Our Voice Making a Difference… Autumn 2014 Issue 17

Our Voice sponsored by the Department of Education via Contact a Family Our Voice, ENAS, Carer2Carer, Enfield and funding from the Department of Parents and Children, members of the Education, we aim to continue to help Welcome Youth Forum and professionals inform you and your family. working together to make it more user Welcome everyone to the Autumn To find out more about the new friendly and easier to understand. Edition of the Our Voice newsletter, parents joining the Our Voice team or which continues the theme of Equally, Our Voice continues to how you can be part of our group go change…our summer seems a develop as a voluntary organisation. to www.ourvoiceenfield.org.uk distant past and we look forward to Fazilla Amide is now Chair, taking the beautiful colours of autumn… over form Kate Linke, who is Get involved It’s also change from a legal concentrating on her full time role at a Our Voice newsletter is looking for your perspective; as of the 1st September, local school. She still remains a stories to include in its next issue and the law regarding our children’s committed part of the management there's a £15 voucher up for grabs for Special Educational Needs changed. team but a big “Thank You” goes to every story we print! We are looking for However, the majority of us won’t see Kate for her dedication and in inspiring and personal stories from much difference initially, but we will particular for kicking off the Disability parents/carers, children and young gradually over time. For further Awareness training which we’re now people about schools/ education, information see our in depth SEND delivering throughout Enfield’s primary clubs, family, fundraising, health or article on pages six and seven. schools. Seema Islam has taken on the personal recommendations that others role of Deputy Chair and Khilna will find helpful or useful. Please send The most immediate and really Gudhka continues to be the much ideas to [email protected] and positive change is that for the first needed and valued Co-ordinator. In cc [email protected]. time families, children and young this way and with continued support people will be able to find information about Enfield services all in one place!! Yes, it’s true! It’s called the “Local Offer” (not to be confused with the short breaks local offer). Accessed via a link on the Enfield Council website www.enfield.gov.uk/SEND it provides all the information you need to know about Health, Education and Social Care, as well as voluntary organisations and links to other boroughs to find out about their services. It was produced by the Joint Service for Disabled Children in Some of the Our Voice Management Committee (from left to right) Seema Islam, Fazilla Amide, partnership with Education, Health, Resim Clear, Khilna Gudhka and Natalie Sherman.

especially supportive of build confidence and WINS

Matty, my 9 year old son promote verbal £VOU IN THE 1CH5ER who has ASD and moved communication and her SPOTLIGHT from a special school into hard work helps the children mainstream primary.’ put on an end of year show. ‘I’d like to nominate Maja Maja, a former actress and Maja is part of the Helen Lewis for this award,’ says child psychologist, makes O’Grady Drama Academy Veronica Verrocia. ‘She runs classes fun and inclusive and for Enfield and Barnet the after school drama club has helped Matty to settle in www.helenogrady.co.uk and at George Spicer primary easily and make it a special runs other afterschool school in Enfield and and unique club for him. drama clubs for children although she builds fantastic The classes are curriculum 5–17 years. Contact her on relationships with all the based and designed to 07817 728760 or email: children, she’s been encourage creative thinking, [email protected] Contact: Khilna or Fazilla • Telephone: 07516 662315 • Email: [email protected] Please pass this newsletter on to others – parents and service providers who might find it useful. You can contact us for additional copies by email or phone. was to join in at Zumba Remembering Elis classes or look after the Time with all our children is school chickens! On hearing precious, but especially so the sad news, the primary when they have additional classes wrote a good bye medical complications. We letter to her, some of which is need to cherish every captured here: moment we have with them Dear Elis as all too quickly our shining “The grown ups remember stars can fade away, to leave when you joined West Lea only beautiful memories. 2011. They said you needed One such bright shining star lots of help at first, but was Elis Kusagli, who quickly learnt to be attended Victor primary class independent! You loved all at West Lea School. She things pink, glittery and girly loved life, living it to the full, and we remember the and never let her condition different hair clips and hair hold her back, whether that bands you wore. Harmony says ‘you were beautiful and had pretty leggings!’ Natascha and Jake say ‘you some tasty food at cooking And from the team at Our were the best artist in the club. Aaliyah says ‘thank you Voice, we want to say those world’ You were also really for looking after her, for of us who knew Elis, will also good at writing letters, and being her best friend.’ You miss her lovely smile. We’re would write lots of different were very popular with all grateful we had the pleasure letters and show us your the adults and children. of getting to know her and work. You sang with Kaos Jamie and Kareem remember wish her family all the best. choir, always looking after playing cars with you, and Kareem to make sure he Kareem especially loved your joined in; rode the bikes at cuddles and we know you Our Voic e completed its sports made fun and made loved us too. ” Disabili ty Awareness Tr at B aining owes Primary. A ll the Key Stage Memory day 2 children enjo yed the interac sessions tive Enfield’s first Memory Day for and felt they le fro arned a lot bereaved families to remember a child m them. This te rm we’ll be run or young person they had lost was sessions a ning t Rhodes Avenu held on Saturday 5th July 2014 at the in e Primary Haringey. So w Chickenshed Theatre. The day, atch this space for a organised by Enfield’s Specialist n update…. Nursing Team, part of Barnet, Enfield & Haringey Mental Health Trust, was attended by parents, grandparents, siblings and friends, who were bereavement co-ordinator says, ‘Our encouraged to bring photographs of team works with families who have their loved one. The day included a had a child/ young person that has memory activity where families filled a the Chickenshed Theatre sang songs died as a result of illness or accidents jar with coloured salt, each colour and read poems. The day concluded and we wanted to bring them together representing different memories, a with the release of balloons, which to give them the opportunity to share remembrance service, a candle had messages written on them. Lisa their memories, stories and to lighting ceremony and volunteers from Dodd, Enfield’s play specialist and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.’

Page 2 www.ourvoiceenfield.org.uk team to develop new working practices to support you in the future. Education Q. Can parents get in touch ? Gillian Douglas is Enfield’s Special A. I like people and love to talk! I really Educational Needs Manager. She believe that through good arrived in Enfield late last year, communication we can understand, empathise and try to help and support following Ahmad Ramjhan’s each other. Parents, school and the retirement. Our Voice managed to Local Authority SEN department should grab her for a 60 second Q&A. all work together. So parents must talk to us about any concerns they might Q. What’s your background ? have and we’ll try to help. If you can’t A. I’m originally from Northern Ireland get through by phone on 020 8379 and have worked in education for over Q. What have been your priorities ? 3203/3441 (yes, I know our system is a 20 years. I’ve been a teacher, Head of A. Getting to grips with the educational real pain) then email us at Department, Head of Year, a SENCo provision here in Enfield and working [email protected]. We may not and have worked for many years in through all the changes in the law. In answer the same day, but we will get Local Authority. addition I’m working with the SEN back to you. Change is in the air Inclusion at its best Getting schools and colleges on board Parent Greesha Martin explains how with the new SEND legislation is vitally the Additional Resourced Provision at important. The new legislation will Bowes Primary School has improved have a big impact on special her daughter’s life educational needs services and make teachers more accountable for pupils When Larissa was diagnosed with progress. The SEND steering board ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) our world was turned upside down. I guess which includes representatives from which was disruptive, but was her way Our Voice, has been working with we all have dreams, hopes and aspirations for our children and we of saying she’d had enough. Staff SENCo’s, Heads, Principles and accommodated her as best as they Governors to support them. have a vision of what we would like our children to be and when this could but we realised mainstream At Enfield’s conference for Head doesn’t happen…it’s different. wasn’t for her. teachers, SENCo’s and Inclusion Devastating even. Almost 7 years down We contacted Parent Partnership who Managers, over 100 people attended the line we have accepted Larissa for helped us and we looked at an including Councillor Orhan and Jenny who she is and focus on things she can Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP) Tosh, Assistant Director for Education. do rather than those she can’t. which is a base attached to a Fazilla Amide, from Our Voice, did a mainstream school. We chose Bowes presentation giving the parent/carer as it seemed modern, fresh and has a perspective in relation to the reforms hat trick of Outstanding Ofsted’s. ARP’s and how to further improve on the have smaller class sizes, Larissa is one good practices of partnership working of seven and the only girl! She joined in many of our schools. in September 2013, and a year on the We’ve attended many Heads and changes are significant. She no longer Governors meetings, to inform them screams, she is potty trained and about the changes in the law and the coming along well with her speech and legal responsibilities their schools have; social skills. The curriculum is modified to suit the children’s needs and • having clear information as to includes sensory activities every day, how they support their children We tried putting her into a mainstream school because we teaching practical skills like cooking, with special educational needs going to the shops. Larissa is also seen on their website thought it was the right thing to do and, as I said, were coming to terms more regularly by relevant services and • being more person centred with her condition ourselves. We she will be able to access mainstream • involving parents/carers and found mainstream fine to begin with classes when they see fit. children and young people in as the curriculum was mainly play Above all, the management and decisions that affect them based and so for the most part was staff listen to parents and I am so happy and contented and even had a happy Larissa is settled in a school We hope by working closely with “fan base,” a couple of children loved where we know she’s a valued schools and other educational her so much and wanted to look after member of a group and above all is settings, they’ll be in a better position her all the time. As she moved into included which, by the way, is their to support your children. Year 1, the gap widened academically motto!!! Viva Bowes! Long live Apple Get in touch and let us know what and the more structured lessons Class, Jolene and team……Don’t information and help you are getting became, the less she fitted in. She has know where Larissa would be from your school. a few sensory issues like screaming, without you! www.ourvoiceenfield.org.uk Page 3 Buddies Enfield More about Dimensions Dimensions has only been in Enfield Dimensions is a specialist disabled for just over a year, but is already children’s provider working with making a huge impact with parents children from 8-17 years. The and children alike. It runs holiday Buddies Enfield play scheme at play schemes and activities for Durants school runs throughout the children between the ages of 8-17 school holidays and once a month on years at Durants School. a Saturday. There’s an action packed At Our Voice we are always asking our programme of activities on offer (both families their opinion and feedback in-door and off-site) which are and many have given a big thumbs up themed to ensure children can learn to its Buddies scheme. Children do lots experiences at the club – and knowing and develop whilst also having fun of different activities, structured his boundaries was key! So not only is and developing friendships. We work throughout the day, planned well in he having a good time, but also in partnership with the local advance so you can prepare them. learning important life skills.’ community to develop positive experiences for all such as swimming So working together with Dimensions, One mum fed back, ‘they make him and organising Autism Friendly Our Voice gave children a special treat feel comfortable and confident to try Screenings at the cinema. For over the summer and held a Family new things. He’s had a lot of “firsts” Saturday and October half term Fun day at Durants school. There was with them like face painting and bookings, call 0300 303 9076, email lots on offer, including sensory play, a stroking animals during a mobile [email protected] or visit water and sand garden, bouncy castle, petting visit. What’s more important is www.dimensions-uk.org for more karaoke, pony rides, as well as a visit they’ll allow him to be his cheeky self information. but will let him know when enough is from a Fire Engine and a quiet area in enough. They’re also teaching him case it all got too much. All the kids boundaries. This was really important had loads of fun, as did the grown Young Carer sessions to us and when they came to visit us to ups! The whole day was so successful Dazu has some great ‘I feel good’ better understand his needs, they asked that we’ll look to do something similar sessions running for young carers us what outcomes we wanted from his next year! throughout the autumn term. • 13th October • 17th November • 15th December The sessions take place at the Ark, 500 Montagu Road, Edmonton, N9 0UR from 5.30 - 8.00pm and include: make up, hair, nails, henna, stretch class, circuits, drumming, massage, and other similar activities. Supper snacks are also provided. They also include consultation on a number of issues that might be of relevance to the young people attending. Helpful reading Can I tell you about Autism? by Jude Welton. Tom invites readers to learn about autism from his perspective, explaining the challenges he faces with issues such as social communication, sensory overload and changes in his routine. He also explains ways he can be helped and supported by those around him. ‘I can personally recommend this series of books,’ says Emma Kemball-Cook. ‘We used the book, Can I tell you about Asperger Syndrome?, with our son when we wanted to share his diagnosis with him. It’s clearly written and pitched at the right level for him, then aged nine. I bought several copies and gave them to other members of the family and friends, particularly those with children of a similar age to my son who were beginning to be a bit puzzled by his atypical behaviours - well worth a look. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, the books cost £8.99 each, plus P&P. For information call 020 7833 2307 or visit www.jkp.com.

Page 4 www.ourvoiceenfield.org.uk OUR VOICE NEWS Our Voice has been busy over the last 6 months….running network meetings, events and working with the Local Authority to help shape and influence how the SEND reforms are implemented here in Enfield. What a performance Over the Easter holidays, we held a family fun event. Sixty children and family members went to see a performance of The Little Mermaid at the Dugdale Centre. It was fun and interactive with all the children singing and clapping and getting into the theatrics of it all! Even the adults enjoyed it!

At the same time, we ran an Information Network Meeting so families could hear about the upcoming changes and Network Our Voice is planning to Friday 3rd October update them on: increase the number of 2014 , from 10 -12am at Meetings meetings so we can meet Carers Centre, Britannia • the changes in with as many of you as House, 143 Baker Street, Enfield EN1 3JL. legislation We’ve run a number of possible. Come to our next network meetings at • how these changes network meetings: dates Wednesday 12th Galliard primary school and might affect their detailed on the right, but November 2014 , from Chace Community School 7.30 – 9.30pm at child with SEN check www.ourvoiceenfield. plus one with the African Dugdale Centre, Thomas org.uk, for further details • how Enfield would be Autism group at the Ark in Hardy House, 39 London and guest speakers. implementing/ Edmonton. Parents said ‘It Road, Enfield EN2 6DS. was useful to hear first hand supporting children about what the changes will We’re also aiming to visit Wed 17th December and young people mean to my family’ and ‘It’s as many schools as 2014 , from 10 - 12am at with Special good to know what schools possible, so if you’d like us Cheviots Children's Educational Needs have to do so we know to to come to your school, let Centre, 31 Cheviot Close, Enfield, EN1 3UZ. and disabilities follow up.’ us know! The Hair Cutting Challenge Following on from our last article about a helpful and understanding local hairdresser, many of you fed back that getting your child’s hair cut was a real issue. You asked if there were any recommendations for a mobile hairdresser. Read below, one parent’s recommendation she wanted to share. ‘Rita is our wonderful hairdresser and has been coming to our home and doing my hair and the children’s for the last eight years,’ says Simone. ‘I initially asked her for my son, who found going to hairdressers a traumatic experience and she made him feel at ease within a very short period of time. My daughter Leah, who has severe learning disabilities, was only three at this time. As Leah has got older, she has become increasingly sensitive about her hair being brushed or cut. Rita is really patient and understanding and continues to cut Leah's hair, despite being occasionally kicked, snipping her own fingers and having to listen to Leah's complaints.’ Contact her at Rita Nicola-Clark, Hair With Flair Mobile Hairdressing, 07946 260813 or email [email protected] www.ourvoiceenfield.org.uk Page 5 The SEND Agenda The Joint Service for Disabled Children has been driving the work to implement the changes in legislation in partnership with Education, Health and the voluntary sector. They detail here what the changes mean to you and your family. The Children & Families Act 2014 The Special Educational Needs and Disability Reforms replaced with an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW as part of the annual review process. The EHCP is also a What are the reforms? statutory document. The Children & Families Act introduces the biggest What is an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP)? changes to the Special Educational Needs and An EHCP is a statutory document and will replace the Disability (SEND) system for 30 years for Local Statement of Special Educational Needs and the Authorities, NHS and Schools. The new system started Learning Difficulties Assessment (post 16). Children and on September 1st 2014. The Government have given young people will transfer to a Plan over the next 2 -3 Local Authorities 2 – 3 years to implement the changes years. It is likely this will happen at their annual review. and so for most families, for the time being, things will An EHCP covers the child/young person from birth to 25 carry on as they are. years if the young person remains in education or The aim of the new reforms is to put children, young training. However, in Enfield it is unlikely that EHCPs people and their families at the heart of the system, this is will be issued for babies and pre-school children as known as “person centred”, and gives greater choice and there are excellent services and support available to control. Professionals will be expected to work with, and them without the need for an EHCP. An EHCP looks at listen to families about the things that are important to the education, health and care needs of a child/young them in order to help them achieve their aspirations. person and focusses on outcomes. It will look at There will be significantly more emphasis on the services and support to help the child/young person importance of the views of children, young people and achieve their outcomes, and will be an opportunity to their parents in any decision-making. think more creatively about support. The main changes to affect families are: Children/young people and their parents will be at the start of the EHCP process helping to plan and look at how • Replacing Statements of Special Educational Need with to meet their needs. the new statutory Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCP) from September 2014 We have piloted the EHCP with 13 families in Enfield. • A new SEN Code of Practice What is the Local Offer? • Personal Budgets The Local Offer will be available in printed format and on-line. It brings together in one place, information • The Local Offer about Education, NHS, Social Care, Voluntary Sector and The most important thing to remember is that there is other support available for families with a child/young really is no need to worry about these changes. Things person with SEND. It will provide information about will not suddenly change on 1st September 2014. services, how to access them, waiting times and be a useful source of information whether your child has an What does person-centred mean? EHCP or not. Schools will also need to produce their own Person-centred means a way for school staff and other versions of the Local Offer to explain the support they can professionals to get to know your child/young person provide. and find out what is important to them and how best to support them achieve their outcomes. This approach should ensure that parents, children and young people Myth Buster are genuinely involved in all aspects of the SEN There are a lot of “myths” about the SEND Reforms. This process. Myth Buster is to help families, early year’s providers, schools and colleges to better understand the reforms. What is an outcome? 1. Parents/Young people have the right to ask for a An outcome is what the child/young person would like to Personal Budget. achieve now and in the future. For example an outcome might be, to be independent, be healthy, or to gain paid • Yes. However, a personal budget can only be requested employment. if the child/young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Will my child’s Statement be taken away? • It is optional. For any child with an existing Statement, this will remain in place and they will continue to receive the support • Information to explain whether you can have a Personal identified in their Statement. At some point in the next 2 – Budget will be included in the Local Offer published 3 years it is likely that your child’s statement will be from the 1st September 2014.

Page 6 www.ourvoiceenfield.org.uk • Funding can come from one of four 7. The Local Authority, NHS and ENFIELD PARENT PARTNERSHIP areas, Education, Health, Social Schools will have more money SERVICE Care and the school/college. to support children and young Offers free, independent, confidential people with SEND. and impartial information, advice • Most budgets, including the schools and support to parents and carers of budget are tied up in contracts. • No. There is no additional money children/young people with special Therefore in the short term, there to support children with SEND. This educational needs. will be limited funding to support is about a change of approach and Personal Budgets. culture which puts families at the Tel: 020 8373 2700 Email: heart of the system. [email protected] • A personal budget should be provided to support the child’s • The new system allows parents and OUR VOICE outcomes as identified in the EHCP professionals to think more A parent–led voluntary organisation and will be monitored and creatively about their allocated working with parents and carers, as reviewed. resources. well as the statutory and voluntary sectors. They aim to improve 2. There’s additional money for 8. Explaining the SEND Reforms is services for children and young Personal Budgets. the responsibility of the Local people with disabilities or special Authority. • No. There is no additional funding educational needs in the borough of for personal budgets. • No. It is everyone’s responsibility Enfield. Our Voice will be able to to communicate the SEND agenda. provide you with further information 3. Children’s Statements will and advice. automatically convert to an • The Local Authority, NHS, Early EHCP in September. Years Providers, Schools, Colleges Tel: 07516 662315 and the Voluntary Sector must Email: [email protected] • No. Do not assume that all ensure they inform staff, governors, children’s Statements will SEN SERVICES families and young people and automatically convert to an EHCP. Tel: 020 8379 3203/3441 keep everyone up-to-date with However, as is normally the case, Email: [email protected] progress. children’s needs will be reviewed JOINT SERVICE FOR DISABLED and assessed and most children’s • It is the responsibility of Head CHILDREN Statements will change to an EHCP. teachers to make sure that their Tel: 020 8363 4047 teaching team and parents/carers, • The Local Authority has published a Email: [email protected] children & young people with timetable explaining which year SEND are kept informed about the groups will be prioritised to be SEND reforms and the way the revised and move across to an EHCP. Planning ahead school will implement these. This This can be found in the Local Offer Enfield also wanted to trial the will be in line with the Local at www.enfield.gov.uk/SEND Education, Health and Care Plan Authority’s plan to move before the new legislation came 4. If I am new into the system and Statements to EHCPs. in. They employed Fazilla Amide, I have an assessment, my child 9. My opinion is more important from Our Voice, as an will automatically receive an than anyone else’s. independent consultant to EHCP. support and assess the trial. This • No. Everybody’s opinions and • No. An assessment does not involved working with 12 schools views are important and must be automatically mean that the Local across primary and secondary considered when plans are being Authority will issue a Plan. level and 13 families with made to meet the needs of children differing levels of special needs. • As with the current process, an and young people with SEND. The trial was successful and assessment can be made and a 10. A child with an EHCP has an provided lots of “lessons decision is then based on automatic right to transport. learned”. These were taken on consideration of the extent of the board and fed into the new special educational needs and • No. Not every child with an EHCP process to improve it. One of outcomes identified. will be eligible for transport to and the key findings was this is a from school. As has always been 5. Everything will change on the new system and a new way of the case, they will need to meet the 1st September. thinking, so all of those involved, eligibility criteria for the provision of whether families or professionals, • No. There will be no dramatic transport to and from school. will need training and support change from the 1st September • Transport eligibility criteria is to help them through the 2014. published in the Local Offer . process. With this in mind, • Although the Reforms are wide- Enfield has continued to employ ranging, the transition period will For more information contact: Fazilla to be part of the project be over 3½ years. implementation team, who have YOUR SCHOOL produced specific training work 6. The Reforms are finance led. Speak to the SENCo or Inclusion shops and written guidance. Go • No. This is not about cost cutting but Manager at your school. They should to www.enfield.gov.uk/SEND for is about focussing on what the young be able to provide you with more more information. person wants to achieve in life. information. www.ourvoiceenfield.org.uk Page 7 Enfield’s Progress in partnership working The new approach to SEND places pupils at the centre of planning and re-inforces the idea of the whole school being accountable for their progress. To support our schools, Enfield have created a project “Steering Group” which includes representatives from all areas such as Health, Education and Local Authority professionals as well as parent/carers and the voluntary sector. Through this project group, all aspects of the SEND reforms are being planned and developed. One of the project work streams is about the Local Authority providing a “Local Offer”; This is how the project team went about this…

The Local Offer has been a positive and inspiring opportunity. Initially, it was quite This provides all the information you daunting as it involves a completely need to know about in one place; different way of working, but once • Health, the team had training on person- centred planning and a closer look at • Education the draft EHCP we were up for the • Social Care challenge! • Voluntary organisations It’s now up to the school to involve children and their families in • Links to other boroughs discussions about support. Parents and pupil’s views were the driving force for the meeting and it felt like a well as on on-line version, so these team effort; it was great to have will be available from, for example, everyone round the table sharing children’s centres and libraries. information with a common goal. However, due to cost and the fact that The most difficult thing for us was information will constantly need to be getting the child’s view because of updated, it will only be printed for the language limitations, but by working launch. After this, you’ll have to on this at home and at school we access it on-line. For information go found similarities in the things to www.enfield.gov.uk/SEND reported. The EHCP meeting was positive in terms of the way to move EHCP Meeting things forward on an academic and social level. The outcomes agreed in Smeeta Vaghela, Inclusion Manager the meeting will be at the forefront of at Eversley Primary School, tells us what’s happening day to day in about the pilot ECHP meeting her school. It was an empowering school was involved in. meeting and felt that what we set out Being part of the Education, Health to do would be a success, as we’d all and Care Plan (EHCP) pilot project be working towards the same goals.

A key part of the change is to make sure children, young people and families know what help they can get. As part of the joint working with the Local Authority, Our Voice has been a part of the project team on developing information about services in Enfield so you can access them easily. This is known as the Local Offer. Members of the Our Voice management committee, representatives from ENAS, (the Enfield National Autistic Society) and from Carer2Carer, the parent forum for young people 16+ were all involved. The Local Offer was then put out to consultation to parents, professionals and young people - many of you may have responded to this. Feedback was collated and amendments were made. You also told us you wanted printed copies, as Toby and Dee doing a sequencing task as part of the EHCP pilot scheme.

Page 8 www.ourvoiceenfield.org.uk Schools’ SEND Information Report or “Local Offer” Kate Baptiste, head teacher at St Monica’s Primary school, tells us about being a part of the SEND Steering Group and piloting her school’s equivalent to the Local Authorities’ Local Offer.

I started working at St Monica’s Primary School in 2001, and as Deputy Head part of my role involved being the SENCo. At that time, there were 20 children on the SEN register plus one child with a statement out of 420 pupils. Things have changed a lot and I’m now head teacher with over 70 children on the SEN register and 10 children with statements. Managing the provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) has become increasingly complex, so when the Local Authority SEND steering group needed a head teacher representative I applied. I learnt a lot being on the Kate Baptiste, the SENCO Dawn Roper and parents at St Monica’s Primary School take part in the pilot scheme. steering group and it’s impairments. We also met given me confidence to with members of Our Advice for families regarding oversee the management Voice, who gave us advice of SEND arrangements at and steered us in the right the new changes in the law my school. direction. The parents were Enfield Parents & Children has successfully So when we were asked to brilliant at contributing their secured funding to be able to support families be a pilot school in putting views, as well as their converting from a Statement to an Education, our own Local Offer/SEND personal journeys in coping Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Additional staff or Information Report together with a child with SEND. ‘Independent Supporters’ are being recruited to as part of the EHCP After putting an initial draft guide you through the new system, its paperwork scheme, I felt optimistic. together, we opened it up and the new way of thinking. Support may also Our “Local Offer” outlines and held a coffee morning be given on a 1:1 basis and we can provide how the school supports for about 15 parents. Our training for you in your school on the new children with SEND and Local Offer/SEND legislation, person centred planning and how to their families and Information Report is a determine good outcomes for your child. To get encapsulates how the combined effort from all involved with the support and training we school manages special sides and is now on our provide, call 020 8373 2700 or go to needs and what the parents website http://www.st- www.enfieldparents.org for more information. and children can expect monicas.enfield.sch.uk/lear from us. Our new SENCo, ning/send/. As a result of In the spirit of co-production recommended in the Dawn Roper, did lots of this work, we are now Act, the Parent Partnership team met with a small research and as a starting going to hold a half termly group of parents to get feed back and improve point we got together with parents’ coffee morning to how they initially make contact and work with a very small group of discuss SEND issues and families. The meeting was really productive and parents whose children invite in experts. whilst we already thought we were working in a have a mix of diagnoses Parents/Carers also report family friendly way, there were still improvements including autism, speech that they feel better we were able to make so the group will meet and language needs, connected with what’s again to help us amend information and undiagnosed medical happening in the school, so practices. And “thank you” to those families who difficulties, dyslexia, ADHD it’s been a win/win for all are taking the time to help us! and visual and hearing concerned! www.ourvoiceenfield.org.uk Page 9 to access universal services but will not be offered fun days. For further News from the information contact Cheviots on 0208 3634047 or go to the Local Offer on www.enfield.gov.uk/localoffer. Joint Service Communication at Cheviots Janet Leach, Head of the Joint Service for Claire Redrupp updates us on Disabled Children and her team have been news from Cheviots working tirelessly with the SEN team, to drive through the SEND changes. Due to their hard work, Enfield have Joint Services have been working hard to improve the way the children and achieved “Champion Status” with the Department for Education, which young people we work with are able to means that Enfield is demonstrating commitment to best practice around communicate with us. We encourage the SEND reforms. So well done!! Below, she gives an update on some them to make choices and give of the other important work her team are delivering. feedback about the care they receive and the short breaks groups they SHORT BREAKS GRANT provide information about the short attend, so services can be improved. break grants or direct services you The key of course is communication It’s a year since the Short Breaks can choose from. Grant was introduced and between and Makaton, a communication December 2013 and May 2014, a The short break offer: system based on British Sign Language using signs, symbols and speech, plays total of 42 self-referral forms were Children aged 0 – 4 years will not be completed. A short breaks grant is a a big part. In May, Sally Hibbitt, offered a short break grant. Instead Cheviots’ Senior Centre Worker and payment from Enfield’s Joint Service they will be offered family fun days, for Disabled Children as a qualified Makaton Regional Tutor, ran family activity sessions, holiday stay an in depth Makaton Foundation contribution towards the cost of and play sessions, fathers’ groups services and support. The grant gives Course for staff, which teaches and supported to access universal additional signs and symbols and you the flexibility to spend it on services and children’s centres. activities that suit your child and introduces some of the theory and family, although it may not cover all Children aged 5 – 7 years will only research behind Makaton. We plan to your child care costs. The process is be offered a short break grant for increase the use of Makaton new to everyone and we are working activities. They will be offered family • by working with individual children, to make the process easier. fun days, family activity sessions, and using resources to help them supported to access universal choose activities and outings How do I access a Short Breaks grant? services. If you are not receiving any short • by staff using key rings with breaks or services you will need to Children aged 8 – 17 years will be symbols. ask a professional, such as teacher or offered either a short break grant for The team are involved in another health visitor, to complete an Early activities (one off activities) or a grant project aimed at supporting children Help form which provides information for services ( for use for such things and young people to contribute to child about your child and their needs. like regular after school clubs etc), or protection and ‘looked after children’ services to this value arranged by the review meetings and we are looking From this we can assess the level of Joint Services. They will be offered forward to making these systems short breaks you will be offered and family activity sessions and supported accessible to disabled children. The next hurdle learning disability Happy Retirement • sports taster sessions and vouchers for Colleagues, Thanks to a £200,000 access to leisure centres for those with friends and family grant from Sport mental health issues. England, Enfield organised a Children & Young The priorities were based on an assessment celebratory lunch Persons’ Services of areas of shortfall in provision in Enfield, to wish Sheila (ECYPS) is developing together with feedback from disabled young Roper a happy new sporting people and adults in the borough. retirement. Sheila, opportunities for Participants will also be able to gain level 1 worked for Enfield disabled peopled aged 14 years+. The or level 2 coaching qualifications in a Council for nearly programme will include; chosen sport and a significant amount of 20 years - the last 10 of those being • tennis and multi-sports for visually work will be taking place to provide at Cheviots where she was the Overnight impaired bespoke disability awareness training for Short Breaks Social Worker supporting participants, existing sports providers and administrators shared carers. Sheila also worked with • signed across the borough. ECYPS has been families and young people who were fitness/aerobic approached by both rugby and basketball sessions for hearing providers who want to be a part of the new ‘Moving On’ from Children’s Services to impaired people, provision, which will hopefully give local Adult Services. Colleagues, Shared Carers • working with local residents a wider choice of sports. Contact and Families will miss Sheila and her sports clubs to make Claire at ECYPS on 020 8373 2710 for support, skills and knowledge and want to them more inclusive more information and look out for fliers thank her for all her hard work and wish for those with detailing new activities. her a long, happy retirement.

Page 10 www.ourvoiceenfield.org.uk Fun Holiday Half Term and Christmas activities WHAT’S ON? a visit to North Pole station and good girls and boys get a present while good We’ve highlighted a few of our mums and dads get a mince pie and favourite places that are great for glass of mulled wine. The trains run family friendly days out. every weekend in December plus the 22nd, 23rd and 24th December. Special Museums fares apply for both events and booking The wonders of the Natural History is strongly advised. Call 01277 365200 Museum and Science Museum can be or visit www.eorailway.co.uk. seen for free, although there is a charge for special exhibitions. There’s so much Christmas shows to see and do, you’ll be spoilt for choice and both will be holding a number of Both The Millfield Theatre and the different exhibitions and work shops over Chickenshed Theatre offer great the half term and Christmas holidays. performances for our kids. Given our children’s potential anxieties, the Millfield Nearest tube: South Kensington tube Theatre is having a relaxed performance station. To find out more contact: of Sleeping Beauty on Friday 2nd Natural History Museum January 2015 at 5pm. Relaxed (020 7942 5000; www.nhm.ac.uk) performances have a less formal, more or Science Museum (0870 870 4868 supportive atmosphere and are www.sciencemuseum.org.uk). specifically designed to welcome people The Science Museum offers Early Birds with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, sessions for families with under 14’s who learning disability or sensory and have an Autistic Spectrum Condition. The communication disorders into the museum opens early from 8.30 on theatre. To help reduce anxiety levels, selected dates so families can enjoy the lighting and special effects will be museum free of the general public so adapted, such as removing strobes interactive galleries, such as the Launch and flashing lights and reducing loud Pad are open exclusively to booked Early noises and parts of the Millfield Birds guests until 11.15am. Theatre foyer will be used as a quiet The RAF Museum Hendon is situated space to relax for those who need to on the site of London’s original leave and re-enter the auditorium Aerodrome and has lots to see and do. during the performance. There’s over 100 historic aircraft, Call 020 8807 6680 or visit www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk for more helicopters and army vehicles, an information. interactive kids play area and entrance is free. For more information call The Chickenshed Theatre’s Christmas 020 8205 2266 or visit show this year is Peter Pan. Fun for all www.rafmuseum.org.uk the family (aged 5 and above as it’s 2 hours long), sign language is integrated London Transport Museum , Covent into every performance. The theatre also Garden is another great place to while offers some captioned performances, away a few hours. Learn all about the similar to television subtitling, for the deaf history of public transport to areas like and hard of hearing on the 8th, 14th Enfield Town, Edmonton, Ponders End and 19th December. Audio described and beyond, whether by train, tram or performances that tell visually impaired horse and carriage. Kids go free but theatre goers what’s happening on stage carer’s also go free if you show some during the parts of the performance proof of your child’s disability. Find out when there’s no dialogue are also more at www.ltmuseum.co.uk or call available. As an added extra, free Touch 020 7379 6344. Tours are available an hour before the Full steam ahead Audio Described performances on the 21st December 2014 & 4th January 2015 Following its sell-out event in 2013, which give the audience a chance to Epping and Ongar Railway has extended explore the set, costumes and props and the Halloween Ghost Trains for 2014. meet the cast. These tours will familiarise Running on 30th-31st October, families children with the production and make are encouraged to dress up for an them feel less anxious but need to be evening of spooky fun. booked in advance. From top: London Transport Museum, Epping Alternatively embark on a magical Call 020 8292 9222 or visit and Ongar Railway, Hendon Museum, Peter adventure and meet Santa and his www.chickenshed.org.uk for more Pan at Chickenshed, Sleeping Beauty at The helpers on a special steam train. There’s information. Millfield Theatre www.ourvoiceenfield.org.uk Page 11 Family wellbeing service Being a parent is one of the most units in a safe and confidential space. yourself and develop confidence, self- rewarding, yet demanding roles but Practitioners, trainers and counsellors are esteem and manage difficulties and sometimes parents need help and support approachable, friendly and welcoming. others help you look at family from time to time. The Family Wellbeing Alternatively if being in a group with other relationships and parenting skills. So if Service at Enfield Parents & Children parents, sharing experiences and learning you or someone you know is struggling, provides local, friendly and non- from others feels more like you, then feeling low or anxious and needs to talk judgemental support and counselling for there are a variety of workshops and get in touch on 0208 373 2728 or email individuals, couples, children and family courses. Some help you to look at [email protected]. Opening doors locks are fitted to their accessible toilets and Is it challenging Unlike regular toilets keys are made getting to the there’s often a need to available to people lock accessible toilets with disabilities to Doctors? because of damage and access toilets in shopping The Minor Ailment Scheme is misuse. centres, sports venues, an NHS service for people, The RADAR National Key railway and bus stations including children, who are Scheme gives disabled and motorway service registered with a GP Practice people independent areas. Keys are available and don't pay prescription access to around 9,000 from Enfield’s Civic charges. It can save you locked toilets throughout Centre for £3.60 or having to go to your GP for the country. When a from Disability Rights UK minor problems. And with council, public or for £5.40 including p&p, the pass, you will be able to commercial organisation 020 7250 3222, obtain up to 10 items free joins the scheme, standard www.disabilityrightsuk.org from your participating chemist but note restrictions from your GP and they’ll apply. also give you a list of Care support It also allows you easier, pharmacies participating in Enfield Carers Centre is a convenient access to the the scheme or look out for local charity offering support same advice from your the sign in the pharmacy and advice for unpaid carers. pharmacist as you would get window. The scheme will It offers services and social from your GP for earache, help parents of children with activities including counselling, coughs, head lice, insect disabilities immensely, as legal advice, training and information sessions, financial bites, hay fever and other they can now receive management and debt advice, specialist support groups, minor ailments and where treatment for minor matters support for young carers, help for bereaved carers and many appropriate to dispense over without having to go through respite/break opportunities. The Enfield Carers Card is the counter medications, free the difficulties of getting them available to anyone who joins the Carers’ Register and it lets of cost. through the doctor’s door. It you access to information about events and services, receive could also help reduce the discounts and apply for the Carers Emergency Card Scheme. You’ll need a Minor Ailment cost of purchasing additional Call Enfield Carers Centre on 020 8366 3677; Scheme passport, available medications. www.enfieldcarers.org. Did you know? • Enfield’s Libraries let carers loan books for longer periods of time and give discounts on DVDs and CDs if you’re registered with Enfield Carers Centre and have a Carers Card. • Fusion Leisure Services (providers of the local leisure centres in Southbury Road, Enfield at Edmonton Green, Southgate and Albany Park) get half price swimming and gym facilities with a Carers Card. • The Cinema Exhibitors’ Card allows people with disabilities and in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, Attendance Allowance or is registered blind, to get a free ticket for the person accompanying them. The card costs £6, is valid for a year and accepted by all major cinema operators. Call 0845 123 1292 for an application form or download it from www.ceacard.co.uk. The Carers Emergency Card Scheme is a safe way to hold essential information about the person you care for, what their care needs are and who needs to be informed in the event of an accident or emergency. Before you apply talk to the person you care for about the emergency plan and speak to any one named as a contact about what they need to do if a crisis occurs. Contact a family The contact a family free phone helpline offers help and support to the families of disabled children. The confidential service can be contacted on 0808 808 3555 or at [email protected]. The service is staffed by experience advisers and is intended as a one-stop-shop for parents and family members. More information is available at www.cafamily.org.uk www.ourvoiceenfield.org.uk

Our Voice newsletter is published to keep you informed about our work and the experiences of families in Enfield. The views expressed by contributors are not always those of Our Voice. © Our Voice, September 2014