope
January Carers Tea and Chat – Friday 22 January 9:30am-12:00pm DY1 Stafford Street Whole Life Disability Service Visioning Session – Friday 29 January 10:00am-12:00pm DY1, Stafford St, Dudley
February Carers amble through Saltwells Nature Reserve - Thursday 12 February 12.30pm Saltwells Lane carpark DY5 1AX
No booking is necessary, you can just turn up and join in. After the walk carers and health staff go for a buy your
own meal to chat at the Saltwells Inn. This is a monthly walk which takes place on the 2nd Thurs of each month.
Transition Task and Finish - Tuesday 2 February 12:30pm-2:30pm BMET Venture way
March Steering Group - Friday 4 March 9:30am-11:30am Stourbridge Children’s Centre Monday 21 March – Integrated Care 10am-12pm Venture Way
Don’t forget you can keep in touch or check out what we are up to in a number of ways
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dudleyparentcarerforum.com
Twitter: @DWTFC
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/dudleyparentcarerforum
Forum Dates for the Diary