SEN bulletin October issue

ELP SEN support expectations

Schools can use the ELP SEN support expectations document is part of you approach to improve the quality of SEND support. It states the role and responsibilities of school leadership and provides a range of practical universal strategies for class teachers to support children with additional needs.

Primary SENCO network PP

Here is the Primary SENCo presentation from the last network meeting.

The next network meeting is on Thursday 24 November 1 – 4pm and as requested it will be face to face at the EEC. The focus will be developing inclusive practice in your schools. SENCOs will share effective models and ways they have improved inclusion. We will look at key data for Black Caribbean children with additional needs – what does this information tell us?

Secondary SENCo network presentations

Here is the Secondary SENCo presentation and Speech and language therapist presentation from the last network meeting

The next SEN development day meeting is on 1 December. Save the date! This will be a joint SENCo and Inclusion leads workshop day and the focus will be developing inclusive practice in your schools.

Family Information Services

Here to see the FIS presentation from Izra about the range of support and services available

Key dates and deadlines for education, health and care needs assessment, plans and review

Ealing Alcohol and Substance abuse – youth support

CRI EASY Project provides specialist treatment for young people aged 10-18 in Ealing who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing problematic drug or alcohol use.

Speech and language awareness campaigns

• Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) – This year’s theme is ‘Growing with DLD’ highlighting that DLD is a lifelong diagnosis. People do not grow out of DLD but with individualised support that can include regular speech and language therapy and educational adjustments they can thrive. Watch our YouTube videos to learn how you can support your children with learning and understanding language
• Selective Mutism – Month of October Raising awareness of Selective Mutism and the impact it has on individuals and what us, as a community, can do to support others who experience Selective Mutism. Look at our YouTube channel to learn more, and for a video that can be shown to children in school assemblies that talks about Selective Mutism
• Celebrating the Bilingual Child – Month of October Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month, we are looking at recognising the skills and attributes that a bilingual child can bring to the classroom. Watch our YouTube video to learn more about the benefits, and ways to support, bilingual and multilingual children
• Stammering on Saturday 22 October - This awareness day raises the profile of stammering and provides opportunities for the community to talk about their role in supporting individuals who stammer. Please encourage school staff that work with children who stammer to find out more from our YouTube workshop
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) – Month of October - This month, awareness is being raised on AAC, to inform the public about the many ways in which people communicate using communication devices. View AAC myth busting video

Help for households

The government is offering help for households. See what cost of living support you could be eligible for.

MENCAP

MENCAP run a range of parent support groups at Carers Centre, Sycamore Lodge, 1 Edgecote Close W3 8PH, Telephone: 0203 978 8989

• Parent support groups for under 18s every other Wednesday 11.15am - 12.15pm
• Parent support groups for over 18s every other Wednesday 12.30-1.30pm

TA Recruitment

Following the joint ELP and REED agency recruitment drive, Reed now have 63 TAs available to support in schools. Please contact Ealing Schools Supply Service by email EalingSchools.SupplyService@reed.com or telephone 0208 370 3602

Guidance on funding to support SEN and disabilities in schools

This guidance, alongside the SEND Support Expectations Guidance (2019), sets out Ealing’s expectations regarding use of SEND related funding.

Guidance on funding to support SEN and disabilities in schools (pdf)

SEN Gateway updates

The following changes were made to the SEN Gateway:

1. Parent and child views have been updated with new co-produced questions.
2. Social Care section in the professional contacts tab has been made mandatory.
3. Parent portal communication preference - SENCO’s and early years settings can indicate how parents would like to contribute to their EHC assessment eg via letter, email or Parent Portal.

Special educational needs inclusion funding (SENIF)

Here is information on the SEN Inclusion Funding procedure and forms.

Free anti-racism and mental health training from Anna Freud Centre

This free online training course is designed to improve education staff’s understanding of the impact of racism on mental health.

Black and racially minoritised young people can experience racism in many areas of their lives - including at school. Experiencing racism can have significant mental health consequences for young people. Staff will learn practical strategies for tackling racism in schools, and how to introduce a whole-school approach to anti-racism and mental health.

SENCO one hour training sessions

Email Sam at SENDLINE@ealing.gov.uk to sign up and receive the link

Teacher and TA Twilights

Email Sam at SENDLINE@ealing.gov.uk to sign up and get the link

ADHD training offer

ELP have commissioned Susan Issa, an Emotional Regulation & Neurodiversity specialist to run ADHD training for SENCOs and TAs. Susan has been a teacher and a SENCO was diagnosed at 40 as Autistic with a heavy sprinkling of PDA and hefty dose of ADHD (Susan’s words). You can find out more about her here : https://raisingawildchild.co.uk/

Joint training for the school SENCO and a TA. You will receive a wealth of information about ADHD and then have access to directly communicate with Susan for a month afterwards whilst you are trying out strategies and putting your learning into practice.

This training is free to schools. Please ensure that both your SENCO and TA can attend the training. If you cannot attend, please let the EEC know two days before so the place can be offered to another school. Book via Ealing CPD online:

• ADHD in primary schools on 23 November, 9am – 12pm
• ADHD primary schools on 24 November, 9am – 12pm
• ADHD in secondary schools on 23 November, 1 – 4pm

Governor training

Improve your Governing board’s knowledge about SEN practice, provision and legal duties. View training on Ealing CPD online.

Scaffolding as one of the ​‘Five-a-day’

The EEF’s guidance report – Special Education Needs in Mainstream Schools – recommends that teachers should use scaffolding as one of the ​‘Five-a-day’ evidence-informed approaches to support all pupils, including those with SEND.

Find out more EEF blog: Scaffolding – more than just a worksheet | EEF (educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk)

Guide to SEND code of practice

Schools guide to the 0 to 25 SEND code of practice (GOV.UK). Advice for school governing bodies/proprietors, senior leadership teams, SENCOs and classroom staff Advice template (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Did you know

If a parent submits a request for statutory assessment a ‘PERSA’, the school still has to submit an appendix B request for information.

Top Tip

Set up a role email eg SENDCO@myschool.ealing.sch.uk. This can be attached to your email address and one or more others, the HT, DHT or AHT. If for any reason you are away or even move on, external professionals can still contact the school. It’s also useful for emailing parents.