1. SEND INFORMATION EXCHANGE
NOVEMBER 2018

2. New SENCos

3. Saving costs Sorry! No paper copies from today’s exchange
All presentations will be available in the What’s New section of the Local Offer

4. Why don’t you…. Summer project New layout New font and size
Work started on a ‘SENCO’ zone
Refined search facility
Improved accessibility
Clearer service listing
Planned Parent/Carer area

5. ‘What’s New’ has moved home

6. Supported at 12 school events from September
Parents evenings SEND Coffee and Cake drop ins SEND evenings (advertised in school newsletter to maximise parental attendance)

7. SEND Team management changes
John Wood – Strategic Commissioner for SEND (formerly Margaret Morris)
Ben Blake – SEND Team Manager (formerly Paul Arista)
Victoria Whitton – SEND Manager (formerly Julie Hudson)
Julie Hudson has returned to her former MPN role, is overseeing Social Care pathways and leading on Co-production

8. EHCP Co-Ordinator role
Recognise the importance of consistency and the benefits of a co-ordinator working in partnership with their allocated schools and named SENCOs.
Amy Acharya has returned to her teaching role at Elleray Park, Lesley Griffiths retired in October and Ben Blake has been promoted to the SEND Manager role.
Pleasingly all co-ordinators on temporary contracts have been made permanent which significantly helps with planning the support the SEN team can make available to schools.

9. Primary
Secondary
Post 16
Out of Borough
Julie Kendrick
Dawn Taylor
Steve Adderley
Amy Martin
Julia Lewis
Holly Austin
Vacancy (being advertised)
Laura Purser
Allison Carruthers
EHCP Co-ordinators

10. New to the SENCo role? sallytittle@wirral.gov.uk
Please can I ask you to drop me an e mail with your name, school and direct e mail address?
Helps me maintain the distribution lists and ensures all the relevant staff in each setting receive information in a timely manner.
Thanks!

11. New Team K.I.N.D KIDS IN NEED OF DEVELOPMENT
The team is being set up in response to schools reporting a significant increase in the number of children presenting with complex social and mental health issues.
Led by Alison Grimshaw
March Exchange presentation
New Team K.I.N.D KIDS IN NEED OF DEVELOPMENT

12. Parent Carer Participation Wirral
Thanks for your help with the Forum’s leaflet drop to all Wirral Schools. PCPW are grateful and membership has risen significantly. Independent schools and Colleges are next on the list. It would be a big help if SENCO’s of Independent schools and the Colleges could send me the number of children/young people on your SEN register if you haven’t done so already. Thank you!

13. Parent/Carer Survey & the Local Offer
Can’t dress this up as anything other than disappointing. Only 20% of responders were aware of the Local Offer.
I’m realistic and didn’t expect a full house but 1 in 5 is pretty thankless when I’m doing as much engagement work as I am and have done for the best part of 2 years now.
Attended no less than 24 Primary schools, 8 Secondary schools, 5 Special schools and 3 Early Years settings and continue to work closely with PCPW.
Since the survey, a couple of SENCos have shared my frustration and asked me into school to speak directly to Parent/Carers of children on their SEND register.

14. State of play…
Target audience are accessing education 5 days a week in your settings
Many of you have already invited me in to your schools
Some of you have advertised the Local Offer in your newsletters
Some of you have shared the Local Offer newsletter I prepare termly and sent that home with your young people
Most of you have added links from your SEND Information reports to the Local Offer website

15. Ladies & Gents, Tapping into your experience and setting knowledge I’m looking for your input and open to any suggestions

16. Things I’ve found that may help you..
Workfit A programme designed to help people with Down’s Syndrome find jobs. A tailored service dedicated to training employers about the learning associated with people with Down’s syndrome. They move away from the concept of ‘giving people something to do’ to an approach which progresses employees towards new outcomes, through training, confidence building and skills development. Tel: Charlotte’s Brightside – A charity based in a purposely refurbished centre in New Brighton providing a wide range of activities to positively engage children and young people. Activities include: Yoga, rap, graffiti, art, crafts, cooking, drama, dance, singing & choir. Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursday evenings. Open on Mondays and Tuesdays 10-3 during school holidays. E mail: Tel: or

17. Young Women’s Group – run by volunteers who help young girls build their confidence and self esteem. Activities include: Dance, Drama, Make up and Nails, Movie Nights, Karaoke, Aromatherapy, Body Imaging workshops and regular trips.
Age 9-12 Wednesdays 5-7pm and Age Wednesdays 7-9pm
To refer a young lady or find out more call Danielle on or e mail her at
Family Fund
Tel:
The Family Fund gives grants to lower income families with disabled children for things that make life easier and more enjoyable. Grants are given to those raising a disabled or seriously ill child aged 17 or under, to help improve well-being and ease the pressures they often face. Last year, they provided 88,407 grants worth over £33 million to families across the UK.

19. School Information report

20. Identifying SEN in schools
Professionals should also be alert to other events that can lead to learning difficulties or wider mental health difficulties, such as bullying or bereavement. Such events will not always lead to children having SEN but it can have an impact on wellbeing and sometimes this can be severe.
Schools should ensure they make appropriate provision for a child’s short-term needs in order to prevent problems escalating. Where there are long-lasting difficulties schools should consider whether the child might have SEN.
Code of Practice
6.22 

21. ELKLAN's accredited course for verbal students with ASD.
COURSE INFORMATION: Looks at typical communication, then moves on to the types of support e.g. visuals, structure. Sessions are practical and include video observations and practice using different materials/modification of tasks for students. Learners gain a good understanding of typical communication development, difficulties experienced by students with ASD and a range of language/social skills tasks and strategies to use with students.
3.5 DAYS INTENSIVE COURSE FOR SPRING 2019
VENUE: Joseph Paxton Campus, Wirral Hospital School, Claughton
Wed 16th Jan
Wed 13th Feb
Wed 6th March
Mon 25th March
The cost is £382 per person with a £50 discount when a school books two places. Interested SENCO’s should contact Kirstie directly to book a place.
Kirstie Goulding, Independent Speech & Language Therapist
Mobile or by e mail
ELKLAN's accredited course for verbal students with ASD.

22. Other training opportunities – see me for more info
Selective Mutism offered by Shiny Stone
Selective Mutism offered by Kirstie Goulding
Enhanced Transition from Year 6 to 7
Ace’s Thrive Resilience programme
Twilight ASC Training sessions
Other training opportunities – see me for more info

23. Like, follow and share away….
Facebook
thelocalofferwirral
Twitter
@lowirral
Like, follow and share away….

24. SEND Youth Voice Conference 2019
Event will be held from 9am pm on Friday 25th January at Pilgrim Street Arts Theatre NOMINATED TOPICS: Exploitation Relationships Independence Safeguarding
Looking for a couple of SENCos to join us with a couple of their pupils who will be comfortable to contribute to the workshops.

25. We’re making a difference! Here’s how.
Designated Safe Havens across Wirral
Disability Confident Wirral Employers on the up
DWP & Local Offer Focussed partnerships event
SEND Voice. Youth Parliament all motions carried
New lead – Workfit (placement of Down Syndrome young people)
Health partners involving SEND young people in the training of new staff
Treat me Well campaign – reaping dividends
NW SEND Participation Awards
Employment links at Daisy & Jakes, Tranmere Rovers and Leasowe Castle Hotel

26. 2019 EXCHANGE DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES
MARCH
JUNE
EITHER
TUESDAY 5th from 1pm to 3.30pm
TUESDAY 25th from 1pm to 3.30pm OR
WEDNESDAY 6th from 9am to 11.30am
WEDNESDAY 26th from 9am to 11.30am
COUNCIL CHAMBER,
BIRKENHEAD TOWN HALL

27. You know where I am if you need me…