WE2 An empowering curriculum
National Association for Special Educational Needs (nasen)
Nasen is a charitable membership organisation that exists to support and champion those working with, and for, children and young people with SEND and learning differences. The organisation has now made all of its website and resources available to access through a new free membership scheme which has now gone live.
Free membership provides access to: -
- "Up-to-date knowledge and support rooted in research and evidence-informed best practice to empower the workforce to become effective, inclusive practitioners.
- Exclusive online access to nasen Connect magazine six times a year, packed with advice and analysis impacting on the SEND workforce.
- Updates from the Whole School SEND Consortium, hosted by nasen, including access to free resources such as the Whole School SEND Review Guides, research, ‘What Works’ signposting and CPDL training programme, including webinars.
- Easy-to-access information through nasen’s e-communications, developed by nasen's specialist in-house education team. This will include a monthly member newsletter, resource news blasts, sector newsflash and much more featuring news, topical resources, articles and discounts on training and CPDL.
And .... the SEND Gateway (www.sendgateway.org.uk), which has also received a makeover, and continues to be the one-stop shop for all things SEND. This includes information and resources from the Whole School SEND Consortium, wider SEND publications and events alongside the independent SEND Forums e-communities".
www.nasen.org.uk
Children's mental health week - Warwickshire support
Next week (1 - 7 February) is Children's Mental Health week and this year's theme is 'Express Yourself'. The week is encouraging everyone to find creative ways to share feelings, thoughts, or ideas. This could be through art, music, writing and poetry, dance and drama, photography and film, and doing activities that make you feel good.
WCC is also taking this opportunity to raise awareness of support available to help young people to look after their mental health.
Schools are encouraged to be open and explore topics of mental health and emotional wellbeing with pupils and have been provided with new resources for teachers to effectively do so – this is in addition to wider support schools may already provide.
RISE is a family of NHS-led services providing emotional wellbeing and mental health services for under 18s in Coventry and Warwickshire. If you are worried about a child’s mental wellbeing visit cwrise.com or call 08081 966798 to speak to a qualified mental health professional.
ChatHealth is a free service that enables 11 – 18 year olds across Coventry and Warwickshire to send confidential SMS text messages to School Nurses who will provide impartial advice and support:
- For Warwickshire, text 07507 331 525
- For Coventry, text 07507 331 949
Download ThinkNinja, a free app for children and young people to build resilience, manage their emotional health and to fulfil their potential.
Parent Carer Support Pathway
As you may already know the way in which we offer support to parent carers across the county has changed. From the 27th January 2021, we will host new webpages that will detail information about this new offering, which will be renamed: the Parent Carer Support Pathway.
So, what has changed?
We will be offering a wellbeing conversation as part of the assessment – a practitioner from the Children’s with Disabilities Team will carry this out with you. This conversation will lead to better informed decisions and allow us to identify your needs and tailor available support that help you, your child and your wider family members.
Importantly, the parent carer support pathway can be completed as a standalone assessment or in conjunction with an assessment of your disabled child’s needs.
Accessing the assessment
If you already have an allocated social worker and have already completed a social care assessment or parent carer assessment – please make contact with your named social worker.
How can the Parent Carer Support Pathway help me?
The wellbeing conversation may result in signposting to an appropriate local provider. For instance, if you are experiencing health or mental health needs, a referral can be made to adult services for support in your own right.
It may be that providing an agreed one-off financial payment for a specific outcome in order for you to purchase a service, piece of equipment or access an activity could help to support you in your caring role and improve your wellbeing.
The important thing to remember is access to the parent carer support pathway and a wellbeing conversation has no restrictions. It is not time limited and can be accessed as often as is required. If your needs change following the agreed outcome, parents are encouraged to contact us.
Next steps
Download the poster here.
The new web pages are now live on the Warwickshire County Council website. Please go to www.warwickshire.gov.uk/carers/parent-carer-support-pathway
Autism Internship Programme with the Civil Service
Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for children and young people with autism. They provide services, raise awareness and understanding, and campaign for change. Through TreeHouse School, The Rise School and Ambitious College they offer specialist education and support.
An exciting three-week work experience opportunity in the Civil Service is being offered to young people with autism, aged between 18 and 25 who have achieved a minimum of 2 GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and maths at Grade A*-C (or 4-9) or above.
The programme will provide you with the chance to experience the Civil Service first-hand, gaining insight into the workplace. As part of the experience, you will also be able to participate in developmental coaching sessions and other activities.
The Civil Service has a key role in supporting government to develop and implement its policies as effectively as possible, helping to bring innovative solutions to some of the biggest issues facing society. Through the programme you will find out what it is like to work inside this important organisation. Please apply if this area of work interests you.
The programme is likely to be based in London (if face to face) or online (if working from home), you will be asked your availability for either location in your application form. Remuneration will be paid at £300 or £350 per week (depending on location, before tax). Travel and lunch will not be reimbursed.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete one of the application forms below:
Civil Service - Application form for PC users (Word Document)
Civil Service - Application form for MAC users (PDF Document)
Securing Good Transitions: A Resources Pack to support the Next Steps of Key Stage 4 Pupils with SEND
Strong transition and careers advice and guidance in schools is essential for all learners, yet in this time of national crisis it can feel impossible.
Curriculum design has had to change significantly, classroom delivery has had to change immeasurably, but out of this have come some of the most innovative adaptions and flexibilities we have ever seen. Everything is possible, we just have to re-think, re-group and share best practice.
This webinar will explore why it is essential that we focus on positive transitions for our learners with SEND, both during this pandemic and after. How to use these resources to support best practice and remain high aiming and truly learner focused. And what the impact will be, both in the short and long term for this cohort across each of our schools.
Date: 4th February 2021
Time: 16:00
Register here