Volume 2, Issue 2
Information Day hailed a Great Success
The Information Day held by Parent Partnership in County Hall in December was very well received by parents, schools and other professionals. Around 45 exhibitors from statutory and voluntary agencies plus associated commercial companies set up their stands and all reported that it was a worthwhile and profitable experience. A good number of parents called in (we would have liked to have seen a few more) and a steady stream of professionals from all agencies. Coincidentally on the day staff from 170 schools in the county attending meetings in the council chamber, were able to visit the exhibition and collect their ‘SEN Parents File’ (see below). Following such good feedback from everyone concerned we have decided to make the Information Day an annual event and hope that we can attract even more people next time.*SEN Parents files for all schools*
Parent Partnership have put together a ‘SEN Parent File’ to be distributed to all schools. The file contains statutory and local SEN information and is designed to be customised by schools and loaned out to parents when a child is identified as having special educational needs. Many schools were able to pick up their file at the Information Day and the remaining schools can collect a copy from any of the Education Centres or by request from their EWO service.Web Alerts!
The Dyspraxia Foundation have relaunched their website - check it out at www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.ukDyslexia Support Group
Please note that the venue for the Durham Dyslexia Support group meetings is now at County Hall, Durham, Committee Room 3b, Meetings held 7.00 - 9.00pm, 3rd Wednesday of the month (term time only) 19 March, 21 May and 18 June 2003.Children's Network Durham
Durham County Council Social Services Department must keep a register of children with Disabilities. It is called the Children's Network. It is for children and young people from birth to 18 years who live in the Durham County Council area. If you would like your child to join contact:- The Project Worker, Children’s Network, Social Services Dept, Room 111, County Hall, Durham. DH1 5UG. Tel: 0191 3834095 Fax: 0191 3834182 Minicom: 0191 3833980.Special Needs Operational Group (S.N.O.G.S.) - Chester le Street
A group of parents and interested professionals recently met together following an initiative from Sure Start. Together they identified a need for a parent support group in the area. The support group to be called ‘ON THE DOORSTEP’ will meet in the Empower building next to Newker Nursery school on Friday afternoons beginning 24 January from 1.30pm till 3.00pm.Meetings will be held all the year round as school holidays were recognised as being a particularly difficult time for parents. Flyers are being prepared to advertise the group locally and the original SNOGS group will continue to meet regularly to plan future activities.
Contact a Family
For families with disabled children
Education and Disability - a Parent’s Guide to Rights from Nursery to UniversityIf you would like a free copy of the pack, please contact Kathy or Sarah at Contact a Family North East on Tel: 0191 2136300.
Wear Valley Carers Initiative
Pauline Lanagan has joined Wear Valley as the new Carers Support Worker. She has taken over the role as Parent Carer Worker, a service developed by Deb Toward (who has since moved on to Barnard Castle). Pauline holds a Parent Carer Group at Stanhope Community Centre on the last Tuesday of each month from 10 to 11.30am. She is keen to start up a new group for Parent Carers in Bishop Auckland and surrounding areas. If anyone is interested in getting involved contact Pauline at the centre on 01388 451400.Sedgefield Locality Carers Centre
Recently held a focus group of 12 carers to ask their opinions on what the Centre is trying to do for carers and about the services they have on offer to support them. The caring roles ranged from parent carers, caring for a parent and finally caring for a husband/wife. This input was found to be very useful and a questionnaire is being prepared to send out to everyone on their database. The results will help them plan future developments in a way that is pro-active and necessary.Two new A5 leaflets now available from Parent Partnership
‘A brief guide to Inclusion Panels’ and ‘The SEN audit explained’.Copies are available by phoning 0191 5873541 or from this website by following the links, learning, school and parental support, Parent Partnership - leaflets.
SEN ICT Support for Pupils with Special Needs
New parent / carer leaflet from The Advisory and Specialist Teaching ServiceThis Service can provide advice and support on the use of Information Technology to enhance the quality of teaching and learning for all pupils with Special Educational Needs. Advice is on offer to school staff, parents / carers and others involved with pupils with SEN on
- Use of ICT to enable greater access to the curriculum
- Programme planning for individual pupils (IEPs)
- Suitable hardware
- Appropriate software
Learning Support Service
New leaflets for parents / carers describing the work of the various branches of the Learning Support Service are now in draft form and will soon be available. Watch this space in the future for details of where they can be picked up. Information topics will include:- General service leaflet for the LSS
- Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia)
- Anxiety Based School Refusal
Dyslexia
Information for ParentsA new leaflet has been prepared by the Educational Psychology Service describing possible signs of dyslexia in children from pre-school right through to secondary age. It gives a description of the condition and offers practical advice to parents and details of how to get help in school. For your copy ring 0191 3840707.
Toby Henderson Trust
Centre for Autism - DevelopmentThe Toby Henderson trust firmly believes that every individual has remarkable qualities and abilities. They aim to access and build upon the skills and abilities of autistic children, and assist them in their personal growth as individuals. They also feel that it is vital to work with the families alongside the child and to support them in challenging or stressful times. They recognise that everyone who walks through their doors is different from the next and all of their programmes are tailored specifically to each individual. Activities include:
- Child development programme
- Hair cutting/shoe-sizing service
- Coffee & conversation afternoon
- Support and Advice
- Information Library
- Speech and language therapy
- Conferences and seminars
- Pre & Post School Playgroup
- Summer School
Derwentside AD/HD Support Group
Monday mornings (term time only) at St. Andrews Centre, Stanley 10.00am-12 noon. Tel: 01207 233338The group provides mutual support and information sharing with other parents and carers.
- Opportunities for parents and carers.
- To socialise with people with similar experiences.
- To meet guest speakers and ask questions.
- To gather useful, relevant information.
- To share good practice and advice with others.
- To do training based around issues that affect you.
- To receive information updates.
- To have tea, coffee or juice and biscuits.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
On the spot help for patients, their carers and familiesThe service can:
- Offer a listening ear.
- Help sort out any problems or concerns.
- Liaise with staff on your behalf.
- Guide you through the NHS.
- Provide information about other local services and support.
- Provide information about the NHS Complaints Procedure should you wish to make a formal complaint.
