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Resources

It is important that parent carers and SEND practitioners have access to information and support to help them navigate the SEND system.  Accessible information and support help parent carers to get involved in decision making both at an individual and strategic level.  Ensuring that families and practitioners have a shared understand and expectation of how the SEND system works, helps build positive relationships and delivers better outcomes for everyone.

There are several organizations and resources that are there specifically to support this shared understanding to develop.  If you need support and advice about a SEND issue the information in this section, could be of help to you.

Summary of the 2023 Parent Carer Voice Herefordshire Annual Survey of  Send Services – September 2023

Please do take some time to read the results and Outcomes 

Annual Survey report v.1 (2)

SEND Local Offer

 Information, support, services and activities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/localoffer

Early Years Information 

Parent Carer voice worked alongside members to put together a booklet  of information for the parents from the early years era . This will help you with guidance and support as you start your SEND Journey with your child .
 
Please do have a read as we have had some lovely feedback from parents 
 
https://pcvh.co.ukwp-content/uploads/2023/03/Early-Years-Information-Booklet.pdf
SEND Code of Practice: 0-25 years:

Guidance on the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system for children and young people aged 0 to 25

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25

Person Centre Approaches Guidance:

Person centred planning places the young person and their family at the centre of decision making.  It requires the young person to be recognised as an individual with strengths and challenges, likes and dislikes.  Person centred planning tools such as one page profiles, working / not working and important to / important for can help with planning support that reflects the individual needs, strengths and aspirations of the young person and their family.

http://www.helensandersonassociates.co.uk/person-centred-practice/person-centred-thinking-tools/

An in-depth guidance document about the ways schools can support a child who may be struggling to maintain their attendance. This resource is a useful guide for parent carers about what help schools could put in place to try to combat attendance concerns.

https://itmustbemum.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/a-guide-to-supporting-a-child-who-is-struggling-to-attend-school.pdf

Playlist

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Healthwatch Herefordshire

Healthwatch Herefordshire is the health and social care champion for people and local communities . The help make sure everyone gets the best from their health and social care services – and that those services are as good as they can be and work in a joined-up way. Healthwatch want to understand people’s experiences and what matters to them most.

Home | Healthwatch Herefordshire

Council for Disabled Children
Council for Disabled Children, are the umbrella body for the disabled children’s sector bringing together professionals, practitioners and policy makers. Their website offers lots of resources and help.
https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/

Disability Rights UK
Disability Rights UK are disabled people leading change, working to create a society where everyone with lived experience of disability or health conditions can participate equally as full citizens.
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/

ERIC – The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity
ERIC is the only charity dedicated to the bowel and bladder health of all children and teenagers in the UK. Their vision is that every child and teenager with a bowel or bladder condition can access support and live free from embarrassment, shame, isolation and fear.
Helpline: 0845 370 8008

Family Fund
Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity providing grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people. They believe that all families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people should have the same opportunities as others, for more information visit their website: https://www.familyfund.org.uk/

The Guide Dogs Tech for All

Shared from Guide Dogs…The Guide Dogs Tech for All initiative is our commitment to make sure children with a vision impairment in the UK have access to an Apple iPad to use outside of school.

We know how important these devices are to a child’s development – both to support learning at home or just to have fun and explore the activities and interests they enjoy. That’s why we’re providing free iPads to children and young people with a vision impairment, aged 3-18. 

While technology in schools remains the responsibility of local authorities, it’s important for children with sight loss to also have their own device at home. With excellent assistive technology built-in as standard, such as screen magnification, voiceover and audio descriptions, an iPad can break down barriers and make many activities easier, like reading in larger fonts, magnifying photos and keeping in touch with friends. 

With the help of these devices children can independently play their favourite games, read and watch stories and shows, and connect with family and friends in the format that works best for them. These simple things can provide a sense of normality and independence that makes a huge difference to a child’s confidence and wellbeing.

And we also provide digital learning resources on our website, to make sure children can get the most out of their device. This includes guidance on setting up your iPad and its accessibility features, as well as advice on additional apps to help with vision impairments.  The resources also include help on how to use iMovie, Garageband, Clips, and more, so that your child can make the most of everything on offer. These digital learning resources can be accessed, by anyone, not just recipients of our iPads. 

We had 2,500 iPads available in 2022 and the devices we provide are completely free of charge. The only requirement is proof of vision impairment for your child (please see our terms and conditions for a list of suggested documents).

To find out more or to apply today please visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/techforall You can also view their information leaflet here: The Guide Dogs Tech for All

Independent Parental Special Education Advice;

IPSEA provide a number of services including;

  • The Information Services is for general legal enquiries and will signpost you to factsheets and resources on our website
  • The Advice Line provides legally based information and next step advice on any educational issue that is the result of your child’s special educational needs or disability.  This could include problems with schools, requesting statutory assessment, statements and Education, Health and Care Plans, annual reviews, disability discrimination and exclusion.
  • The Tribunal Helpline gives next step advice on appeals and disability discrimination claims to the SEND Tribunal.

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/

 

PDA Society
The PDA Society was first established in 1997 by parents of children with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), an autism spectrum condition.  PDA Society provide information, support and training for parents, carers, teachers and individuals with PDA.    https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/

Waving not Drowning
The Waving not drowning project provides a helpline, newsletter, e-bulletin and occasional events and publications for parents of disabled children and carers of adults who want to combine paid work with their caring responsibilities. The helpline for questions about work and caring is 0300 012 0312. Waving not Drowning also have a Facebook page where parent/carers can get support, share their experiences, and ask questions: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wavingnotdrowning/ for further information please click on the following link: https://www.workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/wavingnotdrowning/