Dear All,
WPCC's latest newsletter is below...
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In This Week's Issue...
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| BREAKING NEWS |
- Off-Steet Parking Consultation
- National Review of SEND
- Final Reminder All Change Again at the WPCC
- Final Reminder CARERS WEEK
- Final Reminder Do you engage with WPCC through Social Media?
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CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION
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- No new updates at the moment
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HAVE YOUR SAY
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- Final Reminder Cerebral Palsy Football Sessions – Would you be interested in attending?
- Final Reminder Liberty Protection Safeguards Public Consultation Launched
- Feedback Form (see attached form)
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ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
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- What’s On Children/Young People's Calendar
- Final Reminder Mixed Ability Rugby
- Reminder Pan Disability Football
- Reminder Dolphins Swimming Group
- Reminder Additional needs and disability gymnastics
- Reminder WPCC May Half Term Short Breaks Bulletin
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EVENTS AND INFORMATION
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- What’s On Parent/Carer Calendar
- South Wilts Mencap Bulletin
- Carer Support Wiltshire - Parent Carer Quiz
- Monthly Parent Support Group - Westbury
- New Dedicated Emails for Wiltshire SEND Lead Workers Teams
- Young People Aged 14 to 25 Needed to Help Influence Police and Crime Priorities in Wiltshire and Swindon – Last Chance to Apply
- Transition to Adulthood including Mental Capacity and Care Act Webinar
- Reminder PANS and PANDAS support
- Reminder Transitions Roadshow 2022
- Final Reminder SEND Review – Legal Implications
- Final Reminder Latest Annual Health Check for people with learning disabilities
- Final Reminder Ambitious About Autism launches online platform for Autistic Young People
- Contact's FREE Brighter Beginnings Workshops
- Family and Community Learning (FaCL) FREE Courses April - June
- Contact’s FREE Parent Carer Listening Ear Service (flyer attached)
- Parent Carer Group Melksham
- Reminder Free online Autism Training
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BREAKING NEWS
Off-Street Parking Consultation
Wiltshire Council has opened a consultation about proposed changes to the tariffs in off-street car parks. Should you wish to contribute, you can have your say HERE.
The deadline is the 23rd May 2022.
National SEND Review Green Paper
This outlines the changes the government is proposing to improve the lives of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The review focuses on SEND, alongside alternative provision and outlines some suggested key changes. Click HERE to watch a short video that explains a bit more about what the SEND Review is about.
When the consultation first opened, the WPCC promoted information that was available, as well as the link to submit individual responses.
The WPCC is keen to submit a response to the consultation on behalf of Wiltshire parent carers and to enable us to do this, we are in the process of arranging some face to face sessions for parent carers to attend and contribute their views. We will then collate all the feedback from these sessions and submit our collective response.
We are currently trying to source venues and will provide more details as soon as we have them, but for now we thought you might want to have notice of the dates the sessions will take place on: -
- Friday 17th June
- Monday 20th June
- Friday 1st July
We intend for the sessions to run from 10am to 2pm and we will provide lunch, as well as reimbursing travel and any childcare expenses.
This is a really important opportunity to have a say and potentially influence national policy for years to come and we hope many parent carers will be able to join us at one of these sessions.
You can read the full document HERE (104 pages), or read the Easy Read version (18 pages).
We will update you as soon as we have further details regarding venues.
Final Reminder: All Change Again at the WPCC
It is with sadness that we have to let you know that after 10 years with the WPCC, Sharon Selkridge-Parham will be leaving us. Sharon says this has not been an easy decision but she feels the time is right for her to move on and explore new opportunities. Sharon’s last day was Thursday 12th May 2022 and the following week, she begins a new job with another independent organisation in Wiltshire. We are sure you will join us in wishing Sharon the very best as she begins her new role and we thank her for all she has given to the WPCC over the past 10 years.
We congratulate Helen Selway who works alongside Sharon as a SENDIS Officer, as she is being promoted to Senior SENDIS Officer. We are delighted that Kate Martin, who is currently one of our Telephone Triage Workers, will be working alongside Helen from Monday 16th May as our newest SENDIS Officer.
Helen will be working five days a week and Kate will initially be working Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. This creates a vacancy in our Telephone Triage Team and we will soon be advertising for this, along with some other exciting opportunities – please watch this space!
While Helen and Kate get used to their new roles, and we manage with a reduced Telephone Triage Team, we hope you can bear with us if we are not able to answer the telephone as quickly as you may be used to. If you telephone and can’t get through, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible. It may also take a little longer for Helen and Kate to follow up on SENDIS support as they embed in their role, but please be assured we are as committed as ever to provide as much support as always.
Final Reminder CARERS WEEK - June 6th - 12th
A date for your diary is Carers Week, which takes place this year from Monday 6th until Sunday 12th June. The theme is "making caring visable, valued and support.
Carers Support Wiltshire will be holding a number of special events - such as guest speakers and giveaways - over the week, including at our regular cafes and support groups that take place that week. More details will follow in their next newsletter. They will be holding a virtual balloon race to raise funds too, which is a fun (and eco-friendly)! way to help them to raise money and you could potentially win a fab prize! Visit their website for more information. Carers Support Wiltshire
Reminder WPCC’s Use of Social Media
The Wiltshire Parent Carer Council currently uses Facebook and Twitter as its social media platforms to share and promote information, in addition to its newsletters, emails and website.
We share information relating to all things SEND in Wiltshire as much as we can via these two social media platforms, and our following is growing year-on-year on both of these. We are currently reviewing our use of social media and we would be really grateful if you could complete this VERY SHORT SURVEY to let us know if there are other forms of social media that you would prefer to use to hear from the WPCC.
This survey will close at 5pm on Sunday 29th May 2022.
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION
Coronavirus
Now the coronavirus restrictions have eased, we do not have any new updates at the moment.
Have Your Say
Reminder Cerebral Palsy Football Sessions – Would you be interested in attending?
Cerebral Palsy Sport and Wiltshire County FA are looking into the possibility of running football sessions specific for young people with Cerebral Palsy.
Please fill in this SHORT SURVEY to help them determine where and when these sessions could be viable.
Survey will close on Sunday 29th May
Final Reminder Liberty Protection Safeguards Public Consultation Launched
The Government has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) Code of Practice for England and Wales, which includes guidance on the new Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) system. The LPS system will ultimately replace the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) system and aims to improve outcomes for people who are or who need to be deprived of their liberty. They have been designed to put the rights and wishes of those people at the centre of all decision-making.
This is a joint consultation published by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Ministry of Justice. The consultation will run for 16 weeks from the 17th March until 7th July 2022. Read all the consultation documents (including easy read versions).
The DHSC will provide an update on the implementation timetable post-consultation, once they’ve had a chance to look at the feedback and views.
General Feedback (see attached form)
If you have any general feedback you would like to share, please telephone us on: 01225 764647 or send an email to: admin@wiltspcc.co.uk. Please be assured that when we share feedback with services, we never identify the person who gave the feedback, unless we have their consent to do so.
When sharing your feedback, it is often helpful to know:-
- Which part of Wiltshire you live in? (North, South etc.)
- How old your child/young person is?
- Consent to share your contact details? (optional) This is so we can work with service providers to address issues with you individually.
You may prefer to complete the attached feedback form, send us an email or call us to give your feedback.
Activities for Children and Young People
What’s On Children/Young People’s Calendar April/May 2022
For a full list of activities for April/May for children and young people with disabilities, including music, social, sport, drama, trampolining clubs and much more, please go to our What’s On Calendar for more details: What's On Calendar
Final Reminder Mixed Ability Rugby training sessions at Melksham RFC
Where: Melksham at RFC
When: Tuesdays 7-8pm
The sessions are weekly (term time), and finish on the 24th May for the off season. We will then return after the summer for the next season.
The sessions are for everyone, aged 16+.
Mixed Ability rugby is just like standard rugby, however those with disabilities can also participate and choose whether to play as a touch player, or try some contact at their own pace. During fixtures, we have touch rugby players and contact players on the same pitch together playing, our touch players wear a red scrum hat, which means when the ball is passed to them, the game turns into touch rugby.
There is no cost to the session, and we’d love to welcome more participants along.
Please email (Lauren) at lauren.butcher@bathrugbyfoundation.com to enquire further about a specific session/programme
Reminder Pan Disability Football
South Wilts Sports Club, Wilton Road, Salisbury SP2 9NY
Every Monday 5-6pm
Are you interested in joining a disability football team? Check out the attached flyer for more information and how to get involved.
Reminder Dolphins Swimming Group - South Wilts Mencap
Do you have a disability or special/additional needs but love swimming?
The Dolphins Swimming Group is becoming very popular and we are glad you are enjoying it.
The next session will be held on Saturday 21st May. If you haven't already been and are interested in attending, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
If you would like to join us for accessible swimming sessions on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month from 5pm until 6pm
This session is open to people with disabilities and/or additional needs, their families, carers and friends to enjoy the pool in a safe and welcoming environment.
Location Five Rivers Leisure Centre, Salisbury
Members - £3
Carers /family/guardians free
Non-members - £5
The session will be help in the main pool with 2 lifeguards in attendance
For those who require assistance in or out of the water they must be accompanied by someone (Carer/family/guardian) who can provide the assistance in and out of the water and who is a competent swimmer.
If you would like to join these sessions or require further information, please contact Pip: pip.reis@southwiltsmencap.org.uk or Sarah: sarah@southwiltsmencap.org.uk or 07395 155607. Please see attached poster
Reminder Additional Needs and Disability Gymnastics
Age 2-5 years
A fun and friendly class designed to promote physical development and social skills.
Where? Liberty Gymnastics Club, Frome.
When? Tuesdays 1.30-2.30pm (Term time)
Led By: Amie Hood; a qualified Gymnastics Coach and registered Occupational Therapist. Cost: Free trial lesson. (£43.20 per 6 week term). If you would like to find out more please. I have attached an updated poster with more details!
I offer a free trial session so parents don't have to commit to a whole term before knowing how their child will enjoy the class. And a 6 week term is £43.50. The class is held on Tuesday afternoons at 1.30 for an hour.
If you would like to find out more please Contact: Amie on 07920 573860 Please see attached poster
WPCC's May Half Term 2022 Short Breaks Bulletin is Now Available
See the latest WPCC Short Breaks Bulletin for information about accessible activities, leisure and social opportunities for children and young people with SEND, and their siblings and families in the May Half Term school holiday.
You can download a copy (see attachment WPCC May Bulletin March 2022) or view it as an online interactive booklet HERE.
As always, if you know of other activities and opportunities, please tell us so we can promote in future publications.
Remember to also see our dedicated section of our website for previous activities/resources we have shared:
Events and Information
What’s On Parent Carer Calendar April/May 2022
For a full list of training/events/support groups for April/May for parent carers, please see our What’s On Calendar for more details: What's On Calendar
Please Note: There is still an ONLINE option available on our parent carer calendar during this period of “limited face-to-face” sessions.
South Wilts Mencap Bulletin
South Wilts Mencap supports people with learning disabilities in South Wiltshire; inspiring them to achieve their full potential and enabling them and their families to lead fuller lives. They support Families in the South and Salisbury region of Wiltshire. They support with Clubs, activities, Fundays, Short Breaks and more!
Have a look at their recent Bulletin for upcoming information
Carer Support Wiltshire – Parent Carer Quiz
Carer Support Wiltshire are running a Parent Carer Quiz at the Bear Hotel in Devizes on Tuesday 7th June 2022, from 10:30am to 12pm, to celebrate carers week.
There will be tea and cakes for parent carers, and quiz prizes!
If you would like to attend please call the office from Monday 23rd May on 0800 181 4118 to book your place.
Monthly Parent Support Group - Westbury
Started: Friday 13th May - Will be held monthly for parents/carers of children with SEND
Where: Leigh Park Community Centre, Leigh Park Way, Westbury Wiltshire, BA13 3FN
When: 2nd Friday of every month starting Friday 13th May
Time: 6pm until 7.20pm
Come and chat, gain advice, and learn new strategies. Share your experiences with others. Free Monthly meetings
New Dedicated Emails for Wiltshire SEND Lead Workers Teams
The Senior SEND Lead Workers and SEND Lead Workers each work within a designated team carrying out specific elements of the assessment, review and monitoring of Education, Health and Care Plans.
There are now two dedicated email inboxes to manage queries.
Team 2 – Review and Monitoring Team, Team 3 – Review and Monitoring Team (targeted) and the PfA (Preparation for Adulthood) Team can be contacted on: EHCPreviewteam@wiltshire.gov.uk
If you are unsure which team to contact, please call the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) on 0300 456 0108 (Monday -Thursday 9am – 4.30pm, Friday 9am – 4pm) where a duty SEND Lead Worker will assist you with your query.
Young People Aged 14 to 25 Needed to Help Influence Police and Crime Priorities in Wiltshire and Swindon – Last Chance to Apply
Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is recruiting young people to join the Wiltshire & Swindon Youth Commission on Police and Crime 2022; an exciting initiative in partnership with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
The Youth Commission enables young people to support, challenge and influence decisions about policing and crime in Wiltshire & Swindon. The Youth Commission allows young people to get involved and have their say about policing and crime where they live.
The Youth Commission will explore urgent issues affecting young people in Wiltshire & Swindon, such as reducing offending and re-offending, improving the relationship with the police, and anti-social behaviour.
The Youth Commission is aimed at young people aged 14-25 years who want to make a difference to their community.
They are looking for a diverse group of young people from different backgrounds and life experiences to take part, including those who have direct experience of the criminal justice system.
This is a brilliant opportunity for young people to gain new knowledge, skills and experiences. Members of the Youth Commission will play an important role in helping to run consultation events and gather the opinions of other young people about policing, crime and reducing offending and re-offending.
All documents needed to apply for this opportunity are attached.
The application pack can also be accessed via this link: CLICK HERE
Application deadline is: 27th May 2022
Transition to Adulthood including Mental Capacity and Care Act Webinar
“Transition to Adulthood including Mental Capacity and Care Act” Webinar taking place on Friday 17th June 2022, 10am to 12.30pm on Zoom.
This session is FREE and will be recorded. The link will be available once it has been uploaded to our You Tube channel.
Please see attached poster and to book your place click here
Reminder What are PANS and PANDAS and what Support is there?
PANS: stands for: Paediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome.
PANDAS: stands for Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections.
PANS and PANDAS are conditions that often appear very suddenly and affect the physical and mental health of children and young adults. They develop in the wake of common infections (such as COVID-19, chicken pox, influenza, or strep A in PANDAS cases), when the infection subsequently causes a misdirected immune response and/or brain inflammation.
PANS PANDAS UK have created an overview resource about the conditions of PANS and PANDAS. This information also contains links to resources for Educational Professionals, School Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, and Families. This information is designed to provide some help for parent carers and also for professionals working in settings; parent carers are encouraged to share this with their school etc. if appropriate and relevant to their child.
Click HERE to access the resources.
Reminder Preparing for Adulthood Transitions Roadshow 2022
Wednesday 15th June 10.00am – 4.00pm
Legends Lounge, Swindon Town Football Club
For parents, carers and professionals who support young people age 14+ with additional needs to look at :-
Employment
Volunteering & training Independent Living
Friends & Relationships
Community Involvement
Good Health
Please come along and chat to 40+ stallholders from organisations supporting young people with additional needs as they prepare for adult life
Please see attached Flyer
Final Reminder SEND Review – Legal Implications - webinar.
Date: Tuesday 24th May 2022
Time: 10am to 12.30pm
Where: Zoom
Please do check your junk inbox for the registration / joining details emails. These details will be emailed upon receipt of your booking.
Final Reminder Latest Annual Health Check Video Resources to Support People with Learning Disabilities
Below is a list of the latest video resources designed to help and support people with Learning Disabilities to understand and prepare for an Annual Health Check: -
Don’t forget to also see the information on the WPCC website about Annual Health Checks and the Learning Disability Register.
Final Reminder Ambitious About Autism Launches First Online Platform for Autistic Young People
Ambitious about Autism has launched the UK’s first online platform for autistic young people. For those aged 16 to 25, it offers a safe and moderated online space to help them understand their autistic identity and reduce the isolation and loneliness that many may feel.
Young people will be able to take part in peer support sessions, share experiences and find volunteering, work experience and employment opportunities. There will also be opportunities for them to work together and campaign for change.
Contact's Brighter Beginnings Workshops - FREE
Contact is offering a number of free online/virtual workshops for parent carers of children and young people aged 0-16 with additional needs. The workshops, called Brighter Beginnings Workshops, are available thanks to funding from a range of funding sources. The workshops are free virtual one-off sessions and it is hoped that Contact may be able to offer in-person workshops again in the future, once it is appropriate to do so.
‘Regional workshops’ are for families who live in those areas only, due to funding arrangements.
Click on the workshop links on the website to book onto your chosen workshop/s. Not all workshops have dates yet, but new dates are continually being added, so if there is not a workshop available suitable for you, please revisit the website.
The workshops are very popular so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Family and Community Learning (FaCL) FREE Courses April - June
FaCL Courses are funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency. Courses are FREE if you are 19+, have been a resident in UK/EU for 3+years, have less than 5 GCSEs grades A-C, in receipt of benefits, a service family or you may have other issues that joining a course could help you. You might be stuck in a rut or going through a difficult time? FaCL want to hear from people who are unsure about if they can join and they are always happy to talk things through.
FaCL Online courses for April, May and June
- FaCL Budgettting Courses June 2002 - see attached flyer
There are several different courses in each of the following categories:
- Helping My Child
- Confidence and Wellbeing
- Enhance Your English
For more information and course dates, please click HERE.
Contact’s Free Parent Carer Listening Ear Service
You might be struggling emotionally and looking for strategies to help you cope. Maybe you just need to talk to someone who understands the extra challenges you face and who can point you in the right direction to get the support you need for your family.
To help, Contact offer 1-1 telephone appointments with a family support adviser for parent carers looking for a listening ear, reassurance and practical and emotional support (see attached flyer).
Contact have released a video and podcast that explains the listening Ear Service in more detail.
You can watch the video on YouTube HERE or listen to the podcast HERE.
Making an appointment for the listening ear service is simple: choose the day (morning, afternoon or evening), and when you register choose the time slot you want. Appointments are regularly updated and are subject to availability.
Parent Carer Group - Melksham
This group for anyone who cares for a child or young adult with SEN (with or without diagnosis).
When: Mondays 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Queensway Family Centre - Pembroke Road - Melksham (Opposite the Chapel)
For more information, please see the attached flyer or contact Terrie-Anne Coe – 07944 153 992
Reminder Free online Autism Training
Helen Eaton hosts a variety of online autism training sessions, one of which she offers free of charge. The live talks on Zoom give you a chance to ask questions, share ideas, or just relax and watch.
FREE training session:
Autism in the Classroom - (60 minutes)
7.00pm Wednesday 15th June 2022
This popular talk is for families, schools and professionals to explore ideas to help support Autistic children in the classroom.
For more information on available courses and to book your place(s), please click HERE
Contacting the WPCC
WPCC Phone Line 2022.
Our phone lines continue to be open as normal (10.00am – 5.00pm) and the number to access the WPCC SENDIS team remains as: 01225 764647.
When you call, it is likely that your call will be answered by one of our telephone triage workers who will take basic details of your enquiry and pass it on to a member of the team. If you cannot get through, please leave a message with your name and contact number, or email and we will call you back as soon as possible; please be mindful there are times when our phone lines can be extremely busy.
Keep safe and well,
The WPCC Team
