West Sussex County Council sent this bulletin at 28-03-2019 10:22 AM GMT
Please disseminate this newsletter to parent carers, professionals and those who are interested in reading more. Haven't received a copy directly or know someone who hasn't? Email sarah.dimmock@westsussex.gov.uk.
SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2019-2023 Update
For the last 3 years (2016-19) we have been working on the following objectives as set out in our strategy for 2016-2019:
To ensure that children with SEND are, where possible, welcomed and included within their local mainstream school
To ensure that local mainstream and special provision is effective, of a high quality and delivers good educational outcomes for children and young people with SEND
To build a model of educational provision and support in West Sussex which enables young people with SEND, where ever possible, to live and go to school/college locally
To deliver an offer that is sustainable and cost effective now and into the future ad takes due account of predicted demand
It is essential that our strategy for SEND and Inclusion prepares for the future needs of our children and young people. While over 90% of our children with SEND are taught in mainstream schools within West Sussex, it is also true that over 90% of our SEND pupils who are excluded are also taught within our main stream schools. Our strategy has to focus on how we support our schools and settings with the knowledge and expertise they need to include all pupils with SEND and to help to achieve positive outcomes. If we are able to support our SEND pupils in mainstream schools well, then we will be able to reduce the pressure on specialist provision and in turn will be able to reduce the numbers we need to place in the independent sector.
In order to review our SEND Strategy, we have invited representatives from a cross section of stakeholders to participate in five initial workshops. This includes school, early years and college representatives as well as other education, health, social care colleagues and parent carers. The strategy is being co-produced with children, young people and their families. A key output from the workshops will be the strategy delivery plan for SEND and Inclusion for 2019-2023 which will identify clearly the tasks, resources and timeline for implementation. The first draft of the strategy will be available for consultation in May so please look out for this.
New Resource: Annual Reviews and SENCO’s ‘Frequently Asked Questions’
During the SEND Partnership Board project on effective school and setting Annual Review practices, a range of questions were raised by SENCO’s. The project team have developed a list of Annual Review ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ with answers based on this information. This is now available on The Local Offer.
Early help for young people and their families
Did you know there is a range of information on the WSCC website around the Integrated Prevention and Early Help Service? These pages are designed for professionals to support the families they are working with. The IPEH page highlights the different elements to their service and details key contacts you may find useful.
Therapies in Schools (TIS)
The TIS team have been busy spreading the good news regarding the successes of the TIS Project service. Our Occupational Therapist Linnie Chapman and the SENCO at Oak Grove College Sam Taylor were invited to present the joint working successes via a Webinar for the Council for Disabled Children. Neither Linnie nor Sam had ever presented for a Webinar before so there was an element of apprehension beforehand! The TIS project was chosen from many across the country to demonstrate how Education, Health and Parent Forums can work together to achieve great outcomes for the young people we support.
As the initial ‘Pilot’ part of the TIS Project approaches its end, the therapists are busy winding down the clinical work across the three schools so that they can dedicate time for the evaluation process and write up. Then from September, TIS will move from a ‘Pilot’ to a new fully funded TIS Service. Exciting times ahead and we hope to give you more details soon. Click to listen to the Webinar
Nominations now OPEN!
The Exceptional People in Care (EPIC) Awards 2019 is coming to a venue near you!
We are finalising arrangements and will let you know as soon as possible so you can get this date in your diary.
Meanwhile, nominations are now OPEN and we need YOUR applications. We’d like to recognise and value the fantastic achievements of children and young people in care and care leavers aged between 5-25 years.
The categories of the awards are: Big Hearts, Big Talents, Big Thinkers and Big Strength. There’s also an award category for young people to nominate adults who have made a difference in their lives. All those nominated will receive free tickets for themselves and two guests to attend the ceremony in the Autumn as well as a certificate, trophy and goody bag to recognise their achievements.
Let’s celebrate the success of our fantastic young people in care and care leavers!
An introduction by Dave Sargeant, Interim Head of Lifelong Services
"I am writing to introduce myself and to share with you some key information about our service, our vision and why we think this is important. Why Lifelong Services? We are creating a Lifelong Service for anyone that has a lifelong disability acquired before the age of 25, including autism. The service is for people that require social care support either as a child or as an adult. We know that moving from children’s to adult’s social services is a huge step for young people and services have not always responded in way that is co-ordinated and person-centred. In creating a single Lifelong service, our vision is to:
Offer early intervention
Build on a person’s strengths to develop skills and independence throughout all stages of their life journey
Promote and maintain safety and good health and
Facilitate employment
By providing a more joined up experience we know we can make the best use of resources and enable individuals to live a ‘good life’ as defined by them.
What are we doing? We have 6 areas of priority as follows:
Some of our achievements:
We’ve developed and embedded My Plan, an outcome-focused single assessment and planning document designed to be used by the person throughout their life
We’ve designed A Lifelong Services ‘wiki’ with the aim of helping young people and those supporting them through their transition to adulthood
Recruitment to a permanent head of lifelong services is underway and we’ve secured transformation capacity to help us deliver our priorities
Learning from other Local Authorities about effective service models and delivery
I am delighted to have this opportunity to take the service forward building on the work already achieved and to steer us on our journey. We’ve lots to do, and intend to keep you updated on developments. For more information on our vision and principles click here. We want to co-produce the service so are very interested in your views. If you wish to know more or want to tell us what you think, email lifelongservices@westsussex.gov.uk."
Releasing Potential Conference 2019
The Releasing Potential Institute is the academic research and professional training wing of Releasing Potential, an educational charity and Independent School for vulnerable young people with Special Educational Needs based in Chichester and Havant.
Due to the success in previous years, on the 10 July 2019, we will be holding our third annual conference ‘Managing Transitions in Education, Support & Social Care’. Our 2019 conference brings together a range of important voices to explore transitions in, to and from education and social care settings, including: Keynote Speaker Emma Lewell-Buck MP (Shadow Minister for Education, Children and Families). Tickets from £40. For more information click here
Some
of the services listed in this newsletter or on the Local Offer site are
provided by private service providers and not by West Sussex County
Council. These do not have a recommendation or endorsement from the local
authority. If you decide to use a service / provision, you should be aware that
you are responsible for doing your own checks to ensure they are suitable and
fit for purpose. West Sussex County Council will not be liable for any
damages or losses suffered by anyone who relies on the information in this
newsletter.
