Volume 3 Issue 6
Positive Strategies to Survive the Stresses and Strains
A Share Plus training course specially adapted for parents of children with learning and/or behaviour difficulties. This course is the second in a series of 4 x 2 hour sessions to run weekly from Wednesday 14 November until Wednesday 5 December 2007 9.30 to 11.30am at The Louisa Centre, Stanley.
Topics to be covered include:
- Supporting your child’s learning
- Managing behaviour at home
- Looking after yourself
To book a place ring Parent Partnership on 0191 5873541. This course is to be offered in other parts of County Durham later in the school year. Details to be included in future issues of ‘What’s Going On?’
ContactPoint
Because Every Child Matters
ContactPoint will be the quick way to find out who else is working with the same child or young person, making it easier to deliver more coordinated support. This basic online directory will be available to authorised staff who need it to do their jobs. It is a key part of the Every Child Matters programme to improve outcomes for children.
The purpose of ContactPoint is to help improve services to children with a strong emphasis on early intervention and prevention. Currently practitioners can spend days trying to find out who else is working with the same child or unknowingly duplicate work that is already being carried out by another service. ContactPoint has been designed to support the processes followed by those who work with children.
Access to ContactPoint will be restricted to authorised professionals working with children. This will include some people working in health, social care, education, youth offending and the voluntary sectors. Children and parents will also be able to see what information about them is stored on ContactPoint according to the Data Protection Act. Anyone accessing ContactPoint will need to have a recent enhanced CRB certificate and will be required to undertake training in how to use the system responsibly. They will also need to provide a reason for accessing a record, and any access will be recorded as part of an audit trail.
ContactPoint will be made available to local authorities in England during 2008. For further information visit Every Child Matters - Contact Point
Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Some children and adults with severe learning disabilities typically display behaviour which may put themselves or others at risk, or which may prevent the use of ordinary community facilities or a normal home life. This behaviour may be in the form of aggression, self-injury, stereotyped behaviour or disruptive and destructive behaviours.
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation exists to demonstrate that individuals with SLD who are described as having challenging behaviour can enjoy normal life opportunities when their behaviour is properly understood and appropriately managed. The foundation supports parents and carers through education and information to enable this to happen.
Originally started by a parent to provide help and information to other parents, the CBF’s expertise is now recognised by a growing number of learning disability organisations and professionals. For more information ring 01634 838739 or check out their website on The Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Dyslexia SOS Course September 2007
Parent Partnership has again teamed up with Education in the Community to offer a further 2 repeats of this useful course. The 10 week programme is aimed at giving parents a better understanding of dyslexia and strategies to support their child’s learning. Shelagh Harrison is the tutor and completion of the course offers the option of a possible accreditation if a portfolio is required.
One course will be held at County Hall, Durham, starting on Monday 17 Sept. 2007, 4.30pm to 6.30pm.(during term time)
The second course is to run at Clayport Library, Durham starting Tuesday 30 October 1.00pm to 3.00pm. For further information or to book a place please contact Ann at Parent Partnership on 0191 5873541 or Chris on 0191 3740507.
Changes to School Behaviour Policies
Procedures following a Permanent Exclusion
It is the responsibility of the school during the first 5 days of a permanent exclusion to ensure that work is sent home for the pupil to complete. During these initial 5 days of exclusion the parents of the excluded pupil must ensure that their child is not found in a public place during normal school hours without reasonable justification. Parents may be subject to a Fixed Penalty Notice if they fail to do this.
From the 6th day of a permanent exclusion the Local Authority (LA) is statutorily responsible for ensuring that suitable full-time education is provided. In cases where the pupil lives in a different LA from the school, this will be the pupil’s home LA.
Procedures following a Fixed Term Exclusion
Exclusions up to 5 consecutive days – work should be set and marked by the school. During this period the parents of the excluded pupil must ensure that their child is not found in a public place during normal school hours without reasonable justification. Parents may be subject to a Fixed Penalty Notice if they fail to do this.
Exclusions for 6 consecutive days or longer – the school has a duty to arrange suitable full-time educational provision from and including the 6th day of the exclusion. (Schools need to insert their agreed arrangements.)
Behaviour outside of School
A school’s Behaviour Policy may regulate pupil’s behaviour where the pupils are neither on school premises nor in the charge of school staff, where it is reasonable to do so. The school’s Behaviour Policy should provide for the circumstances where the school may discipline pupils for bad behaviour outside of school.The Transporters
Do you care for a child with autism between the ages of two and eight?
The Transporters is a fun new animation series designed to help children with autism discover all about people’s emotions. It shows a world of imaginary toy vehicle characters who have emotional experiences and adventures. It aims to help children enhance their understanding of the causes of emotions and of emotional expressions. There are 8 characters in the series, all toy vehicles with their own personalities and function. They are part of a toy set in a child’s bedroom; an environment that is designed to be predictable but not distracting.
The series was created especially for children with ASD who find it hard to recognise causes of emotion and facial expressions of emotion. Children who don’t naturally want to look at people’s unpredictable faces may be interested in the characters’ faces. It may then become easier for them to learn to understand the meaning of others’ facial expressions.
To meet the characters and for more information visit:- The Transporters
County Durham Autistic Support Group
Darlington Support Group
1st Tuesday of the month at Darlington Education Village, Salters Lane South, Next meeting Tues 4 Sept at 10:00am. This is an informal, information sharing meeting for parents to discuss their support needs and how CDASG can help.Stanley Support Group
Next meeting - Thurs 20 Sept at 1:00pm at the Child Development Centre, Annfield Plain. This is an informal meeting with a chance to chat to other parents over a coffee. Children are very welcome. following meetings will be on Thursdays 18 Oct and 22nd Dec at 1pm.CDASG Winter Conference
Saturday 6 October 2007 at the Educational Village, Darlington 9 – 4.15CDASG Committee Meeting
7:00pm on Monday 10 September 2007 at the Thinford Pub on the A167. New members are always welcome as are any new ideas and offers of help to run the group. For more information on any of the above meetings ring Helen Geldard on 01388 819880 or email helen.geldard@cdasg.org.ukDurham and Chester le Street Carers Support Website
Durham and Chester-le-Street Carers Support
This site includes a full information directory about disabilities, conditions and illnesses with an explanation about each. Plus links to specialised groups or organisations who may be able to help. The directory is regularly updated so if you have any new information that would be useful to include please let them know by emailing the group on info@dccarers.org You can also use the site to view newsletters, reports, surveys and much more.
Dealing with Debt for Families with Disabled Children
It is a worrying fact that many families who have a disabled child may be living in or near poverty. Contact a Family has now designed a very good fact sheet, which shows families how to be proactive in tackling their debt. It explains the consequences of not repaying different types of debt and suggests ways to increase household income (by claiming available benefits).For further information ring 0808 8083555 or email helpline@cafamily.org.uk .
or visit Contact a Family
