SEND bulletin December 2024

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    Message from Madhu

    As we approach the end of the Autumn term, I find myself reflecting on the past few months. It's been a pleasure engaging in professional dialogue with so many of you during networks, the Secondary Seminar, and the Alternative Models Forum. Your insights and contributions have kept me grounded and curious—thank you!

    This term also saw the launch of our first Primary SENDCo Cluster sessions. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who attended for being so open, honest, and supportive of one another.

    We’re currently working hard on refreshing the SEND Expectations, which we’re excited to launch in Spring 2. Keep an eye out for a suite of training videos coming your way soon!

    A special thank you to Sam for her unwavering support and for hosting our new SENDline podcasts. If you have any requests or suggestions for guests or topics for next term, we’d love to hear them.

    Wishing you all a safe and happy winter break—enjoy the end of term festivities!

    SEND outreach brochure

    Ealing Council in partnership with ELP provide a range of outreach options for mainstream primary and secondary schools. This document outlines the current outreach offer available to schools without any additional costs.

    Festival of Learning March 2025

    All schools have received an invitation to showcase innovative practices and contribute to a collaborative learning community. We are keen for schools to showcase their SEN and Inclusion practice. The festival’s organisers are open to any theme, including inclusive practice, communities, education. Apply to showcase your school’s innovative practices at ELP’s festival of learning 2024-25

    IncludEd conference 2025 – Who is losing learning

    A conference at the IOE in London, tickets £50. Key Questions: Who is Losing Learning and what can we do about it? IncludEd Conference 2025 Tickets, Sat 11 Jan 2025 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

    Coaching training opportunity

    Alison Bennett, School Workforce Lead is sharing some of their Ealing 2025 coaching programmes. The benefits of coaching in a school can be substantial with staff feeling increased confidence and feeling more reflective and better equipped to meet the diverse needs of all students. The following programmes which will be delivered face to face at the EEC:

    If you have any questions do contact Alison: abennett@ealing.gov.uk

    Ealing speech and language therapy

    Stay informed and empowered by visiting our social media platforms and resources.

    • Visit our YouTube channel - Access recordings of workshops like: Understanding Autism, Shy, Quiet and Anxious Talkers, Supporting Children Who Stammer. Discover awareness content, with quick facts and strategies for: Selective Mutism, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
    • Follow us on Facebook for expert advice and engaging videos, updates on training sessions, insights into parent workshops.
    • Contact our advice line: Have a question about a case or need guidance on how our speech and language therapy service works? or to check our waiting lists (i.e. EHCP SLT waiting list).
      Email our advice line wlm.tr-ealing.sltadvice@nhs.net Monday to Friday to connect with a friendly team member who’s ready to help!

    Let’s work together to support every child’s communication journey. Share with families and colleagues who might benefit! More information can be found at Speech and language therapy :: West London NHS Trust

    Boston Manor Park SEND outdoor activities programme

    Recommendation from Alison Trott, ARP lead Fielding Primary:

    We took 25 children to Boston Manor Park for the SEND program of workshops. It was fabulous. Tasha was so fantastic with our children and I would highly recommend it to you all. She runs 1 hour long sessions, (you choose 3 activities) which are well resourced, multi-sensory, short and sweet and flexible based on needs. Funding only secured for another year so they are keen to get as many people through as they can. Cost was £5 per child. Highly recommend. View the BMP SEND Outdoor activities leaflet

    Autism Education Trust: this month’s resource

    The second recommendation from the AET, handpicked by Dawn Clegg from Springhallow outreach. Links will also be in their own tab in the SENDline Padlet.

    Here is a link to a useful guide to terminology about autism: (Please note copying restrictions)

    The language that we use can influence the different ways that we think about things. How we think about things can also influence the language we use, and this process is constantly evolving. It is important to reflect on this, particularly when we are speaking about people.

    Even since this guide was published, the term Asperger Syndrome, which is referred to, is used decreasingly, although some individuals prefer this term to describe themselves.

    Asperger syndrome (Asperger’s) Asperger syndrome is no longer used as a diagnostic term. Historically, it was used to describe some autistic people who did not have a learning disability. www.autism.org.uk

    It is always best to ask individuals about their own preferences about how they describe themselves and their strengths and needs.

    Therapeutic Thinking

    Message from Simon:

    Continuing the tree analogy: There are lots of changes happening in schools because of Therapeutic Thinking including different approaches in the classroom, updated policies, and new ways of understanding needs. These new experiences for children (roots) will take time to bed in, just like newly planted trees. Some care and attention will be important, but continuing more rapid change at this time of year may disturb the roots you have established.

    A more coherent and evidence-based view on implementing change in schools can be found in the attached document from the EEF. Take a look at the EEF implementation recommendations and EEF implementation plan template

    Next Therapeutic Thinking events:

    News:

    SEN governors

    Springhallow School are looking for people with an educational background to join their Governing Body - Governors | Springhallow School The full governing body meets once per term (6 - 7:30pm), with the committees meeting once per term within the school day. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in supporting the school, please let them know.

    NASEN

    Sign up for reminders from NASEN to get a monthly email listing the upcoming training – much of which is free and high quality (funded by the DfE). For example, Specialist spotlights on executive functioning (primary) and sensory differences (secondary) are running through January 2025:

    Specialist Spotlight: Understanding executive functioning (Primary) | Whole School SEND

    Specialist Spotlight: Supporting sensory differences in the learning environment (Secondary / FE) | Whole School SEND

    Upcoming training and networks:

    Browse Ealing CPD Online for a full view of professional development in Ealing.

    Signposts for parents

    Ealing Holidays and Food HAF

    The guide to family support services 2025 is funded by Ealing's HAF (Holiday Activities & Food) programme and put together by Ealing's Family Information Service (FIS). It lists key services, groups and organisations that may be useful for families living in the London Borough of Ealing. Some great new mental health resources are listed this year.

    Ealing race equality in education for parents

    A reminder of the importance of the race equality work in our schools: a short video: Ealing race equality in education for parents May 2024

    What SEND tools do you use?

    Top Tip

    Christmas can be a difficult time for pupils with sensory differences. Here are some top tips from schoolsensorysolutions.co.uk:

    Use a social story to explain timetable differences; be specific about the different activities and how long they will last; use photos from the previous year; keep dietary needs in mind; be flexible with school play costumes and time on stage.

    Sensory overload is cumulative, which means lots of small issues can add up together to form something intolerable. Regular opportunities to regulate and calm down might be needed more often. The child may need you to increase their usual sensory supports, be it movement breaks, time out of class or calming activities.

    Did you know?

    You may be asked for information for a tribunal – these have increased by 78% since last year nationally. You are not expected to be for or against, but to present your professional opinion. Tribunal Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2024 - GOV.UK

    SEN in the news

    The National Audit Office report on SEN in England was issued on 24 October 2024. Support for children and young people with special educational needs - NAO report

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    Last updated: 18 Dec 2024

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