SEND weekly parent/carer update

Learning Disability Week

This week, 14-20 June, is Learning Disability week.

The annual campaign is themed creativity.

There’s a lot of talent in our community of children and young people with SEND.

Local young people recently entered the Creative Connections competition to showcase their talent. 22% of entries identified as having SEND.

A book with the writing, drawing and other inspired pieces will be published soon. 

Read more on NELC SEND Local Offer | Learning Disability Week 2021 (nelincs.gov.uk).

Beach day! Sand cruiser adapted wheelchair

Reserve and hire the @CleethorpesBeachSafety sand cruiser wheelchair. It’s adapted for the sand and water and is free for you to use.

The @CleethorpesBeachSafety Facebook page says, “Just pop to the office or give us a call for more info or to reserve one for your visit!”

SEND Parent Engagement Champion Appointed

The Parent Engagement Champion has been appointed.

The Parent Engagement Champion will empower parents, and ensure that their voice is heard, to achieve the best result for their child.

Stay posted for when we introduce the new Parent Engagement Champion in next week’s newsletter.

Understanding life as a carer

Claire Jones, Early Help Practitioner and Social Work Apprentice, shared her work she carried out to develop a parent carer assessment and gained feedback from members of our Covid Parents group.

“A parent carer assessment helps us understand the carers experience.

“This includes how caring impacts their health and wellbeing, what support network they have or would like, access to information and advice, as well as their ability to engage with leisure, education and employment.

“Consideration is also given to the risk’s carers face and plans in place for emergency and crisis situations.

“At the end of the assessment there is an action plan for the carer, what they need or want from their friends and family, and what professionals want.” The parent’s feedback included, ‘How to’ for carers to understand the best way to be able to complete the assessment, having an online form, links to information/support included on the assessment.

Tomos Lindley shares his inspiring experience of autism

“I saw that through me in the near future that I would become a hero for millions and billions who share the symptom.”

Tomos, who is now 16, is a passionate thinker, speaker, and aspiring ambassador for SEND.

He wrote an article for the Young Reporters when he was 14 and has since continued to put his dreams down onto paper.

The story has been shared on the SEND Local Offer, “I would see autism like a special gift”.

It been widely seen and ‘liked’ on social media and also shared on Gi Media.

Tomos would also like to do a regular column for the Local Offer. By doing this he wants to inspire and empower young people, break stereotypes, and show more local people what SEND is all about.

Check back on the Local Offer for more from Tomos.

Get excited for local video’s!

Join the other children and young people, parents and carers, and professionals who have sent in short clips about SEND.

Did you know?
Viewers remember 95% of a video’s message.
That compares to remembering only 10% of a message they read in text.

What do you like about SEND? Do you want to give a shout out to a family member, individual or service who has helped you? Do you feel you have a perspective others should see?

We already have several submissions and would love to add yours to the mix.

Send your short (or long) clip through WhatsApp to 07766487604.
You can also email it to lauren.thompson2@nelincs.gov.uk.

The videos will be uploaded to the Local Offer and promoted elsewhere like social media.

North East Lincolnshire Parents Participation (NELPPF)

School

EHC Hub and EHCP Annual Reviews

EHC Hub

Plans from 105 educational settings have been fully transferred onto the EHC Hub. In total that is 1,043 plans.

EHCP Annual Reviews

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.

There is training from SENDIASS to show you what you can expect from your EHCP Annual Review. Find out more below.

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.

• Council seeking your views on proposals to reshape family services
• Volunteering opportunity with butterflies mums
• Impact of Lockdown on SEND