Volume 3 Issue 1

Accessibility Strategy Consultation

The local education authority has produced a draft Accessibility Plan aimed at improving opportunities for pupils with special educational needs and/or a disability. There is also a duty on the Governing Body of each school to produce an accessibility plan. These identify the way in which schools will improve access to the curriculum, school environment and information for any users with a disability.

Parents and Carers are invited to consultation sessions to hear about the draft plan and to give their views, or can complete a questionnaire to provide written feedback.

All meetings take place between 12 noon and 1.30pm and include a light buffet lunch and refreshments.

Thursday 12 January - The Glebe Centre, Murton
Thursday 19 January - The Louisa Centre, Stanley
Friday 20 January - Room 3a, County Hall, Durham
Thursday 26 January - The Four Clocks Centre, Bishop Auckland

For a copy of the executive summary, a copy of the accessibility questionnaire or to confirm a place at one of the meetings ring 0191 587 3541.

Dyslexia Support Durham Group

Committee Room 1b, County Hall Durham.

Please note that a meeting has not been arranged for January 2006.

Wednesday 15 February - 7.00 - 9.00pm
Mary Coffield - Specific Learning Difficulties Service
Updates on the ‘Dyslexia Friendly Schools Project’

Wednesday 15 March - 7.00 – 9.00pm
Jenny O'Neill – Educational Psychologist

The Work of the Educational Psychology Service in Durham

Free refreshments available at both meetings.

To book a place for either or both workshops please ring the Parent Partnership Office on 0191 5873541.

Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Positive Parenting

New website details for Positive Parenting.

This organisation specialises in the support of parents and those who work with them, they produce Resources, Training and the delivery of parenting support in the community.

They are currently offering a series of ‘Time Out’ training and literature on subjects such as:

• Time out from Anger
• Time out from ADHD
• Time out from ASD

Each topic includes a Facilitators Manual, Parent’s Handbook and an Awareness Training Day. If you have a group of up to 16 people they can come to you and deliver training on agreed criteria. Ideal for CPD, networking etc. For more information contact Nicola Davies on 023 9252 8787 or email ndavies@parenting.org.uk.

Their latest handbook for parents and carers is newly available called - ‘A Parent’s guide to Behaviour Management’

County Durham Autistic Support Group

9th Birthday Conference
Durham County Hall
Saturday 25 February 2006 - 9.25am to 4.30pm

Speaker: Rita R. Jordan Bsc. MA. PhD.C.Psychol who will be talking about:

• Meeting the Special Needs arising from Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
• How the Curriculum can be delivered to meet the needs of individuals with ASD
• Approaches to teaching and learning for individuals with ASD

Contact CDASG on 01388 819 880 for application forms and cost details. All applications and payments must be returned by Friday 10 February

Durham & Chester-le-Street

Parents/Carers Support - A series of events have been planned over the next 3 months in a variety of venues around the area. All parent carers are more than welcome to go along. For more information on any of these events ring 0191 387 1991

Winter Survival Day

Saturday 28 January 2006 - 10.00am till 2.00pm
Bullion Hall, Chester le Street
Free lunch, Free crèche, Free transport

Recover from the stress of Christmas and long winter days with a range of workshops for Parents/Carers which include:

• Being good to yourself
• Taking time out
• Survival skills for parents
• Dealing with stress by using Holistic/Alternative Therapies

If you would like to attend this event contact the office on 0191 387 1991.

Brothers and Sisters are Special Too

Bullion Hall, Chester le Street , Tuesday 28 February 10.00am till 2.00pm. A workshop for parents/carers who are supporting siblings of children with disabilities and special needs. This event is free for parents/carers of children with disabilities or special needs and includes lunch – transport - creche. An informal day organised jointly by Durham & Chester le Street Carers Support and Contact a Family North East

Programme of Events

10.00 Coffee and introductions
10.15 Brothers and Sisters
10.30 How can parents support their ‘other’ children? An opportunity to share ideas in small groups on how to provide practical help and emotional support to siblings at home
12.00 Buffet lunch (provided)
12.45 Siblings Needs and Pathways of Support – we will look at ways of offering support to siblings through a variety of networks including sibling’s groups

Places for this event are limited and need to be booked by Tuesday 14th February. If you would like to attend contact the office on 0191 387 1991

Healthy Living Event

Grange Villa Community Centre, Chester le Street, Friday February 10 10.00am to 2.45pm. Free healthy lunch and free transport.

• Talk on Care at the Chemist. What ailments can be treated at your local Pharmacy.
• Healthy food cookery demonstration with taster session by Hands on Health.
• Demonstration on Complementary Therapy and how to use it to maintain your own health.
• MOT for Carers (bmi check/dietary advice).
• *Talk by a Lifestyle Coordinator.
• And much more – please contact the office before February 3 to book your place.

Drop-in for carers

Bullion Hall, Chester le Street
Lounge – 1.30pm till 3.00pm.
Every second Thursday beginning 19 January 2006.
Friendly mutual support with a cup of tea.

Understanding Autism

Wednesday 8 February 2006 9.00am till 3.00pm.
Teaching and Learning Centre, Tranmere Avenue, Middlesbrough.
Lunch and refreshments provided.
Keynote speaker: Ros Blackburn.
Same life different view.
Ros has lived with autism all her life and speaks from a position of real life experiences across the UK and abroad through the delivery of her keynote speech.

Guest Speaker to be arranged:
Living with autism
Parent/Carers perspective

Funding is available for a limited number of parent/carers to attend this event free and transport can also be provided. If the late finish would prove a problem please ring Jenni on 0191 387 1991 to make more convenient arrangements.

Please contact the office on the above number as soon as possible if you would like to attend.

‘What next?’

Transition event

A workshop for Parent/Carers on support and opportunities available for young people with disabilities after leaving school, Bullion Hall, Chester le Street, Tuesday 28 March 10.00am – 2.00pm. Includes lunch and refreshments.

The period leading up to and after young people leave school can be a stressful and confusing time for the whole family. Parents require information well in advance so that they can prepare for a well planned transition.

To help address this need we have invited relevant professionals from Connexions, welfare to Work and Social Care & Health to provide information at the workshops on:

• Local further Education Colleges and Learning Support.
• Specialist residential colleges.
• Stepping stones to employment, placements and training.
• Supported voluntary work placements.
• Routes towards independent living.

Information packs will be available at the workshop on these & other relevant topics.

If you would like to attend ring the office on 0191 3871991

Wear Valley Carers Initiative

Edgar Grove Bishop Auckland

Parent/carer support group every 3rd Wednesday during term time. Everyone welcome to come along to this informal and friendly group for a chat and a cuppa with the occasional speaker on relevant topics.

For further details ring Pauline on 01388 451400.

Sedgefield Carers NEW Parent / Carer Group

Meetings to be held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month during term time at The Oaks School, Spennymoor. Commences Wednesday 18 January 10.00am-12.00noon.

Meetings will be informal and friendly with a chat and a cuppa. Parents’ ideas and suggestions for meeting topics welcome. Ring Joanne on 01325 313123 for further details.