9:42 am, Thursday, 6th May 2021

SEND weekly parent/carer update

This is the SEND weekly parent/carer update for 3-9 May.

Deaf Awareness Week

Deaf Awareness Week 2021 runs this week from 3 – 9 May and is themed ‘coming through it together’.

The week highlights the various organisations and members who work together to raise awareness of deafness.

Follow the campaign on social media with the hashtag #DAW2021.

Want to learn more? There is a great playlist on the Council’s YouTube page with lots of tutorials in British Sign Language.

Eclipse Gymnastics

Becky and Evie from the original Grimsby Gymnastics, now rebranded as Eclipse, shared how they’ve brought SEND to the centre of their work to provide more opportunities for sport, fun and recreation to children with disabilities in our area.

Becky works for the NHS within the children’s therapy team, and also works with children with SEND at a school.

They want to welcome more children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to their gym.

Becky said, “After extensive research we know that there are not enough opportunities for children with disabilities to engage in a sporting activity locally.

“We can accommodate disabilities within mainstream clubs, or we can offer dedicated disability sessions.

“We are really excited to offer Rebound Therapy on a trampoline which gives children who have issues with mobility the freedom to move in ways that they cannot move on the ground.

“Rebound Therpay is proven to be beneficial for children with mobility and learning disabilities.

“We are getting a hoist which will give children in wheelchairs access to the trampoline as well as the spring floor.

“Changing facilities consist of a disabled toilet along with private area providing a suitable plinth and mobile hoist.”

How much is it?

Disability session- £6 per hour
Rebound Session: £15 per 20 minute session

Where is it?

Eclipse Gymnastics is based on Edward Street at the back of Burger King and where the Royal Mail is.

250 King Edward Street,
Grimsby,
Lincolnshire,
DN31 3JX

Get in touch

Follow Eclipse Gymnastics on Facebook.

Call: 01472 354359

Email: info@eclipsegymnastics.co.uk

St Andrews Hospice – Children’s Services Update

St Andrews Hospice have announced some exciting new plans for their children’s services. A programme of work will be undertaken to redesign the model of care, renew the skills available within the team, refresh and redecorate the unit and to undertake care reviews of every child. These steps will enable the team to respond to the increasing and changing needs of the children and families in their care.

Read about their improvements to Children’s Services and what this may mean for you.

Young People’s Advisory Group

The first Young People’s Advisory Group met on Friday, 30 April with 14 students from seven local schools and their school SENCo or TA.

We played bingo, did two quizzes and started planning for the SEND Celebration Award Ceremony.

Lots of great ideas came from the students about what to celebrate like ‘best teacher’, ‘being kind’, ‘most sporty’, and ‘doing good for the environment’.

Students suggested themes like Old Hollywood, the Movies and a circus themes to bring the event to life.

Students also recommended prizes like a day out at the wildlife park, video game gift cards, chocolate, shopping vouchers and more.

Students said: “We think everyone should get recognised if they’ve been nominated of they’ve one because it’s an achievement in itself to be mentioned.”

Maybe you will be nominated as someone important to these students at school or in the community!

The event will come later in the year so check back to get a ticket or get involved.

The Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) is a group for young people aged 12 – 16 with additional needs who would like to help shape the services for young people with SEND in our local area.

Read all the details about YPAG group.

School Nursing Service

The School Nursing Service is available to all children, young people and families in North East Lincolnshire. Your Health Visitor will hand over care once your child is 4 ½ years old. We work in partnership with GP’s, Schools, Family Hub Practitioners and various other professionals to meet identified needs and provide the best possible care. The Team is represented by Specialist Community Public Health Nurses, qualified nurses and screening practitioners.

Children and young people aged 11-18 years old can text the School Nursing Service on 07507 331620 for confidential advice. This might be things like smoking, bullying, health, sexual health and emotional needs.

For further information about the service go to School Nursing Service.

The School Nurse Immunisation service delivers routine immunisations in schools throughout the academic year, if your child misses the session in school, we do offer catch up sessions in school holidays.

Contact

Do you know about Contact- for families with disabled children?

“Life with a disabled child brings unique challenges, which is why we’re here for you. Whether you’re looking for information or advice, have a question about your child’s condition or want to join one of our helpful workshops, we can help you every step of the way.”

Discussions at this weeks Parent meeting included this service.

“They are very helpful for finding out information about SEND, providing support and information for children with very rare conditions, as well as useful workshops on things like money, behaviour, and sleep.”

“They have a benefit advice line and a mailing list that’s really worth signing up for.”

Parent Steering Group with Healthwatch

The next Parents Steering Group is on 18 May, 10:30-11:30AM.

The following month the group will be held on 22 June at 10:30-11:30AM.

This is a chance for you to share your views and opinions and work together with other parents and carers and professionals to shape the local SEND offer.

Tracy Slattery will be facilitating this independent steering group with parents and professionals.

The group will be held once a month.
Contact Tracy Slattery to for more information and to join the group tslattery@healthwatchnortheastlincolnshire.co.uk.

SEND. Employment. Childcare

“I need to find childcare for my child with SEND. My employer is being understanding at the moment but I need to arrange a suitable provision for the future.”
-Local parent

Families First Information Service has a list of childminders.

Visit the Families First Information Service Directory of Information.
You can also call them on 01472 326292 (option 1) or email fis@nelincs.gov.uk.
Opening times: Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm except bank holidays

Communicate with the childminder you are interested in to see what may suit you and your child.
Visit the providers website to see what training and experience their staff already have.
Most childminders will take training in order to accept a child.

The Carers Support Service can provide advice about employment that is flexible for you as a parent of a child with SEND.

North East Lincolnshire Parents Participation (NELPPF)

NELPPF is a collective voice for parents and carers in North East Lincolnshire. They offer guidance and support from 0 to 25 years and make sure that parents’ views and experiences influence local services to make things better.

NELPPF are considering applying for grant funding after they have consulted with expert associates from Contact – for families with disabled children | Contact. This will focus on recruiting new parents, leadership skills, mentoring and training other parents.

The Local Area Inspection Revisit survey is still relevant and the parents’ voice will still be delivered to Her Majesty’s Inspectors.

Email: nelppf@gmail.com
Telephone: 07583 474892

School

Read the latest National COVID guidance and local guidance.

Masks

Years 7 and above may also need to wear face masks or coverings. It’s up to the school to decide if they will use face masks and where students should wear a mask. For example, in common rooms where students cannot stay 1 metre apart.

Children with certain health conditions will not have to wear a mask.

Face coverings in education (GOV.UK)

Face masks and PPE


Follow the Department for Education on social media.

Contact Jennifer.steel@nelincs.gov.uk if you have a query about school exclusions.

The EHC Hub

Please remember when you are using the Hub that you need to save your work regularly. The Hub does not automatically save your work. If you don’t save your work you will lose it.
This is a security feature required by data protection laws because you are handling sensitive information.

Did you attend a demonstration to learn how to use the EHC Hub?
The team want to say a big thank you to everyone who attended the online demonstration and tutorial to learn to use the Hub and their follow up questions.

There will be a self-help guide for parents which will soon be available on the Local Offer.

Have your say! EHCP Annual Review Feedback

Let us know about your EHCP Annual Review. There is a feedback form on the Local Offer and it only takes a few minutes to share your valuable experience.

Give us your feedback on the EHCP Annual Review Feedback form.

You can also find this form where it says ‘EHCP Annual Review feedback’ on the Parent and carer page, as well as the Children and young people page.

When you share your experience with us we can improve what we can offer to you and others.

SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs Disability Information Advice Support Service).

SENDIASS provides free impartial information, advice and support to disabled children and young people aged 0-25, and those with SEN. Get in touch Monday-Thursday, 8.30am- 4.30pm. Friday 8:30am- 4pm. Leave a message and we’ll get back to you within three days.
Email: nelincs@barnardos.org.uk
Facebook: @NELSENDIASS

Recently SENDIASS are handling enquiries about part time timetables and exclusions.

Health

If you need advice regarding access to health services or feel your child needs additional support in school due to their medical needs please email Sarah Harding, the Designated Clinical Officer for SEND at designatedclinicalofficer@nelincs.gov.uk.

Useful contacts

The Sector Support ‘Community Service Fact Sheet’ has an extensive list of community support available for money, food, wellbeing, welfare and more.
See the Voluntary Sector Alliance COVID-19 updates page for more on financial support, health and wellbeing, local updates, COVID updates, community safety, volunteering and more.
• Report a concern online or call 01472 326292 (opt. 2)
• Support for those isolating without anyone to support them for supplies and more call the Council (01472) 313131
• Health – if you are struggling to manage your symptoms, call 111. If you are in urgent need of medical assistance, call 999
• Domestic Abuse (women and men). NEL Women’s Aid (01472) 575757, and Men’s Helpline, 0808 8010327
• Wellbeing– if you are struggling with your mental health, call (01472) 256256
• Carers’ Support Service (support for informal carers). Go online or call (01472) 242277

Alcohol

Parents/carers are aware that at this anxious time some families have reported struggles with mental health and sought support for the overuse of alcohol.
Alcohol change UK offers COVID tips on alcohol and mental health.
We Are With You provides support for drugs and alcohol. You can also get in touch if you are worried about someone else’s drinking or drug use. Chat online or call- 01472 806890. Local charges apply. They also have information on their Facebook, @wearewithyoucharity.

What’s new on the Local Offer?

There’s lots changing to the Local Offer every week.


If you have questions about SEND we are always here to help. Please don’t hesitate to email sen@nelincs.gov.uk. We always try to make sure that children and parents/ carers voices are heard.

These Weekly SEND parent/carer newsletters are shared with teams within education, health and social care as well as parents/carers SENCOs, the DfE and local charities.

If parents/carers or young people over 16 do not have access to the internet or if they prefer to receive paper copies only please contact sen@nelincs.gov.uk.