Wishing you a happy half term in the sunshine!
In this issue:
Improvements in EHCPs
We’ve sent out more EHCPs, proposed amended plans and review paperwork from our SEND team than usual recently, and we wanted to let you know why. We have been working on a number of improvement projects over the last 6 months, particularly around annual reviews. This has included:
- The introduction of a new team early this year who only process annual reviews
- Moving to a new database for our EHCP workflows
- Activities to check that all of our data is accurate and up to date following the move from our old system into our new system
- Developing new ways for schools to complete their annual review paperwork online and submit it securely directly into our new database.
We are starting to see some exciting results from these projects:
- the reviews team have processed over 1400 children and young people's reviews in the last 5 months.
- The new database means we are getting much better data reporting, which has allowed us to check all the information on children with EHCPs in Hertfordshire more easily.
- We have our first schools using the new online annual review paperwork from this month, with plans to roll out to lots more schools from September.
However, what this has meant is that there has been a lot of activity on annual reviews in a short period of time, and the result of that is that we have been issuing a lot of paperwork to families. Some of you may have received paperwork from us about previous reviews such as review decisions, proposed amended plans, and final plans from reviews that took place some time ago. Some plans may have been finalised either later than expected, or more quickly than you would have expected, in order to meet deadlines for the next reviews. We apologise for any confusion this has caused.
If you're confused about paperwork that you've received, or think that something has been missed in your amended or final plan, please get in touch with us and we will look in to it with you. The area lines below are available 9am - 5.30pm Monday - Thursday, and 9am - 4.30pm Fridays.
Carers week 7 - 13 June
“Many people have taken on new or extra caring responsibilities during the coronavirus pandemic. We want to remind anyone caring for someone due to illness, disability or other reason, that we and other organisations are there for you during Carers Week and all year round. We provide information, advice, and opportunities to have a break from caring or connect with other carers, so get in touch to find out how we can help you!” Michele Stokes - Chief Executive, Carers in Hertfordshire
This Carers Week, 7-13 June, Carers in Hertfordshire has several events for unpaid carers to join in with – most online, but there are some walks. For SEND parent carers specifically, there is a drawing workshop and benefits information session. Learn more at Carers in Herts Carers Week 2021 webpage or call 01992 58 69 69.
This year’s theme is Making Caring Visible and Valued. Learn more at the Carers Week website
If you provide unpaid care to someone and you or they are in Hertfordshire, and you’d like support from Carers in Hertfordshire please email contact@carersinherts.org.uk or call 01992 58 69 69.
Parental conflict and relationship support
Parental conflict at home can have a huge impact on the mental health of children and young people. Last month, professionals from the SEND team were asked to present at a national webinar for professionals around the country on this topic, specifically focussing on the impact of parental conflict on children and young people with SEND. We are grateful to Herts Parent Carer Involvement who co-presented with us, to ensure that the voice of the parent was represented. In our session, we invited professionals to think about how we support families of children with SEND on this subject and argued that more evidence is needed to fully understand the needs of this group. Over 1600 professionals from different backgrounds attended, and we received some really positive feedback.
If you would like to know more about relationship support available to families, visit Relationship support for parents | Hertfordshire County Council.
Events
View all half term events
Phoenix Group - Veg printing and Planting
Thursday 3 June 10am - 12, Cassiobury Park -Watford
For Phoenix Early Birds (under 7s) - a chance to have fun and meet other parents.
Phoenix Group - Teaching Talons (reptiles and animals) for deaf children
Friday 4 June 11.30 am and 1.30pm £5 Ludwick Family Centre, Welwyn Garden City
Storytelling Skills workshop - Herts Inclusive Theatre
Wednesday 2 June 1.30pm - 2pm for 18+ year olds
Explore the art of inclusive storytelling! We will use mime, games, speech, or writing to make our own fantastic fairy tales, fabulous fables and playful poems in this fully accessible workshop.
Outdoor Exclusive Free Play - SPACE
Sunday 6 June 10am - 12, The Patch Ashley Green - £10 per family
Exclusive fun and interactive 2 hour guided outdoor free play sessions for children/young people and their families. Come and build, create, play and have fun with your family.
SEN Karate - SPACE
SPACE Hertfordshire, in conjunction with the Lea Valley Karate Academy (LVKA) are pleased to be able to offer karate classes for children with SEN and their siblings at:
Onslow St Audreys School Gymnasium, Hatfield- 6 sessions starting on Tuesday 8 June at 6pm
Methodist Church Hall Hoddesdon - 6 sessions starting on Tuesday 8 June at 4.30pm