Hi, I’m Richard, welcome to the SEND newsletter. I’m responsible for the services we commission for children and families. I am really pleased to welcome Nathan and the team as we join up commissioning, procurement and service design. One of…

Unstoppables update – April April brought another jam-packed agenda! Our morning session was a priority item from our 2024 priorities. We thought it would be interesting to share some of the discussions that took place, we haven’t finished this topic,…

Children and young people have the right to have their voices heard whether it’s a compliment, comment or a complaint. All children and young people have the right to complain if they feel disappointed or let down by the service…

Children in Somerset can boost their language learning skills at home by accessing a free resource from Somerset Libraries. There are dozens of languages to learn with simple step-by-step modules designed specifically for children. You simply need to be a…

All the workshops are delivered or co-delivered by someone with lived experience of being a parent carer. Alongside this there will be information workshops held both face to face and online. There are several workshops taking place in December around…

SEND Navigators SEND Navigators are part of the offer from Somerset Parent Carer Forum CIC. We are very grateful to the National Lottery players and the National Lottery Community Fund for funding the 4 SEND Navigators on a term time…

For Support & Guidance from Somerset’s Virtual School for Children Looked After and Previously Looked After • Inclusion Advice Line for CYP specific queries 0300 123 2224 – access to a Virtual School Advisory Teacher Monday – Friday, during termtime.…

In February Youth Forum met to discuss communities, what they see to help young people not get involved in dangerous or illegal activities, what things to do and places to go are in their communities and what schools and colleges…

EPS loyalty Bonus-FREE e-learning credits We are excited to announce that the Educational Psychology Service (EPS) is launching a ‘loyalty bonus scheme’ to existing customers. All Somerset schools who have previously purchased EP packages will be entitled to the loyalty…

Somerset Youth Forum is inviting all young people in Somerset aged 10-18 years (or up to 25 years with SEND) to a special session to discuss young people and health in Somerset. This event will be taking place on Thursday…

Throughout the week, we will be hearing from a range of practitioners across agencies who will deliver the following sessions (13:00-14:00): • Monday 17th – Introduction to Trauma Informed Practice – Warren Larkin (Consultant Clinical Psychologist) and Dr Tim Cockerill…

Dear Sencos Please can we remind you to check your support staff have completed moving and handling training which is a Legal requirement for all staff involved in physically assisting pupils with mobility needs (not behaviour) and particularly to consider…

Interactive ‘magic’ projectors have over 100 games and activities which have been designed by professionals to support children and adults who may be living with autism or learning difficulties. Available at Taunton; Bridgwater; Yeovil; Chard and Frome Libraries, anyone can…

The Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) for Somerset would like every young person living in the county to be safe, happy, healthy and prepared for adulthood. We are now writing the next Children and Young People’s Plan 2024-30 and…

Your regular bitesize update for new or updated information, services for professionals supporting children and young people aged 0-25 years old with additional needs in Somerset, and their families. So what was new during April? Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity…

From April 2024, the Local Offer will host the NHS Children and Young People’s Therapy Service (CYPTS) Fact File advice sheets.  These helpful advice sheets give a range of information on how to support children’s development, and have been written…

The Somerset Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) team is celebrating their highest ever number of enrolments across the county, with 2908 local young people signed up to an award between April 2023 and March 2024. The DofE award is on offer…

Hello and welcome to the March edition of SEND News! I know that many of you have shared views about how challenging it is on the ground in schools right now. I will be stepping into the space of SEND…

We have heard from stakeholders that they wish to see an open and transparent process to discuss changes in local authority Education functions, particularly in relation to SEND and inclusion. To enable that to happen, and to maximise the potential…

Following requests, Alice, the Local Offer Young Persons Champion, developed an online learning module on Somerset’s SEND Local Offer. It is for people who work or volunteer within services that support parent carers who may have children and young people…