In this issue:
Introduction to the Local Offer website - webinar (all ages)
Want to know more about the Local Offer website and how it can help you find support for your family?
Sometimes, it's just hard to know what support is out there, and where to begin. In this webinar, a friendly face from the Local Offer team will give you a brief tour of the support and services outlined on the website, so you get an idea of what exists and how to get it.
We
hope this means that every person will go away with at least one new piece of information that might help them.
Tuesday 16 January at 8pm - 8.45pm - online via Teams
Use this link to join the Introduction to the Local Offer webinar via Teams
SEND inspection update: Improvement plan submitted to Ofsted
This week we submitted our “Priority Action Plan” to Ofsted, in line with the timeframes set out in the inspection report. This is our proposed plan for how we will respond to the priority actions and improvement areas within our inspection report. We have been working with health, education and social care partners, and seeking feedback from young people, parents and carers in order to make the improvements needed as set out in the inspection report.
Ofsted will now take time to review and approve the report. Once it is approved, we will publish it on the Local Offer, and share in SEND News and on our social channels. We expect the plan to be ready to share with you in the first few weeks of the new year, however these timings will depend on Ofsted’s capacity to review and accept the plan.
Saving money on childcare costs (ages 0-11)
Could you be saving money on childcare costs?
The Childcare Choices website brings together all the existing childcare offers in one place, so parents can get the help that fits their family. This could be through Tax-Free Childcare, 30 Hours Childcare, or Universal Credit Childcare. Some families might be eligible to use more than one childcare schemes together and get the most out of it.
And from next year, things are changing so families may be able to get even more help:
- From April 2024, eligible working parents in England with children aged 2 will have access to 15 hours childcare.
- From September 2024, the 15 hours childcare offer will be expanded to eligible working parents in England with children between 9 and 23 months old.
- From September 2025, eligible working parents in England with children between 9 months up to school age will have access to 30 hours childcare.
Support is also expanding for primary-school aged children, from September 2024, parents are expected to see an expansion in the availability of childcare in their local area before and after school, between 8am and 6pm, also known as ‘wraparound care’.
Don’t miss out on getting the support you are entitled to. Visit the Childcare Choices website to check what offer you might be eligible for and sign up to the newsletter to get the latest updates about the childcare support expansion.
Making football more inclusive: the St John's Deaf Ladies Football Club (ages 13+)
'When people learn to sign, it makes you feel more included’.
In this video from The Guardian website, members of the St John’s Deaf Ladies Football Club share their experience of joining the club, and explain how learning a little bit of British Sign Language makes a huge difference to making sure everyone is included.
The ladies football section of St John's Deaf Club started in 1913 and is still going strong today with over 30 players. They train on Saturday mornings from Arsenal Hub and also have pay and play sessions for adults.
If you, or someone you know, would be interested in getting involved, email stjladiesmanagement@gmail.com or send a text to 07746 438640.
Children and Young People's Mental Health survey (ages 5-25)
Hertfordshire's Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) need your help!
They want to hear from children and young people (aged 5-25) and their parents/carers about their experience of Hertfordshire’s Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) how they can make things better.
The survey is completely anonymous but to thank you for your time, if you wish to share your email address, your name will be entered into a prize draw to win a £25 Amazon Voucher!
The survey is now open and you will have until 10 January to complete it. There are 2 surveys, please click on the relevant link below:
Children and Young People's survey
Parents and carers survey
Events
View all courses and activities
Parenting SEN children when separated - Family Lives
Thursdays 7 - 9pm, starting 11 January - online
A 6-session programme to help separated parents with the complexities of co-parenting and provide the best possible support for their SEND child.
Understanding ADHD and Autism for Dads - Add-vance
6 sessions starting from 10 January, 7 - 9pm, online
This interactive course is designed for dads and male carers of children with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of ADHD and/or Autism
SEN Swimming lessons at the Swim Academy, Welwyn
Currently booking for the January term
The Swim Academy is based in Oaklands Welwyn, private swimming lessons, specialising in SEN and fears of the water.