In this issue:
Ofsted update: Priority Action Plan published
Last week we published our Priority Action Plan, in response to the Ofsted Area SEND Inspection report.
The SEND inspection report gave us 2 "priority" areas we need to urgently fix, and 5 other areas where we must also show improvement. We have a detailed plan to make things better.
The plan has now been reviewed and approved by Ofsted/ CQC and is available to view on the Local Offer.
View the Priority Action Plan on the Local Offer
Family Centre Drop in Groups for Hertfordshire families (ages 0-5)
This Spring the Family Centres across Hertfordshire have lots of fun activities for families!
As the cost of living continues to rise, it helps that all the sessions are free and also drop-in. Run by professional, qualified staff in Early Years, our groups offer a wide range of activities for you and your children to enjoy and play together. They are an opportunity for you to meet other local families and get advice and support from the Family Centre team. As well as lots for under 5’s to enjoy! Our regular groups include.
- Baby Group (babies to pre-walkers) - drop in and meet other families with young babies in a supportive, stimulating and friendly environment. This session is for babies to play and for you to discover more about their development and support your own wellbeing as a new parent.
- Active Rhyme Time (Baby and Toddler) – a fun session including active rhymes and songs for you and your baby and toddler. The groups are a great way to meet other families and develop your child's communication and physical skills.
- Physical Fun (18 months +) - join the team for a fun, active session. A way to meet other families and enjoy lots of fun games and play opportunities to support your child with their physical development.
- Family Fun (18 months +) - fun sessions with a wide range of activities for you and your children to play together, meet other local families and the Family Centre team. As well as lots for Under 5's to enjoy, there will be activities for siblings up to the age of 8.
These groups run at different venues across Hertfordshire and you can drop into any of them, there is no need to book*. Family Support staff will be on hand to answer any questions that you may have and if you need any extra help, they can point you in the right direction. Find out details of sessions near you on our What’s On page. You'll also find details of special SEND groups such as 'SEND sensory play' and 'SEND chat and play' and 'SEND drop ins' (look in the timetable of events for your area).
*Please note that in Hertsmere, Physical Fun and Family Fun at 96 Shenley Road are bookable sessions.
Support for parents and carers of young people not attending school due to anxiety (DSPLs 7 and 8, ages 11 - 16)
Services for Young People (SfYP) is working in partnership with DSPL groups 7 & 8 (which cover St Albans, Harpenden, Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted) to offer a series of drop-in support sessions for families dealing with the impact of emotionally-based school avoidance.
Emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA) describes reduced or non-attendance at school by a child or young person due to emotional, mental health or wellbeing issues.
These sessions will take place at the Hemel Hempstead Young People's Centre to support parents and carers of young people in Years 7 to 11. Providing an informal environment, the free events also enable the families to connect and help each other improve the confidence and resilience of their young people. The young people are also welcome to attend to talk to SfYP Youth Workers and Advisers and use the facilities at the young people's centre.
The next sessions will be happening on:
- 25th January 2024
- 21st March 2024
- 7th May 2024
Read the full story and find out more about how SfYP supports home educated young people on the SfYP website:
Parents and carers get support and guidance with emotionally-based school avoidance
SignVideo for Deaf Residents (all ages)
Did you know about there is a SignVideo service which Deaf residents can use for free to contact teams in Hertfordshire County Council?
If you're a resident in Hertfordshire and want to use SignVideo, you will need to:
- Download the SignVideo app onto your smartphone
- Access the directory – HCC is listed here
- This will allow you to contact HCC staff via a remote interpreter.
Find out more about SignVideo and download the app
Applications for supported internships with Mission EmployAble are open (ages 19-25)
Mission EmployAble is a charity based in Chorleywood which runs an 11-month supported internship programme for young people with an EHCP. 
Interns do most of their training in Mission EmployAble’s Café where they learn portable skills such as food, preparation, cleaning, using a till, teamwork and serving customers. On other days, they train, with support, in other workplaces such as a community garden, a food delivery charity, care homes, shops and pubs. They train as a group or in pairs, so make friends while they learn.
Places are available on their next supported internship programme which begins in September 2024, with initial interviews starting in February. Full details are available on the Mission Employable website or by emailing training@missionemployable.co.uk
Events
** Please bear with us while we update our events pages on the Local Offer. We are working on a new events tool which will hopefully be ready in February. Thank you for your patience!**
Herts Inclusive Theatre
Herts Inclusive Theatre offers a vibrant programme of inclusive theatre activities, creative projects and exciting performance opportunities for children young people and adults.
SPACE - Anxiety and SEND workshop
Wednesday 17th January 10am - 12pm
A workshop to help parents in recognising and managing their child’s anxiety.
Angels Support Group - meet up and chat, Letchworth
Wednesday 31 January 10am - 12pm
Come along to our friendly group meeting and share what is difficult or what is going well. Have a coffee and chat to other parents/carers