In this issue:
Hear about the progress we made on SEND improvements in October - December 2024
Our progress update on the SEND Priority Action and Improvement plan for October - December 2024 is now live.
If you don't have time to read the whole thing, here are some highlights:
📜 The Department for Education and NHS England carried out a 'stocktake': they reviewed our progress so far, and outlined how they feel we are doing in this Stocktake letter (PDF 188kb).
⌚ There has been a 99% decrease in the number of children waiting over 6 weeks for Speech and Language needs assessment reports: recruitment into the speech and language therapies service has increased, too.
🩺 More eligible young people are attending their annual health check: 4.7% more in East and North Herts, and 8.7% more in South and West Herts. Learn about annual health checks.
🏫 The number of children waiting for a special school place or other specialist provision has decreased by 63%: We continue to work with our schools in Hertfordshire to find creative solutions for children waiting for places.
📰 Timeliness for EHC Needs Assessments has improved: 20-week timeliness for EHC Needs Assessments is at 54% for 2024. We are still working on this, but this is an improvement on last year (40%).
Read our full update on our SEND Improvement Plan progress so far.
Exciting new activities for Spring (ages 14+ eligible for Short Breaks)
Join us for a series of fun and engaging activities at Hudnall Park, designed to inspire and empower young people with SEND. Full-day sessions include lunch! These sessions are for young people aged 14+ who are eligible for Short Breaks. (To check if your child is eligible, take a look at the Short Breaks page on the Local Offer ).
- Woodland Explorers, Tuesday 18 February 10am - 12pm - Discover nature, build shelters, create natural crafts, and boost self-confidence
- Archery - Tuesday, 18 February 1-3pm - Learn archery techniques and compete in fun games.
- Low Ropes - Thursday, 20 February 1-3pm - Tackle a woodland balance course with your team. Fun physical challenges await!
- Ziplining - Wednesday 19 February 10am - 12pm
- Challenge Course - Wednesday, 19 February 1 - 3pm & Friday, 21 February 10am -12pm - Team up to conquer balance beams, rope traverses, tunnels, and more!
- Circus Skills Workshop - Saturday, 22 February or 1st March 10am - 3pm - Master juggling, hula hoops, stilt walking, and more in a supportive environment.
- Walk on the Wild Side - Saturday, 15 March 10am - 3pm - Embark on a nature walk to spot and record wildlife. Perfect for budding explorers!
Don't miss out on these fantastic opportunities! Sign up now and let the adventure begin!
For further details, contact:
Take a look at the Hudnall Park website
Help Shape Services for Children and Young People in Hertfordshire (all ages)
Hertfordshire County Council is creating a new plan to support children and young people over the next 5 years. We want to hear from you. By answering the questions in this survey, you can tell us what you think is important. Your feedback will help us decide what to focus on. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. 
Complete the survey - open until 16 March.
If you have any questions or need the survey in an alternative format please contact p&d.team@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Lending SPACE has a new venue and a new sensory room (all ages)
Lending SPACE - Hertfordshire's free SEND toy and equipment lending library - have now re-opened in a new location, with a brand-new sensory room!
New Address: B1, The Maltings, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8HG (still at The Maltings but in a new unit)
🌟 Interactive Projection System – Step into space adventures, prehistoric jungles and more with vibrant visuals projected on the floor and walls, creating immersive sensory experiences.
🌟 Infinity Tunnel – A mesmerizing feature that creates an endless illusion of light and depth, perfect for calming and focusing moments.
🌟 Bubble Tube with Fibre Optics – A soothing and interactive centrepiece with glowing colours and tactile fibre optics to stimulate and relax.
🌟 Wall-Mounted Sensory Panels – Engage little hands and minds with touch-and-feel activities designed for sensory play.
They're open this February half term - come in and say hello!
Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 9.30am - 12.30pm
Services for Young People - Preparing for Adulthood Consultation (ages 13 -17)
Services for Young People (SfYP) are looking for feedback on proposed changes to its Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) offer for young people with education, health and care plans (EHCPs).
The PfA Transition Plan helps young people plan for their future and decide what to do when they leave school. Qualified SfYP Careers Advisers provide well-informed, impartial information, advice and guidance on their future options, taking into consideration young people’s hopes and aspirations. The proposed changes aim to streamline the process, making it more efficient and effective, and enabling parents/carers to be more involved.
SfYP wants to hear from young people with EHCPs, their parents/carers, schools and other professionals who work with young people. All views, concerns, and suggestions received will help shape the final PfA offer, ensuring that it meets the needs of all young people with EHCPs.
Read about the proposed changes on the SfYP website.
Please provide your feedback through one of these three online surveys:
The surveys will be open until 7 March 2025.
Events
View all events on the Local Offer
SEND Club Night
Saturday 22 February, 7.30pm - 12am, Ruislip (£10)
A club night designed especially for young adults, including those with SEND. An opportunity for them to enjoy an evening with friends and make new connections outside school and college in an inclusive and supportive environment.
What is Dyslexia?
Tuesday 25 February 7.30pm - 9.30pm, Hertford (Free)
This talk is by a parent of dyslexic children (now adults), has been a teacher, has provided expert knowledge in the UK and internationally.
Family Lives - Parenting SEN children when separated, online
Starting Monday 24 February 7pm - 9pm (Free)
6 week online course to help parents navigate the complexities of co-parenting and provide the best possible support for their SEND child
Fossil Fun Day, Hoddesdon
Wednesday 19 February, 10.30am - 3pm (quiet hour by appointment 3 - 4pm), Lowewood Museum (Free, donations welcome)
Create your own plaster fossil, bring your fossils and have them identified, fun art activities
Potential Kids - Soft Archery session, Hatfield (ages 7+)
Saturday 8 March, 4pm - 5pm (£5)
A session for neurodivergent children and young people - promoting physical and mental wellbeing and new friendships.