SEN bulletin October 2024

Message from Madhu

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the September network session. Thank you as always for your active participation and sharing of ideas. The SaLT service will be hosting an online update and Q&A sessions with headteachers as a result of your feedback.

Please see the ELP SEND and inclusion report for 2023-24

There are a range of training and network opportunities to all school staff this year, supporting our goal of SEND being everybody’s business. I hope many of your schools will be able to take up some of the offer. I am also excited to work with many of you as part of the roll out of SEND Clusters.

The next primary SENCo network is on 6 November, meet from 12:15, starting at 1:15 at the EEC. Book via Ealing CPD online

Speech and language therapy

Ealing speech and language service on YouTube

Ealing Children’s services YouTube Channel features lots of shorts, workshops and easy to access info from the SaLT service. Look and see if it could form part of CPD for your staff.

When to refer to speech and language therapy 7 November, 3-4pm. View the flyer

NPQ SENCO

Are you or a colleague are starting the NPQ SENCo this term? Would you like to be part of an Ealing NPQ SENCo group? NPQ SENCO Teach West London are looking for SENCO qualified professionals to facilitate these sessions. Here is more information about the NPQ SENCo programme. Contact for more info: Ciara Wall, cwall@teachwestlondon.org.uk

SEN governor

Does your school have a named SEN governor? Make sure your clerk to governors is aware and has the relevant email address so that they stay informed, and bring them along to SENCO and SEN governors network – a lively forum for discussing and debating all things SEN in school. If you need to recruit an SEN governor, a job description is available if your school buys in to GovernorHub Knowledge. SEND: role of the link governor | GovernorHub (thekeysupport.com) For more information contact governors@ealing.gov.uk.

Teaching assistant network

Support your TA team by encouraging them to sign up to the TA networks. They will need an Ealing CPD Online account. Next network is 12 November, 1.30-3.30pm, EEC. Book via Ealing CPD Online

EYFS Just one aspect offer

View Just one aspect - early years SEND support packages. Email the specialist SEND advisory Teachers if your school could benefit or you want to learn more: eyfssen@ealing.gov.uk

Level 3 SEND teaching assistant apprenticeship pilot

Spaces still available on this pilot. Contact Madhu iby email at BhachuM@ealing.gov.uk

Ealing Primary Centre Outreach

EPC’s new flyer explains their outreach on a page. One for your noticeboard?

Pupils on a reduced timetable

New and updated reduced timetable guidance and policy is now out from the attendance team.

Training this month

Browse Ealing CPD Online for a full range of professional development available to Ealing school staff and officers.

Courses coming up this month and next include

• Good Autism practice, Understanding and Supporting pupils on the Autistic Spectrum for EY, 5-16 and post 16
  7 November 9.30am-4pm, Springhallow
• When to refer for SaLT lead by the Ealing speech therapy team 7 November, 3-4pm online
• Readiness for Learning for children with complex needs in mainstream from Castlebar
• Therapeutic Thinking annual refresher is on 18 November, 8.30am-3.30pm at EEC

New from ELP

• Supporting neurodiversity in the classroom for teachers, lead by EP Camellia Kojouri Book via Ealing CPD Online
• Develop alternative provision forum for schools considering an SRP
• Springhallow outreach training brochure

Other training providers

Information, advice or guidance Free level 2 course

Do you find yourself giving advice, but it gets interpreted as a recommendation? For example when parents ask you about high school choices, exam subjects or even applying for an EHCP? There is a government funded training course for this. Ofsted have identified this as a need in many schools, according to the course provider. Book now Free Online IAG Qualification with Certificate (freecoursesinengland.co.uk)

Centre for Autism and ADHD Support ONLINE Professional Connect Forum Harrow, Brent, Ealing & Hillingdon Tickets, Tue, Dec 3, 2024 at 11am | Eventbrite

Signpost for parents

Curriculum and assessment review - Department for Education - Citizen Space

Review areas for improvement, with particular concern for supporting children and young people who are from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, those with a special educational need or disability (SEND) and those who are otherwise vulnerable.

Top tip

This month’s tip is a book every teacher should read: Looked After by Ashley John-Baptiste.