SEND News and Update 26.10.21
Date Added: 26/10/2021
Welcome to this edition of the SEND News Bulletin. This week includes information on
• New Local Offer website launch events
• Parenting Insight Session -SEND
• Families in Focus Parent Network
• Diagnosis Support Pack
• Multi-Sports Course - Autism Bedfordshire
• 'Spectrum's Virtual Halloween Party!'
• What's On
• Children's Centres SEND Support Coffee mornings
New Local Offer website launch events
Parents/carers, children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can browse and scroll through the newly improved Local Offer website which will go live on 28 October 2021.
The Local Offer website is a ‘one stop shop’ for all local SEND advice, guidance, and support services.
The new site now has a great range of information including early years advice, things to do, training and information on how to request Education and Health Care Plans
Website visitors will be signposted to important information including:
• sources of support, advice and information for children, young people and families, including supporting groups and forums
• arrangements to identify and assess children and young people with SEND, including how an assessment can be requested
• other educational provision for example, leisure activities, sports and arts provision
• information about provision to assist in preparing children and young people for adulthood including post-16 education and training
• arrangements for travel to and from school, post-16 settings and early year providers
• childcare, including suitable provision for disabled children and those with SEND
• health and development needs of children from when they are born through to when they transition into adulthoodsupport available to young people in higher education, particularly the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) and the process and timescales for making an application for DSA.
Two events are also taking place to mark the launch of the site and they will feature something for everyone, including a magician and musical performance from inspiring music, who showcase local talent.
To book, please click on your chosen venue, this will then open Eventbrite where you will then be able to select a time :
Day One – Wednesday 3 November 2021
Leighton Buzzard Youth Centre 10:00 - 11:00 am, 11:00 - 12:00 pm
Sandy Baptist Church 2:00 - 3:00 pm, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Houghton Regis Children's Centre 6:00 - 7:00 pm, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Day Two – Saturday 6 November 2021
Flitwick Children's Centre 10:00 - 11:00 am, 11:00 - 12:00 pm
Biggleswade Youth Centre 2:00 - 3:00 pm, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Arlesey Youth Centre 6:00 - 7:00 pm, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Parenting Insight Session -SEND
Thursday November 11 2021: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
This is a virtual workshop to support families, the session will provide a basic overview of SEND. The aim of the session is to support families to develop an understanding of SEND needs and support available to them .
The session will be split into 2 parts:
16.30-17.00: Information regarding SEND support- guest speakers from SNAP PCF, SENDIASS and Homestart
17.00-17.30:Time to ask questions
Register here
Families in Focus Parent Network
Lottery funded and therefore free support, information and knowledge for parents caring for children with SEND, with or without a diagnosis. The groups are delivered by parents, for parents. All of our facilitators have children with additional needs and are often joined by special guests offering expertise in particular areas.
Email to join a session
Diagnosis Support Pack
Our Diagnosis Support Pack (DSP) has been coproduced by families for families following a diagnosis of a neurodiversity, and contains information, resources and signposting in a variety of media (video's, infographics, animations), split into 14 sections - from sleep to medication, and lots more.
The pack has been co-produced with the help of parents, young people, local Parent Carer Forums, CAMHS, Education Psychology and other key partners.
Multi-Sports Course - Autism Bedfordshire
'Spectrum's Virtual Halloween Party!'
Get your ticket now!
What's on
More events and workshops that are being held this month are on our Events Calendar
Do you provide a service or run events for children and young people with SEND and their families?
We would like to offer providers the opportunity to advertise local SEND services and events in our fortnightly SEND news bulletin, on our local offer Facebook page and to be included in the local offer events calendar.
If you would like to be featured then please email details about your service and/or event to [email protected]
Children's Centres SEND Support Coffee mornings
SEND session with play activities and opportunity for parents to talk to other parents
7th October from 10:00 – 11:30 am
Leighton Buzzard Children’s Centre
Booking is essential due to Covid restrictions please call 01525 384368. Children welcome.
SEND - Stay, Play & Chat
Every Monday from 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Dunstable Children’s Centre
If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8106/0300 300 8104
SEND Support coffee afternoon every second Monday of the month,
1:30 – 2:30 pm
Shefford and Stotfold Children’s Centre
If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8112
SEND Support virtual coffee morning every first and third Thursday of the month,
10:00 – 11:00 am
Flitwick Children’s Centre
If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8111
SEND Support virtual coffee morning every first and third Friday of the month,
10:30 – 11:30 am
Houghton Regis Children’s Centre
If you would like to book a space please call 0300 300 8115
Super Kids Online – virtual support group for parents or carers with children who have SEND
Sandy Children's Centre - every other Wednesday, 1:00 am – 2:30 pm
Fortnightly catch ups and support online and face-to-face. A chance to speak to professionals from the CDC, Early Years Support Team, Speech and Language plus more.
To book a free place contact Karen on 0300 300 6009 or email [email protected]
Please visit the Local Offer for more information on activities, services, advice and support across Central Bedfordshire for children and young people with SEND or follow us on Facebook
We hope you have found the information in the bulletin helpful. We would love to hear your feedback and what you would like to see in future editions. Please let us know by emailing [email protected]