NW SEND Regional Network News
September 2015
Dear colleagues
There are two documents out for consultation. SEND North West Regional Network would
like your views on these to inform a NW response.
1) Transition from children's to adults' services: guideline consultation
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-scwave0714/consultation/transitionfrom-childrens-to-adults-services-draft-guideline-consultation
2) Continuing care for children and young people with complex needs
Views are sought on the revised National Framework for Children and Young People’s
Continuing Care (including a tool to ensure all relevant needs are assessed and support
decisions about care).
The framework helps clinical commissioning groups and other professionals to assess the
care required for children and young people with health needs that are not met by existing or
specialised services.
The 2010 framework has been revised to take account of changes to commissioning and the
new arrangements for children with special educational needs and disability.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/continuing-care-for-children-and-youngpeople-with-complex-needs
Please send your views on one or other or both documents to Cathy Hamer
([email protected]) no later than Friday 16 October.
When you’ve got good news to share, or challenges you’d like to work with others to find
solutions for, do get in touch so we can share the learning across the North West. If you
would like to contribute to network activities, request connections for support, or provide
information about forthcoming events for future editions of this newsletter please contact Dr
Cathy Hamer, NW SEND Regional Network lead, Email: [email protected] Tel: 0778
357 7284.
Gill Hoar
NW SEND Regional Lead, Oldham
1
NW Regional Network Events
30 November 2015 NW Keeping in Touch event. The morning focus of this event will be
the inspection of local areas’ SEND responsibilities. The afternoon will provide an
opportunity for local areas to engage in practical planning. A parallel afternoon session will
take the form of an interactive presentation on RIX Wikis, an innovative tool for personcentred planning. This will explore how the use of RIX Wikis and multimedia advocacy has
enabled Local Authorities to embed a person-centred approach and facilitative multi-agency
collaboration. There will be a place for SEND leads – education and social care, health and
each parent carer forum along with Delivery partners. Invitations will be issued shortly.
SAVE THE DATE: 21 January 2016
This will be an event focussing on health and SEND arranged in the NW by the Council for
Disabled Children.
Other events:
October and December 2015: Finished at School
Please see link below for dates of training for college and LA staff based on the Finished At School
project about improving transition for young people with autism. The day costs £20. Local training is
at Tameside College in October and December.
http://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/further-information-on-finished-at-school-training-courses
13 October 2015: How do children learn language?
Amy Bidgood, researcher, is running an accredited evening course How do children learn
language? The five week course will take place in Liverpool on Tuesday evenings from 79pm, starting on 13th October. It will cover various aspects of language acquisition, including
how babies learn to pronounce the sounds of English and how they learn words and
grammar. Full details can be found on the University of Liverpool website.
20 October 2105: Inclusion Matters 3rd annual conference: Mental Health in Schools,
Manchester Town Hall
The keynote speaker, Professor Katherine Weare (author of "Developing the Emotionally
Literate School") will be joined by Sharon Gray OBE, Teacher of the Year 2013 and a
member of the Mental Health Task Force together with her colleague Kat Booker. Katherine
will discuss the evidence base for supporting mental health needs in schools ("What
works?"), whilst Sharon and Kat will talk about developing Nurturing Schools.
The Seminar programme features contributions from educational psychologists representing
services across the country, whilst the Marketplace includes information from a number of
local Manchester groups working with children and young people who need support. There
will be displays and information from Information Advice and Support, the Manchester Local
Offer, 42nd Street, Talbot House, the Youth Zone and Manchester Mind.
To book visit the website and click on the link: Inclusion Matters 2015: Mental Health in
Schools
21 October 2015 Personalised Technology Conference, Anfield Stadium, Liverpool.
Breaking down the barriers: how can we use technology to improve the health and wellbeing
of people with learning disabilities?
2
Hft’s 2015 Personalised Technology conference will explore how technology is fundamental
to improving the health and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities and how this is
consistent with Government strategies around self-care.
http://www.hft.org.uk/News--events/Hft-events/Personalised-Technology-conference-2015/
21 October 2015 Free information day, Manchester – Eye gaze in the classroom
http://www.inclusive.co.uk/events/information-days
5 and 6 November 2015 ADHD and Allied Neurodevelopmental Services Symposium
conference, organised by the ADHD Foundation, Liverpool
The presentations on the 5th November would be of interest to anyone working in a clinical
capacity with adults/ young people with ADHD. They include:
 Examples of a range of new models of Service design, multiagency approaches
and transformed ADHD Pathways from around the UK.
 Latest developments in the National Autism Project.
 Latest developments using digital technology in assessing core signs of ADHD.
 New research in ADHD and Drug Use and ADHD and Neurofibromatosis.
 Recent research into a significantly underrepresented group, Girls and Young
women and ADHD.
The conference on the 6th November is more focused upon how we achieve outstanding
educational outcomes for children and young people with ADHD. Highlights include:
 The results of a ten year research project in London into effective SEND
provision and developing the role of the SENCO.
 Lesley Cox, Lead HMI for SEND and Disability for OFSTED presenting
“How OFSTED evaluate outstanding SEND provision. “
 Girls and ADHD.
 Using innovative technology in school to increase self-regulation for learners
with ADHD and increase attainment.
 Workshops on outstanding practice with learners with dyslexia, dyscalculia and
Tourette’s syndrome.
If you require any more information, please contact [email protected]
11 November 2015 CDC Conference: Special educational needs and disability - the
vision for 2020. London
https://dub111.mail.live.com/?tid=cmPymnycou5RG9uAAhWtgMLA2&fid=flinbox
11 November 2015 ipads and tablets for special needs, Manchester
http://www.inclusive.co.uk/events/information-days
24 November 2015 The Council for Disabled Children and the British Academy of
Childhood Disability first Joint Conference - Prioritising Children's Health: Protecting
and developing services
The Studio Venues, Caxton Gate, 14 Cannon Street, Birmingham, B2 5EP
Cost: From £150
This unique event focuses on the levers in policy and from practice which can help to protect
and improve children's health services. Participants will gain an understanding of how to
protect and develop services and influence local priorities to include children and young
people amid reform and cuts to budgets.
The morning session will be followed by themed afternoon sessions providing a snapshot of
innovative practice. Hear from:
 Health Education England
 NHS England
 Children and Young People's Health Outcomes Forum
 And other innovation sites from across England
3
Who Should Attend?
 Paediatric Clinicians (medical, nursing and AHP's);
 Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Designated Medical and Clinical
Officers;
 Children's Health Commissioners;
 Voluntary Organisations with an interest in child health
Please see the flier found here for more information.
19 January 2016 Master class – Jointly commissioning children’s palliative care, The
Studio, 51 Lever Street, Manchester. M1 1FN
To support effective joint commissioning of children’s palliative care, including short breaks,
Together for Short Lives is running an all-day masterclass. There is no charge for attending
the event, which will bring commissioners and providers together to discuss and learn about
successful joint commissioning and hear about cases in which joint commissioning has
improved outcomes for children and young people.
http://www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/professionals/events/8560_oneday_masterclass_jointly_commissioning_childrens_palliative_care
An Opportunity for young people: New ‘I can make it’
campaign- seeking to link up
Disability Rights UK have created a new campaign that aims to create new job opportunities
for young disabled people.
What’s it all about?
The aim is to influence existing spending in local government and some large businesses.
The campaign will be led by young disabled people (aged 18- 29) with support in
Birmingham, Bristol, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham,
Sheffield and Southampton. Other cities will be considered. It will involve young disabled
people in persuading key decision makers in local authorities and businesses and
connecting to fellow campaigners in the other cities via social media and email. Learning will
take place about:
 Advocacy and presentational skills
 How local government works e.g. local government procurement and tendering
 Buying and supply chain policies and corporate social responsibility
 Inclusive recruitment and retention practices and campaigning skills
 Video production to allow experiences and stories to be shared.
The organisation are looking for people that can spend on average one day a week working
on this campaign and learning new skills as required.
For anyone interested please email Leo Capella ([email protected]) with
your CV, a message saying why you want to volunteer for this project and what your access
requirements are as soon as possible.
NEWSFLASH: Department for Education
SEND: managing changes to legislation from September 2015
The Department for Education has published the third edition of this advice on changes to
legislation relating to children and young people with special educational needs and
disabilities (SEND). It explains the process for moving children and young people with SEND
across from the old SEND system to the new one introduced by the Children and Families
Act 2014.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/456818/SEN_
reforms_transitional_statutory_guidance_0_991.pdf
4
A briefing on the changes to the timescales for transfer reviews is available from CDC at
http://www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/resources/a-briefing-on-the-changes-totimescales-for-transfer-reviews
Focus: Schools
What do the SEN and disability reforms mean for schools?
CDC have worked with NASEN and the SEN Leaders programme to produce a briefing on:



what the reforms mean for schools one year on
who has responsibility for what
what support is available for schools
Schools may want to use the briefing to check how they are doing. To read and download
this briefing please click here.
The final report of the Commission on Assessment Without Levels, McIntosh, J. (2015) is
available at
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/461534/Com
mission_report_.pdf
Focus: Health
Children and young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing
On 3 August 2015, NHS England published guidance asking Clinical Commissioning Groups
to continue and accelerate intensive work with local partners across the NHS, public health,
children's social care, youth justice and education sectors to jointly develop and take forward
local plans to transform the local offer to improve children and young people's health and
wellbeing, in line with Future in mind.
Further information can be found here http://www.england.nhs.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2015/07/local-transformation-plans-cyp-mh-guidance.pdf
Alongside, NHS England and the National Collaborating Centre for mental health published
a commissioning guide for the access and waiting time standard for children and young
people with an eating disorder. Further information can be found here
http://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cyp-eating-disorders-accesswaiting-time-standard-comm-guid.pdf
Local transformation plans for CAMHS: guidance
NHS England plans to ask each local area to develop and agree a local transformation plan
for children. The plans will be used to allocate new money to Clinical Commissioning Groups
(CCGs) which was committed by Government for Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Services (CAMHS). Plans will require sign off by the HWB. In recognition of the challenging
timescales the recommendation is for a member of the HWB to work with the lead CCG in
their area to develop and sign off the plan. NHS England will assure plans prior to releasing
funding. Plans need to be submitted by 16 October 2015.
Read the guidance.
First ever mental health champion for schools
The DfE’s first ever mental health champion for schools will help to raise awareness and
reduce the stigma around young people’s mental health.
5
Natasha Devon MBE - who works as a television pundit and writer - was chosen for the role
following her extensive work with young people. This includes launching 2 organisations
which give young people practical tips on dealing with mental health and body image
concerns. As founder of the Self-Esteem Team and the Body Gossip education programme,
Natasha has delivered classes to more than 50,000 teenagers, as well as their parents and
teachers.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-ever-mental-health-champion-for-schoolsunveiled
New oral health survey of children in special schools
Children in special support schools have slightly lower levels of tooth decay than children in
mainstream schools but are more likely to have their teeth extracted, according to a new
survey by Public Health England.
The first national survey of oral health in special schools – schools for children with severe
special education needs and disabilities – also show that those who experienced decay have
more teeth affected and their oral hygiene is poorer. The number of children in special
support schools with a substantial amount of plaque is double that of those attending
mainstream schools (4% and 2% respectively for 5 year olds and 20% and 10% respectively
for 12 year olds).
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-oral-health-survey-of-children-in-special-schools
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/oral-health-of-5-and-12-year-old-childrenattending-special-support-schools-in-england-2014
Joint commissioning
Together for Short Lives has published a new commissioning guide for clinical
commissioning groups, local authorities and health and wellbeing boards in England.
There is no charge for downloading and using the guide, which can be accessed online from
www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/jointcommissioning
Produced as part of our Department for Education-funded special educational needs and
disability (SEND) project, the new guide is consistent with the new SEND system and the
joint commissioning duty in the Children and Families Act 2014. It sets out the duties on
each body and what they should do to jointly commission children’s palliative care services.
It also provides a step-by-step guide, which follows the established joint commissioning
cycle, including advice for commissioners on:
establishing the right local partnerships
understanding how many children and young people they need to commission
services for - and what they need, including short breaks
creating economies of scale
planning palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions
which includes short breaks
ensuring that services are provided jointly
funding children’s palliative care services in the context of NHS England’s
‘Developing a new approach to palliative care funding’ document
reviewing services.
SEN Survey guidance
Special educational needs survey 2016: guide
Guide for LAs completing data submissions for the 2016 SEN survey, commonly known as
SEN2.
6
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-educational-needs-survey-2016-guide
Special educational needs survey 2017
Guide for local authorities completing data submissions for the 2017 SEN survey, commonly
known as SEN2.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-educational-needs-survey-2017-guide
Focus: Practice
Supporting a child with Down Syndrome:
The Down's Syndrome Association helpful packs are freely available here:
http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/for-new-parents/education/education-support-packs/
Also
Down Syndrome Education International have been developing a series of programmes
specifically designed to suit learners with DS, which now have their own website:
http://www.seeandlearn.org/en-gb/
They even offer free online webinars introducing each of the programmes (speech, literacy,
maths and memory).
Reports:
Unprotected, Overprotected.
Barnardo’s, The Children’s Society, British Institute of Learning Disabilities, Paradigm
Research and Coventry University:
New research reveals that children with learning disabilities are more vulnerable to sexual
exploitation than other children, and face additional barriers to protection and to receiving
support. This issue is often hidden as there is limited awareness that young people with
learning disabilities are sexually exploited.
This new report, ‘Unprotected, Overprotected’, reveals that significant numbers of children
with learning disabilities are not being adequately protected from sexual exploitation
because of the false perception that they do not need sex and relationships education or
accessible information about how to keep safe online and in the community. The research
also reveals that children with learning disabilities are not being adequately protected due to
a worrying lack of specialist services and a failure to implement existing national and local
policies.
www.bild.org.uk/EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=6836
Prison Reform Trust. Relative Justice: The experiences and views of family members
of people with particular needs in contact with criminal justice and liaison and
diversion services
This report is for those who are concerned with the families of people with particular
needs in contact with criminal justice services, and for policy makers and commissioners of
liaison and diversion, and wider health and social care services, in particular.
Reviews:
Written statement to Parliament - Announcement of a review into youth justice.
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/youth-justice
7