Volume 3 Issue 3

Parent Partnership and County Durham Autistic Support Group

have joined together to offer a free information evening to explain the new Funding Arrangements for Children with Special Educational Needs.

Thursday 21 September Committee Room 2, County Hall, Durham, 6.30pm - 9.00pm.

The evening will be presented by Elaine Chandler (Parent Partnership Coordinator, Durham) and Helen Geldard (Coordinator of CDASG).

Topics to be covered:

• The background to SEN funding.
• Funding arrangements within Durham for Special Educational Needs for both statemented and non-statemented children.
• Communities of Learning.
• SEN Support Services.

The evening is free to anyone wishing to attend Parents, professionals - everyone welcome. To book your place either download an application form at cdasg.org.uk Or ring Helen on 01388 819880 or Parent Partnership TEL: 0191 5873541.

Dyslexia Support Group

About six years ago, one of the first developments of the newly established Parent Partnership Service was to create a dyslexia support group, where parents could meet and find out more about their child’s dyslexia. Since its inception the group has seen hundreds of parents come and go, learning from guest speakers and from discussions with other parents and teachers.

The subsequent support for schools in the form of a county policy on Specific Learning Difficulties, the superb work of Mary Coffield and her specialist advisory team plus the ongoing drive to make Durham a Dyslexia Friendly County, has resulted in a vast reduction in the numbers of parents seeking support from the group. We therefore feel that it’s time to reshape our parent support.

Having consulted with parents, from September 2006 we are ceasing the monthly dyslexia support group meetings in favour of a 10 week rolling programme of dyslexia training for parents entitled ‘Dyslexia SOS’. This course, free for parents, will be delivered on our behalf by the Community Education Service. We will continue to offer regular one-off dyslexia training events involving guest speakers/innovative practice, as and when required.

To discuss these changes, request a place on the next dyslexia SOS course or to suggest a future training session topic, please call the PP office TEL: 0191 5873541.

Dyslexia SOS Course - September 2006

Parent Partnership has again teamed up with the Community Education Service to offer a repeat of this useful course, which will run during daytime as before. This is a ten week programme aimed at giving parents a better understanding of dyslexia and strategies to support their child’s learning.

The course will be held at County Hall, Durham on Thursday afternoons between 12.45pm and 2.45pm. and is free to parents. The first session takes place on 14 September 2006.

There are 15 places available on a first come, first served basis. For further information or to book a place please contact Julie or Ann TEL: 0191 5873541.

County Durham Autistic Support Group

has a new website cdasg.org.uk

All their up to date information is available online so if you misplace any application forms etc. you can print them direct from the site. There is also a list of the books they have in their library. Feedback and ideas for the site would be very welcome.

CDASG Winter Conference 2006

Sensory perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome - Experiencing the World the Autism Way
Saturday 7 October
Speaker: Olga Bogdashina, MA Education
(Autism), PhD (Linguistics)
CDASG members £20.00
Parent non-members £30.00
Professional non-members £45.00

Family Activities

White House Farm Visit, Morpeth
Sunday 10 September
£5.00 per person including transport and entry to the farm.

Mr Twisters Evenings, Consett

Mondays - £4.00 per child 11 Sept.
23 Oct. - Halloween Party
27 November

Diggerland - Exclusive Use of the Park

Sunday 17 Sept. 5.30 to 7.30pm
£5.00 per person including entry and rides

Application forms for all the above can be downloaded from cdasg.org.uk or ring Helen on TEL: 01388 819880.

ADHD is REAL

Be pro-active during ADHD Awareness Week
Find out the facts about ADHD - Be Educated - Inspired - Motivated
Whatever you do don’t miss this unique opportunity for an ‘audience with’
Jerry Mills and Dr. Sarah Seth.
Also contributions from ADHD North West and guests
St.Martin’s College, Lancaster - Thursday 21 September 10.00am to 4.00pm
Contact ADHD North West TEL: 01524 822887.

New Group Alert!

Sedgefield Locality Carers Centre

Does your child have special needs?

If you would like the opportunity to meet other parents, share experiences and listen to speakers from various children’s services, why not go along to the Parent Carer Group.

Meetings to be held on the following Thursdays 10.00am until 12 noon at The Oaks School, Rock Road, Spennymoor:

2006: 14 Sept, 12 Oct, 14 Dec.
2007: 18 Jan, 15 Feb, 15 Mar, 19 Apr, 17 May, 14 Jun, 12 Jul.

Please feel free to go along to any of the informal and supportive meetings. For more information contact Joanne at the Carers Centre TEL: 01325 313123.

EDPIP

East Durham Positive Inclusion Partnership

A voluntary organisation and a registered charity that provides free support and information to children, young people and their families living in the Easington District offering:

• Knowledge of local services.
• Sub groups for children and young people.
• A Listening ear and telephone support.
• Activities for children and young people.
• Home visits to discuss your situation and ways in which they can help.

All information shared is confidential to EDPIP and is used only to guide them to provide the correct information and help. For further information about the service:Tel: 0191 5865708 Fax: 0191 5183580

Moving On

A family held record for all children. Would you like to find out more about how ‘Moving On’ is being developed and used in Co Durham? Would you like to see some practical examples of the ‘Moving on’ file and how easily it can be adapted to meet the needs of individual children and their families? Then come along and listen to the experiences of children, families and a wide range of professionals who are using it in a variety of ways:
Tuesday 26 September 9.30 - 12.30
Council Chambers, County Hall, Durham

For further information and to book a place contact Nicola Irving at SureStart, County Hall, Durham TEL:0191 3833955.