In this issue:
Herts Parent Carer Involvement annual survey (all ages)
The HPCI 2023 annual survey is now open.
This survey is for parents and carers in Hertfordshire who have children and / or young people aged 0 – 25 years, with SEND (Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities). Last year's survey results influenced Herts Statutory SEND funding, were shared with the Area SEND inspectors and helped HPCI open discussions with new services and teams. By sharing your views and completing the survey, you can help improve services for children and young people with SEND in Hertfordshire. By completing the survey, you could also win 1 of 2 £25 Simmons vouchers!
The survey will be open until Sunday 15 October 2023.
Family Centre consultation (all ages)
We really want to hear your views on our proposals for Family Centres in Hertfordshire.
Our vision and ambition is that every Hertfordshire child has the best possible start in life. Let us know your views on the Family Support Service within Family Centres and how they should be designed in the future.
The consultation will be open until Monday 9 October 2023.
Update on SRP openings and increasing special school places (all ages)
Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) udpate
This term, Hertfordshire’s schools are increasing their capacity to support pupils with SEND through 6 new Special Resource Provisions (SRPs) opening in mainstream schools across the county.
The multi-million-pound investment in the development of new SRPs is helping to address a current gap in the county’s SEND service and meet increased need in Hertfordshire for SEND support. From September 2023, more than 100 places will have been created in SRPs to support children and young people with speech, language, communication needs and autism, who don't need a special school, but do need additional support so that they can access learning in a mainstream school. Children have been placed in these SRPs through the same EHCP process as for special schools.
Support in SRPs is tailored to each individual pupil. The number of places are kept small, with higher ratios of staff, to allow this tailoring to happen. Support will look different for every pupil, and the aim for each pupil is to help them develo
p their social and communication skills and confidence, to allow them to increase the time they are able to access mainstream classes.
The new specialist resource provisions (SRPs) are based at 2 secondary schools (with 20 places in each):
- Bushey Meads in Bushey
- Avanti Grange in Bishops Stortford
This is in addition to the SRP at the Priory in Hitchin, which opened with 20 places in September 2022.
The 4 primary school SRPs (each providing support for 12 pupils who have an EHCP) include:
- Downfield School in Cheshunt, (picture shows new purpose-built block for SRP at this site)
- Margaret Wix in St Albans,
- Sauncey Wood in Harpenden and
- Warren Dell in South Oxhey.
Read more about Specialist Resource Provisions on the Local Offer website.
Increasing places at existing special schools
As well as the SRPs in mainstream schools, we are also planning to extend provision at existing special schools to meet the increased demand for specialist provision for children and young people with severe learning disabilities, learning difficulties and physical and neurological impairment. Plans to expand special school provision by more than 100 places were discussed by councillors last month. Find out more about the plans for extending existing special schools.
Events
View all events and courses
Step2Skills - Disability Inclusive Job Fair
Thursday 5 October, 10am - 3pm, Oaklands College, Welwyn Garden City
This Inclusive Job Fair is aimed towards people with learning and physical disabilities, sensory needs, neurodiversity and mental health conditions. Come along and meet local employers and get advice from the supported employment team.
Herts Disability Sports Foundation - Boxercise for 18+ and for Home Ed
Tues, Weds and Fridays at various locations in Herts
Join us for a fun Boxercise session for young people who are home educated aged 8+ with additional needs, or those 18+ with a disability
Children's online art - spooky season (SPACE)
Friday 6 October, 5 - 6.30pm
Come and join us for an interactive art session with September. She will talk you through painting the picture and will be able to offer advice and suggestions on your masterpiece!
Supporting parent/carers of children with anxiety (NESSIE)
Wednesday 11 October, 6.30 - 8pm
This workshop is designed to give parent/carers the opportunity to explore and discuss the issues around anxiety in children and young people.