SEND News and Update 29.11.21
Date Added: 29/11/2021
Welcome to this edition of the SEND News Bulletin. This week includes information on
• SEND Health Focus Week - 29 November
• Useful Information for parents - Medical Needs Education Team
• Neurodiversity Diagnosis Support Pack
• An update on Elklan: A training course for staff
• Parent Network- Families in focus
• Autism Bedfordshire - Training Dates for Autumn Term
• Disability Living Allowance for Children
• Christmas Activities
• What's On
• Children's Centres SEND Support Coffee mornings
SEND Health Focus Week - 29 November
SNAP PCF have coproduced the following information sessions with Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and East London NHS Foundation Trust.
More information on each session and how to book on.
Useful Information for parents - Medical Needs Education Team
The Medical Needs Education Team works closely with schools to provide education for young people who are too unwell to currently attend school.
The eligibility criteria has recently changed. Referrals can now be received from GPs for further support for the young person.
A referral can now also be completed by a recognised provider in relation to a private or independent assessment.
More information about the Medical Needs team and their Eligibility Criteria can be found on the Local Offer.
Neurodiversity Diagnosis Support Pack
The Neurodiversity Diagnosis Resource Pack has been designed to help families of children and young people who has been diagnosed with neuro difficulties. The pack 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.
A video has been produced, detailing the coproduction journey with clinicians and families to develop the Diagnosis Support Pack.
An update on Elklan: A training course for staff
Central Bedfordshire Council recognises the importance of children and young people developing good speech, language and communication skills. These skills are important for academic attainment, long-term prospects and wider social and emotional development.
In Autumn 2020, Central Bedfordshire Council teamed up the NHS Speech and Language Therapy Service to jointly deliver Elklan: A training course for staff. Central Bedfordshire Council committed to rolling out Elklan training for schools over a two-year period.
As part of this training, every Central Bedfordshire school has been given the an opportunity to identify up to three members of staff to attend an Elklan course and create their own Communication Champion Team.
The course is written for staff supporting children with speech, language and communication needs in schools and special units. It equips them with innovative tools and methods to enhance children’s learning in the classroom and promotes quality first teaching. The course uses relevant teaching methods including practical activities, videos and group discussion to engage learners.
By attending the course we hope that school staff will be able to:
• Increase their capacity to identify and support children and young people with speech, language and communication needs
• Strengthen their understanding of the impact of Speech, Language and Communication difficulties on children and young people
• Be able to identify children and young people with Speech, Language and Communication difficulties confidently refer these pupils for additional support from the Speech and Language Therapy Service (or any other relevant professionals/services)
• Understand and be able to implement strategies at a universal and targeted level to support children and young people with Speech, Language and Communication difficulties
• Understand the development of English as an Additional Language and how best to support this in the classroom
To date 22 primary and lower schools and 4 secondary schools have successfully completed the Communication Champion training. We now have 75 Communication Champions across Central Bedfordshire!
Further training dates are scheduled ready to run from January 2022 with more schools invited to sign up for the training.
To find out more information about this training course and other targeted training workshops that are available to parents and staff working with child and young people with speech, language and communication needs, please visit the Children's Speech and Language Therapy website.
Parent Network- Families in focus
Email for further details
Disability Living Allowance for Children
The DWP has created two playlists of video clips in relation to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children. These videos provide information about Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children - helpful for parents and carers wanting to find out more about claiming DLA for a child.
Disability Living Allowance for Children
Disability Living Allowance for Children (signed version)
Autism Bedfordshire - Training Dates for Autumn Term
All training will be delivered via zoom because of the continued uncertainty about the impact of the pandemic during the winter season. This delivery method will be kept under constant review to ensure we deliver our training in the most responsible and safe way – face to face delivery will recommence when circumstances allow.
Autism & Demand Avoidance £50 Thursday 25th November 1 pm - 4 pm
Autism & Mental Health £50 Tuesday 30th November 1 pm - 4 pm
Autism & Sensory Processing £50 Thursday 2nd December 1 pm - 4 pm
Autism & Behaviour £50 Thursday 9th December 1 pm - 4 pm
Book by email [email protected] or via our website's Training & Consultancy page
Winter Workshop
Come and join us for some festive, wintery fun in the December holidays! A brilliant workshop for those with suspected or diagnosed additional needs! Age guidance 7+, however students must be comfortable being left for the length of the workshop. ??
Book your FREE space today! Drop us an email: [email protected] ?? ?
Aladdin Pantomime
Yes - it's what we've all been waiting for...for a long time now! Pantomime is finally back at The Grove and we can't wait for you to join us for our biggest, funniest and most spectacular festive treat ever!
RICHARD DAVID-CAINE (Horrible Histories, CBBC) is back by huge popular demand, as Abanazaar, joined by Dunstable favourite WILL KENNING and a fabulous supporting cast!
Wheelchair Users: Cannot book online; please call Box Office.
Audio Described Performance: Sunday 12 December 1pm.
Relaxed Performance: Tues 14 December, 10am (mainly aimed at school groups but open to public too)
Signed Performance: Wed 29 December 6pm
*A £1 transaction fee will be added per ticket.
Booster seats are available for hire, a refundable deposit is required at our Box Office prior to the performance.
More information and to book online
What's on
More events and workshops that are being held this month are on our What's On Calendar
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]
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 What's On page.
If you would like to be featured then please email details about your service and/or event to [email protected]