West Sussex County Council sent this bulletin at 09-07-2020 04:33 PM BST
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.
Introducing Louise Burgess...
"Recently appointed as a SEND and Inclusion Link Adviser, I joined the School Effectiveness team and Inclusion team during an unprecedented time of upheaval for the nation. The enormity of the impact on children, young people, schools, pre-school settings and colleges, as well as the local authority, has shaped my introduction to West Sussex. Working remotely, I have enjoyed meeting my colleagues ‘virtually’ and have helped to support schools via the newly established SEND Solutions telephone consultation system.
Having worked in mainstream schools and in various roles within SEND; including as a SENCO, manager of a specialist teaching service, manager of a SEND provision evaluation service and local authority head of SEND, I am acutely aware of the challenges facing schools, pre-school settings and colleges. I’m particularly conscious that the present pandemic has increased the complexity for all educational establishments to use their best endeavours to provide an inclusive education and improve outcomes for pupils with SEND.
As we continue to work within a constantly changing educational landscape I will be working hard with my SEND and Inclusion Link Adviser colleagues to support schools by sharing the best practice, including the use of the Inclusion Framework, Ordinarily Available Inclusion Provision document and SEND Toolkit, to enable all pupils, including the disadvantaged and those with SEND, to achieve their potential and minimise the impact of any missed learning.” For more information, email louise.burgess@westsussex.gov.uk
Introducing Claire Prince...
Having joined West Sussex at the beginning of COVID-19, I haven’t yet had a chance to meet any of you. It is great to be here and work with Rachel and Louise to start to develop and shape our work. Although I haven’t been able to get out and about, I have enjoyed talking to some SENCOs in our SEND Inclusion Solutions Telephone Consultations that we launched a few weeks ago. The service is being well-used and feedback has been positive.
We are working on some exciting plans for the autumn term to start piloting the Inclusion Framework, shape up our training offer and work with SENCOs. I am also looking forward to working with special schools and SSCs to share ideas and develop practice.
We are planning some work to develop a Transitions Protocol and pathways for children with SEND when they transfer schools. We look forward to working with some of you as part of a project group to make sure we get this right for children with SEND.
I am really enjoying my role and looking forward to working with you to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. For more information, email claire.Prince@westsussex.gov.uk
West Sussex Parent Carer Forum (WSPCF)
All Things SEND
Online Information/Signposting/Workshop Event for Parents/Carers in West Sussex: 14 July, 1.00pm to 4.00pm
West Sussex Parent Carer Forum are very excited to bring you a new virtual experience (during these strange times we find ourselves in). With a little help from Zoom we will offer a variety of workshops, Q&A’s, Information sessions and even a little self care from a number of organisations around West Sussex.
There will be opportunities to meet different providers, understand what’s on offer and how they can support you and your family. During the event, the WSPCF team will be on hand to support and answer any questions and signpost you to other services.
Please join us as we look forward to welcoming you to this first time, virtual event – it will definitely be an experience! You do not have to be present for the whole three hours (although you are welcome to be!), closer to the time we will email you with details and an outline of the event so you can choose what you want to attend.
WSPCF and Reaching Families have co-produced some guidelines for families to provide information on COVID-19.
Returning to School During COVID-19 Pandemic
A West Sussex video has been created for children and young people during this time. This has been edited by the West Sussex County Council Voice and Participation Team in partnership with Kent County Council. More information can be seen on the Local Offer
SENCO Conference - 25 November 2020
The West Sussex SENCO Conference will now be held on 25 November 2020 at Butlins, Bognor Regis.
We are holding over tickets bought for the March date and are delighted to confirm that Lorraine Peterson, CEO of NASEN 2004-2013 and Sanchita Hosali from the British Institute of Human Rights will be our keynote speakers. There are a limited number of tickets still available for purchase by SENCOs. Please email kathryn.Kellagher@westsussex.gov.uk if you are interested.
Tickets cost £85 and include a hot lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Have you nominated a young person for an EPIC Award?
The annual Exceptional People In Care (EPIC) awards have been running for nine years and are organised by young people from the Children in Care Council and professionals who work with them.
Who can be nominated?
Anyone aged 5-25 who is looked after by, or a care leaver of West Sussex County Council can be nominated for an award. We are so far up to 58 nominations which is absolutely great, but we know there are a lot more young people who deserve to be recognised for their achievements, so please spare a couple of minutes to nominate those young people you work with.
How do I nominate a young person?
If you'd like to nominate a young person in care or care leaver for their achievements (which can include achievements during the COVID-19 period), please send them in to us here. The nominations are open all year round, so we look forward to hearing all of the amazing work everyone has been up to!
We are planning to reschedule the November event until next year due to COVID-19, but will keep you posted. For queries, please email sarah.dimmock@westsussex.gov.uk.
Schools Library Service
The Schools Library Service has recently updated its Diversity and Inclusion book lists. These have been expanded into KS1 and KS2 fiction lists, as well as a combined KS1 and KS2 non-fiction list.
Is there someone you may know who would be interested in taking part in this year's Summer Reading scheme? Click here to find out more!
Progression tools in West Sussex
Just to let you know, Progression Tools are coming West Sussex… in the autumn!
Progression tools, developed by the Communication Trust, are an effective way to screen a child’s communication, helping teaching staff to identify children who may be struggling to develop their speech, language and communication skills. They pinpoint which aspect children may need support with to target your intervention accurately then help you track progression of these skills over time or following interventions- great for informing next steps and showing outcomes! Some of you are already using this so following positive feedback from these schools and the SALT team we would like to support other schools to utilize the benefits the Tools can bring.
Don’t worry, these do not in any way replace the specialist support from a Speech and Language Therapist as they are not a diagnostic tool. However, they will give you further information to help decide whether children would benefit from a targeted intervention or whether they need specialist assessment and support.
More details to follow nearer the time and we will of course be supporting you with the roll-out and training but in the meantime, here is a video from the Communication Trust to give you more context.
Coming in the Autumn term: SEND and Inclusion Leadership forums, led and facilitated by SEND and Inclusion Link Advisers
The Aims of these Forums are to:
Identify and share good practice, linked to SEND and inclusion
Deliver training and provide advice, guidance and support (face-to-face, online, webinars)
Develop systems for peer and school-to-school support
Co-design materials and resources linked to SEND and inclusion
Access to speakers from a wide range of professionals linked to SEND and inclusion
Co-design the development of the Forums
Act as a sounding board between the Local Authority and school-based practitioners
How will they be of benefit to you?
Regular attendance at the SEND Inclusion Forums will enable SENCOs and inclusion leaders to:
Understand the statutory and regulatory context for SEN and disability equality and the implications for practice in their school
Confidently lead SEND and inclusion in different contexts
Understand how SEND affects pupils’ participation and learning
Understand a range of strategies for improving outcomes for pupils with SEND
Know how to work strategically with senior leaders and governors to promote high quality inclusive practice in their school
Competently lead, develop and, where needed challenge senior leaders collectively to promote improvements and developments in inclusive practice in their school
Know how to critically evaluate evidence about learning, teaching and assessment in relation to pupils with SEND to inform practice
Know how to draw on external sources of support and expertise
Skillfully develop, implement, monitor and evaluate systems to promote high quality inclusive practice in their schools
We will be holding online meetings in the Autumn term. All sessions will be 2-4pm, booking information to follow.
North area: 12 October 2020
West: 13 October 2020
South: 15 October 2020
Mid: 16 October 2020
Initially the forums will be online but we will be offering a mixture of online and face to face meetings in the future. We’ve arranged them in areas but you’re welcome to attend another session if that’s more convenient for you. We really welcome your input in planning future sessions.
Claire Prince (North), Louise Burgess (West), Gemma Humphrey (Mid) and Rachel McDonald-Taylor (South) - SEND and Inclusion Link Advisers
SEND & Inclusion Strategy Termly Updates
The summer term SEND & Inclusion Strategy updates can be found on the Local Offer:
The council’s SEND commissioning team have partnered up with its Short Break providers to produce a public Wiki full of helpful information for families about COVID-19.
As well as providing a wealth of useful resources, the interactive Wiki is also full of practical suggestions for activities for children, young people and their families and carers during these challenging times. There’s resources for young children to young adults, including YouTube videos, links to online activities and lots of ideas for keeping busy and learning new things.
The ASC Team have a new Wiki! The Wiki has areas for school staff and for parents. It contains information about the team and the support we can offer to schools. In addition there is some information about a range of aspects of social communication difference as well as links to relevant websites and resources. In the ‘News’ Section there are additional resources which may be useful during the current pandemic. Please note, the Wiki is best viewed using Google Chrome.
Thrive
One of our EPs, Dr Rosa Gibby-Leversuch has written a piece of research published on THRIVE (an attachment/nurture approach used by schools) entitled “To What Extent is the Thrive Intervention Grounded in Research and Theory?”
We are delighted to say that the following schools have achieved their Autism Awareness Award (6 achieved bronze and 2 achieved gold):
Bohunt Secondary School, Worthing – Bronze
Halsford Park Primary Academy, East Grinstead – Bronze
Our Lady Queen of Heaven Primary School, Crawley – Bronze
Poundhill Infant Academy, Crawley – Bronze
Rudgwick Primary School, Horsham – Bronze
St Peter’s Primary School, Cowfold – Bronze
St Lawrence, Hurstpierpoint – Bronze
Georgian Gardens Primary School, Rustington– Gold
Northlands Wood Primary Academy – Gold
Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIAS)
Did you know, the SENDIAS service produces several leaflets on different subjects related to special educational needs? The purpose of the leaflets is to take what is essentially a complicated subject and summarise the main points into an understandable format. They also highlight what the law and national guidance says about rights and responsibilities. The subjects include: SEN Support, Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments, Exclusions, and Education, Health and Care Plans to name a few.
You will also see that some of the commonly used leaflets have been translated into the top 5 languages for non-English speaking people in West Sussex. These will be updated again soon.
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.
