In this issue:
Parent webinar - how we're addressing the need for specialist provision in Hertfordshire
Come and hear from leaders at the council about how we’re addressing the increased need for specialist provision in Hertfordshire.
The next webinar will be taking place online at 7.30pm on Wednesday 27 November.
If you have a question you’d like to have answered during the session, please email
sendstrategy@hertfordshire.gov.uk before 11pm on Monday 18 November. We will theme up the questions we get and try to answer as many as we can during the session. (Please
note we can’t respond to questions about specialist provision for individual children, but we will address the general questions we know a lot of families have about this topic).
New Services for Young People Recruitment Hub (ages 16+)
Services for Young People (SfYP) has launched a new Recruitment Hub, offering young people a seamless gateway to education, employment and training opportunities.
SfYP offers a diverse range of services and employment programmes for young people aged 16-25 who are not in education, employment or training, many of which are specifically for young people with SEND. Their new Recruitment Hub brings all these services together in one place, making them more accessible and understandable to young people, their parents/carers and professionals who work with young people.
Read more about the Services for Young People Recruitment Hub
Supported Intern Louis tells us how Inclusive Job Fairs can help young people into the world of work
Last month, our Supported Intern, Louis attended the Stevenage Step2Skills Inclusive Jobs Fair. He has written an article for us to describe his experience and encourage other young people to attend.
Read Louis' article about the Inclusive Jobs Fair
If you have a young person who may be interested in attending, there is another Step2Skills Inclusive Jobs Fair happening in Hemel Hempstead, on Wednesday 27 November, 10am – 3pm.
Hertfordshire's Neurodiversity support offer (all ages)
The Neurodiversity Support Hub
The Hub offers expert support for Neurodiversity, providing answers to any questions, big or small, and offering a listening ear. No diagnosis is required to access this support, which is available to parents, carers, and professionals. Call or WhatsApp the team on 01727 833963 (answerphone available out of hours) or email at supporthub@add-vance.org.
Digital Webinars and resources
On-demand digital webinars for parents, carers, and professionals relating to Autism, ADHD and navigating the SEND world.
The Toolbox
A dedicated website for children and young people with ADHD and Autism, offering inspirational content, self-help tools, interactive livestreams and lots of other support information. It also guides users to additional services and interventions in Hertfordshire. The website has an anonymous live chat which provides a safe and supportive environment for young individuals to discuss their feelings and concerns with a live person. 
Livestreams include animal crossing, minecraft and more.
Understanding my Autism/ADHD Workshops
These workshops are for Hertfordshire children aged 7-16 who have Autism, ADHD, or both and includes workshops for those who do not have a diagnosis but identify as Neurodivergent. Workshops are delivered in group settings and are available both online and face-to-face. Referrals can be made by parents, carers, or professionals.
COGS App
The COGS app supports young people aged 14+ to understand neurodiversity. It offers techniques to support positive mental well-being, including support with stimming and interviews from people with lived experience.
Neurodiversity Handbook (pdf 6.6mb)
Hertfordshire County Council and the NHS are delighted to share with you the exciting and new 'Supporting your Neurodivergent Child' handbook written by parents for parents. The handbook has useful resources, support and signposting on a whole range of subjects relating to Neurodiversity.
Neurodiversity Service Directory (pdf 191kb)
The Neurodiversity Service Directory contains a list of local support available for children, young people, parents, carers and professionals.
Young People's Social Media SEND takeover
For International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) this year, on Tuesday 3 December, children and young people from across Hertfordshire and the East of England will be taking part in the #SENDtakeover2024.
Our social media channels will be used to amplify the voices of young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Hertfordshire. On this day, between 9am - 5pm, we will be sharing content from schools, partners and youth councils. The theme for the day is 'This is Me'. We want our young people with SEND across the county to have a platform to share what it is important to know about them. Key feedback gathered over the day will be presented by our young experts by experience at the next meeting of leaders across the SEND partnership on 12th December 2024 and will be used to inform positive change across SEND services.
We invite your children and young people to get involved on the day by sharing content using #SENDtakeover2024. Please make sure you tag us too! @hertscountycouncil @hertfordshiresendlocaloffer @HCTCYPT. They can also get involved by creating content for our Voices of Hertfordshire YouTube channel (a new channel made for young people by young people).
For more information, or to get involved, contact our Participation Lead Sarah Stevens at sarah.stevens2@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
Children and Young People's annual health survey (ages 11-19)
Hertfordshire's Young People’s Health and Wellbeing Survey 2024 is open for 11-19-year-olds to share their views anonymously to help improve services in Hertfordshire.
Please encourage any children and young people you know to have their say and complete the Children and Young People's annual survey by 20 December.
This year there is also a pilot online survey adapted for children and young people with SEND aged 11-25 attending Hertfordshire special schools and further education SEND provisions. They will be sent the survey details directly.
Events
View all courses and activities
Inclusive United - Down Syndrome Futsal (ages 18+)
Tuesdays 6 - 7pm, Loreto College St Albans
For all genders aged 18+, Inclusive United welcome players of all abilities to be a part of this fantastic, supportive & positive team environment 
DSPL7 SEND coffee morning
Wednesday 27 November, 9.15 - 11am, St Albans
This is an informal and safe place for parents / carers to share information and chat. The focus for this session is Emotionally Based School Avoidance.
Step2Skills Inclusive Job Fair, Hemel Hempstead
Wednesday 27 November, 10am - 3pm, Everyone Active Hemel Hempstead
If you find job-hunting challenging or have a barrier to employment, the Step2Skills team would love to help make introductions to inclusive employers in Hertfordshire.
New SEND Drop-in and Play, Royston (ages 0-5)
Fridays 9.30 - 10.45am, Royston Family Centre
Come along to this SEND Drop In and Play session to meet other families and discuss any concerns with one of the Family Centre SEND Champions.