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All-Age Disability (0 to 25) Newsletter
This will provide parents and carers of young people with SEND with news and updates within the service.
Welcome to the July All-Age (0-25) Disability Newsletter
Welcome to the July edition of the All-Age Disability (0-25 years) Newsletter.
This month’s issue contains Mel Barnett’s last update before she leaves Worcestershire Children First as well the outcome of the SEND Local Area Inspection and information for parent/carers of young people about a Your Pathways guide, news from Inclusion services and information about this year’s summer reading challenge in libraries.
Update from Mel Barnett
This is my last update as I leave for pastures new, having been in Worcestershire for 2 years. I have worked with so many people and parents/carers during my time and would like to say thank you to you all. I along with the partnership recognise that there is much more to be done. I am also pleased to update that Daniela Carson will be taking on the role of Director of All Age Disability (0-25) when I leave.
I leave Worcestershire having been inspired by many children and young people and want to end my last update in recognition of a group of young people that have been my biggest inspiration. I am so very proud of them all and remember meeting them at their interview in March 2023 and now have the pleasure of attending their graduation this week. Josh, Michaela, Ethan and Ashton an amazing achievement in securing employment with the NHS and I wish you all the success you deserve.
Thank you and goodbye
Mel
You can find out more about Project Search, the scheme they were involved in here: Home - DFN Project Search. We also have details of the new NHS Supported Internship Programme here: Worcestershire County Council Announce New NHS Supported Internship Partnership and information about Supported internships in general can be found on the SEND Local Offer here: Supported internships.
Your Pathways guide launched
The world of work and entering the employment market can be a daunting time for young people. A booklet, which is designed to offer help and advice, has been launched by Worcestershire’s Skills and Investment Service called Your Pathways. This guide is aimed at young people with SEND and their parent/carers.
The magazine aims to act as a guide to help navigate the working world: providing answers to your questions, giving you helpful tips and activities, and linking you to various resources for more information.
The 52-page booklet is full of useful content including, information about Routes into Employment, Next Steps, Case Studies and information from the Department for Works and pensions (DWP).
You can access the guide here: Worcestershire Inclusive Employment: Your Pathways
Local Area SEND Inspection published
An inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) into Worcestershire’s approach to special education needs and disability (SEND) has been published.
Ofsted and CQC inspectors felt that there were systemic failings in the Worcestershire local area, with the following 2 priority actions required of the local area partnership.
- The local area partnership should urgently address the long waiting times for community paediatrics, the neurodevelopment assessment pathway, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
- The local area partnership should urgently develop genuine co-production with children and young people with SEND at a strategic level. Children and young people should feel they have fully participated in the process of developing services, improvement strategies and plans that meet their needs
The local area partnership, which comprises of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board, Worcestershire Children First and Worcestershire County Council, fully accept their findings and recommendations on what needs to improve. Whilst the report recognises that progress has been made in some areas, the Partnership would like to apologise to those children and young people with SEND who have not received the timely support they need.
As a Partnership, we are committed to reducing waiting times and providing better support for those children and young people who are currently waiting. We want children and young people with SEND to feel truly seen and respected as individuals and this will be a key priority for us in further developing our co-production of services.
A monitoring inspection will be carried out within approximately 18 months and the next full reinspection will be within approximately three years. As a result of this inspection, His Majesty s Chief Inspector requires the local area partnership to prepare and submit a priority action plan (area SEND) to address the identified areas for priority action
Evaluation of pre-statutory Educational Psychology (EP) involvement in the Early Years Inclusion Process
The Early Years Inclusion Process (EYIP) was introduced in November 2023, replacing the previous preschool forum. Early years practitioners can now refer into the Educational Psychology (EP) service if they feel that a child may have special educational needs. They will be supported with a joint assessment meeting (JAM) which parents, settings and other professionals are invited to attend. The feedback has been resoundingly positive and has enabled us to continue reflecting on how the process can be improved in response to the comments that we have received.
A qualitative analysis of the survey results found the following:
Qualitative Data – Parents
What worked well:
- the meeting was really helpful, to get opinions and putting parent’s minds at ease
- listening to opinions on whether targets would be met and useful to have review or multiple meetings with the EP rather than a one off
- information is sent out straight away and we always feel in loop, always felt supported
What could be improved:
- spending more time with the child
Qualitative Data – Settings
What worked well:
- parental involvement was valued, helped to get their wishes, develop knowledge and be involved in setting outcomes
- feedback (paperwork/report/advice) is efficiently and promptly delivered
- value the co-production of outcomes/target setting/planning next steps for the child
- settings valued EP involvement as it provided professional evidence which supports an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) request
- other themes include joint working/collaboration, building a team around the child and seeking the child’s voice
What could be improved:
- some settings would value more time with the EP/for the EP to spend more time with the child
- the need for a longer review cycle
Social Events and updates from the Sensory Impairment team
Family Fun at Perdiswell
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Families were invited to our annual summer fun event on 4 July. A lovely opportunity to meet other families of children with a sensory impairment while making summer-themed crafts with the team. This year’s event was the best yet and we are already planning next summer!
Vision Impairment Team
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We had a super playdate with some early years profoundly vision impaired children at Churchfields in June. They joined in with singing time, went on the play equipment including a huge trampoline and petted some animals. Parents were able to chat and support each other, and it was glorious summer day.
Deaf and Hearing Impairment Team
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The Deaf and hearing impairment team has been busy this term - we had a ‘meet and play’ Coffee Morning in Worcester for our Early Years Families and a 10-pin bowling evening for some of our ‘tweens’.
Summer reading challenge is back!
The Marvellous Makers Summer Reading Challenge is a free holiday activity for all children aged 4 to 11. It is developed by The Reading Agency and delivered by public libraries.
Every year the challenge has a new theme and this year the Reading Agency have worked with leading arts charity Create Arts to develop the theme ‘Marvellous Makers’. The challenge this year is all about creativity with custom-made illustrations created by the brilliant illustrator - Natelle Quek.
How the Summer Reading Challenge works
Children sign up at their local library to start their challenge.
Children choose the books they want to read.
Library staff and volunteers are on hand to chat to children about books they have read.
There are rewards and incentives along the way to encourage children to read.
Every child who completes the challenge, by reading 6 library books, receives a medal and certificate.
Libraries also have activities for children to enjoy during the summer holidays. Ask at your local library or look at library events page.
You can find your nearest library here: Find a library.