Wolverhampton Parent Partnership Service

Finance: Wills and Trusts

Find out more about how to plan financially for your child for the future on Wednesday 12th June 2013 10am for 10.15 – 12.15pm.  Anthony Collins Solicitors, 134 Edmund Street, Birmingham, B3 2ES.   To book a place please ring Jan or Angie at Contact a Family on 0121 415 4624

All children’s centres in Wolverhampton will remain open and continue to provide services to young children and their families under restructuring proposals unveiled Wednesday May 8 2013.

During a six-week consultation everyone is being urged to have their say on the proposals, which aim to safeguard the services provided by the city’s 17 children’s centres in the face of Government funding cuts. Click here to visit Wolverhampton City Council’s website and read more.

Bosses have pledged that an increasing number of young people will be able to access youth activities in Wolverhampton as the result of a wide-ranging review of the city’s Youth Service.

Wolverhampton City Council is launching a consultation into proposals to modernise the service, which it says will enable it to provide youth services at more locations around the city.  Vist Wolverhampton City Council’s website to read more.

The Parent Partnership team attended a regional development day on Wednesday 1st May to develop our service to ensure continuity for parents and carers in preparation for the proposed changes to special educational needs and disability.  We were joined by Philippa Stobbs (Assistant Director for the Council for Disabled Children), Jeanette Essex (Pathfinder lead for Solihull) and Daisy Russell from the National Parent Partnership Network.  We had discussions about the future landscape of SEN and disability, heard the latest news from our local pathfinder and had an update about the recent funding reform.  It was an opportunity to celebrate the strategic work taking place in Wolverhampton particularly around parental involvement.  Alison, our new Parent Participation Assistant, came with us and will be feeding back her thoughts on the day to you.

 We will be doing further legal training in the summer to enhance our service to parents and carers of children with additional needs. As always, we will keep you up to date on developments of the SEN and Disability reform.

You may have seen Maggie Atkinson, the Children’s Commissioner, on BBC1 earlier this week.  On Wednesday 24th April, she released her report as part of her Exclusions Inquiry on illegal exclusions. You can read it on the children’s Commissioners website by clicking here.

Here is an extract from the Foreword of Maggie Atkinson’s report “Always Someone Else’s Problem”, Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s Report on illegal exclusions

 ”A year ago I published “They Never Give Up On You”, the result of year one of my first formal Inquiry into school exclusions. Again, just as when I speak to professionals face to face, illegal exclusions were discussed. But finding concrete evidence that they do happen proved extremely elusive.  We managed to find one head teacher who would admit, albeit anonymously, that not only did such practice take place, but that he excluded children from his school illegally – sending difficult, challenging and troubled Year 11 children home informally, for months at a time, in the months leading up to their examinations. However, given the secret and covert nature of this – as of almost any illegal activity in any walk of life – we had no way of knowing whether his was the only case in the country. It seemed unlikely, given there are tens of thousands of publicly funded schools in England, but we had no way of proving it.

There is particular reference to the work of Parent Partnership Services in supporting parents and carers of children with SEN who have been excluded from school.  If you are worried about exclusion from school, visit the exclusion pages of our website.  You can also contact Michelle Reid our Parent partnership Caseworker whose role is especially to support around exclusion.

Do you feel like money is tight and there never seems to be enough to go around?  With the right knowledge and a little bit of skill you can become “Better Off in Wolverhampton.  Better off in Wolverhampton (BoW) is a project designed to support tenants of social housing with improving their financial confidence.  Working with tenants in developing their financial abilities i.e. budgeting and accessing financial products; whilst engaging in a range of workshops, activities and competitions across the City.

 BoW will work with social tenants out in the community, in groups as well as provide one to one sessions. Aiming to help understand what services are out there to help manage money better and ensure you are pointed in the right direction to making things work for you.   So whether you are working, training, studying or on benefits and you are a social tenant in Wolverhampton, BoW will work with you to make you “Better off in Wolverhampton”.

 If you would like to speak to the team you can call on 01902 572027, email Bow.Coordinator@gmail.com, bow.projectsupervisor@gmail.com or find them on twitter @bowmoneyteam and Facebook: betteroffinwolverhampton.

Do you work with disabled children? CDC supports the Department for Education EPIC group who are advising government on the SEN reforms. The group are keen for as many young people as possible to feed in their views.  You can find more information on EPIC at www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/epic on facebook at www.facebook.com/EPICAdvisors and twitter at @EPIC_Tweets3.

 This conference will present an overview of the latest research and theories about autism and women alongside personal perspectives on topics including sex, relationships, growing up, pregnancy and motherhood. Visit the Autism West Midlands website for further information.

You will now be aware of the national changes to the way in which SEN funding is arranged in schools which came into force on 1st April.  Here is a short video that helps to explain the changes further.  The presentation is by Philippa Stobbs, Assistant Director at the Council for Disabled Children.  To view the presentation, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ7mVQsPinM.

For those of you who were unable to attend our Parent Information Event on Monday 11th March.  We will be at Brickkiln Community Centre on Saturday 18th May 11am-12.30pm.  This will be your chance to find out more about the changes to special educational needs.  Why not join us there, call us on 01902 556945 to book your place.  See the flyer for full details.

Charlotte’s Tandems provide a range of tandems spread around the UK that are available to hire for free. Full details, including lots of feedback, can be found on the Charlotte’s Tandems website,  or on the Charlotte’s Tandems Facebook page.  You can also visit our useful contacts webpage for further information.

As you are probably aware the welfare reforms have commenced and the level of housing benefit that a household may be entitled to will potentially change.  It has been announced that the Government has ditched plans to appeal against a legal ruling concerning a housing benefit claim for disabled children.  This means that local authorities should allow an extra bedroom for children who are unable to share because of their severe disabilities.  Please click on the link to read further details. http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/housing_benefit_changes_2013

Support is on hand for those affected by welfare reform.  Organisations in Wolverhampton are coming together to offer help and support to people affected by    government reforms to the welfare system.  Read more: http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/council/news/2013/march/080313b.htm

We thought you would all find this a useful read.  The 33rd issue of the CDC Digest is packed full of useful information.  It is a quarterly round-up of all the essential policy, practice and other news involving disabled children and young people, and their families.  You can download it from the CDC website .

If you would like to be added to the list to receive this digest, email jcrangle@ncb.org. uk with ‘Subscribe to CDC Digest’ in the subject line.

NHS 111 is a new free telephone service being introduced to make it easier for people to access local health services, when they have an urgent need. NHS 111 is all about making it easier for people to get the fastest, most effective care they need when they become ill or are injured.  NHS 111 will replace NHS Direct on 1 April 2013 at which point there will be just three numbers people need to know in order to get NHS care; 999 for life-threatening emergencies, your GP surgery, or 111.  Visit http://www.wolvescityccg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/NHS111-in-Wolves-2.pdf to find out more.

 You may recall that the Parent Partnership Service and parents from Voice4Parents Wolverhampton were part of the team that helped to review the updated Early Support information resources.  We are pleased to tell you these resources are now available and have been revised, updated and adapted for use with older children and disabled young people. They are available FREE to download.

“The Early Support information resources describe, discuss and explore either a specific condition/disability or more general information that parent carers and young people have told us they would find useful to know.  The resources were produced in response to requests from families, professional agencies and voluntary organisations for better standard information about particular conditions or disabilities and more general and reliable background knowledge resources.”  (Taken from Early Support)

To view the resources, Visit http://ncb.org.uk/early-support/resources/new-information-resources.  T o find out more about Early Support visit http://ncb.org.uk/early-support

On Tuesday 5th February, the Department for Education published the Children and Families Bill.  This was the next, anticipated step in the reform of the Special Educational Needs and Disability framework.  To find out more please visit the Council for Disabled Children website .  You can also see a letter on the website  from Edward Timpson MP which gives more detail about the latest developments.

On a local level, Wolverhampton parents and carers can find out more about the reform by attending our free Parent Information Day on Monday 11th March.  Please see our flyer for further details.  We are pleased to tell you that the event is almost fully booked.  If you would like to book one of the few remaining places, please get in touch quickly.

This is statutory guidance from the Department for Education. Local Authorities (LAs) must have regard to it when carrying out their duty to arrange suitable full-time education (or part-time when appropriate for the child’s needs) for children who are unable to attend a mainstream or special school because of their health. This duty applies to all children and young people who would normally attend mainstream schools, including Academies, Free Schools, independent schools and special schools, or where a child is not on the roll of a school. It applies equally whether a child cannot attend school at all or can only attend intermittently.  Please click here to go to the Department for Education website for further information.

Transition Protocol ensures the implementation by all agencies of vital transition arrangements on an annual cycle for young people aged 14-25 in Wolverhampton.  The audit captured the views of disabled young people with complex and additional needs to see if transition arrangements were working for them.  Click here to read more about the audit process from Gloria Smith, Person Centred Planning Co-ordinator/Transition Co-ordinator .  To read the full Transition Protocol Report click here.

Wolverhampton city council, through its Short Breaks provision have 2 caravans available for families with disabled children to book. 

 Booking Entitlement;

• child is aged between 0 – 18yrs
• child is disabled
• Family live in Wolverhampton

 The caravans are available from 1st April – 30th November 2013 and based at Haven caravan parks in  Porthmadog, North Wales and also at Burnam-on-sea in Somerset and you will have full access to all facilities on site.  The caravans sleep 6 and have full disabled access.  There is a double bedded room with en-suite, 2 single beds in a separate room and a settee that turns into a double bed.  Each has a shower room with full disabled access, along with fridge/freezer, dish washer, washing machine, cooker, microwave and flat screen TV.  There is a gas fire in the main dining area and full central heating in all of the rooms.

Click here to view the Short Breaks leaflet.  If you would like any further information, to make a booking or discuss vacancies for this year please call Rob Siarkiewicz on: 01902 557936 or Charlie Lodge on 01902 555904.

 Charges;

Following Dr Maggie Atkinson’s (Children’s Commissioner) Inquiry into exclusions, new Statutory Guidance has been introduced, from 1^st September ’12.

It is for all; Head Teachers, Locals Authorities, Academy Trusts, Independent Review Panels and SEN Experts to show regard to.

There are several key changes that have been implemented, some more subtle than others.

Details of the changes include;

The appeals process against a permanent exclusion and the possible outcomes;      As parents/ carers you can now request that an ‘Independent Review Panel’ consider the Governing Body’s decision to permanently exclude your child.

The possible outcomes of the hearing are;

• For the exclusion to be upheld  
• For the panel to request the Governing Body reconsider their decision, or
• To quash the Governing Body’s decision and order they reconsider this

The Independent Review Panel, does not have the power to direct the Governing Body to reinstate your child, however, if the decision to permanently exclude your child remains to be upheld at this stage, the Governing Body will be ordered to pay a sum of £4,000 towards the cost of alternative provision.

The introduction of a SEN Expert; Parents/carers have a new right to request a SEN Expert is present, at the Independent Review Panel, even if school have not recognised your child as having SEN. Their role is to provide impartial advice about how your child’s SEN could be relevant to the exclusion.

Appeals against permanent exclusions, involving alleged discrimination; if you feel that your child’s permanent exclusion is a result of discrimination, under the Equalities Act 2010, you can now make a claim to the First Tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) for concerns relating to disability discrimination, or to the County Court, for all other forms of possible discrimination. Claims can be made up to six months after your child was excluded.

Information request from the Secretary of State; The Governing Body must provide the Secretary of State and the Local Authority information about any exclusion’s within the last 12 months, if it has been requested.

There are a number of strong reminders to school/academies throughout the guidance about their duty to;

• Focus on early intervention
• Implement a Multi-Agency Approach/ Assessment
• Consider the underlying cause of the behaviour, having a particular focus on identifying and supporting ‘at risk’ groups, receiving a disproportionate number of exclusions from school.
• Adhere to the Equalities Act 2010, eliminating discrimination and considering any mitigating factors in relation to this, when making the decision to exclude.
• Avoid permanent exclusion of children and young people with a Statement of Special Education Needs, ‘as far as possible.’
• Call an early/ interim or emergency review of a child’s statement of SEN, if they are at risk of exclusion
• To review how appropriate and effective your child’s provision and support is, if they have been, or are at risk of exclusion from school.

If your child has been excluded from school or you feel that he/she may be at risk of exclusion you may wish to visit the Exclusion pages of the Parent Partnership Service website or contact us for further information, support and advice.

To see a copy of the new exclusion guidance, please click here.

OfSTED has designed this guide for parents and carers of children whose school is due for inspection. It gives information on why, how long and when they inspect, and also how parents and carers can share their views.http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/school-inspections-guide-for-parents-and-carers

A reminder about Parent View

Parent View hits the 24,000 mark – More than 24,000 parents and carers have completed the Parent View survey since its launch in October 2011. If you are a parent or carer, you simply need your email address and a password to register on the Parent View website. Once your login has been activated it only takes a few minutes to rate your child’s school against the 12 questions.   To read more and have your say visit http://www.wolvesparentpartnership.org/haveyoursay.php

Sometime ago, we informed you about an inquiry into exclusion from school and encouraged you to give your views.  Dr Maggie Atkinson (Children’s Commissioner) led the Inquiry and an executive summary has now been released.  It can be read by following this link 
http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/force_download.php?fp=%2Fclient_assets%2Fcp%2Fpublication%2F562%2FOCC_Summary.pdf

Dr Atkinson discovered some good practice during her research but also discovered evidence of “illegal exclusions” where a minority of schools exclude students on an “informal” basis.  It found instances of unrecorded short-term exclusions to allow children to “cool off”, children being coerced into moving schools leaving no record of an exclusion and students being “sent home” and not allowed back into school until after a meeting has taken place with their parents.  There are numerous recommendations in the summary and there will be a second stage to the Inquiry.  We will keep you informed.

If you are a parent or carer of a child with additional needs and would like advice about exclusion from school, please contact the Parent Partnership Service and speak to our Exclusions Caseworker or visit: http://www.wolvesparentpartnership.org/Exclusion_from_school/Introduction.php

Based at Brickkiln Community Centre and designed with the help of our local parent forum Voice4Parents, provides relaxation, fun and play for children and young people with additional needs and their families. Click here to visit our website for more details.

Join us at our coffee morning to meet others and gain support – click here to view our calendar for dates.