SGPC News - Issue 1, July 2021

ISSUE

1

NEWS

ur yocommunity for

positive change

2

3

WELCOME! To the first edition of

SGPC News and

the unveiling of our new branding!

We're now in our 12th year and felt it was time for a refresh.

Our new logo was designed to convey the links we hold between SGPC, our Parent Carers, and the local authority, health services & local service providers.

These vital links help us to work together to review existing provisions (through your lived experiences), and to use

your views to shape better services. Making...

your community for positive change throughout this newsletter you will read articles that detail how and where your views are used to help shape future services.

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5

Table of Contents 06

Our Community News

08

Parent Carer Updates

10

Local Area News

12

Summer Holiday Activities

14

Your Views

16

National News

17

Support Available

18

Useful Info

6

s w e n

OUR COMMUNITY Together We Are Getting Through Covid-19 The last 14 months have been tough for our families. Covid-19 brought about rapid changes to daily life and a lot of children struggled to adapt to the constant periods of disruption and quasi-normality. And...

...it's been hard for us parent carers too!

There have been times when many of us have experienced feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and plain old exhaustion! We quickly recognised that our service was needed more than ever and made the decision to remain open and adapt our

services to offer virtual support and engagement activities, all whilst supporting the needs of our own children - trust me when I say we felt the exhaustion too!

...to take care of you You can drop in term time (virtually) for our 'Coffee and Chat', check out our wellbeing tips on page 18 - or, if you're struggling, you could book a free, 1-2-1 telephone support appointment with a family support advisor, through Contact's

Ear service 0808 808 3555.

Listening

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RE-OPENING OUR SERVICES

In the meantime... we continue to: support our Little Treasures

We have continued running

families in an online capacity

virtual support throughout

(even through the Summer)

these unprecedented times and we are looking forward to

collect and collate your views and experiences and feed

reopening our community services when it's safe to do

them back to those that need

so...

to know

we hope that at some point in the near future our services may return to some form of normality

keep you updated via our Facebook page and encourage community support via our closed Facebook group offer online support

t r o p p u s online

Coffee & Chat Events Training

REGISTER HERE

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s e t a upd

PARENT CARER

EARLY YEARS

There is currently a large piece of work being done to develop an Early Years language strategy which will cover the language offer for all children. A key aim is to ensure all children are supported in the best way possible with their language development.

The strategy will aim to

At SGPC we understand

provide pathways of the

the many benefits of

advice and support available to families, including health services, the LA offer, community groups and charities. We’ll

children developing their communication skills. These include: developing the ability to listen and pay attention, and effectively understanding and

keep you posted on how

communicating their

you can share your views as

emotions, needs, and

the project progresses.

desires.

SCHOOL YEARS SEN Support provides support for children in school who do not have an EHCP. South Glos introduced SEND clusters a while ago now, to improve the standard of SEN support in participating schools in South Glos (you can find out more about the clusters here)

These essential communication skills positively impact a child’s ability to form successful friendships and relationships, make sense of the world around them, increase confidence and promote positive self-expression.

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PREPARING FOR ADULTHOOD We recently hosted a number of sessions on Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) to help our Parent Carers make sense of the journey and the options available to their children.

We facilitated and ran sessions with SGS College (focusing on current

opportunities for post-16's).

If your child wants to get a

provision and how FE could

Helping our children

job, you may wish to explore

be enhanced for young

transition into adulthood

Mencap's Supported

people with SEND), South

can seem a daunting task.

Internships programme.

Glos Council (exploring how the four key PFA pathways link to an EHCP*), and Sixteen Cooperative (highlighting the

To sup po rt o wit ur h t me his mb jou ers rne y

up a we'v besp e set oke and FB g we'd roup enco to jo urag in th e you at fo focu r mo sed re supp ort.

JO

IN

SGPC regularly report back your SEN

HER

*Education Health & Care Plan

E

Last year, the council launched the

Support views to the Cluster Board -

South Glos Way Inclusion Toolkit

from information we gather via surveys

which education professionals are

and Parent Carer participation events -

using to provide a standardised

to ensure they understand the

approach to SEN support. Taking a

We really couldn't do this without your support and participation.

look at this toolkit will help you to

challenges Parent Carers face.

understand what support school should be providing for your child.

10

news

LOCAL AREA

NEW APPOINTMENT Towards the end of last year, SGPC was thrilled to be asked to be part of the interview panel for the new Strategic Lead for Inclusion and SEND – a key role that oversees both the Educational Psychology and the EHCP teams and ensures that the SEND agenda permeates all services and provisions - and early this year

Disley took up that post.

In the six months we’ve been

and us in achieving his key

working with Hugh we have

aims, which are:

found him to be passionate

“to develop relationships with all the key players so that we co-produce and build confidence in a system that ensures that there is trust (and hopefully pride) in all that we do that allows these special children and young

about hearing the views of our Parent Carers and young people. He is highly experienced in developing partnerships and his many and varied roles working with children and Parent Carers brings a wealth of experience that benefit him

"

Hugh

people to be the best they can possibly be, as positive contributors to society as thriving, caring adults.”

Hugh went on to comment on the role he sees SGPC plays in his plans, giving a most refreshing and encouraging response (see quote) and so far he's been true to his word and this feels like a collaborative

The Parent Carers Forum is independent from the LA and therein lies their strength. They are an equal partner in the collaboration to achieving the vision mentioned above. The best partnerships are those

where there is openness, and honest dialogue because you are all working towards the same goals.

Challenging debate, constructive criticism, honest opinion ensures that we look at holistic responses that meet the needs. There is agreed compromise not

"

because it is easy but because that is the best we can do with the resources at our disposal.

relationship. We support Hugh's final statement too; we understand that he can't wave a magic wand (if only!) and gift us everything we'd like but we're happy to work in partnership towards agreed compromise, ensuring we can shape the best possible services for our families with the funds and resources available.

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TRANSPORT New Home to School Transport Officer appointed!

Teresa Derrick has taken up this newly created - and very welcome - post. SGPC was again part of the recruitment process, and we are already regularly meeting with Teresa to pass on your lived experiences, and work collaboratively towards improving the service levels to ensure the needs of our families are met.

Look out for Issue 2 of SGPC News for more details of plans and developments.

HEALTH 'Special Health Advisors for SEND' are being introduced!

These advisors will collate information and provide health advice to local authorities for children and young people who are undergoing an EHC Needs Assessment but who are not ‘open’ to, or have been seen by, Community Health Services in the last 12 months.

They will review and collate all available clinical

face appointment (COVID restrictions allowing),

information by accessing individual patient

to ensure that all health needs are captured

health records, including those held by secondary

accurately.

care if required. They will have conversations with the child and their parents/carers either on the telephone or via video call, or at a face to

Advice should be returned to the LA within 6 weeks for the purpose of the needs assessment.

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s e i t i v acti

SUMMER HOLIDAY Your Summer Holiday Survival Kit! Does the change in routine during the Summer break make family time challenging for you?

We all love our children dearly but you can have too much of a good thing! And, the Summer break can sometimes feel overwhelming for SEND families so we thought we'd put together some tips for surviving and thriving this Summer.

Plan for September and

Chunk the Summer break

Meet the needs of your

returning to school. Talk

into weeks - looking at it as

child and consider how your

to teachers before school

a whole can feel

child manages social

ends and make a plan for

overwhelming.

situations and interaction:

the first day back so your child understands what will happen on their first morning back.

would more than one

Check the South Glos Local Offer for

Summer Holiday

activity a day be

Support for children on free

overstimulating? what time may they

school meals.

need to self regulate?

...to take care of you Our 'Coffee and Chat' sessions are term-time only but if

you could book a free, 1-2-1 telephone appointment with a family support advisor, through Contact's Listening Ear service. Book an you're struggling over the Summer,

online appointment here, or call

0808 808 3555

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Check facilities and

As parents we sometimes

accessibility before you go

get lost in the planning and

and talk through the plans

can think from our own perspective - e.g. how much

Top Tips: 1. consider your child's individual needs; 2. building in breaks and

we enjoy catching up with

time to enable your

family and friends and

SEND child rebalance

cramming in fun activities -

their emotions;

but just pausing for a

3. plan to balance the

moment to consider the

needs of the wider

struggles of our children can

family (not always easy

be a really useful exercise

we know!)

that can lead to a calmer more fulfilling Summer.

What do you notice about the occurrence of your

4. make a plan with the school for transition back in September 5. reach out if you need

child's meltdowns? Can you

support - see the links

identify the key triggers?

on the back page;

What helps them to selfregulate or self-soothe?

6. look after your own wellbeing - page 18;

How are they with travelling,

7. enjoy the small wins;

with your child. You may

and what modes of

8. take notes on what

like to choose a mix of

transport do they prefer?

worked and what didn't,

words and pictures to help

this is an annual event

build your own social story

that can be improved

that simply explains the

Join our private Community

routine of the day ahead

Face Group and follow the

and expected behaviours

Summer Fun thread for

of them and others.

details of local activities.

Tax-Free Childcare –

Remember

upon year-on-year.

availa b childre le for n aged up to 11, or 1 7 if the child has a d isabilit y

a childcare top-up for working parents – can be used to help

pay for accredited holiday clubs, childminders or sports activities – giving parents and carers that extra peace of mind that their child is having fun during the school summer holidays and it can save them money.

CHECK ELIGIBILITY

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views

YOUR

WHAT YOU TOLD US...

Results for our Annual Survey 2021 are in and counted!!!

We were thrilled to receive responses from 180 local Parent Carers and offer you a sincere and heartfelt thank you for sharing your views and gifting your time.

We were still finalising the report as we went to press but we are pleased to be able to share these headline results with you.

25

49

of parent carers rated

services and provision in South

Gloucestershire as VERY GOOD or GOOD

38

of parent carers rated the

social care services their child

accessed as VERY GOOD or GOOD

of parent carers rated the

health services their child accessed

as VERY GOOD or GOOD

56

of parent carers said that their child’s

educational setting is

meeting their needs ALL or MOST of the time

WHY PARTICIPATE IN OUR SURVEYS?

Your views are captured Your voice is heard Your child's lived experience is shared It's a way of empowering yourself The more voices shared the greater the noise and liklihood of being heard

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...AND WHY IT MATTERS Parent Carer Forums help shape policy and services But we can't do it without you our lovely group of SGPC members. Each one of you has a lived experience that can help identify aspects of services that are working and pinpoint problem areas that require attention.

The film above was made by

We may all tread different

We share your views at over

Contact (a charity supporting

paths, represent different

200 meetings each year and

families with disabled children) as

facets of our community and a

a way for Parent Carers to

wide variety of special needs,

understand more about the

disabilities and lived

important role of Parent Carer

experiences - but we are all

do this with the support of our

Participation. This short video

Parent Carers trying our best to

team of amazing Parent Carer

features parent carers of children

gain the right support for our

volunteers. This is a perfect

with SEND sharing why they joined

individual child. We are the

their local parent carer forum,

experts in what our families

how they 'participate', what they

need and perfectly placed to

get out of it and how they

share our views and help raise

contribute to shaping local

awareness of the challenges we

services to meet the needs of

face. And together we can

children and young people with

make a difference.

SEND - and their families.

We share your views at local and national levels and your anonymised lived experiences are shared with decision makers, used to inform strategic planning and contribute to shaping the services our children and families will receive.

feed into discussions on 35 different SEND themes. As a small team that is a BIG challenge - and we can only

time to extend our thanks and gratitude to them for the help they provide. We are indebted to every one of you.

mahnaynks! t

look o our u ut for pc volun oming vacan teer cies

In short...

sharing shapes services

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news

NATIONAL

GOVERNMENT SEN REVIEW In September 2019 the government announced a major review into support for children with SEND We were hoping the findings of this review would be published before this article went to press

Last year the government posted these aims for the SEND review:

but sadly we're still eagerly anticipating them!

• the evidence on how the system can provide the highest quality support that enables children and young people with

This review aims to evaluate the impact of the reforms that were introduced in 2014 and to identify areas for improvement. The

SEND to thrive and prepare for adulthood, including employment;

• better helping parents to make decisions about what kind of support will be best for their child;

Government has stated that the review will be followed up with action to improve outcomes for

• making sure support in different local areas is consistent, joined up across health, care and education services, and that

children, and to increase capacity

high-quality health and education support is available across

within the system.

the country;

The National Network of Parent

• how we strike the right balance of state-funded provision

Carer Forums fed in to all the

across inclusive mainstream and specialist places;

themes after all local Parent Carer Forums across England (including

• aligning incentives and accountability for schools, colleges

SGPC and over 150 other forums!),

and local authorities to make sure they provide the best

collected information at local

possible support for children and young people with SEND;

levels that was collated and used to feed into the national policy.

• understanding what is behind the rise in education, health and care (EHC) plans and the role of specific health conditions in

The review has been delayed due

driving demand; and

to a number of factors however a consultation is expected at any time. As usual, you'll hear about it in our private Facebook community group - so watch that space!

• ensuring 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.

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e l b a l i ava

SUPPORT

DO YOU KNOW... About Short Breaks?

Short breaks are for children

In South Gloucestershire,

Most play schemes, clubs

and young people aged 0-18

there are short break

and services can be

opportunities available

accessed by contacting

to all children and young

the organisations directly.

people, regardless of

Many have a website

whether they are eligible

where information on

for social care support.

booking short breaks can

with a disability who need support to access social, play and leisure activities.

plus co os

un

be found.

c

fu il

nd

Br rt

ea

a ks

by ho d se f S s o r ce S t a be ac m ou e u h b t n i n w l, ca r rra at e h ke t f or re w lf Activities can be booked through the websites of the following al se ci so t ou

h

G

l

providers, or by becoming a member of their organisation:

Childrens Playlink Brandon Trust, a holiday club and buddy scheme run

by Brandon Trust Special Friends Club The National Autistic Society' South Glos branch - and look out for their Out of School Club social groups

As we went to press we were still waiting to hear about local provisions for

HOLIDAY FUN

the Summer but here are links to a variety of local provisions that usually run

and check out our summer special on page 12

sessions...

Jigsaw Paul's Place (18+) Gympanzees Roadshow Incredible Kids The Hive (18+)

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info

USEFUL

WELLBEING An article on Mind's website highlights 5 key areas of wellbeing: 1. Connect

A local group Southern Brooks has developed

2. Be Active 3. Take Notice 4. Learn 5. Give

CRISIS LINES

Young Minds - children's mental health Crisis Messenger Service - text 85258

some Wellbeing Resources

Hope Line - suicide prevention under 35's

that can help you focus on

Call: 0800 068 4141 Text: 07860 039967

these areas. They've also

Listening Ear - parenting support

teamed up with South

Glos Council to develop the virtual One You South Gloucestershire wellbeing hub.

0808 808 3555

Calm (for men)

One You contains everything

0800 585858 thecalmzone.net

from links to group walks to

AWP 24/7 Mental Health Response Line

photography and chat.

0800 953 1919

Looking after yourself is vital.

LOCAL INFORMATION Support for Children's Mental Health

SEND Local Offer

Children's mental health & wellbeing

SEND information, support & guidance

One You Mental Health & Wellbeing Support

Happy Maps

Supportive Parents Local information, support & guidance for SEND within an educational setting

Centralised information for parents worried about a child's behaviour or mental health

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

National Domestic Violence Helpline 24 hour support, 7 days a week 0808 2000 247

Healthy Relationships For Adults

Julian House

South Glos Council

Support for children

Next Link

Men's Advice Line

Local domestic abuse support

0808 801 0327