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Welcome by Jo Fisher

Dear all

With the new school year starting, I am sure many of you are experiencing new emotions about your child or young person being back at nursery, school or college, what they will be facing and how they will adapt.  The ‘new normal’ may mean some challenges for many and we are pleased to share with you in this SEND issue, updates on what support is available. 

Equally we know that some of you have specific worries and questions.  For example, you may be worried about COVID school risk assessments or supporting your children to continue to experience an inclusive learning environment.   At the beginning of the school term Vicky Ford, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, wrote a letter to children and young people with special educational needs (SEND), their families and carers highlighting and responding to possible questions - see here.  The letter has links to useful national guidance, support and resources in it.  Let’s not forgot that there is support there for you; we hope you enjoy reading Rory’s Story in this issue of SEND news.

Meanwhile in Hertfordshire we continue to have fortnightly meetings (called ‘SEND Cluster’) with representatives from education, health and social care services as well as Herts Parent/Carer Involvement (HPCI).  Together we identify COVID issues that may affect our SEND families and work together to find solutions.  This has resulted in us being able to add a COVID resources section in the Local Offer and promote our Educational Psychology and other advice lines – see here for detail.

I’m proud that we haven’t let COVID stop us from doing the work needed to continue to improve our SEND services and my thanks to staff and all our partners for continuing to work with us to achieve further progress over the summer months: new IT systems for our SEND teams mean information gathering and sharing is easier and we are trialling how we can make it easier for schools to complete annual reviews or make changes to EHC Plans online.

It’s also important to highlight that the window is now open for families to consider applying for secondary school places.  Understanding the processes and timeframes can be a challenge during ‘normal times’ never mind in these extraordinary times so we’ve included some information in this issue, to get you thinking about what you need to consider and when, if you have a child who will be moving into secondary school in September 2021. Remember, if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) the processes are different - this is outlined here.

I’d like to thank you, our families of Hertfordshire and staff, who have been inspiring in the way you have risen to the challenges of COVID-19 and following all the relevant advice to prevent its spread. Although regulations are constantly changing, we need you to keep playing your part (link to campaign) to keep up preventative measures.  Many of you will have vulnerable members of your family and their wellbeing is a priority for us as we know it is for you.

Please remember if you need to call a particular team in the council you can call our main number 0300 123 4043 or if you need help about anything else SEND related and are unsure where to go for information and advice try the online Local Offer or call SENDIASS on 01442 453920.

Wishing you a good and healthy autumn term and stay safe.


Jo Fisher: Operations Director, Children & Young People

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