FIND Summer 2015 Newsletter

FIND

in partnership with Lancashire Parent Carer Forum

W

elcome to the Summer Issue of the FIND Newsletter, 2015.

Summer already, I really can't believe how quick the year is passing. As I am writing this the sun is shining and I hope it continues to shine throughout the summer holidays.

2.

Child and Family Support Development Team FIND Monitoring Questionnaire

3.

Local Parent Carer Forum Dates

6.

SCOPE Sleep Solutions/Face 2 Face

7.

The day Moses came to School

8.

My Life Journey – Naomi's story

10.

POWAR

We have also reintroduced 'Dear FIND' following the feedback from the FIND Monitoring Questionnaire. If you would like to send a question to 'Dear FIND' or if you have an article you would like to share, send to:find@lancashire.gov.uk.

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Leisure and Sports Development Contacts

13.

Wheelchair Tennis

16.

Rough Riderz

Thank you for your continued support

17.

Local Offer update

Norma O'Hagan Child and Family Support Liaison Officer Special Educational Needs and Disability Service

18.

Lancashire Parent Carer Forum – What is a Parent Carer Forum?

www.facebook.com/LancashireParentCarerForum

22.

In this edition you will find information on the Leisure and Sports Development Contacts for your area.

Check with them to see what activities they have running through the summer.

On page 8 you can read 'My Life Journey' by Naomi Womack. Naomi is an inspiring young person who wanted to share her story.

20-21. Music Groups in Lancashire Taking Care of the Carer Rossendale Family Event

“The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won’t wait while you finish the work.”

Patricia Clifford

www.lancashire.gov.uk/FIND

23.

Useful Websites

24.

Dear FIND

25.

Farewell from Brian Robinson, IDSS Service Manager

26.

Welfare Rights Service

27.

Lancashire County Council contact details

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Child and Family Support Development Team Dawn Fenton - Manager Email: dawn.fenton@lancashire.gov.uk

Mobile: 07825 755511

Sarah Deady and Pauline Mansley - Business Support Officers Email: find@lancashire.gov.uk Telephone: 01772 538077 or 01772 532509 Child and Family Support Development Liaison Officers and their areas Sue Gaskell - West Lancashire and Burnley Liaison Officer Email: susan.gaskell@lancashire.gov.uk Mobile: 07584 217661 Rachel Shatford - Lancaster, Fylde and Wyre Liaison Officer Email: rachel.shatford@lancashire.gov.uk Mobile: 07557 030836 Norma O'Hagan - Chorley, South Ribble and Preston Liaison Officer Email: norma.ohagan@lancashire.gov.uk Mobile: 07557 030837 Lauren Robertson - Hyndburn, Rossendale and Ribble Valley Liaison Officer Email: lauren.robertson@lancashire.gov.uk Mobile: 07557 030839 For Pendle please contact any of the above Liaison Officers

FIND Monitoring Questionnaire Thank you to all the families who completed and returned our recent FIND Monitoring Questionnaire.

The replies were positive and people commented on how 'useful and informative' they found the newsletter.

There were many helpful suggestions made and you will see them being introduced over the coming issues of the FIND Newsletter. The regular contributions that are included at present are appreciated and will continue. There are items such as useful websites, support groups, forum dates, sports and holiday information.

There is a need to balance information in different formats i.e. internet, hard copy to make it available to all families.

The overall response was that the newsletter provided a very good service with plenty of feedback on articles and features you would like to see included in the future.

Thank you once again for your time in completing the form. The full report is available by request from your Liaison Officer.

If you have any further comments or ideas for articles for the newsletter please send to:find@lancashire.gov.uk

If you would like a regular copy of this newsletter, please register on the FIND database at: www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/special-educational-needs-anddisabilities/help-for-parents-and-carers/family-information-network-directory.aspx or call us on 01772 532509.

“Being there for a friend is one of the greatest gifts you can give.

Another one is allowing them to be there for you too.�

Doe Zanamata

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Local Parent Carer Forum Dates Do you have a child/young person with additional needs? Come along to your local forum, it is an opportunity to raise any issues/concerns, chat to other parents and meet the guest speaker. Although the forums follow an agenda it is a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. You are also welcome to bring a friend along for support.

The dates and times for your local forum can be found below. If you require more information contact your local Liaison Officer, contact details can be found on page two.

Parent/carers are able to attend any of the local forums, please feel free to contact a liaison officer for more information.

Burnley Local Parent Carer Forums Liaison Officer: Sue Gaskell

Holly Grove School Barden Lane Burnley BB10 1JD

Mon 6 July Mon 14 September

1:30 pm – 3pm 1:30 pm – 3pm

Chorley & South Ribble Local Parent Carer Forums Liaison Officer: Norma O'Hagan

Environmental Education Centre Farington Waste Recovery Park Sustainability Way, Leyland PR26 6TB if using sat nav use PR26 6LZ

Fri 10 July

10am – 12:30pm

Community Room, Chorley Fire Station West Way, Chorley PR7 6DH

Thur 10 September

10am – 12:30pm

Wed 15 July Tue 15 September

1pm – 3pm 10am – 12 noon

Tue 7 July

1pm – 3pm

Fylde Local Parent Carer Forums Liaison Officer: Rachel Shatford

Oak Tree Children's Centre, Sydney Street, Lytham St Annes FY8 1TR Hyndburn Local Parent Carer Forums Liaison Officer: Lauren Robertson

Hyndburn Leisure Centre Henry Street, Church Lancashire BB5 4EP

Visit new venue and Support Group

Wed 23 September

1pm – 3pm

Poulton Children's Centre, Clark Street, Morecambe LA4 5HT

Tue 7 July

10:30am-12 noon

Firbank Children's Centre, Firbank Road, Lancaster,LA1 3HL

Tue 8 September

10:30am-12 noon

Lancaster Local Parent Carer Forums Liaison officer: Rachel Shatford

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Pendle Local Parent Carer Forums Liaison officer- Please contact any Liaison Officer

Pendle View Primary School Gibbfield Road, Colne BB8 8JT

Thur 24 September

1:30pm – 3pm

Wed 8 July

10am – 12 noon

Wed 9 September

10am – 12 noon

Thur 2 July

1pm – 3pm

Thur 10 September

1pm – 3pm

Mon 13 July

1pm – 3pm

Mon 21 September

1pm – 3pm

First Steps Children's Centre, Eavesdale, Tanhouse, Skelmersdale WN8 6AU

Tue 14 July

9:30am – 12:30pm

Twinkle House, 2 Gorsey Place East Gillbrands, Skelmersdale WN8 9UP

Tue 15 September

10am – 12 noon

Thur 16 July

10am – 12 noon

Thur 24 September

10am – 12 noon

Preston Local Parent Carer Forums Liaison Officer: Norma O'Hagan

Preston City Trampoline Club Unit 9 Lane Ends Trading Estate Blackpool Road, Preston PR2 2DS Ribble Valley Local Parent Carer Forums Liaison Officer: Lauren Robertson

Community Room, Clitheroe Fire Station Princess Avenue, Clitheroe BB7 2AL Rossendale Local Parent Carer Forums Liaison Officer: Lauren Robertson

Staghills Children Centre, Top Barn Lane, Newchurch, BB4 7UE West Lancashire Local Parent Carer Forums Liaison Officer: Sue Gaskell

Wyre Local Parent Carer Forums Liaison Officer: Rachel Shatford

Sure Start Fleetwood Children's Centre 1-9 Kemp Street, Fleetwood, FY7 6JX

"Remember, happiness doesn’t depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely upon what you think."

Dale Carnegie

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SLEEP SOLUTIONS SERVICE, SCOPE We provide free support for families with disabled children aged between 2 and 19 to get the sleep they need.

Over 70 per cent of disabled children have sleep problems. Lack of sleep can affect learning, mood, behaviour and health, not to mention the whole family.

Our sleep practitioners can offer support to help your child to sleep.

We offer a bespoke sleep support service to families. Our sleep practitioners will work with families to create individual sleep programmes and offer guidance and support all along the way to a better nights sleep. We also run regular ‘Time to Sleep’ workshops, open to both parents and professionals which offer advice and support on dealing with common sleep problems for children with additional needs. Please contact us for details of our next workshop.

LANCASHIRE FACE 2 FACE SCHEME ‘Our aim is to give parents a space to talk about their feelings around their child's disability or special need in a safe environment with specially trained volunteers’ Face 2 Face is a network of local schemes, providing emotional support to parents whose children have been recognised as having a special need or disability.

Local schemes recruit and train volunteer parents, who themselves have disabled children, to act as ‘Befrienders’. Befrienders are able to share and empathise with other parents because of their own emotional experiences. They can support them to make positive adjustments towards dealing with their child’s disability.

For more information on either of these services please contact: Julia Johnson: T 01772 424184/07974 197894; E julia.johnson@scope.org.uk Or Caroline Donnelly: T 07767 166208; E caroline.donnelly@scope.org.uk If you would like to talk to one of our trained befrienders, or would like to find out more about becoming a volunteer, please contact Julia Johnson (details above) You can contact Scope on 01772 828000 for up to date information on other services they can provide.

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The Day Moses came to School!

‘Successful Primary Schools curriculums are enriched by first hand experiences,’ (Ofsted) Acorns Primary School is a GLD (Generic Learning Difficulties) Primary School based in Preston.

We cater for a wide variety of learning styles but most of all our children gain from first-hand experience.

We regularly take the children on community visits which invariably mean we encounter the public and more often than not people with dogs. Some of our children have little or no experience as to how to behave around dogs and so can often act inappropriately towards dogs when meeting them while out and about. Some may scream others reach out and pet the animals inappropriately, some may kick out at them. We felt as a school it would be advantageous to ask an expert to come and explain how we should treat dogs we meet or have at home.

Enter Moses with his friends Shirley and Alan. This lovely trio spent a full day at our school explaining patiently to all our classes how to behave towards Moses the dog. The children gained a great deal of pleasure from such a first-hand experience. All the children enjoyed petting and stroking Moses correctly.

Acorns School would like to say a big thank you to Shirley, Alan and Moses for a very important life lesson.

Here are a few of the comments that our Year 6 children made after the visit…

“I am proud of me stroking Moses.”

“I have enjoyed seeing the dog.”

Pauline Clarkson Acting Deputy Head Acorns School.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Mark Twain

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My Life Journey My name is Naomi and my favourite things to do are looking after children and babysitting, writing and photography. Growing up was hard, as I had a disability that nobody knew I had. I was always curious about why the whole class were chuckling aloud at me. I was just being…me.

I already had enough worries, thinking about my parents and brother who has Autism, wondering how he was getting on at school. Throughout my childhood I felt mixed emotions from feeling like a “tag along” in the family, a “forgotten about” with my parents working around Sam, who’s two years older than me.

From feeling anxious going to parties bringing my own food, having Galactosaemia, to feeling overly excited playing games in the playground, something wasn’t just right.

I went to three primary schools as a young child and my behaviour varied, while my personality has always been the same. From poking a peer in the eye with a sharp pencil and wondering why I was getting lectured about how it is wrong, now I think back to that moment to speculate: "that was not me, I am not like that. Was that my ADHD?” From vocalizing something I thought was okay then getting looks off the teachers and peers around me, to smiling around the school building and helping others. At the last primary school I attended I found it difficult as I got made fun of and bullied while having a phase of making animal noises and behaving like an infant.

I wasn’t a typical, average school girl and I am definitely not a typical, popular girl now at college. I have always been kind to others, yet acting strange or stupid at the same time. I have always loved helping others. I just didn’t understand why I repeatedly got asked to sing and dance all the time in front of others, although it was an obsession of mine. I didn’t understand that “classmates” were not all my mates. Until I was in year nine I classed people as my best friends if I had a photo or two with them, or if they seemed nice with me as little things always mean so much to me...I was overwhelmed how they quickly started to ignore me. It’s obvious to me now that people can sometimes be sarcastic or cocksure.

I have always had sensory issues, if I feel like going shopping, I will…but then I wonder why I am at the shopping centre because I feel ridiculously overwhelmed and uncomfortable with the sight of too many people. I don’t just see it, I feel it. When it is too loud I hate how I feel, either a class full of nine students and too loud or a class full of fifteen people, whether I am friends with them or not, if they are too noisy I just melt down and feel like everything is getting too much.

People recognised me at high school as a “freak”, “clown”, a “weirdo”. I just think that I am a bit strange, but everyone’s different. I am just unique and I don’t really need to be everybody else. I took it very personal and I sometimes still do, but I show that I am quite courageous and confident, being me and sticking up for myself. One day I said to a student at college, who used to bully me, “remember in year six you sat next to me while you picked your nose, ate it, and then had the nerve to bully me?! Ha ha!”

Luckily, I only usually call people a “weirdo” if they are a close friend of mine and if I understand the “jokes” or “banter” they can have with me…as I fully understand that the things that some others class as “annoying” are NOT. My brother has always been hurt by people as they were not aware or just did not care about him. He has taught me a lot whilst growing up and he has been my hero, it has given me a great amount of knowledge having a brother on the Autistic Spectrum.

During October of 2010 I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. I wanted to keep it a secret, I realised that the weird and silly things that I said and done during the whole of my life were to do with being on the Autistic Spectrum. I found myself. I didn’t want to believe it, but I accepted my brother, so why could I not accept myself?

In high school, I had a support worker sitting next to me and apparently if a support worker is in a class they are supposed to help everybody or not just look like they are supporting one person. I only particularly liked two of my support workers as the others were overly patronising. I was very confused as in the Maths classes I was in the support worker helped everyone there, I didn’t have one “set for me”, whereas in my English classes I had five lessons a week and over three to four different support

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workers coming in every day. They all didn’t know what I did in the lesson previously, I have always hated change and I wondered why different support workers were coming in and why I even had support for English, as English is something I have always loved and been proud to say I am great at. Just because I had diagnoses of Galactosaemia which affects how I learn and Asperger’s Syndrome didn’t mean I needed to be treated like a toddler. I got told, “get your pen out Naomi”, when I was doing so anyway and I got asked, “are you finding it hard Naomi?” when I had almost finished my work. I accept and appreciate support but I did not enjoy being treat like an infant. Honestly, even if I didn’t know what I was doing, the support workers that did treat me childlike or with a tone of voice you talk to babies in, they didn’t know what the teacher was talking about.

During 2012 I started to tell my peers, I started to find more information out. I accepted that I had Asperger’s and I didn’t mind so much what people thought, it was great how many people didn’t mind or they just saw Naomi for who she was.

Asperger’s Syndrome doesn’t make me weird or stupid. I may find it hard to make new friends and to realise when people are being sarcastic, I may comment on personal things, these things may be to do with Asperger’s. I am a unique and crazy, bubbly or known to be happy person anyway.

People don’t need to see the disability first, they should see the person first. They could have knowledge on why people do the things they do but they should acknowledge the people, but not name them by their condition or disability.

I always liked to smile, to show happiness. I always walked around with a sun shining bright smile on my face, at school and at the park. I once got a certificate “Naomi Womack, for walking around having a smile on your face and being so happy”. I was very surprised, I didn’t realise I did that. I have always been brought up to be polite and kind to others, I thought I should show it. I thought that it

was a “normal, average” thing to do, that everyone did, to smile at one another. Now to this day I do still think that. On numerous occasions I have been told that not everyone does this as it is not the norm?

In 2014, at the age of sixteen after many appointments with CAMHS I was also diagnosed with ADHD. I find it hard to concentrate a lot, I try to use the “tangle toy” to help and I fidget with that. It is hard to sit still, I am always on the go and moving around. I can’t help it, when I say strange things or behave in a different form to others. I am very clumsy and uncoordinated. I am not always very patient but find it easy when doing activities I like, such as looking after children and volunteering.

When I am angry or sad, I do act very bitter and agitated with the ones I love, my family. I don’t understand some things that I sometimes do when I am either excited or exasperated. I love my family and I act all worked up with them rather than others because I am more comfortable with them.

My advice to families: continue being patient with your children. They do love you and you know that sometimes they just don’t particularly know how to show they love you.

Enjoy the good times you have, capture them and keep them in your mind and hearts, as they will always come and go. Be yourself and still take your children out, despite what anybody else’s level of nosiness is like, show them your pride and happiness. The looks that people give are their misunderstanding or bother, and to be quite honest the best thing is to give them the silent treatment, ignore them. You don’t need to explain to anyone like that. Enjoy going to family events and groups that are aimed for children and young people with disabilities and their families. You get to meet different families and find different things out, spend time with your family and learn more.

I am a positive person and becoming stronger than anything – in a way the people that have been negative have showed me I can be stronger, without them I wouldn’t know how to stand up for myself.

I have made some videos on youtube about Autism and ADHD and will be continuing to create more. I make videos about anything… If you are interested my youtube name is ‘Naomi Womack’ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW6qsJToay7uyWjI_mR85Q Thank you for reading. All of you, be yourselves and be strong.

Naomi Womack

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Here to Make a Difference Lancashire County Council, who commission POWAR, are showing a real commitment to listening to children and young people who access their services. It is a delight to see the voices of children and young people gathering momentum and making a real difference.

It is amazing to see children and young people transformed through accessing participation services and events, seeing the increase in self-confidence and self-belief develop.

POWAR (Children with disabilities council) were shortlisted for the community contributions category of the National Inspiration Awards. It was a privilege to attend the awards with 8 young people and be part of the most energetic group in the building!

In the next issue of FIND we will update you on our other achievements including: • • • • •

Winning the Lancashire Young Film Makers Award Members training as young inspectors Attending Ambitious for Autism Interviewing researchers for a UCLAN project!

Winning the National Inspiration friendship award

Debbie Nolan-Plunkett, Children’s Services Manager Lancashire Locality, Barnardo’s West Region

Central Meetings Bradbury House, 453 Leyland Road, Lostock Hall, Preston, PR5 5SB 1st Tuesday of the month from 6:00pm till 8:00pm 2nd June - 7th July Bradbury House 01772 629470 Ionie Calderbank 07850211839 Kate Baggaley 07920153460

North Meetings Ryelands Young People’s Centre, Torrisholme Road, Lancaster, LA1 2RJ 4th Wednesday of the month from 4.30pm till 6.30pm 24th June - 22nd July Rebecca Wilkinson 07850 211836 Kate Baggaley 07920 153460

East Meetings Burnley Youth Zone, Whittam Street, Burnley, BB11 1LW 2nd Wednesday of the month from 6:00pm till 8:00pm 10th June - 8th July Bradbury House 01772 629470 Gareth Oates 07725648314 Mia Whitbread 07850 213298 Kate Baggaley 07920 153460

POWAR Combined Meetings County Hall, Fishergate, Preston, PR1 8XJ 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:00pm till 8:00pm 16th June - 21st July Kate Baggaley 07920 153460

If you plan to attend any of these meetings, please contact relevant persons as times and venues may be subject to change

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LEISURE AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT CONTACTS Lancashire Sport Partnership is the key strategic lead for the development of sport in the County. W: www.lancashiresport.org.uk/useful-information/equity-in-sport/useful-links The contacts listed below are the Development Officers in each of the local authorities who have the main responsibility for disability sport

BURNLEY LEISURE

PRESTON CITY COUNCIL

Janet Roundell, Sports Development Officer St Peters Leisure Centre, Church Street, Burnley, BB11 2DL Tel: 01282 477167, email: getin2@burnley.gov.uk

Gillian Osborne, Preston Leisure Activities Manager Sports Development Unit, Community Services, Tel: 01772 903146, email: g.osborne@preston.gov.uk

CHORLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL

RIBBLE VALLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Bernie Heggarty, Children and Young People Development Officer Civic Offices, Union Street, Chorley Council PR7 1AL Tel: 01257 515818, email: bernie.heggarty@chorley.gov.uk

Peter Fletcher, Sports Development Officer Council Offices, Church Walk, Clitheroe, BB7 2RA Tel: 01200 414435, email: peter.fletcher@ribblevalley.gov.uk

ROSSENDALE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Jane Moodie, Sports Development Officer Tel: 01254 385945 EXT 207, email: jane.moodie@hyndburnleisure.co.uk

Paul Gallagher, Sports Development Officer Haslingden Sports Centre, Helmshore Road, Haslingden, BB4 4DN Tel: 01706 227016, 07738 730945, email: paul.gallagher@rltrust.co.uk

FYLDE BOROUGH COUNCIL

SOUTH RIBBLE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Ian Brookes, Sports Development Officer Tel: 01253 65846, 07584 088451 email: i.brookes@fyldeboroughcouncil.gov.uk

Suzanne Cubbon, Sports Development Officer Civic Centre, West Paddock, Leyland PR25 1DH Tel: 01772 625383, email: scubbon@southribble.gov.uk

HYNDBURN BOROUGH COUNCIL

LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL Greg Sykes, Sport and Physical Activity Officer Cultural Services, Town Hall, Morecambe, LA4 5AF Tel: 01524 582618, email: gsykes@lancaster.gov.uk

PENDLE LEISURE TRUST Michael Taubman' Project Co-Ordinator Pendle Leisure Centre, Crown Way, Colne, BB8 9NP Tel: 01282 661225, email: michael.taubman@pendleleisuretrust.co.uk

WYRE BOROUGH COUNCIL Adam Hollett, Sports Officer Leisure and Cultural Services Wyre Civic Centre, Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 7PU Tel: 01253 887209, email: adam.hollett@wyre.gov.uk

“Winning doesn't always mean being first. Winning means you're doing better than you've done before.”

Bonnie Blair

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Fylde Sharks offer a great opportunity for

disabled young people We offer swimming sessions with qualified and experienced swimming teachers for young people up to the age of 18.

Contact Details - 07922 522 895 Registered Charity Number 1145122 Poster created by Jade McEwan, Rebecca Burns and Michelle Livesey from Palatine School

Multi-Disability Swimming Club For Adults (18+) Every Monday at YMCA Swimming Pool, St Annes 7.30pm to 8.30pm Tel: 07552 936 079

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Funpod Foxes Multi Sports Group Want to be part of the Paralympic Legacy?

£3.00 per session every Sunday 2pm till 4pm St Annes YMCA St Albans Road

Open to children (8+) & adults with disabilities

Book your place call 07518 048 571

Want to try wheelchair tennis and play in a friendly atmosphere?

Then come down to Lancaster Tennis Club in Lune Road, LA1 5QU. We • have 3 astro turf courts and floodlights • are part of Lancaster Sports and Social Club and have our own clubhouse • introduced wheelchair tennis in summer 2014 with special coaching sessions on Wednesday evenings from 8.30pm to 9.30pm • Level 3 professional coach is Eden Parkinson • have 4 tennis specific wheelchairs for use by players, funded by the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust • have a stock of racquets for hire, free of charge • have a new ramp into our tennis clubhouse and a new disabled toilet attached to the main clubhouse of Lancaster Sports and Social Club – funded by Sport England and the EDF Legacy Trust.

• other sponsors of wheelchair tennis are Boost, Bruce Wake Charitable Trust, United Utilities and the Galbraith Trust • can offer free membership and coaching in the first few months of our wheelchair programme • have very good relations with Lancaster City Council who support our activities. We were Lancaster Community Club of the Year, 2011.

Do come down and see what we have to offer.

Contact Sandra Eccles, Membership Secretary for more information: Tel: 07752 619241 or email: sandra.eccles@talktalk.net To book a place on the Wednesday evening sessions, contact Susan Lucas: Tel: 07771 734920 or email: susanlucas1950@live.co.uk www.lancastertennis.co.uk

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Are you aged 11-16? Come and play football on the 3G artificial pitch.

Tuesdays 5-6pm For all ability levels Starting Tuesday 21st April 2015

Play Football @ The Lancashire Football Association For Free!!!!

Thurston Road, Leyland, Lancashire PR25 2LF

Please bring Shinpads, trainers and a drink

Call for more info: 01772 426858 - 07824434315

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A trampoline group for children aged 3-11 with autism

SATURDAY 1:30PM—3:00PM plus only £1.00 for each sibling Visit: www.pctc.org,uk Call: 01772 720941 Email pctc@uwclub.net Or drop in to see us at Unit 9, Lane ends Trading Estate, Blackpool Road, Ashton, Preston, PR2 2DS

£4.00 a session

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“Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what you can do.”

John Wooden

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The SEND Local Offer What is the SEND Local Offer The aims of the SEND Local Offer are to bring together all the information that is helpful and informative to children/young people/parents and carers and also to help develop areas where there are gaps in provision.

Lancashire's Local Offer has been co-produced with parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. This has been through development workshops as well as the use of a feedback section within the SEND Local Offer itself. The consultation and involvement of these parents has been hugely beneficial to the development and content of the SEND Local Offer because they have been able to give insight into what was and wasn’t there when they began the journey with their child within the SEN System.

The SEND Local Offer can be found at: www.lancashire.gov.uk/SEND

We need your help.

We are looking to ensure the information on the Local Offer is as up to date as possible and to do this we need your help.

Do you know of any local activity, support group or facility that provides a service for families that include a child with Special Educational Needs and or Disability?

If you do and they are not currently included in the Local Offer www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/specialeducational-needs-and-disabilities/activities-and-transport/find-things-to-do.aspx and would like to be, please ask them to contact your local Liaison Officer (contact details on page 2) or email FIND@lancashire.gov.uk with their details.

Are there any groups on the local Offer that are not available or that have ceased operating? Please give their details to your Liaison Officer or email FIND@lancashire.gov.uk so that we can remove their details.

Sunday 4:00pm till 5:00pm

For people with physical and learning Difficulties.

This session is for our members to relax and try to improve their swimming, in a friendly and comfortable environment.

For more information please call the centre on Burnley 664444 or Ring me, Brian Crossley on 07764790386

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Lancashire Parent Carer Forum What is a parent carer forum?

A parent carer forum is a group made up of parents and carers of disabled children who work with local authorities, education, health services and other providers to make sure the services they plan and deliver really meet the needs of disabled children and families.

The forum does not advocate for individual families, but represents the views of parent carers in the local area. There is usually a steering group of parent carers who help to lead this and listen to the views of other parent carers in the local area to make sure they know what is important to them. Forums are keen to make contact with as many parent carers as possible.

Who can join a parent carer forum?

Forums are 'pan disability' which means that parents or carers of a child or young person 0-25 with any type of additional need or disability are welcome to join - as they are likely to need to access services and support. Joining your forum does not mean you have to commit lots of time. In most forums you can join and receive information, and you then decide if you want to get more involved at your own pace.

National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) The National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) is a network of parent carer forums from across England. It has a steering group made up of

parent carer representatives from each of the nine regions in England, and some non-regional representatives, who make sure that parent carer forums locally are aware of what is happening nationally, and that the voice of parent carers is fed from local parent carer forums into national developments, working with the Department for Education, the Department of Health, and other partners. They have influenced the SEND Reforms and have ensured that parent participation is embedded in the new Code of Practice. Lancashire Parent Carer Forum is one of 151 parent carer forums across England.

Lancashire Parent Carer Forum is your forum.

LPCF was first set up in 2008 under the Government scheme, �Aiming High for Disabled Children, as a network of 12 local forums that fed the views of parent carers into a county forum through parent carer representatives. Over the following years parent carers have developed this structure to ensure that you have your voice heard about the things that matter to you. Representatives meet with decision makers from the local authority and health to get answers to these issues. Anyone who cares for a child or young person with disabilities or additional needs, aged 0-25, can come along to a local forum.

Here, parents can share experiences, raise issues and concerns, get information and have their voice heard in a friendly, supportive group.

Most recently the forum has become independent and has made great strides forward since October 2014.

“My guiding principles in life are to be honest, genuine, thoughtful and caring.�

Prince William

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To comply with the National Network of Parent Carer Forums and the Department for Education we now have a Constitution which enables the forum to have a bank account and allows us to hold the DFE grant which was previously held by the Local Authority. We have a financial control policy and remuneration policy which will enable the forum to apply for additional funding going forward. These policies also protect our members by ensuring that we have a code of conduct, and to engage with Local Authority, Health and other Organisations at Strategic level it was necessary to evidence this level of governance.

Also as part of our growing independence we have commissioned a website to enable us to communicate more effectively with our Parent Carers across the whole of Lancashire. Currently the database for parents is held by the Local Authority which limits our ability to make contact with parents on things that matter to us as parents. Linked to the website we will also have a Forum Twitter account and Facebook page and we plan to develop our own mailing list so that we can send out regular enewsletters. We will keep you up to date on how this is progressing and your feedback will be really helpful on this and all other matters.

Our celebrations since October include organising and running 3 successful Parent Carer events across the county in co-production with the local SEND teams. The feedback from these was fantastic and as a result we are commissioning training and are planning other ways to meet up with more parent carers and promote better engagement with professionals.

We accompanied the Head of Service when she delivered the briefings about the SEND reforms to schools, colleges and Early Years settings, maintained and independent, where parent carers were invited to share their stories with head teachers and SENCOs, and we raised awareness of the Forum with schools etc who hadn’t heard about us before.

We were invited to take part in a briefing to LCC Cabinet where “SEND Hot Topics” such as SEN transport, Local Offer, SEN funding, the SEND

Reforms, Short breaks and parent carer participation were presented to County Councillors.

We met with Councillor Matthew Tomlinson to raise awareness about the issues affecting parent carers.

We stressed the importance of including us in the planning of services that would be available to our children and young people. We have as a result of this a Councillor identified as a Forum Champion.

In January we held a themed meeting on Health to address long-standing issues from parent carers and have made links with health commissioners to keep the voice of parent carers on their agenda. We have received answers to our questions and will be sharing these through the local forums shortly.

You will be aware we are in very difficult times at the moment with austerity measures having huge implications both for us as families and the Local Authority who have a saving of £300m to be made up to 2018. This has resulted in a huge transformation of the LA with many key people leaving and at a time of Political elections looming. We are establishing new relationships within the LA but have received reassurance of their commitment to co-production.

Recent Budget proposals have caused understandable anxieties amongst our families and we would like to assure you that we have a commitment to all our families to represent your views and concerns about these proposals.

In particular much has been shared about the nonassessed short breaks known as Lancashire Break Time (LBT). We have not given up on negotiations with the authority on this matter and as soon as we have answers be sure we will be sharing them with you.

To receive information about your local forum all you need to do is sign up to FIND. If you have any specific questions about the forum you can email info@lpcf.co.uk or contact your local Liaison Officer; details on page 2. If you can’t get to a meeting you can email in any queries or respond to our surveys online.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Minutes from the Lancashire Parent Carer Forum meetings can be found at: www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/special-educational-needs-anddisabilities/help-for-parents-and-carers/lancashire-parent-carer-forum/minutes.aspx

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Lancashire Adult Learning

TAKING CARE OF THE CARER Taking Care of the Carer: A residential course for unpaid carers At Alston Hall College, Longridge, Wednesday 17 June - Friday 19 June 2015

Subjects to include: • Tales for the 19th century newspapers • Book making/printing • Short story writing This is a valuable opportunity for carers to relax and take a well-deserved break, with meals and accommodation included.

In partnership with Lancashire Adult Social Care Services this residential course has been devised specially for unpaid carers resident in Lancashire County Council’s area. The cost of £54.50 includes accommodation, meals, tuition and course materials.

Alston Hall offers a friendly atmosphere, comfortable surroundings and good food. This course is for unpaid carers who care for a family member or friend. Places are also available for former carers whose caring role has ceased within the last two years.

Priority will be given to carers who have not previously attended one of these learning breaks, however, all carers are welcome to apply.

For enrolment forms and/or further information please contact the carers course administrator, Sarah Bain.

Telephone 01524 586439 or e-mail sarah.bain@lancashire.gov.uk Lancashire Adult Learning Alston Hall, Alston Lane, Longridge, Preston, PR3 3BP Lancashire College, Southport Road, Chorley PR7 1NB The Adult College, White Cross Ed. Centre, Quarry Rd, Lancaster LA1 3SE Tel: 0845 600 1331 www.lancashire.gov.uk/adultlearning

PLEASE NOTE: Administration of these courses takes place at The Adult College, White Cross Education Centre, Quarry Road, Lancaster LA1 3SE. Please do not send correspondence relating to these courses to Alston Hall.

Do you have a child or young person with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities from 0-25 years?

Come and join us at a drop in event, all family members are welcome to stay and play. Plus lots of stands with information to take home. entsRefreshm r children sh fo Free squa ung people and yo fee d tea, cof e t n u o c is D hocolate and hot c

Wednesday 24th June 2015 - 5:30-7:30pm RUNAMOK PLAY & PARTY CENTRE 10 Commerce Street, Carrs Industrial Estate Haslingden, Rossendale BB4 5JT

If you would like to attend this event, please book your place with:Lauren Robertson- 07557 030839 8 Lauren.robertson@lancashire.gov.uk Please note: Run a Mok ask that parents are responsible for their children while visiting the play centre. Anyone over 12 must have a parent/carer with them while using the play centre. Please do not bring your own food and drink for consumption on the premises (except baby food).

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Useful Websites www.signhisayhi.org.uk We're a group of parents and those working with deaf children who want a better deal for deaf children and their families.

We feel that it is helpful to come together to share information and meet others in the same position because by coming together we are able to give support and swap ideas.

If you would like to find out more please contact: Karen McLeod – Secretary 07717 044848 signhisayhi@ndcsgroup.org.uk www.thespacecentre.org The SPACE Centre is unique. Established in 1993, it is the largest multi-sensory environment in the United Kingdom for people with special needs. We are located in Preston, Lancashire and currently offer a large, soft-padded multi-sensory room, with specialist lighting and even a slide! At SPACE, our clients can move around in safety and develop skills, in a calm and controlled atmosphere. "To provide a place where those with physical, learning or emotional difficulties may more easily acquire skills and enjoy experiences usually denied them."

Telephone: 01772 760403 Email: thespacecentre@gmail.com www.taaglancashire.co.uk Teenage ASD ADHD Group, TAAG, we are a parent led support group formed in 2012 as the need was identified by parents and children during the summer of 2012.

TAAG is a non-profit voluntary community support group and is proud to announce we became a Registered Charity in June 2014, We are social networking group who supports parents and carers of children and young people who have a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism or Asperger's Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorders - ASD), and communication requirements. Telephone: 07738 129447 Email: info@taaglancashire.co.uk www.lancasterbulldogs.co.uk The Lancaster Bulldogs Wheelchair Basketball Club is based in Lancaster but has members/players who live as far afield as Sedbergh and Preston and ages differ from the youngest who is 8 to 50 years of age.

We believe in ensuring everyone regardless of disability or confidence has the opportunity to participate in a sport that will help develop skills, confidence and self-esteem whether you want to do it for fun or competitively.

Get In touch Jackie Mobile : 07880 844353 E-Mail : jackie@lancasterbulldogs.co.uk Andy Mobile : 07951 587505 E-Mail : andy@lancasterbulldogs.co.uk www.phab.org.uk/north-west Phab's aim is to promote and encourage people of all abilities to come together on equal terms, to achieve complete inclusion within the wider community. Phab celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2007, having been established in 1957.

For your nearest Club – please contact Rebecca Hargreaves Telephone: 01254 824 784 Email : rebecca.hargreaves@phab.org.uk www.calvert-trust.org.uk With over 35 years' experience in delivering challenging outdoor adventure holidays for people with disabilities, Calvert Trust is the ideal place to discover "it's what you can do that counts!" Three centres in the Lake District, Kielder and Exmoor offer a wide range of adventurous activities for groups, families and individuals. Specialist equipment and skilled, qualified staff enable everyone to achieve their potential.

Lake District: 017687 72255 Kielder: 01434 250232 Exmoor: 01598 763221 www.thethomascentre.co.uk The autism friendly holiday specialist in the UK. Whether you are a parent of a child with Autism, Aspergers, ADHD, Tourettes or are suffering from other forms of Sensory Impairment, Cerebral Palsy or other forms of Complex Needs, our aim is to provide holidays that meet the needs of the Whole Family, not just the needs of the family member with special needs. Telephone: 01507 363463 Email: enquiries@thethomascentre.co.uk www.lancashire.gov.uk/SEND Lancashire's Local Offer, the Local Offer provides information about services that are available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities between the ages of 0 – 25 years.

“Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.”

Anthony J. D'Angelo

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Dear Find,

One of our families has enquired as to whether we know of anywhere in Lancashire that provides driving lessons for young adults with physical difficulties.

We have listed a few of the websites we have found, but would be grateful to hear from anyone who knows of any others. www.disableddrivinglessons.co.uk/index.html There is a link to Driving Lessons in Your Area, which lists driving schools with adapted cars. www.bsm.co.uk/learner-driver/motability/who-are-motability Motability offer a grant to enable disabled people to take driving lessons. www.mobility-centres.org.uk/ Follow the links to Information Services; Driving; Driving with a Disability for the First Time. www.disabledmotoring.org/dmuk/home Under Latest News, take a look at "Get Going Live!" - FREE test driving event for young and novice drivers with disabilities. www.gov.uk/browse/driving/disability-health-condition Useful information for anyone driving with a disability or a health condition.

Families Together Wyre Stay and play sessions for children with SEN/additional needs and their families aged 8 and under

Summer holidays Flakefleet Satellite Centre Thursday 30th July 1-4pm Thursday 6th August 1-4pm Thursday 13th August 1-4pm Thursday 20th August 1-4pm Summer Holidays Thornton Children's Centre Monday 27th July 1-4pm Monday 3th August 1-4pm Monday 10th August 1-4pm Monday 17th August 1-4pm Contact: Thornton Children’s Centre 01253 863169 Fleetwood Children’s Centre 01253 770682 All sessions staffed by experienced Children's centre staff from Fleetwood, Thornton and Red Marsh School.

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Farewell from Brian Robinson IDSS Service Manager, Burnley and Pendle As some of you may be aware I, like many of my colleagues, am about to leave Lancashire County Council, I was therefore asked

by Dawn if I would write a final article for the magazine. I have to say that as a result of that request I have written several versions of this article before finally sending this one on to be published. Writing this article has caused me to reflect on my involvement over the years with the FIND service, Lancashire Parent Carer Forum and latterly POWAR. When I look back to the beginnings of the FIND Service in 2001, the establishment of the Lancashire Parent Carer Forum out of a sub group of the Lancashire Carers Forum in October 2006 and the establishment of the young people's forum POWAR in 2012 it is easy to forget how far we have come and what we have achieved.

When I say we, I use the term loosely, as my role within this process has been minimal; what is more appropriate is for me to thank the many people that have given their time, commitment and energy to achieve the provision we have achieved. In particular it would be remiss of me not to put on record my thanks to Dawn Fenton, Dawn has been there from the very beginning of FIND, through Aiming High, Lancashire Parent Carer Forum, Lancashire Break Time up to the present day. For large parts of that time I have had the privilege of being Dawn's line manager, attempting wherever possible not to hinder her as she went about achieving all she has, so thank you Dawn.

This is also an opportunity for me to put on record my thanks to you the parents, carers and young people of Lancashire for your support over the years. Without you reading this newsletter, attending the local and county forums, etc. we would not have been able to achieve all we have. As I said earlier, although it may not seem it now, when I look back we have come a long way in terms of engagement with you the parents, carers and young people of Lancashire. However that does not mean we become complacent, there is still much to do and now more than ever we need you to get involved at whatever level.

In my mind I see participation as a relay race, we have run the first leg of the race and it is now time to pass the baton on for the next person to run the next leg. In passing the baton on I wish you well in the running of that next leg, knowing full well that you will be supported by many good people.

“Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.�

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

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Welfare Rights As rules are constantly changing, I want to check I am getting everything I am entitled to. How can I get a benefit check from Lancashire Welfare Rights Service?

The best way to contact us is by ringing 0300 123 6739.

If you do not have exact figures to hand, our advisors can work out an estimate.

If you find it difficult to use the phone, a family member or friend can ring on your behalf and speak to us.

Other ways to contact us

If all our advisers are busy when you call, we will ask you to leave your contact details and we will call you back.

Where possible we will carry out a benefit check or answer any query you have by phone.

To carry out a full benefit check we will need details of your circumstances such as your: • Income, including your partner's (eg from payslips) • Savings • Existing benefits and tax credits • Outgoings (eg rent, mortgage, chidcare payments) • Council tax bill We can then advise you on what benefits you can get and how to claim.

You can use our electronic contact form at www.lancashire.gov.uk. We will reply by email using our secure connection so your information cannot be viewed by anyone else.

You can also write to us: Freepost RTGG-TEEK-GETL Welfare Rights Service Lancashire County Council PO Box 100 County Hall, Preston PR1 0LD Face to face advice sessions If it is not possible to deal with your query without seeing you, you may want to attend an advice session to see an adviser face to face. We hold advice sessions in various locations throughout Lancashire. We will make you an appointment nearest to where you live or at a different advice session if it is more convenient for you.

When you attend an appointment you should bring any papers and information that will help us to carry out a benefit check or understand your query better. If your appointment is about an appeal, we may ask you to let us have your appeal papers before the appointment.

Most of our advice sessions are held in buildings with wheelchair access.

If your first language is not English or if you have you have difficulty with your hearing or speech let us know when you contact us so that we can give you the advice you need in a way that is suitable to your needs.

Home visits If we cannot deal with your enquiry over the phone or email and you cannot travel to see us because of your age, disability, health problems or caring responsibilities, we may be able to visit you at home. However, we still need to talk to you first. Please ring us on 0300 123 6739.

North Lancashire Down’s Syndrome Family and Carers’ Group Appletree Children’s Centre, Milking Stile Lane, Lancaster LA1 4YH 01524 64132 e-mail: lancasterdsgroup@hotmail.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/264603363664580/ We are a group of families who have a family member with Down’s Syndrome. We meet on the1st Saturday of every month 10am-12pm at Appletree Children’s Centre. Our aim is to provide support for people (especially children) with Down’s Syndrome and their families in North Lancashire.

Our meetings are informal and are mainly a place to meet other families. We have also had visits from therapists and portage teachers and have had some special events which have included Summer and Christmas parties, ten pin bowling, riding, swimming, trains, zoo/animal visits. We have an e-newsletter and updates on local and national disability events and issues. We are affiliated to the national Down’s Syndrome Association.

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Lancashire County Council – contact details http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/council/get-involved/contact.aspx Email:

enquiries@lancashire.gov.uk

Corporate Services

Care Connect

County Benefits Service

Environment Services Retaining Their Existing Numbers

Service: Signposting / General enquiries Libraries Library Service Automated Renewal Line Registration and Certification Service SEND Information, Advice and Support Service, formerly Parent Partnership School Admissions School Appeals Lancashire Adult College Social Care Safeguarding Adults Emergency Duty Team Care And Urgent Needs Blue Badges NoW Card Schools Transport Welfare Rights Anti-social behaviour on buses Family Information Service Help Direct

Number: 0300 123 6701 0300 123 6703 0300 123 6704 0300 123 6705 0300 123 6706 0300 123 6707 0300 123 6708 0300 123 6709 0300 123 6720 0300 123 6721 0300 123 6722 0300 123 6735 0300 123 6736 0300 123 6737 0300 123 6738 0300 123 6739 0300 123 6782 0800 195 0137 0303 333 1111

If you would like to use this Service to sell your unwanted specialist equipment please send us your picture, text and contact details BUY / SELL EQUIPMENT This buy and selling feature is a service that is offered at the request of the FIND readers. However the FIND newsletter or any of its representatives are unable to check any of the items for sale in this article. So you are advised to make your own enquiries and checks to ascertain the standard, quality, fitness, safety and suitability of the item. Any agreements entered into as a result of the advert are between the buyer and the seller. The FIND newsletter is only a medium for which to advertise items for sale and holds no other responsibility.

"If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely."

Roald Dahl

Your Help Is Essential We would welcome contributions from Children, Young People, Parents Carers, Voluntary and Statutory Agencies.

• • • • •

Are you involved with a new project or group you would like to promote Details of forthcoming diary dates Opportunities for Children and Young people with Disabilities Have any ideas, views, letters, poems etc you would like to share Do you know of any useful websites to include in FIND

Contributions for future issues - Please Contact FIND. Remember this is FREE to use.

E: FIND@lancashire.gov.uk T: 01772 538077/01772 532509

Editorial Group SEND Child and Family Support Liaison Officer Norma.ohagan@lancashire.gov.uk Tel: 07557 030837

Child and Family Support Business Support Officer Sarah.deady@lancashire.gov.uk Tel: 01772 538077

Parent Representatives

Deadline for articles 30th June 2015 Next issue September 2015 If undelivered please return to: Room B9b, County Hall, Preston Lancashire, PR1 8RJ

Preston – Catherine Frost Wyre – Lea-Anne Perry Chorley – Nannette Holliday Lancaster – Lucy Ellis All other areas vacant Voluntary Organisation – Julia Johnson, Face 2 Face/Scope Health – Tom Harrison, Lancashire Care Trust Children's Centres representative – Gillian Bell

Would you like to receive the FIND newsletter via email? Please contact your Liaison Officer or email: find@lancashire.gov.uk to update your details.

We also have a face book page. If you are on face book and would like to keep up to date please 'like' our page by following this link www.facebook.com/LancashireParentCarerForum

Get this free newsletter sent to your door If families would like to have a free copy of this newsletter posted to their home 4 times a year, please complete this slip and send it to the address shown. We will then send you a membership form. Professionals, please contact SEND, details above.

Name Address Postcode

Tel. No.

You are welcome to photocopy, display and distribute this newsletter The FIND newsletter is produced by the Lancashire Parent Carer Forum. The views expressed in signed articles do not necessarily represent those of the Lancashire Parent Carer Forum. The newsletter cannot accept any responsibility for products and services advertised within it.