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Information for children with SEND during Covid-19 lockdown update
We understand that times are hard for everyone right now but especially for those having to stay home with a SEND child while services are closed. Hackney Ark Resource Centre and Hackney Local Offer co-ordinator have put together this newsletter to share information from local services to help you get through this time. We hope its helpful and stay safe, Sarah and Ella
Government advice to parents on increased school return
The Government has published Opening schools and educational settings to more pupils from 1 June: guidance for parents and carers, in the form of a Q&A which sets out the position on more pupils returning to school from 1 June.
Q. Do all vulnerable children and young people who are not currently attending have to go back to childcare settings, school or college now?A. Attendance of Children who have an education health and care (EHC) plan is expected where it is determined, following a risk assessment, that their needs can be as safely or more safely met in the educational environment.
Supporting children and young people with SEND as schools and colleges prepare for wider openingGuidance for special schools, specialist colleges, local authorities and any other settings managing children and young people with complex special educational needs and disability (SEND).
Health visiting team
The Health Visiting service is continuing to provide telephone support and face to face contacts as required. This can be on the day of request (following a telephone assessment ) and can be accessed via our central hub number as 0207 683 4151/4219
E-mail is: [email protected]: www.hackneyandcityhealthvisiting.nhs.uk
Weekly referral meetings at Hackney Ark continue with access to key working colleagues, therapists and paediatricians and services linked to this.
SEND FAQs
National - The council for Disabled children is updating their FAQs page every week. You can submit a question by emailing: [email protected]
https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/sites/default/files/field/attachemnt/FAQs%20Issue%204.pdf
Local - Hackney SEND Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) relating specifically to special educational needs - Covid 19 crisis periodThese FAQs provide answers to some recent and commonly asked questions from parents and carers of children with SEND. They will be updated during the crisis period to include additional responses AND when relevant updates to guidance and information provided by central Government departments have been issued.Hackney - SEND FAQs - Covid 19 crisis period - Version 3 19th May
If you have a SEND – Covid-19 Crisis related question to put forward for the next version please send it via e-mail to Joanna service manager of SENDIAGS [email protected]
National Carers week 8th – 12th June
Making Caring Visible – get ready to recognise the carers who may be dealing with more challenges during the pandemic.
Hackney embracing Carers Week 2020
• To get the message out Hackney-wide we will be by creating a short video made from self-filmed messages from carers using mobile phones or tablets.
• Carers can be Hackney residents, workers or students from 8 year old carers to centenarians!
• We are making the recording and editing process simple focussing on the message and led by carers themselves.
• We welcome recordings in any language which we will then provide translation for the words spoken. The video will be also be fully subtitled.
• Written messages held up and filmed also welcomed. • The film will be shared on social media and Hackney Council Website.• We are encouraging those taking part to sharing the video with the Mayor of
Hackney!• If you want to find out more or take part in this project helping to “make caring
more visible” contact:• Caroline Allouf - Carers Development Lead - Hackney Adult Services.
email: [email protected] by 12 noon on Wednesday 3rd June please
Carers First – Hackney
• Our Carers Hub remains open and you can contact us on 0300 303 1555, or email us at [email protected]
• Our webchat will be available: every Wednesday 6-8pm. Visit our website and click on the "chat to us" button to open a chat window
• If you need some support, or you just want to contact us for a chat, our team are available to talk and find the help you need.
• Our community team have collated a wealth of local information during this challenging time and are ready to help and will make contact with those who request support either by phone or video chat
• Web https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/hackney
Hackney’s Carers Collective
• Its important for our hard working carers to carer take some time out to focus on their own well-being.
• Hackney’s Carers Collective run creative events and Mindfulness and Yoga sessions online.
www.carerscollective.org
Family Fund
37 million to support children with complex needs
A Government announcement on 19th May says Family Fund, who provide grants to families on low incomes who have disabilities or severe medical conditions, will receive funding of £37.3m in 2020-21. Families with children that have complex needs and disabilities will receive grants for vital equipment to make their lives easier while implementing social distancing measures, including computers, specialist equipment and educational toys.
£10 million of the total has been committed specifically in response to the unique difficulties presented by the coronavirus pandemic, to help parents educate and look after disabled or critically ill children who are staying at home more than usual.
The multi-million-pound settlement will help low-income families with ill or disabled children with the cost of equipment that they may not otherwise be able to afford. Goods or services the funding can be used for may be washing machines, refrigerators, sensory or educational equipment. The grants will typically be worth £400 to £500 per family, but will vary depending on need.
“Our first priority remains the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. I know that these unprecedented times may put additional pressure on families, particularly those whose children have the most complex needs, and these parents deserve some extra help to look after and educate them at home.
From computers and tablets to household items that many of us take for granted, this new funding will directly benefit tens of thousands of families, making sure parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities get the support they need at this difficult time and beyond.” Children and Families Minister Vicky Ford
Read the full announcement here.
Find out more about applying for grants through Family Fund here.
If you would like assistance with an application you can contact Sarah in the Resource Centre at Hackney Ark on: 0207 014 7005
Update on work for our most vulnerable young people as schools and early years provision prepare to open further
• We’re inviting Children and Families, and HLT staff to join Anne Canning, Annie Gammon and Sarah Wright for a Hangouts Live stream briefing on the current position for children and young people in Hackney, on our current work, the phased further opening of schools and early years and what that means for our vulnerable children and young people.
• You are invited to ask questions in advance of the event so the conversation covers what you would like to hear.
• You can do this on https://www.sli.do/ entering the #schools
• Join via Google Hangouts Live on the 3rd June at 3.15-4pmpm
Hackney test new trace and track scheme
Hackney is one of 4 London Boroughs along with Camden, Barnet and Newham Councils in the test and trace scheme.
The national coronavirus test and tracing service will combine digital and phone-based contact tracing to identify cases and their close contacts so they can rapidly self-isolate. More complex outbreaks and situations will be handled in London by the London Coronavirus Response Cell co-ordinated with regional Health Protection Teams, Local Authority Directors of Public Health, and Environmental Health services.
• https://news.hackney.gov.uk/council-to-be-at-heart-of-localised-track-and-trace-programme/
Oak National Academy and Children's Integrated Speech and Language
Therapy Service - Hackney
Oak National Academy is a Department for Education sponsored online portal of lessons for students, families and schools to access during Covid 19.Over the last few weeks they have developed a specialist SEND offer through a national team of teachers, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists.Hackney’s Speech and Language Therapy Service is part of this team and are supporting Oak National Academy to create online sessions for parents and students with additional needs.Each week there are different topics and specialist teacher lessons and therapy sessions released. There are some great resources available for families and schools to utilise.So far from Speech and Language Therapy there are sessions on:• how to write social stories• staying healthy• comic strip conversations using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) for
commenting and choice making
Find the resources: The National Academy online classroom – specialist therapies
HIP
HIP latest newsletter has information about events and support for parents and carers in Hackney.
Details are available of their upcoming event ‘Circle Time for African Caribbean Heritage families’ on Thursday 28th May on Zoom, 2:30-3:30pm
Contact
The charity Contact have collected some great resources and information for parents and families: www.contact.org.uk/covid-19
Year 6 ASD Pupil ForumThe Inclusion and Specialist Support Team are setting up an online forum for year 6 children who have Autism.They hope that the forum will offer children the opportunity, during these uncertain and disconnected time to:- Be heard- Connect with children across Hackney- Take part in a regular speaking and listening activity- Feel empowered to contribute to decision making
In order to take part, your child will need to have some awareness and understanding of their diagnosis, and also the ability tocommunicate in this format. We appreciate though this may be difficult, so children will have the option to join in through audio or via the chat boxes only if they find this more comfortable.
Six pupil forum sessions will run through summer term across the following dates:Wednesday 3rd June- Wednesday 8th July 11.15-12.15
Sessions will be framed by the following questions:What have you enjoyed during the lockdown?What have you missed about school during lockdown?How do you feel about going back to school?What are you looking forward to about secondary school?What two things do you want to know about your new secondary school? What do you want your year 7 teachers to know about you?To support safeguarding and confidentiality, we ask that a parent will be present, although we would also like to ask that only children participate in the conversations.
Please get in touch with Lydia or Robert by Thursday 21st June to book a place for your child.
Lydia Scaletti, Specialist Teacher Leading on ASD, 0208 8207015 [email protected] Raby, Family Practitioner, 020 8820 7449 [email protected]
Medical Needs Tuition Service
The Home Tuition Service for children with medical needs has changed it’s name to Medical Needs Tuition Service.
The service is for children or young people aged 4 – 16 who live in Hackney and have medical needs (including mental health). It supports them when they are unable to attend school for 15 days in a row or when added together in a school year.They do not have to go to school in Hackney.
Home Tuition must be advised by a Consultant level doctor (not a GP).
Specialist Teacher for Medical Needs
As part of the Hackney’s refresh of services for pupils with Medical Needs a specialist teacher for these pupils works with schools and families.
The Specialist Teacher for Medical Needs is part of the Inclusion and Specialist Support Team. She has expertise in supporting pupils with health needs well enough to attend school but requiring support to access the full school offer.
Taxicards
In light of the current situation with the outbreak of Covid-19 (coronavirus), The London Taxicardscheme is offering additional support to its members.
You can now use you Taxicard for:• Taxicard drivers to pick up and deliver essential supplies for you; and• Allow friends and family to travel on your behalf using your Taxicard for the same purpose
How this works:• Make a booking advising you want a collection of pre-bought items from a supermarket, pharmacy
or takeaway etc• Make a booking advising you want a nominated person to use a taxi on your behalf to purchase or
collect essential items on your behalf• All collections have to pre-paid and an order number provided (if applicable) at the time of booking• You will be given a cost of the journey and you will have to pay your contribution at time of booking
using a debit or credit card• Some supermarkets are imposing strict rules around social distancing and limiting the amount of
people in store at one time, you will need to book two journeys if someone is doing a shop on your behalf. In these circumstances the driver will not wait while someone shops, and a return journey will have to be booked once the shopping has been completed.
For more info you can contact London councils by email at: [email protected]
September Promise?
Call for education or training guarantee.
With around 100,000 16 to 25 year-olds due to leave school or college and enter the jobs market this September, the Association of Colleges (AoC) is predicting that half of them may struggle to find meaningful employment as the economic shocks of Covid-19 continue to be felt.
AoC’s chief executive David Hughes is calling on Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson to deliver a new ‘September Promise’ guaranteeing access to high quality education or training places this autumn to every young person who wants one.
“We know from previous recessions that disadvantaged young people disproportionately suffer, not just in the immediate aftermath of an economic downturn, but often for the rest of their lives", he said. "A ‘September Promise’ of high quality education and training would reduce the risk of long term economic scarring, and make sure that businesses have the skilled workforce needed to facilitate economic growth."
Hackney SHINE
Hackney SHINE energy advice has been set up to help residents keep well and warm throughout the year and avoid cold-related conditions during winter and anxiety over paying the fuel bills, which can lead to ill health, extra visits to the GP and hospital admissions.
Hackney SHINE is for people over 65, low income families with children under 5, the disabled and people with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
For help please call 0800 281 768
Specialist CAMHS Zoom timetable
CAMHS topic specific sessions have moved online.
These sessions are facilitated by Psychology and Occupational Therapy with Guest Speakers from Speech and Language Therapy, Educational Psychology and other Hackney specific support services. Each session focuses on a different topic and explores strategies parents can use to help.
Timetable: • Anxiety and Anger Management - Monday 1st June 10.30-11.30am
• Managing Arguments and Miscommunications - Monday 8th June 10.30-11.30am
• Adolescence, Puberty and Social Functioning - Monday 15th June 10.30-11.30am
Log in details via link in title.
Help! My GCSEs have been cancelled -what next?”
“Hackney’s Prospects Careers Service (part of Shaw Trust) are running a “Help! My GCSEs have been cancelled - what next?” webinar on June 4th @ 1pm. This is an opportunity for Year 11 students and parents to get answers to important questions on the latest GCSE results guidance and what’s next.
Register:
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3842970567460091662
Learning Disability Resources
The Learning Disability Commissioning team has put together a suite of resources about Coronavirus and how to get help in an easy read format.
These are available on the Council website
Local offer
Hackney’s SEND Local Offer website lists resources that may be useful during the Coronavirus outbreak with a focus on those with SEND.
Local and national resources for children and young people of all ages and abilities.
Information on teams at Hackney Ark and SEND services in borough. The pages are regularly updated.
www.hackneylocaloffer.co.uk/team-updates
www.hackneylocaloffer.co.uk/coronavirus-send-resources
