Welcome

In this issue:

Herts Mind Network Young People's Helpline

Herts Mind Network have a helpline for children and young people aged 10 - 17. The helpline provides a safe, non-judgemental space to talk to a Young People Advisor or Mentor who will provide emotional support, advice and information and discuss coping strategies.

The helpline number is 01923 256391.

Visit Herts Mind Network for opening hours and more information.

SEND community events promotion - to attendees and stallholders

We are launching a new SEND Strategy in January 2022; as part of the preparation to launch, we are running a

 series of community events to promote the ambitions of the new strategy and also all of the great services, providers and community groups across Hertfordshire that support our families with SEND.

If you run, or are a part of a SEND business or organisation, we would like to extend an invitation to you and your service to attend and promote your offer at these events.

There are 4 events, and you are welcome to have a stall at one or more of them. To find out more or book your space, please email SENDstrategy@hertfordshire.gov.uk by Friday 23 July. 

Venue Date and time
Birchwood Community Centre, Hatfield 7 September, 10am - 2pm
The Priory, Ware 16 September, 10am -2pm
Niland Conference Centre, Bushey 22 September, 10am -2pm
Stevenage Football club, Stevenage 1 October, 10am - 2pm

Covid study - Ask, Listen, Act

A new UK-wide study has been launched to learn more about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns on children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Over the next 6 months, the project team will work with children and young people with SEND their parents/carers and professionals to co-develop key priorities for the future to reduce the long-term effects of COVID-19 and lockdowns for these children. 

They want parents of children with SEND, and their children aged 5 - 15 years to tell them:

  • how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on you and your child.
  • what worked well and what more needs to be done for your child with SEND

The survey will take about 20-25 minutes to fill out, and there are lots of different ways in the survey for children with SEND to share their views.

Learn more and take the survey

 

Short Breaks Local Offer - Summer 2021

We are delighted that providers have continued to offer support to SEND families in what has been a very challenging year. We recognise that services have only been able to do so because Covid safe measures have been put in place at every setting.

With the approaching holiday season and the wider plans for easing restrictions, providers will continue to put the health and safety of children and staff at the centre of their priorities and local protective measures are to be expected.

More information on these measures and on face-to-face and online SBLO activities.

Hertfordshire is welcoming a new SBLO provider!

SEND Commissioning Team is partnering with Sport Works, an award-winning provider of Sport, Health and Education services and a like-minded organisation in supporting SEND children and young people to reach their full potential.

Following feedback from a recent Herts Parent Carer Involvement survey, Sport Works will be providing SBLO activities, delivering both traditional and disability specific activities. This will include:

  • Physical wellbeing: dance, yoga, rebound therapy, Boccia and wheelchair Rugby, each designed to improve physical wellbeing and fitness and adapted to suit each individual.
  • Mental wellbeing: group and individual activities including “de-stress meditation”, mindfulness, “heart math”, emotional intelligence workshops and family engagement trips.
  • Social wellbeing: problem solving skills, outdoor adventure courses and residential weekends, that all help to build social skills.
  • Sustainable wellbeing: family “togetherness” workshops, a nutrition / cookery school, communication workshop, emotional intelligence training.

Opening dates, location and availability on the SBLO platform will be confirmed later in July.

For more information email info@sportworksltd.co.uk

Events

View all events

Online - Early years education for children with SEND (Contact)

20 July, 10am - 12pm, free

This workshop will help you to understand: how an Education Health and Care plan (EHCP) could benefit your child; how to apply for an EHCP; When an EHCP is not appropriate and what support is available instead; how to challenge decisions about your child’s educational support.

Online - Skills workshop selection box for ages 18+ (Herts Inclusive Theatre)

Workshops running 27 July - 24 August, 1.30pm - 3pm, £3.50 per workshop

HIT are pleased to offer a Skills Selection Box this Summer! Book onto one workshop or multiple! Please see the dates below, operating at the same time each day.

Dates:

Tuesday 27th July - Puppetry
Tuesday 3rd August - Dance
Tuesday 10th August - Poetry
Tuesday 17th August - Storytelling
Tuesday 24th August - Singing

Online - Fun Phonics (HAFLS)

3 and 5 August, 9.30am - 11.30am, free

This workshop consists of two 2hr online sessions and is a fun, interactive, workshop for families with children in Early Years (3 - 5yr olds) and Key Stage 1 (5 -7yr olds).

The key to developing good phonics skills is frequent practice and these workshops are designed to build on the work the children have been doing at school/nursery, supporting parents to help keep their child’s phonics skills up to date so they are well prepared for going back to school in September.

Parents will take part in a variety of engaging activities with their child that will enable parents to understand phonics better as well as helping their child to practice phonics and develop their reading and writing skills.

Online - Marvellous maths (HAFLS)

10 and 12 August, 9.30am - 11.30am, free

This workshop consists of two 2hr online sessions and is a fun, interactive, workshop for families with children in Early Years (3 - 5yr olds) and Key Stage 1 (5 - 7yr olds).

The workshops are designed to build on the work the children have been doing at school/nursery, supporting parents to help keep their child’s Maths skills up to date so they are well prepared for going back to school in September.

Parents will take part in a variety of engaging activities with their child that will help to develop number and calculation skills such as addition and subtraction.