Dear readers,
Welcome to the second e-bulletin of January. Given the current circumstances, we will be sending the e-bulletin out fortnightly rather than monthly. We hope this will support you in keeping up with developments as well as knowing how and where to access support and information. If you are receiving this from another source, please sign up to receive your own copy https://wolvesiass.org/register/
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The IASS is here for you as you juggle and manage demands. We work with parents, carers, children and young people. We offer impartial and confidential information, advice and support on matters relating to a child or young person's (0-25) SEND. If you have questions, concerns or would just like some information then please get in touch.
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IASS online training Spring 2021
Please join us to learn more about how children and young people with special educational needs/disabilities (SEND) are supported with or without an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP). Improve your knowledge of the law around SEND and feel more confident in discussions and decisions. Parents, carers and professionals working in Wolverhampton are welcome to join.
Download our Spring 2021 online training flyer. (Click on the dates to book your place)
IASS update
Strategic work
The IASS has an important role in shaping how services are delivered to local families. Through our knowledge of the law around SEND and our day to day work with families we are well placed to do so. We are proud of the partnership we have with colleagues across the City and other groups that represent children, young people and their families.
Young People update
We are very proud of our IASS Young People’s Advisory Board and delighted that amongst our members we have Jude and Daniel who are full of passion about making sure that the voice of children and young people with SEND is heard and understood.
Jude is an aspiring young journalist, with several interviews under his belt with interesting people in the world of sport and disability including CP team (Cerebral Palsy) England captain Jack Rutter. Jude is a big advocate for CP his bio reflects this: Cerebral Palsy can
We mentioned Daniel in our last e-bulletin and you can also keep up to date with all the good work Daniel is doing by following him on social media.
Why not take a look at the social media sites for these two inspirational young people. We are sure there is something that will interest you.
Twitter: @Daniel_Watkins1 Instagram: @daniel_watkins20 Website: dwatkins.co.uk
Twitter: @Judes_Journey Instagram: @Judes_Journey YouTube: Jude's Journey
You can read more about the Young People's Advisory Board in our latest magazine. If you are interested in joining or would like to know more you can Email Lisa Colton our Children and Young People's Development Officer.
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Covid-19 SEND update
Attendance at schools and settings
Vicky Ford MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families wrote an open letter on 14th January to all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), their parents/carers and families, and others who support them.
Read Vicky Ford's open letter 14.01.21
We have received lots of enquiries about attendance at schools and settings. Vicky Ford's letter is very helpful in clarifying some of these queries and includes:
- Children and young people with an EHC plan should be allowed to continue attending their education setting if their parent wants them to (or, for post-16 provision, if the young person wants to attend),
- The expectations for those children and young people who are supported through ‘SEN Support’ and those who fall under the broad category defined as ‘vulnerable’ (make ‘vulnerable’ the link and link to the document above).
- There is no change to the legal duty for schools and colleges to use their best endeavours in meeting the special educational needs of pupils/students whether they are accessing a place or are at home.
We encourage you to read the letter and to have open and honest conversations with the school or setting about your wishes. It may be that a part-time placement works better for your family at the moment. Schools and settings are also dealing with staff sickness.
Where it is not possible for a child or young person with SEND – including both those with an EHC plan and those who are supported through SEN Support – to attend their education setting during this period, they should receive remote education and support.
The Local Authority is asking SENCOs to complete a data collection exercise to provide information on children and young people with Education, Health and Care plans and those at SEN Support. This data will help the Local Authority tailor support and ensure those who need it can access it e.g. from the Outreach Service, specialist teachers and educational psychologists. The data will inform the Local Authority of the numbers of children and young people in provision or accessing remote learning. The Local Authority is asking schools for examples of how they are keeping in touch with families and differentiating tasks for remote learning.
Here are some other updates that you may find useful:
Guidance on who should be allowed to access a school place
Details on the system of protective measures that schools should put in place
Resources that are suitable for pupils and students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) of all ages
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) updated guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19
Guidance on making a support bubble with another household
Asymptomatic testing in schools and colleges – Frequently asked questions
There are lots of questions about Covid-19 testing in schools.
You may find this pdf helpful:
Asymptomatic testing in schools and colleges public FAQs
Page 11 of the pdf answers questions relating to children and young people with SEND.
Support with home learning
Wolverhampton Education Psychology Service continues to offer a free consultation service to parents/carers living in Wolverhampton and also to parents/carers of children or young people in the care of Wolverhampton Local Authority.
Educational Psychology Wolverhampton
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Wolverhampton Outreach Service is now offering support directly to parents. This may include help for your child to engage in home learning, access the curriculum or develop on-task behaviours whilst learning at home.
Wolverhampton Outreach parent support offer
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What should remote education look like? Read this blog from Education in the media
There are further resources which you may find helpful to support with home leaning tasks on the IASS Covid -19 web page.
A reminder BBC Bitesize is offering 3 hours of primary programming on CBBC from 9am including Bitesize Daily and Live Lessons.
Secondary students tune in to BBC Two for Bitesize Daily, drama adaptations and factual titles.
PLUS Bitesize Daily will be on Red Button every week day and on BBC iPlayer on demand
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Give your views
We always welcome feedback on experiences of using the IASS. If you haven’t already please complete a short survey to tell us about your experience.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/83S8PNJ
Social Media
The quickest way to keep up to date is to follow us on social media.
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Share your news
We are always happy to share information on our e-bulletins which help to promote a relevant and appropriate service which will be informative and of interest to our readers.
We aim to add short and punchy stories, facts and information. Please add web-links wherever possible & any necessary documents in PDF.
Please e-mail your information to ias.service@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Our next e-bulletin will be sent out Wednesday 10th February so please send any inserts by Friday 5th February.
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