WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK
Summer 2019 Issue 1
SENDIASS Torbay news SUPPORTING TORBAY’S SEND CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND PARENTS OR CARERS Working across education, health and social care our officers provide confidential and impartial advice, as well as ensuring the views of SEND children, young people and their parents or carers are heard and understood and that they understand their rights, roles and responsibilities. SENDIASS Torbay supports parents and carers through a range of ways including phone or email contact and face-to-face meetings. We also provide a signposting service to direct SEND children, young people and their parents or carers towards the organisations best suited to help them, ensuring they are empowered to make informed decisions about the future. SENDIASS Torbay can support SEND children, young people and their parents or carers in any of the following areas: preparing for and attending meetings with schools, local authorities and other professionals we have a confidential telephone helpline, with answering service in case we are unable to answer your call first time. We aim to return all messages within two working days helping to write official letters and complete forms explaining the meaning of official documents assisting in the statutory assessment process referral to the correct organisation or contact.
MEET THE TEAM KELLY GIVENS SENDIASS Torbay lead
SAM BOLTON SENDIASS Torbay caseworker
NIKKI BELSO SENDIASS Torbay caseworker
VICKY WALLER SENDIASS Torbay trained volunteer
WE CAN PROVIDE ADVICE ON:
the Special Educational Needs (SEN) systems and processes SEN provision in schools the statutory assessment process Education and Health Care Plans annual reviews transitions transport
specialist provision/support services appeals to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST) disagreement resolution services Local policies SEN Code of Practice
Any service provided by SENDIASS ensures complete confidentiality for each individual case, we only take direct referrals from SEND children, young people and their parents or carers. We only make contact with a parent or carer if it has been agreed that we can do so, and we have a dedicated confidential inquiry line. We can and will liaise with other professionals on your behalf, with prior written consent. Contact us to find out more about how you can become involved.
ADDRESS 11 Castle Road, Torquay TQ1 3BB TELEPHONE 07734 391 620 EMAIL info@sendiass.org.uk SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: SENDIASS Torbay And SENDIASS Torbay Parent Support Group Twitter: #SENDIASSTorbay1
WHAT AN EHCP MUST INCLUDE: The format of an EHCP will be agreed locally, so you may find they look slightly different, county to county. However, as a statutory minimum, EHCPs must include the following sections, which must be separately labelled from each other using the letters below. Section A - the views interests and aspirations of the child and their parents, or of the young person: Section B - the child or young person’s special educational needs (SEN) Section C - the child or young person’s health needs related to their SEN Section D - the child or young person’s social care needs related to their SEN Section E - the outcomes sought for the child or young person Section F - special educational help or provision required to address the needs
Section G - the health provision reasonably required by the learning difficulties or disabilities which result in the child or young person having SEN Section H1 - the special social care services that must be provided as a result of section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (CSDPA) Section H2 - any other social care provision reasonably required by the learning difficulties or disabilities which result in the child or young person having SEN Section I - the name and type of school that the child should go to Section J - how a personal budget (if any) will be used Section K - supplementary information gathered during the needs assessment Maintaining provision in EHC plans
“The local authority will establish and record the views, interests and aspirations of the parents and child or young person” REQUESTING AN EHC ASSESSMENT You can ask Torbay Council’s SEN team to carry out an assessment if you think your child needs an EHC plan. A young person can request an assessment themselves if they’re aged 16 to 25. A request can also be made by anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary, including doctors, health visitors, teachers, parents and family friends. If they decide to carry out an assessment, you may be asked for any reports from your child’s school, nursery or childminder; doctors’ assessments of your child and /or a letter from you about your child’s needs. The local authority will tell you within six weeks whether an EHC assessment is going to be carried out.
DECIDING IF AN EHCP IS NEEDED After the local authority’s SEN team has made its assessment— which must involve you and your child fully in the process — it will decide whether or not an EHC plan is necessary.
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ALL ABOUT EHCPS An education, health and care plan (EHCP) is for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through SEN support. EHCPs identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs to secure the best possible outcomes for them across education, health and social care and, as they get older, prepare them for adulthood. Local authorities use the information from an EHC assessment to: • establish and record the views, interests and aspirations of the parents and child or young person • provide a full description of the child or young person’s special educational needs and any health and social care needs • establish outcomes across education, health and social care based on the child or young person’s needs and aspirations • specify the provision required and how education, health and care services will work together to meet the child or young person’s needs and support the achievement of the agreed outcomes What is an EHC needs assessment An EHC needs assessment is a comprehensive assessment, in order to find out exactly what your child or young person’s special educational needs are and the special help he or she might need. School are often able to meet the needs of children through SEN support but some-
times a child or young person needs a more intensive level of specialist help that cannot be met from the resources available to schools and other settings to provide SEN support. In these circumstances, you or your child’s school or other setting could consider asking your local authority for an EHC needs assessment for your child. This assessment may lead to your child getting an EHC plan. Some children and young people will have needs that clearly require an EHC needs assessment and plan and once the local authority is aware of them it should start this process without delay. Preparing an EHC plan If the local authority decides an EHC plan is needed, they should work closely with you and your child to make sure the plan takes full account of your views, wishes and feelings. Once the plan has been written, a draft will be sent to you which must not contain the name of the school or other setting your child will attend. You will be given 15 days to comment on the draft and you can ask for a meeting to discuss it if you want one. At that point you will also be able to request a specific school, or other setting, you want your child to attend. This could be a mainstream school or special school. Your local authority has 20 weeks from the request for the EHC needs assessment to issue the final plan to you.
WHAT SHOULD BE IN AN EHCP The SEND Code of Practice sets out some key requirements and principles about EHCPs: decisions about the content should be made openly and collaboratively with parents, children and young people EHCPs should positively describe achievements EHCPs should be clear, concise, understandable and accessible EHCPs must specify the outcomes sought for a child or young person
AGREEING A FINAL EHCP PLAN If you suggest any changes to the draft EHC plan and these are agreed by the local authority, the draft plan should be amended and issued as the final EHC plan as quickly as possible. The local authority must not make any other changes apart from incorporating your agreed amendments and naming the placement – if the local authority wishes to make other changes it must re-issue the draft EHC plan to you. The final EHC plan should be signed and dated by the local authority officer responsible for signing off the final plan. Where you have suggested changes which are not agreed, the local authority may still proceed to issue the final EHC plan. If this happens, the local authority must notify you of your right to appeal to the Tribunal and the time limit for doing so, of the requirement for you to consider mediation should you wish to appeal, and the availability of information, advice and support and disagreement resolution services. The local authority should also notify you how you can appeal the health and social care provision in the EHC plan. As well as the child’s parent or the young person, the final EHCP must also be issued to the governing body, proprietor or principal of any school, college or other institution named in the EHC plan, and to the relevant CCG (or where relevant, NHS England). Where a nursery, school or
college is named in an EHC plan, they must admit the child or young person. The head teacher or principal of the school, college or other institution named in the EHC plan should ensure those teaching or working with your child or young person are aware of their needs and have arrangements in place to meet them. Institutions should also ensure teachers and lecturers monitor and review your child or young person’s progress during the course of a year. Once an EHC plan has been finalised, your local authority has to ensure the SEN support in section F of the plan is provided, and the health service has to ensure the health support in section G is provided. Your local authority has to review your child’s EHC plan at least every 12 months. That review has to include working with you and your child and asking you what you think and what you want to happen, and a meeting which you must be invited to.
EHCPs should show how education, health and care provision should be coordinated to best achieve agreed outcomes EHCPs should consider how best to achieve outcomes and account must be taken of any innovative or alternative ways to receive support sought by the young person or parent EHCPs should describe how family and community support can help in achieving agreed outcomes EHCPs should be forward looking and anticipate and plan for important transition points in a child or young person’s life, including transition into adult life EHCPs should have a review
date.
Disagreeing with a decision You can challenge your local authority about: • their decision to not carry out an assessment • their decision to not create an EHC plan • the special educational support in the EHC plan • the school named in the EHC plan. If you can’t resolve the problem with your local authority, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
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GROUPS FOR SEND CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE Groups and activities
ASRUS is a w eekly yo uth gr o up that meets at the YMCA at Clennon Valley, Paignton, on a Wednesday evening, 6.30pm to 8pm, during school term. The group welcomes children and young people with an autism diagnosis and those on the waiting list for an assessment. Arts and crafts, cookery, sports, forest school, play activities and more with Play Torbay play workers – all for £3 per child. AIMS m eets at Orch ar d M anor School, Dawlish, on Saturdays (11am to 2pm). AIMS is free to attend (donations welcome!) and there are always cooking and craft activities plus monthly swimming, music, dance. www.aimsfamilies.org/ South West Autism Support in Exeter provides opportunities to develop communication and interaction and friendship skills through various monthly groups and school holiday activities. www.southwestautismsupport.com Asperations m eets at K ingsteignton Youth Centre, 4.30pm and 7pm, on Tuesdays for children aged between five and 18. The group is open to anyone with any learning disability. £5 per family. www.asperations.co.uk The Play Cafe in To r quay r uns a SEN session between 9am and 11m on Sundays. www.playcafetorquay.co.uk
From Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust’s website is:
Archery
Brixham Archers’ home is Churston Field, adjacent to Churston Ferrers Grammar School. It is open to people with disabilities. Contact Mrs Judith Booker, secretary, 01803 853687, www.brixhamarchers.co.uk Paignton Archers Th e club’s indoor venue is the YMCA, Paignton and its Surfing outdoor venue is Stoke Gabriel Cricket The Wave Project r uns paddle Club. Beginners’ courses for all ages boarding courses at Goodrington and (from 10 upwards), genders and abilisurfing at Bigbury. It’s a free six-week ties are available. All equipment is pro#SurfTherapy course with the opportunity to join the surf club and continue vided by the club. www.paigntonarcheryclub.co.uk or to take part for just £5 for a two-hour session. The Wave Project is by referral email paigntonarchers@gmail.com online and is aimed at reducing anxiety. Torquay Company of Archers is open to people with disabilities and has www.waveproject.co.uk disabled members and members who Climbing belong to British Blind Sports Archery. Parkfield on a Saturday with Reach Its shooting site is Torquay Academy. Outdoors is r estricted to 10 ch ilwww.torquayarchers.co.uk or email dren in each age group. www.reachinfo@torquayarchers.co.uk outdoors.com/about/indoor-climbingAthletics and gymnastics parkfield-1 South Devon School of GymnasOutdoor adventures tics Ath letes of all abilities are Play Torbay h as an all-inclusive welcome. Its special needs squad comethos. There are three playgrounds petes at national level at Special Olymacross Torbay and play sessions are pic competitions. Alders Way, Yalberfree. Log on to http://playtorbay.org.uk ton Industrial Estate, Paignton, TQ4 for details of opening hours and school 7QR. Contact Nicci Tucker, head coach, holiday programmes. 01803 523774. Reach Outdoors at Goo dr ingto n www.southdevongym.co.uk offer kayaking, paddle boarding and Basketball caving. www.reach-outdoors.com Exeter Otters Wheelchair Basket For information about all ball Club w elcom es new player s o f services available in Torbay 14 years upwards, whatever their expefor SEND children and young rience or disability. Wheelchair basketpeople, see Torbay Council’s ball can be played by people with or Local Offer at without physical disabilities. Training is www.torbay.gov.uk/schoolsat Middlemoor Police HQ, Exeter, and and-learning/send/local-offer home matches are played at St James
School, Exeter. Contact Paul Bounden, club secretary and captain, on 07791 715169. Torbay Tigers Basketball Club gives able and disabled young people (under 18) the chance to play basketball and also has a senior (over 18s) team. Contact Rick Wooldridge, club secretary, on (01803) 844757. www.torbaytigers.co.uk
Cycling
Torbay Velopark at Penw ill W ay, Paignton, is able to provide specially adapted bikes for use by disabled people. Bikes include specially made trikes, a tandem and junior and senior recumbent bikes. Call 01803 659711. www.torbay.gov.uk/leisure-sports-andcommunity/sports/cycling/
Football
Devon FA Disability Football o ffers a range of football opportunities for disabled people, including the disability football league, wheelchair football, deaf-friendly football clubs, Torbay and Plymouth mental health football tournaments and an Exeter Downs Syndrome football programme. Contact Ashley Harris, disability football development officer, on 01626) 323560 or 07912 089838. www.devonfa.com/ players/disability Torquay United - facilities for people with disabilities (watching football) Torquay United Supporters Trust (TUST) has a range of facilities for fans with disabilities, including some unused Soccer Sight headsets for blind and partially sighted people to listen to match commentaries. Torquay United Inspirations Fo otball coaching sessions for men and women, over 16, with any disability (including learning and physical disabilities). Saturdays, 9am to 10am
The Wave Project at Goodrington
WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK If you have used the SENDIASS Torbay service in the last 12 months, we would really appreciate your feedback. Please log on to the SENDIASS feedback format https:// www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LM9JBWS? fbclid=IwAR2AqKvwCJ Hg1nXWLUREfOOLNzougORFhRkMBnPQI945yTvDDOxwOFe9RY If you have and questions about this feedback please contact Kirsty Bicknell our volunteer who is coordinating this.
“Have you used the SENDIASS Torbay service in the last 12 months? If so, please log on and complete our feedback form”
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES (adults), 10am to 11am (children). Paignton and Community Sports Academy, Waterleat Road, Paignton. Call 01803 322551. Wheelchair football and gam es for wheelchair users of any age. Open to manual chair and power chair users. Times: Alternate Saturdays, 11am to midday. Paignton Community and Sports Academy. Call Ashley Harris on 07912 089838 or 016266 323560 South Devon Sports Association for the Disabled or ganises spo r ting events and encourages children (10 years upwards) and adults with any disability to take part and compete. Covers most sports. First, third (and fifth, if applicable) Saturday of the month, 2.30pm to 5pm. Contact Clive Littlehales, chairman, on 01626 212267.
Racket sports
Devon Disability Tennis w h eelchair tennis, visually impaired tennis and tennis for people with learning disabilities. South Devon Tennis Centre, Ermington Road, Ivybridge PL21 9ES Call 07966 441623
Rugby
Wheelchair rugby clubs Exeter Hawks and West Country Hawks provide opportunities to play and compete in wheelchair rugby. St. Luke’s Science and Sports College. Call 07875 299454.
Sailing and water sports
Disabled Sailing Association o ffers affordable sailing opportunities, from Torquay and the Dart, to disabled and disadvantaged people, their carers and families. The association has a yacht which is specially adapted for people with disabilities, including wheelchair access. Contact David Musgrove, chairman, on 01803 408886. www.disabledsailingassociation.org.uk Grenville House Outdoor Education Centre gives peo ple th e opportunity to take part in canoeing, power boating and yachting, which are available for people with disabilities. Facilities are not particularly accessible to people who use wheelchairs. Berry Head Road, Brixham TQ5 9AF. Call 01803 852797or email info@grenvillehouse.com Sailability (Torbay and Dart) offers opportunities to people with disabilities to take up sailing, both recreationally and competitively. Torbay Sailability at Torquay Marina. Call Marshall Ritchie, general manager, on 01803 297800. Dart Sailability at Noss Marina. Contact Nikki Stewart, coordinator, on 01803 856676 or Janet on 07954 160092. Torquay Kitesurfing and Kitebuggying School gives disabled people the opportunity to partake in
kitesurfing and kitebuggying. The activities are inclusive for everyone, including essential wheelchair users, blind people and people with limb amputations. Call 01803 212411. www.kitesurfingtorquaywindsurfing.co.uk Trinity Sailing Foundation, Brixham sail tr aining fo r disadvantaged young people. Open to trainees aged 14 to 24 years, but also available to older or younger groups by arrangement. Call 01803 883355.
Target shooting
Paignton (Torbay) Rifle and Pistol Club is affiliated to th e National Rifle Association. Target shooting is for males and females, juniors and adults. Both able and disabled people can compete in the same competition on equal terms. Call 01803 445872.
Wheelchair dancing
Beacons Wheelchair Dancers (affiliated with Para Dance UK) is a charity that offers people who use wheelchairs the opportunity to learn to wheelchair dance as a leisure and sports activity. Sessions at Ground Floor, Abbey Hall, Rock Road, Torquay TQ2 5SP. Weekly on Tuesdays, 6.45pm to 9.30pm. Cost: £2. Call Sue Cummings, co-ordinator, on 01803 554799.
“I get to wear a SENDIASS Champs hoodie and help other people in my year group”
MEET THE SENDIASS CHAMPS SENDIASS Champs are a small group of young people with an interest in supporting other disabled young people across the Bay.
“I am a SENDIASS Champ to help people and do my best to make a difference in their lives.”
They meet monthly to support and advise the SENDIASS Torbay team on how best this might be achieved. They are happy to come to talk to you and tell you about SENDIASS and the Torbay Leisure Card which provides reduced and free entry charges for families with a Disability Living Allowance.
Alex, 24 “I enjoy supporting children and young people who are deemed to be at a disadvantage.”
Shannon, 13 “I get to wear a SENDIASS Champs hoodie and help other people in my year group.”
Shanice, 13 “Being a Champ helps me calmer at school and help others when they lose their temper. I love this group!”
Sophie, 13 “I enjoy being a SENDIASS Champ: I like the regular meetings we have and it is really nice to meet new people.” Paige, 13 “I am a SENDIASS Champ to help other children so they don’t get kicked out of school.”
Jamie, 17 “I’m just a kid who knows the system and wants to help play it.” Annoshka, 21
If you would like more information, please call 01803 850157, or log on to playtorbay.org.uk