Hello %FirstName%

Exotic Zoo Passes & More March News...

Exotic Zoo Passes & Lamb Feeding Experience

We have been allocated 50 family passes (2 adults up to 3 children) through funding from the Carers commissioner at the Telford & Wrekin Council for PODS Forum members.  These are to be used between Monday 26th March and Friday 13th April between 11am and 4pm (the extra week before is to allow for families who may prefer to access outside of holiday times and for families with pre-schoolers). To book your tickets please contact us by email to kerrie@podstelford.org or message on our PODS Facebook page before 6th April. You will be allocated a code that must be given to Exotic Zoo staff on entrance. The pass also gives you a free voucher for lamb feeding experience.  Additional children are allowed at cost of £3.50.   We hope you have a fab time and would love to see your photos!

The Albrighton Trust Moat and Gardens – Easter Activities

Tuesday 10th April – Wild about Nature: Explore and discover nature through a series of fun activities, outdoor clothing essential - 10 & 1pm sessions. £5 per person (Prior Booking Essential)

Thursday 12th April – Coached Angling: Coaches available to help novice and inexperienced anglers, Equipment supplied - 10am & 1pm sessions. £5 per person (Prior Booking Essential)

Please contact them on 01902 372441 or email moat@albrightontrust.org.uk

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Early Years SEN Inclusion Fund Consultation 2018

The Local Authority is proposing to make a number of changes to the way in which it operates and funds support for children with Special Educational Needs in the Early Years.  They are seeking views about the proposed changes from parents and carers, early years and childcare providers, schools and other interested stakeholders. Please find the consultation document here: http://www.telfordsend.org.uk/localofferservices/download/downloads/id/1182/early_years_inclusion_fund_consultation.pdf Please feedback about the changes proposed and submit them to SENDandInclusion@telford.gov.uk by March 21st 2018. 

Alternative Provision and Exclusions

"Steps to transform education for children with additional needs and ambitious plans to improve the experiences of children in alternative provision" . There is also work looking at exclusions and also integrating children more into mainstream schools. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-action-to-improve-outcomes-for-children-with-additional-needs

Disability Quiet Hour at Entertainer Shops

We like to think of it as for wider disabilities, not just for autism and the news article is here: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/toy-shop-the-entertainer-rolls-out-nationwide-quiet-hour-for-children-with-autism_uk_5aaa5b7ae4b0f4aaa114229a

SEND Tribunal Powers are changing to include Health and Social Care alongside Education needs as part of a National 2 year trial

A summary of information can be found on Contact Website: https://contact.org.uk/news-and-blogs/new-tribunal-powers-on-health-and-social-care/

More detailed information is available via https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/extended-powers-send-tribunal-national-trial

World Down Syndrome Day​ 2018 #wouldntchangeathing

World Down Syndrome Day is on 21st March 2018, 50 Mums got together to show the world just how ordinary and fun life with the condition is and how they "Wouldn't Change a Thing". The video was originally inspired by Singing Hands - a UK organisation who's videos have helped many learn Makaton for supporting their children’s communication development. Their beautiful carpool karaoke style video is in support of World Down Syndrome Day and it features the 50 Mums and their children singing along to, "A Thousand Years". Please take a few minutes to watch it...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Biex1XR_mpo​

Department for Education SEND Newsletter – March 2018

Please click on the following link, for the March 2018, Department for Education SEND Newsletter, the March edition can be found part way down the page, https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/help-resources/resources/department-education-send-newsletters 

Weekly Update from Jayne Stevens (Participation Co-ordinator)...

More SNOW! But hopefully not so much disruption this time . . . .

This last week for me started in Wolverhampton and ended up that way too!  On Monday I attended a SUCCESS programme conference with focussed on the future of Health and Social Care.  It was very interesting to talk to the regional leads on these matters and how they see the services developing, and also how the NHS are committed to inclusion and offering opportunities for leadership training to a range of people – whatever their disability.  I asked a specific question regarding supported internships and whilst not a direct answer, I will be able to follow this up with email discussions.  It was great to see my parent reps putting their training to good use talking to staff and the general public about our key work – focussing on participation and sharing information about the support we offer and about our F2F scheme. On Tuesday I was co-chairing with Shana on the Face 2 Face scheme, and then back again at The Wakes in Oakengates for our Participation Steering Group on Wednesday – we discussed key work areas, discussed what we can raise via the Scrutiny Board (CAMHS, Transition and Social Care access criteria will be suggested!), the National SEND Tribunal work, the new consortium for Parent Carer and Children and Young People Participation, the Early Years consultation work and we also did a ‘mystery shopper’ of the Local Offer which was shared at Aiming High on Thursday by another two of my parent reps. I was joined at the Regional Meeting on Thursday by our newly appointed Project Officer – Elaine Pearce – she will be supported by Liz Bickford-Smith until the end of this month.  It’s always interesting to see how other forums are working together and what they are working on  - we continue to share ideas and resources, coming together for regional events. A Preparing for Adulthood workstream update is being arranged for Monday 26th March. The end of the week saw me back in Wolverhampton where I was given opportunity to talk to 3rd year student social workers on the experiences I have had across adult and child services – a mixed message as you can imagine and a chat afterwards with one or two potential social workers highlighting their frustrations in talking to wider teams too!  If anyone is interested in sharing experiences with health and social care student teams – I’ve done this through free training at the Uni of Wolverhampton SUCCESS programme (you don’t need to have done a degree!) then let me know and I’ll put you in touch with the team.  By week ended with me starting a Mentoring Course that will give me additional skills to support my team of parent reps going forward! 

Hope everyone who has booked a place on the Planning Tools Workshop is looking forward to it – they are both been held at Park Inn Hotel and there are still places for the Thursday workshop if you haven’t already booked (nb. Whether or not you have a personal budget – you are more than welcome to attend).

Come and join us at our Family Groups...

Wednesday 21st March 2018: Your Voice + Family Resources from 9.30am-11.30am at Hollinswood Community Centre, 7 Downemead, Telford, TF3 2EW.

Friday 23rd March 2018: Your Voice + Family Resources from 9.30am–11.30am at Dawley Town Hall (opposite Langley School/CAMHS) New Street, Dawley, Telford, TF4 3JR.

Monday 26th March 2018: Your Voice + Family Resources from 5pm-7pm at Pirates and Princesses, Unit 17, Cedar Court, Halesfield 17, Telford, TF7 4PF​.

Monday 9th April 2018: Your Voice + Family Resources from 10.00am–12.00pm at Admaston House, Admaston,Telford, TF5 0BN
 

Thank you for reading our latest bulletin.

Kerrie Seagrave

Project Administrator on behalf of PODS Parent Carer Forum.

We hope you enjoyed reading our latest e-bulletin - we hope you continue to find it useful. If you have any suggestions to make it better feel free to let me know. 

If you no longer wish to receive our emails please click here