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PODS Parent Carer Pamper Evening & Lots More...

PODS Forum Parent Carer Pamper Evening

Friday 14th June 2019 from 6.30pm-9.30pm at The Wakes, Theatre Square, Oakengates, TF2 6EP 

Treat yourself to an evening of pampering and come along to our parent carer night. Open to all ladies and gentlemen who are members of PODS and any friends and relatives. Children are more than welcome to come along and make use of our craft area, however will not be able to take part in treatments. We have lots on offer, including, Spray Tans, Eyelash Tints, Neck & Shoulder Massage and many more. All treatments have a maximum price of £5 each. The event is free to attend and will include light refreshments. There will also be a raffle on the night with many great prizes including Beauty and cake vouchers. We look forward to seeing you there!

Carers Week 2019

This week is recognised Carers Week, there's lots of information available here: Carers Week 2019 on how you can get involved and we will be sharing snippets and links each morning to local and national links through PODS Facebook page, so please look out for those. Don't forget to check out our events listing for family groups.

SEN Magazine Newsletter June 2019

In June's edition of the SEN Magazine Newsletter, you will find articles on, how sport can help girls with Autism to connect with their peers, identifying and supporting Dyscalculia and lots more. To read those articles and the Newsletter in full, please click here: SEN Magazine Newsletter June 2019​

Relaxed SEN Sessions at Cadbury World

Cadbury World are holding relaxed SEN sessions on selected dates and times throught the rest of the year. These sessions are designed to be of benefit to visitors who prefer a quieter and calmer experience, such as those with Autism or SEN needs.
The relaxed SEN sessions will have reduced sound, an increase in lighting where necessary, removal of strong scents and fewer visitors to help reduce stress. They have also created a Social Story to help with the visit, to find out more, please click the following link: Relaxed SEN Sessions at Cadbury World

Funky Friday - 21st June​ 2019

The next Funky Friday Disco, is being held on Friday 21st June 2019. 

Updated Information Regarding Specialist Provision Hubs

Updated information regarding specialist provision hubs:

Extract: "In 2017, the Department for Education announced special provision capital funding for local authorities to invest in new places and/or improvements to facilities for pupils with high needs. Telford & Wrekin Council’s current allocation amounts to £848,837 over three years and the funding is primarily intended to create new places and improve facilities at existing sites. It can also be used to support the establishment of the hubs in a small number of mainstream schools and to support the creation of new places for specialist provision. Local authorities are required to develop and update a plan every year that shows how the funding will be invested in order to release the money". To read the updated information in full, please click here: Specialist Provision Hubs​

Amendment to Mental Capacity Act

Amendment to Mental Capacity Act that includes "The Act will introduce the Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS), which is a new model to safeguard and protect individuals who lack capacity and may be deprived of their liberty during their care". The information here from Council for Disabled Children is provided in a number of formats to help you: Amendment to the Mental Capacity Act

NHS England Information Regarding Constipation 

NHS England have produced leaflets to help families and carers of people with a learning disability know the signs of constipation and what to do if you think someone is constipated. To view the leaflets please click here

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

Now that was a soppy wet start to the weekend wasn't it - nearly had to turn the heating on! It's so confusing not knowing what to wear - if I can't decide as a grown adult, goodness knows how some of our children and young people cope - but they do don't they - with the support of us, their parents and the extra's we provide above and beyond that of a parent - hence the term "parent carers". There is so much more to do when we have a child with a disability of any kind and for me personally one of the biggest things is around Emotions - I'm finding that I'm talking to lots of families, in groups, in meetings, just generally around concerns for their child's mental health and of course there is lots of coverage about it too.

You've no doubt heard about the Blinks Books by now - I've had further news this week that they are in ALL libraries for loan, and all MAIN libraries have a reference copy that will always be available - great news :)

This last week has been recognition of Volunteers through a National Volunteers Week awareness. We've had an opportunity for a celebration earlier int he month and will be arranging something else at our next Steering Group on Tuesday. I'd like to publicly thank them all again for all their support in everything they do and without them we wouldn't have such a successful forum/charity.

Since I last wrote an update we've had half term and great fun was had at Town Park Visitor Centre with a room full of crafty activities and fun and there was also our first inter-generational session at St Georges Nursing
Home.

During this week we had an opportunity to catch up with CAMHS commissioner although I'm sad to report that we are not moving much further very quickly and the awareness that we are the 2nd from the bottom LA for mental health spending is disappointing to say the least. BUT, we are continuing with conversations and we have a plan in place to write to senior health leads! Tomorrow (Tuesday) I have a meeting withe mental health manger of the provider services Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust to see what's happening with those who provide a service locally. This pat of the work frustrates me most, I'm not afraid to say, and I am sad every time when I can't answer a question directly or tell families when a service will get better!

This last week has seen our involvement in the evaluation of the SEND inspection process that OFSTED/CQC do - they did ours two years ago so i'ts been an interesting reflection. We have been able to think about the SEND Action Plan and our work with the Joint Commissioning teams - more info on this in our printed newsletter due out this half term. It was really useful to have some of our reps on board with this work and also some of original parent carers, alongside new parent carers who all brought valuable experiences and reflection to the inspectors attending over the two days.

We ended the week to a presentation to the Fostering Team (Special Guardianship Order families) who welcomed the information about PODS Forum and our Face 2 Face Scheme. So heading into this week, we have a range of meetings and 2 coffee mornings - one in Bridge and one in Southall School - feel free to join us and check out details via your school website/newsletter or ask me if you're not sure. A couple of dates for your diary too - Pamper Event for all parent cares on Friday 14th June at the Wakes and pop along and see us at Malinslee and Dawley Fun Day on Saturday 15th June (and fingers crossed for sunshine).

Best Wishes to all - Jayne Stevens

Come and join us at our New Look Family Groups throughout 2019!...

Wednesday 19th June 2019: Face 2 Face Family Group To Include Mindfulness Activities from 9.30am-11.30am at Hollinswood Community Centre, 7 Downemead, Telford, TF3 2EW. To book your place, please click here

Friday 28th June 2019: PODS Family Group from 9.30am-11.30am at Dawley Town Hall (opposite Langley School/CAMHS) New Street, Dawley, Telford, TF4 3JR. To book your place, please click here

Sunday 30th June 2019: Face 2 Face Family Group from 9.30am-11.00am at the Wacky Warehouse, Bridge Builder Pub, Wrekin Retail Park, Arleston, Telford, TF1 2DE. To book your place, please click here

Monday 1st July 2019: Face 2 Face Family Group to include Parent Carer Wellbeing from 10.00am-12.00pm at Admaston House, Admaston, Telford, TF5 0BN. To book your place, please click here

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. 

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