The findings from the second consultation period relating to the future of advocacy services in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have been published. Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council have decided to buy a new advocacy service; the new service will cover all types of advocacy including advocacy services for children and adults in Cambridgeshire.
Guidance for the inspection of special educational needs and/or disabilities
Guidance for inspecting the effectiveness of local areas in fulfilling their new duties supporting children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Accessing Support for your family – Family CAF and Think Family
Link to accessing support for your family in Cambridgeshire
Link to Think Family in Cambridgeshire
Government drops plans to legislate to make all schools academies
The Government has announced today that, whilst it is still committed to every school becoming an academy in the next six years, it will not legislate to require blanket conversion. Instead, it proposes legislating to “trigger conversion of all schools within a local authority in 2 specific circumstances:
- firstly, where it is clear that the local authority can no longer viably support its remaining schools because a critical mass of schools in that area has converted. Under this mechanism a local authority will also be able to request the Department for Education converts all of its remaining schools
- secondly, where the local authority consistently fails to meet a minimum performance threshold across its schools, demonstrating an inability to bring about meaningful school improvement“.
Young Carers Needs Assessments – new statutory team
Children and young people who are carers have the same rights as all children and young people and should be able to learn, achieve, develop friendships and enjoy positive, healthy childhoods. The Young Carers Needs Assessment Team will ensure that the needs of young carers are recognised and offer an additional assessment for Young Carers. This means taking account of their hopes, aspirations, strengths and achievements, as well as need for advice and support for whole family.
Link to more details
Schools SEND Information Reports
Schools must publish on their websites information about their provision for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and keep it up-to-date. As a result of work by PPS/SENDIASS and the Families Information Service an updated version of Cambridgeshire’s Local Offer Toolkit has been sent to schools. It explains the information schools need to publish and the areas to be covered. Schools SEND Information Report and their SEN Policy set out the aims of its SEND support and what it should look like for its pupils and their parents.
Link to updated guidance
Link to information about the difference between and the requirements of Schools SEN Policy and Schools SEN Information report.
Cambridgeshire’s SEND Newsletter for schools and settings
See Attachment 1
All Age Carers Strategy 2016-2020
Most of us will be a Carer at some point in our lives. Carers are a valuable asset to our society but providing care can have an impact on Carers in terms of their own health, education, ability to remain employed and their relationships and social life. Recent legislation provides an opportunity to enhance our support to Carers as, for the first time, it places them on an equal footing with those they care for and recognises the importance of their own ‘well-being’.
NATIONAL NEWS
£200m to drive improvements to Children’s Social Care over the next three years
Education Secretary unveils new £200 million investment to overhaul services for the most vulnerable children and young people.
Improving the transition from school to work for the majority of young people
The current system for helping people move from school to work is failing most young people. They are simply not being adequately prepared for the world of work. This significantly disadvantages a huge number of young people and limits their opportunity for social mobility. Link to the Lords Select Committee report below.
Good practice in supporting disabled learners
Disability Rights UK is developing a toolkit of resources for education providers to showcase good practice in supporting disabled learners to make the transition to internships and paid employment. The first set of materials has been published
User experiences of the EHC process
DfE also released a qualitative research document yesterday mapping user experiences of the EHC process based on experiences in 4 LAs between May and December 2015. 100 pages long, but a useful executive summary with recommendations – including that LAs should seek feedback from a wide range of users not just rely on established Parent Carer Forums.
Link to research document
Employment is everyone's business - new resources
As part of the project, Employment is Everyone's Business (EEB), the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) and the British Association for Supported Employment (BASE) have been working with a number of schools, colleges, young people and employers to identify ways in which professionals can work together to support young people into employment. They have produced three new resources.
Link to resources
Queens speech – governments ‘Education For All’
Government announces this Bill will deliver the next phase of their transformation of education, extending the principles of freedom and accountability across the country so that they encourage excellence everywhere and give every child the best start in life. It will include:
- New laws to expand the academies programme in the poorest performing local authority areas
- A new funding formula to deliver fair funding for every school and pupil in the country
- Measures to make schools accountable for the provision and progress of excluded pupils so that those currently let down by the system are given an excellent education
- giving care leavers access to a personal adviser up to the age of 25
- introducing a new social work regulator with a focus on professional standards and training
- the government will also require all websites containing pornographic images to verify users are over 18.
Identifying the social needs of disabled children and young people as part of EHC assessments and plans
Drawing from their work with local authorities and their partners, CDC has developed this briefing to help those coordinating EHC assessments and plans to have the confidence to gather information which will provide accurate social care advice, particularly where a young person is not known to a social work team
Satisfaction with the EHCP process mapped out in new research
New research from the Department for Education looks at how satisfied children, young people and families are with their experience of the EHCP process and determine their satisfaction with the service in their local area.
The role of Independent Reviewing Officers in EHC assessments and plans
Following discussion with Independent Reviewing Officers (IRO), social workers and other local authority staff, this briefing was developed to help IROs in carrying out their role in respect of disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs. It focuses, in particular, on education, health and care (EHC) needs assessments and plans made under the Children and Families Act 2014.
Just Released - National SEN Data
The Department for Education have recently released key data and reports covering SEN - Statements of SEN and EHC plans: England 2016 and SEN: analysis and summary of data sources. This is the second release in this format and follows on from the initial publication in November 2015.
Statements of SEN and EHC plans: England, 2016
SEN: analysis and summary of data sources
OTHER NEWS…
Health and social care
FREE Healthcare Information
HPAC is a fully transactional online catalogue that enables you to search for, and order materials from the Cambridgeshire Health Information Service. Some materials are downloadable and can be viewed online. At the moment HPAC-Cambridgeshire contains health information leaflets, models and online resources, and they are expanding their stock to include books, DVDs, posters, displays and other materials available for loan. Anyone can browse HPAC-Cambridgeshire and download pdf files without registering for the Service. The Service is available for use by anyone working to promote health and wellbeing in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Looking after children on behalf of parents in difficult circumstances - guidance
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has published guidelines on the use of Section 20 of the Children’s Act 1989 (regarding looking after children on behalf of parents in stretched circumstances). Contains guidance on positive use of Section 20 and best practice for new-born babies.
Children and young people’s mental health
CentreForum has published the first report of its Commission on children and young people’s mental health. Key findings include: services turn away, on average, 23% of children and teenagers referred to them; there is a wide variation in average waiting times for different service providers; children and young people with mental health problems are still not always getting the right treatment, at the right time, in the right place.
Ready to listen: why, when and how to involve young children and their families in local decisions about health and wellbeing
The National Children's Bureau has published a free resource to support discussion with children aged 0-7 and their parents/carers about health and wellbeing. It aims to support them to become more involved in decisions about local health structures, systems and practice.
Mental health of children and young people 2016: responses to the consultation
NatCen Social Research, together with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Youthinmind have been commissioned by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) to carry out the Survey of the Mental Health of Children and Young People (MHCYP) 2016. This report summarises the findings from the consultation on the survey content of MHCYP 2015 and a group discussion with 10 young people.
Free resource to help with children and young people’s mental health
Young Minds reports on the launch of MindEd for Families, a free e-learning resource developed as part of the MindEd project to enable parents and families to intervene earlier in their children and young people’s mental health issues.
CentreForum commission on children and young people's mental health: state of the nation.
Explores the issue of child and adolescent mental health in England. Looks at prevalence and trends and highlights inconsistencies in available data. Identifies a 'treatment gap' where children and young people are unable to get the help they need; have to wait for treatment; or are treated in the wrong place. Provides a brief synopsis of policy developments to address some of these issues.
Child mental health crisis 'worse than suspected'
The Guardian reports that the government’s mental health champion in England and Wales has warned we are in danger of medicalising childhood by focussing on mental health symptoms rather than causes. Issues raised include: saying that the younger generation need to toughen up to deal with the stress of life wrongly implies having a mental illness is somehow a defect of the individual; being a young person today is harder than it’s ever been; we need to ask what is causing mental health problems in the first place.
DfE announces expansion of school mental health initiative
Children and Young People Now reports that the Childcare minister has announced the expansion of a programme to develop a more coherent system between schools and child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). The programme involves one “go-to” person in CAMHS working with a number of schools in one area, and one staff member in each school working with this CAMHS contact. The results of last year's pilot will be available in the autumn.
Mental health concern featured in 1 in 3 ChildLine counselling sessions
The NSPCC highlights new figures showing mental health problems are the most common reason to contact ChildLine. Mental health concern featured in 1 in 3 ChildLine counselling sessions last year (1 April 2015- 31 March 2016), with 3 out of the top 5 reasons for children contacting the helpline now relating to this problem.
Institute for Public Policy Research recommends at least one day per week of on-site support from a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) professional
The Institute for Public Policy Research has published a report on education and mental health. Key recommendations include: by the end of the current parliament, all secondary schools should be guaranteed access to at least one day per week of on-site support from a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) professional who is able to provide targeted mental health interventions to pupils.
Thriving, Improving Young People's Mental Health Services
Healthwatch Cambridgeshire has published Thriving, their report into children and young people's mental health, to coincide with Mental Health Awareness week 16 - 22 May.Healthwatch Cambridgeshire wrote Thriving to help make sure children and young people are listened to by the people making decisions about their mental health services.
Help to take a break factsheet
This new factsheet for parents of disabled children explains parents’ rights to getting a short break from their local authority. It also explains what sort of short breaks parents may be entitled to, for example someone to come and sit with a child, or a playgroup for them.
Guidance for the use of s20 provision in the Children Act 1989 in England
Advises on the use of section 20 of the Children's Act 1989 (England). Argues that without statutory guidance on the use of s20/s local authorities may be reluctant to use it when appropriate. Presents best practice for using s20 to look after children whose parents are unable to do so through no fault of their own. Outlines the responsibilities of a local authority towards children under s20 and the main differences between voluntary care and compulsory state care.
CCG Audit Tool: SEND reform implementation
CDC has developed this tool to help CCGs understand and develop their progress in implementing the SEND reforms. It will be useful to support areas in the preparation for joint Ofsted/CQC Joint Area SEND inspections.
“CQC will regard completion of the tool as a positive step and good evidence base to demonstrate how well local health services understand local need with regard to SEND”.
Early years and childcare
FREE Books - Bookstart in Cambridgeshire
The BookStart programme provides universal book packs for all children at birth, and at age 3. In Cambridgeshire, these are gifted via Health Visitors at the new birth visit in families’ homes, and by Early Years Settings, childminders or via libraries for the children aged 3. There are also specific packs for children with additional needs, and who have English as a second language. Bookstart is for every child, so families are entitled to any of these packs in addition to the two standard Bookstart packs.
Professionals can order pack of books in two ways:
Registering with HPAC –
Or contact Library Support –
N.B: For more Bookstart information and resources log on to the Bookstart website –
Helping pre-school children with ASD develop their communication
Empowering parents is key to helping pre-school children with ASD develop their communication
Schools and colleges
FREE Autism Resources from National Autistic Society (NAS)
Circle of Friends - promoting inclusion
Learn about the 'Circle of Friends' approach, which was designed to include autistic children in mainstream schools.
Link to resources
Autism spectrum disorders: a pack for staff
Information and strategies about working with autistic pupils for all professionals working in an education setting.
Link to resources
Making socially inclusive changes
Stephen M Shore is Clinical Assistant Professor of Special Education at Adelphi University, USA. He lectures across the globe to raise awareness and understanding about autism. He explains how making a socially inclusive change in your classroom can make a big difference.
Link to web page
1.5 million young people (50%) have been bullied in the past year
Ditch the Label has published its annual bullying survey for 2016. Key findings include: 1.5 million young people (50%) have been bullied within the past year; 24% of those who have been bullied go on to bully; 44% of young people who have been bullied experience depression.
New work on inclusive education in Europe
The European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education brings together member nations and has a shared vision for inclusive education systems: that all learners of any age are provided with meaningful, high-quality educational opportunities in their local community, alongside their friends and peers. The Agency has undertaken a wide range of work and has brought together key messages about inclusive education that have emerged from this work
Into Further Education guide
Publication for anyone with a health condition, learning difficulty or disability thinking about studying in further education in England. Into Further Education 2016 aims to answer common questions such as whether colleges will be accessible to disabled students, how to choose a course and what support will be available.
The State of Education 2016: what is the sector telling us?
For this year’s State of Education report, The Key, a blog on school leadership and governance, collected the views of more than 2,000 school leaders and governors across the country.
Resources for Autism/AS and sports
Supporting autistic people with sport and physical activity
Link to advice
Social Stories and Sports
Link to Social Stories advice
Online training for sports and physical activity leaders
Link to free online course on help session leaders understand and meet the needs of those on the spectrum
Interview with Tom Morgan, autistic rugby player
Link to interview
Guidance on the use of emergency salbutamol inhalers in schools.
From 1 October 2014 UK schools will be allowed to purchase a salbutamol inhaler without a prescription for use in emergencies when a child with asthma cannot access their own inhaler. This guidance will give schools that choose to keep an emergency inhaler the basis to create a policy or protocol for using it.
Link to guidance
Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants
Research has shown that in many English schools teaching assistants are not being used in ways that improve pupil outcomes. However, recent research demonstrates that when they are well trained and used in structured settings they can make a noticeable positive impact on pupil learning. The best available evidence on teaching assistants is presented in this report, Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants, from the Education Endowment Foundation.
Money, benefits and finance
Advicenow Guides – Win a PIP appeal and others
According to research, most of us fail to solve our problems properly because we don't know what to do or where to go. Advicenow guides are easy-to-read and practical. They explain what you need to know, where you need to go, and what you need to do to solve your problem
General Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
50% of children admit to seeing sexual and violent material online
The latest update to the NSPCC's Net Aware guide finds that 50% of children admit to having seen sexual, violent and other adult material on social media sites, apps and games.
New Threshold Document for SEND Specialist Services
Cambridgeshire Councils SEND services have revised their thresholds, joining together the SEND Code of Practice with the Model of Staged Intervention (MOSI).
Link to new thresholds
Disability Matters
This is a new free e-learning resource for everyone who works with disabled children and young people. Build your confidence and learn how to communicate more effectively
The Get Yourself Active website is launched
Get Yourself Active website for people who want to get active and those who want to support them. You can discover a range of useful information to help you navigate your way through the world of physical activity, sport and personalisation.
Term-time holiday prosecutions
The High Court has upheld the magistrates’ decision, finding that the magistrates were entitled to take into account the wider picture of the child’s attendance. There has been extensive media coverage of the decision (e.g. The Times (pay wall), Guardian, BBC and Telegraph). In the meantime, parents should be cautious about treating this as High Court endorsement of any term-time holiday – each case still will turn on its facts.
Link to KBW Education Blog for more information
Latest update below
Link to blog entry today with Divisional Court Judgement
Evaluating services maximizes the chance of success
The NSPCC's Vicki Jackson shares 5 steps for integrating evaluation into services, in order to maximise its chances of success. Steps include: align evaluation with service training and delivery; use evaluation measures with practical benefits; identify "evaluation champions".
Events, training, groups and consultations
Benefits information session - Pinpoint Preparing for Adulthood Group