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Learning Disability Annual Health Check Survey & Lots More...

Learning Disability Annual Health Check Survey

We've talked about Annual Health Checks over the past few years and there's a national recognition they are not working as well as they should. Information is being collected in a national survey, it will take less than 5 minutes to complete it: Annual Health Check Survey

Anti-Bullying Week

This week it's Anti-Bullying week and the key message this year is "change starts with us'". The Anti-Bullying Alliance have launched their Change Starts With Us Report. Children have set out their recommendations for change from tech companies, government, media, parents and schools, the Anti-Bullying Alliance poll suggests that many children miss school and avoid spending time with friends to escape bullying. You can read the report of recommendations from young people themselves here: Change Starts With Us Report

SEN Magazine Newsletter - November 2019

In November's edition of the SEN Magazine Newsletter, you will find articles on, Positive steps to prevent bullying involving pupils with SEN, Ideas for inclusive classroom strategies and lots more. To read the Newsletter in full, please click the link: SEN Magazine Newsletter

IASS Annual Review Workshop

IASS are holding an Annual Review Workshop on Wednesday 27th November 2019 from 10am-12pm. If your child or young person currently has an Education, Health and Care Plan and you think you would benefit from the IASS Annual Review training workshop, please contact them on 01952 457176 or email info@iass.org.uk for further details and to book a place. You can also check out their Facebook page here: IASS Facebook Page

Funky Friday 

The next Funky Friday Disco is being held on Friday 15th November 2019.

The Thomas Centre

The Thomas Centre are specialist autistic holiday providers, they provide facilities for families and groups on a dedicated 25 acre site, in a safe and non-judgemental environment.

The aim of The Thomas Centre, is to provide holidays that meet the needs of the whole family, not just the needs of the family member with special needs. To read more about them, please click the link: The Thomas Centre

Mark Taylor Support Ltd - Life Skills Project Christmas Fayre

The Life Skills Project Christmas Fayre is being held on Monday 25th November 2019 from 12pm-2.30pm at The Hollinswood Pavilion, Draycott, Hollinswood, Telford TF3 2DN.

Everyone is welcome to join them.

Waterworld - Accessible Family Evening

Waterworld in Stoke on Trent are holding their Accessible Family Evening on Saturday 21st December from 5.30pm-7.30pm.

Please note you MUST pre book your tickets.

Free Autism Christmas Planning Training For Parents

Free Christmas Planning Training is available for parent/carers of young autistic children by a lady called Jenny Palmer, this is taking place from 25th November - 8th December 2019. There are three 30 minute training videos and related PDFs that are released over a few days. To find out more about Jenny Palmer and the training, please click the link: Free Autism Christmas Planning Training

PODS Parent Carer Forum Annual Survey 2019 *Win £100 Shopping Voucher*

We have developed this survey as an overview of the 'State of Telford' for our families who have a child with any disability or additional need (aged 0-25 years) and appreciate your comments and input. It shouldn't take longer than 15 minutes to complete and we've set it out with lots of tick options.
We have included questions regarding core health, social care, education and community and also to ask about gaps in services that families have told us about.
This will help us to feedback into services and providers and to help us understand what is important to you and your family.
*We respect your right to remain anonymous, or by giving details we will enter you into a prize draw to win a £100 voucher of your choice.
Thank you for helping us to "Make A Difference"
Jayne Stevens
Participation Co-ordinator

To take part in the survey please click the following link: PODS Parent Carer Forum Annual Survey 2019

Forum News Update From Jayne Stevens - Participation Co-ordinator

Hello - as we took time out at our steering group meeting today for Remembrance, my update is shared a bit later than normal.

This last week has seen a week of intense opportunities - but all for the good - with attendance at an InControl event with our Local Authority and partners - bringing together key work areas and discussions about forum work, short Breaks offers, Transforming Care and Intensive support teams and the Local Government Ombusman report regarding EHCPs. All these discussions, along with parent carer experiences all form part of ongoing conversations back here in Telford and Wrekin and will form part of a bigger piece of Short Break Project work that looks like a really exciting opportunity moving forwards.

We've attended the first meeting of an emotional health and wellbeing panel which is a cross phase, mulitiagency meeting with reps from key work areas - health,education, social care - where professionals come together to discuss how children in their care can be supported and what advise and information can be given to families. We are just in process of organising a coffee morning, workshop which can happen once Purdah is over.

Wednesday and Thursday we attended the National Network of Forums Annual Conference in Chester - a great opportunity to feed into national discussions, albeit purdah prevented key ministers on the panel, we were able to share ideas and thoughts on the most recent SEND Review. Meanwhile back in Telford we were represented at the local SEND Conference where our 'what we love about Telford' was talked about and also information and top tips from parents shared to schools (feedback taken direct from families).

Our steering group has been asked to be involved in some work around specialist and supported accommodation needs for post 18's so more about that in due course.

Continued thanks to my reps for their involvement in key work streams.

Best Regards
Jayne

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

Sunday 24th November 2019: Wacky Warehouse Family Group from 9.30am-11am at the Wacky Warehouse, Bridge Builder Pub, Wrekin Retail Park, Arleston, Telford, TF1 2DE. To book your place, please click here

Tuesday 26th November 2019: PODS Forum Park Lane Family Group from 12.30pm-2.30pm at Park Lane Centre, Park Lane, Telford, TF7 5QZ. To book your place, please click here

Monday 2nd December 2019: PODS Forum Admaston Family Group from 10am-12pm at Admaston House, Admaston, Telford, TF5 0BN. To book your place, please click here

Tuesday 17th December 2019: PODS Forum Park Lane Family Group from 12.30pm-2.30pm at Park Lane Centre, Park Lane, Telford, TF7 5QZ. 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.