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PODS Parent Carer Forum Update

FORUM UPDATE: JUNE 2025

Hiya – Jayne here, your Strategic Lead for the PODS Parent Carer Forum. I’ve pulled together key topics and conversations, based on what I’m hearing from our Parent Reps, and wider team members, what’s important to know about and how your voices have been heard in developing local services.

Please also look at the ebulletins that come to you on a Monday teatime for regular updates, opportunities to get involved and be part of helping us to ‘Make A Difference’.

If there is anything in this bulletin that you want to talk through, ask questions about or anything really, then get in touch with me:

jayne@podstelford.org / 0777 534 2092 (call or text)

Thank you very much for reading

Jayne Stevens

Family Experiences & Impact Report 2024

Our report is now finalised, it has been shared with various teams within local senior management and SEND and AP Board (Health, Social Care and Education) and is now available on our website.

We await responses and these will be shared when available.

https://www.podstelford.org/forum/surveys-reports/

BeeU FAQ’s: Referrals, Assessment, Support Whilst Waiting

Following on from feedback from families about BeeU we have helped to develop a series of questions and answers – if there is something else you need clarity on or have further questions please let us know.

You can access the FAQ’s via PODS website and they cover the following areas:

https://www.podstelford.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/BeeU-Myths-June-2025.pdf

NNPCF and EHCPs

The National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) has expressed serious concern following recent media reports suggesting the government may raise the threshold for accessing an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). In response, the NNPCF have met with the Department for Education (DfE) and Dame Christine Lenehan several times, to seek clarity and ensure that the views of Parent Carers and local Parent Carer Forums (PCFs) are represented.

PINS (Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools)

We are very pleased to take this project forward with another 15 schools in Telford & Wrekin this next year.

We have held an introduction meeting with every school now, and we look forward to working with them over the next 12 months. They will access workshops on a variety of subjects and we as your local parent carer forum we will be hosting 3 family group/cuppa and chat sessions – look out on our socials and ebulletins for dates or ask your school when the next date is?

The 15 schools are:

Apley Wood, Captain Webb, Dothill, Grange Park, John Fletcher, High Ercall, HLC Primary, Ladygrove, Lilleshall, Newdale, Newport Infants, St Peters, Teagues Bridge, Wrockwardine Juniors, Wrockwardine Infants

The latest Government announcement regarding this project is shown here:

“The Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme

The government has announced an extension of the PINS programme for another year, backed by £9.5 million in funding. This will see around 300,000 children across 1,200 primary schools benefit from earlier and better neurodiversity support.

One in seven children are estimated to be neurodiverse, and a lack of specialist training and awareness to support them means they often face bullying, higher rates of suspensions due to challenging behaviour, absence, and poor mental health. The PINS programme supports neurodiverse students by training teachers to identify and better meet their needs. Schools are also expected to host termly meetings with parents and carers, allowing them to feedback on the school’s approach to supporting children’s needs, increasing parental confidence.

The positive impact of the PINs programme is already being seen in 1,600 primary schools which have previously taken part, with staff reporting increased attendance, improved behaviour, and better pupil wellbeing – which in turn benefits the entire school community.

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said: “The impact on life chances when there is a lack of appropriate support for neurodivergent children can be devastating.

“We want a different future for children with SEND: inclusive and tailored to meet their needs, so everyone has the chance to achieve and thrive, and excellence is for every child.”

Contact (National Charity) Awards: Nominations

Contact are asking you to nominate someone special as part of their 2025 National awards. They want to celebrate all the wonderful things families with disabled children do for each other. Award categories are as follows:

Parent Carer Award - Recognising the amazing things parent carers do to ensure their disabled children can take part in everyday life.

Change Maker Award - For an individual, family or a group of parents who have campaigned or worked together to make life better for other families in their community.

Proudest Moment Award - Recognising the challenges your disabled child has overcome that fill you with pride and make you smile.

Friendship First Award – Celebrating those wonderful friends who make your life as a parent carer better just by being in it!

Grandparent Award - Recognising all the wonderful and everyday things grandparents do for their family.

Sibling Award - Celebrating the often unseen but great things that siblings do for their disabled brothers and sisters, or that help make mum and dad’s lives just that little bit easier.

Nominations close on 30 July 2025. Those shortlisted under each category will be invited to an exciting gala awards evening in Parliament in November, where the winners will be announced.

You can nominate as many times as you like, in as many categories as you like - you'll just need to complete the form again.

Submit your nomination by completing the form below and press SUBMIT at the end.

Use this link for more information and to make a nomination: https://action.contact.org.uk/page/173034/-/1

AI App for Neurodiversity (BBC News)

A new app has been launched which uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), to give carers who suspect their children are neurodivergent, "a better picture of what's going on" whilst waiting for a diagnosis.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj450qrp979o?utm_campaign=Parent+Carer+Forums+Newsletter+May+2025&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter

ELSEC Update (Early Language Support for Every Child)

The schools currently involved are: Hollinswood Primary School, Lawley Primary School, Lawley Village Primary Academy, Meadows Primary School, St. Luke’s Catholic Primary School, St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, William Reynolds Primary School (until March 2025), Windmill Primary School

The nurseries currently involved are: ABC Hollinswood, Chec Mates, Madeley Nursery School, Oakengates Nursery School, Puddleducks, Woodentops

More information: https://www.telfordsend.org.uk/info/1/home/147/send_and_ap_change_programme/3

The ELSEC team have recently offered 3 parent sessions to all ELSEC settings with nursery provision. These have been very well received with parents and carers having time to explore some communication themes with a member of the ELSEC team before the children, themselves joining them for lots of fun.

Each week had some key messages:

Challenges at Home Sessions

Thursday morning (alternative Thurs eve)

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/Parents-Opening-Doors-PODS/e-rggrkx

*** JULY Date (daytime and evening): Social Stories ***

Supported Living – thoughts and wishes?

We are gathering views, wishes and experiences of parent carers and families with young people/adults regarding supported living options and thoughts about independence (target age 14 and beyond).  

This is such an important piece of work as the findings gathered from this survey will be anonymised and inform the next Specialist and Supported Accommodation Strategy in Telford (the current one is coming to an end this year).  As the dedicated parent carer forum for Telford & Wrekin, PODS has a remit to ensure that there is effective co-production and participation locally.  In a bid to capture the extent of need we are pleased to work with wider parent carer groups on this project including Families of Learning-Disabled Telford and our trained Parent Reps/Champions. 

Moving into Adult Social Care: Info from Bethapage

“We understand that the move to Adult Social Care can seem overwhelming and daunting, whether you are a young person moving on from college, a family member or someone who has not received formal support before.

We want to provide helpful information to anybody that has questions about the transition to Adult Social Care journey. On this page you will find resources from us and signposting to additional support”

BeeU 1:1 Sessions for Parent Carers at PODS Hub

Wednesday: 2pm-6pm (last session 5.40pm)

We have arranged an opportunity for parent carers to chat to a member of the BeeU team (Assistant Psychologist, Neurodiversity team) on a 1:1 basis (20min appt).

If your child is on the pathway, or you have a question about the diagnosis process or query about the process to ask for an assessment.

They will also be able to provide with signposting support.

Any queries please send an email or call (Jayne@podstelford.org 0777 534 2092)

BOOK HERE: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/Parents-Opening-Doors-PODS/e-ykrjqa

Local Offer Updates

There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes to update information on the Local Offer and these are just some of the highlights:

Early Years update of offers and information

https://www.telfordsend.org.uk/homepage/13/early_years

New to SEND?
For new families to help to navigate the system

https://www.telfordsend.org.uk/info/9/new_to_send

Transport, including a new flowchart to explain the process and the rules

https://www.telfordsend.org.uk/homepage/18/travel_assistance

Short Breaks Statement and Criteria

https://www.telfordsend.org.uk/site/scripts/home_info.php?homepageID=9

Healthier Together Website

This is a health based website that covers a wide range of needs and has lots of links and information. If you need help navigating the information on here, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

https://stw-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/parentscarers/send-special-educational-needs-and-disability/support-while-waiting

DSR Information

The Dynamic Support Register (DSR) is an all-age intervention pathway for people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. The people on the DSR are at risk of going into specialist hospitals (children and adults) or 52-week residential placements (children) if they do not get the right care and treatment in the community.

The DSR enables all agencies involved in commissioning and delivering care and support to provide timely support for those whose mental health or well-being is deteriorating.

https://www.shropshiretelfordandwrekin.nhs.uk/our-work/learning-disability-and-autism-transformation/dynamic-support-register/

CONTACT DETAILS FOR PODS PARENT CARER FORUM

0777 534 2092 (Text or Phone)

JAYNE@PODSTELFORD.ORG

Please note the above material is subject to copyright, please contact PODS before sharing any of the information in this PODS Ebulletin.

Thank you for reading our latest Ebulletin, please stay safe & well.

Kerrie Seagrave, Member Support Co-ordinator

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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