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West Sussex SEND IAS Service
In touchKeeping parents and carers of children with SEND In touch with the latest information and events
Autumn 2015 Newsletter
contentPage 2:
Do Lemons have Feathers?
Admissions Info
Local Offer Study
SEND Consultation
Page 3:
Safer Internet Day 2016
Compass Card West Sussex
Call for IPS Volunteers
Reaching Families Training
Page 4:
Understanding your Child with Autism or Aspergers
Understand Me
POET Survey
Welcome to our Autumn 2015 Term newsletter.
There is so much going on at the moment that we have a packed edition this term and have not managed to report on all the good things that are happening out there in West Sussex. A good problem to have, but with so many events and activities going on around the county, it is easy to miss something that may have been really helpful to you or your family.
This was also the feedback that the Local Offer team were getting over the course of last year. Wouldn’t it be great to have all these events and activi-ties in one place…? That way a parent or young person would not miss out if they knew where to look. Also, a provider could make sure their event did not clash with another significant event happening near-by them. Well now you can! The Local Offer has a new ‘Calendar of events’ feature where providers can post all their activities and events that they are putting on. This has been long awaited and is well used despite only being in existence for a couple of months.
The Local Offer team want to make sure everyone is using it though to ensure it really serves its purpose of giving families informed information and choice. You could help us by making sure your local support group or organisations that you use are aware of the Local Offer and have their service summary card written. Also, ask them if they are utilising the ‘calendar of events’, a free way to promote the great activities and events that they are doing – Thank you.The link to the calendar of events is:https://westsussex.local-offer.org/search_events
The link to a video explaining how best to use the calendar of events feature: https://westsussex.local-offer.org/information/1-about-local-offer#using-the-calendar
Have a lovely Christmas, Heather
Local OfferYou are invited to participate in a study exploring what you and your child/young person like to do for fun, what services you access and what services you find difficult to access.
This study involves two parts. The first part is being involved in photo(s)/films to create a visual narrative. The second part is partaking in an interview. The aim of the project is to better understand the story of parent carers accessing services in West Sussex. Photos may be used to illustrate your experiences on the Local Offer and in an exhibition/workshop.
If you would like more information about being involved please email [email protected] or call 0330 222 8555 and ask to speak to Charlotte Smith (your Local Offer Officer). I look forward to hearing from you.
Have you ever wondered if autism is a gift? Do Lemons Have Feathers? is written by David Burns for parents, teachers and people with high functioning type autism, such as Asperger’s syndrome. Written by a parent on the spectrum, it’s both practical and insightful and contains strategies that actually work.
Although autism may be a serious subject, that hasn’t deterred the author from applying his very funny outlook and humour to produce a book that’s refreshing, up to date and easy to read. Full of comedic situations and anecdotes, the book is designed to be picked up and dipped into when a bit of encouragement is needed through those tough days when no one else is around to lift the spirit.
What David brings is an insider’s view and a down-to-earth understanding with practical application.
Admissions InfoIs your child starting school in September 2016? If your child’s date of birth is between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012 it is now time to apply for their school place.
Do you think, for whatever reason, you may struggle with the Admissions process? If you feel that you may find it difficult to understand or complete the admissions process SEND IAS can:
• explain the admissions process to you• help you to make an informed decision about your child’s schools of preference• help you to fill in the online application form.
Please contact us on 0330 222 8555 if you would like to talk through any of these. Please note that the closing date for applications is the 15th January 2016. If you need more information on the admissions process you can also go to: www.westsussex.gov.uk/admissions
SEND IAS SERVICE SURVEYMany thanks to all of you who sent back a completed questionnaire. Your feedback will help us continue to develop and improve the service we provide. Congratulations to a parent in the Hassocks area who won the prize draw of SEND IAS goodies and a £20 M&S voucher.
DOLemonsHAVE
Feathers?
“Down-to-earth, funny and, above all, encouraging.”UTA FRITH
ONE MAN’S APPROACHTO HIS GIFT OF
AUTISM
DAVID BURNS
Charlotte SmithLocal Offer Officer
Calling all parent carers of children and young people with SEND. WSCC would like to hear your views on what an Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS) looks like, what information you would like and how you would like to receive it. Please complete the 5 question survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TGF68DX before the 21st December.
Safer Internet Day 2016 Workshops Over the years, Safer Internet Day (SID) has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. These preparatory half-day training events will provide delegates with an opportunity to focus on a range of themes identified as part of Safer Internet Day 2016 (Tuesday 9th February).
The workshop is available on two dates, times for both are 9.00 to 12.30:• Tuesday 19th January 2016 – Seahaven Academy, Newhaven• Thursday 21st January 2016 – Billingshurst Community & Conference
To book and find full details of these workshops and all the Anti-Bullying Works training events please check out the website at www.antibullyingworks.co.uk/events or to sign up to their mailing list and receive a termly newsletter go to www.antibullyingworks.co.uk/contact-us
Are you interested in being a volunteer Independent Parental Supporter? SEND IAS are looking to recruit more volunteers in the following areas; Worthing, Crawley and Billingshurst or those who are prepared to travel to them. If you have some free time and want to do something rewarding then please think about volunteering for us. We are happy with you being flexible in the amount of hours you can give and we hold an Induction/training day as well as offering support and supervision.
If you have good listening and communication skills, an understanding of the needs of parents and children in general, or knowledge/experience of special educational needs, please contact SEND IAS on 0330 222 8555 or email: [email protected] for more information.
Introducing Compass Card West Sussex A new initiative from Brighton-based charity, Amaze, and West Sussex County Council will help make leisure more welcoming and more affordable for 0-25s with additional needs. Modelled on Brighton and Hove’s Compass Card, Compass Card West Sussex will provide discounts and special offers at dozens of local facilities.
It’s expected that registrations will open in February 2016 and that the card will launch in April 2016. But first, Amaze has an important task; the charity will be consulting with parent carers and young people about the offers they’d like to see on the card.
There will be several Focus Groups across West Sussex early in the New Year, but in the meantime, there’s an online parent carer survey at http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2351397/CompassWestSussex and parent carers can pick up paper copies in West Sussex libraries. Paper copies are also available by emailing [email protected] or by calling Amaze on 0300 123 9186.
Handling Stress and Building your own Resilience
18th January 20169.45 am – 12 pmHerons Dale School, Shoreham
27th January 20169.45 am – 12.30 pmNew Park Centre,
Chichester
Parent-carers require a range of skills above and beyond the normal parenting experience and access to training is vital to helping parents develop these skills. Reaching Families delivers a series of training workshops across a wide variety of subjects that we know are challenges for parents and families. Our training is delivered in a road show format, which means we can reach families right across West Sussex.
To book a place on these workshops please call or email one of our training & out-reach co-ordinators. You can reach Rosemary Hudson on 07704 037664 or email her at [email protected]. You can reach Charlotte Linington on 07864 599474 or email her at [email protected].
Making Sense of Children’s Sleep Difficulties
West Sussex SEND IAS Service
Oriel Lodge, West Street , Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1RZ Helpline: 0845 075 1008 Email: [email protected]
WS0502 12.15
www.westsussex.gov.uk/understandme
Understand MeThe Communication LibraryYour local library can help with free specialist resources – all you need is a library card!
We have a special communication library with a range of resources, including devices to help with AAC (alternative and augmentative communication).
WS31281(C) 09.15
Do you know a child that has difficulty communicating because of a disability?
POET SurveyWhat is the survey about?West Sussex County Council (WSCC) is participating in a survey to find out how Education, Health and Care Plans and personal budgets are working for children and young people nationally, and here in West Sussex.
Who is the survey for?Children and young people who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan, and their parents or carers are being encouraged to take part. They are interested to hear your views and your experience about the process of obtaining an EHC Plan as well as how they’ve been working. How can I get involved in the survey? You can follow the links to the online questionnaires below:Children and young people who have an EHC Plan: http://ow.ly/Sw122 Parents/carers of children and young people who have an EHC Plan: http://ow.ly/SwOZaPlease note the survey closes at the end of December 2015. If you would prefer to complete a paper version or have any questions about completing the survey, please contact:
Sarah West, SEND Data and Research Officer, West Sussex County Council. Tel: 0330 222 8230 Email: [email protected]
Understanding your Child With Autism or AspergersWest Sussex Adolescent and Family Resource Service together with Anne Bartlett.
We will be running a Parent / Carer group for 4 consecutive Tuesdays in 2016.
• January 19th, 26th,• February 2nd and 9thAt: - Billingshurst Community Centre Roman way, Billingshurst RH14 9QWTime: - 5:30pm until 8:45pmThe expectation is for Parents / Carers to attend every week.Sandwiches, tea, coffee and soft drinks will be provide
Topics to be covered• Why does my child do the things he does?• Why does he struggle with the things he struggles with?• Sensory Overload?• Creating calm• Improving communication• Rituals and repetitive behaviour• Challenging behaviour Plus more…
To book please contact:-SARAH FIELD, Group Development WorkerAdolescent and Family Resource [email protected] 672009
