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Specialist support
There are many specialist systems in place in schools to support Children and Young People including:
- SENCO’s (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator)
- School Nurses
- CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service)
Community Information Days
Carers in Hertfordshire is holding 2 Community Information Days in partnership with Adfam. The aim of the days is to provide family members with an opportunity to learn about the effects drug and alcohol use has on the family, how this is being tackled in the community and local services that are available for families to access support. Details of the events are below:
- Thursday 2nd June 2011 from 10am to 3pm at All Saints Church, Gosforth Lane, South Oxhey and again
- Thursday 16th June 2011 from 10am to 3pm Wolsey Hall, Windmill Lane, Cheshunt
The following agencies will have information stands and staff available to answer questions and there will be workshops:
- Money Advice Unit - Benefits Workshop
- Adfam - Family Dynamics (2nd June only)
- HertsRITE - Confidence building
- PDAS - Drug and alcohol awareness
- HCC - Carers Rights
Other partners will also have stands on the day including: Herts Constabulary, POWhER, Health and Community Services (HCC), HPfT, TP, WDP, The Living Room, Job Centre Plus, Hertspeak and Core Kids, and many more.
Service Users and family members will need to register to attend either day and can do so either online or, by phone 01462 456660 or 01992 586969.
For 2nd June event South Oxhey: http://www.carersinherts.org.uk/taking-care-of-you/events-external-lnk/event/273-community-information-day
For 16th June event Cheshunt http://www.carersinherts.org.uk/how-we-can-help/events/event/274-community-information-day
Please contact Carers in Herts or Adfam for further information.
Parenting Courses
For parents with additional needs or parents of children with additional needs.8 weeks, Thursdays 1pm - 3pm, starting 21st October.
Pre-school Learning Alliance have been commissioned by HCC to roll out a series of workshops aimed at parents/carers of a disabled child. The workshops are part of the DCatch programme - Disabled Children's Access to Childcare.
The aim of the workshops is to provide information about accessing childcare in the county and the options available to parents that meet their specific needs.
Information will also be given on training and career opportunities; and parents accessing the workshops will have the opportunity to access the level 1 Award in an Introduction to Early Years.
Aiming High for Disabled Children - February Courses
Various courses including;
- Communicating Effectively with Children & Young People
(including introduction to non-verbal communication) - Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD:
How to Include & How to Reduce Challenging Behaviour - How to Provide Sensory Play at Little or No Cost (including calming methods)
- Promoting Positive Behaviour
- An Introduction to Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Child & Parent Support Workers
The Government wants to make this country the best in the world for children and young people to grow up in. The Department of Children Schools and Families is going to achieve this by putting the needs of families, children and young people at the centre of everything it does. One of the initiatives recommended is the engagement of Parent Support Workers (PSW’s) to improve contact with parents and children through extended schools.
The emphasis for PSW’s is on helping parents to engage with their children’s learning by offering support and access to information where needed. This will include information sessions around school transition, signposting to services, parenting groups and family learning.
Sheila Thorpe, Child & Parent Support Worker (Primary)
Sheila.thorpe@camp.herts.sch.uk
07827 977484
Sheila hopes to become a familiar face having already met lots of children, parents and staff across the consortium. Sheila says:
"since having my own children, and with with middle one being Autistic, I often found myself looking for solutions for a variety of issues. This in turn led me to help others in similar circumstances. This role is an exciting opportunity for extending support and providing information to children, parents and staff. So whether you are interested in exploring parenting issues or gaining a new skill, have a problem or something to celebrate, I am here to help."
Jenni Murray - Young People & Parent Support Worker (Secondary)
- Jenni.murray@camp.herts.sch.uk
- 07827 977485
Jenni provides a support role at the two secondary schools as the Young People and Parent Worker. Jenni is a volunteer mentor for Connexions and previously worked with Nicholas Breakspear in a learning support role. She lives within the Consortium, has children attending local schools and sees this role as an excellent opportunity to work locally and introduce some of the courses and activities we have available for both young people and parents.
Educational Psychology & Behaviour Support Team
Are you a Parent or a Teacher? Would you like to speak to a member of our Educational Psychology or Behaviour Support Team about your/a child’s development and progress?
Parents and teachers have the opportunity to speak to members of our Educational Psychology and Behaviour Support Team about their/a child's progress and development/other issues of concern within the School and /or home environment.
SPACE Grief Programme
SPACE is a grief programme which aims to provide bereaved children with the opportunity to meet others with similar experiences and encourages open communication within families.
A specially designed 6 week grief support programme, for children between 5-15 years old, who have had a loss 6 months ago or more, and their parent or carer.
The next programme is on
Mondays 5 pm - 6.30 pm for 6 weeks
From
8th November until 13th December
at
The Art Room, Fleetville Junior School,
228 Hatfield Rd, St Albans AL1 4LW
Coffee Morning
For parents of children with additional needs Please drop in for a coffee and informal chat at St Luke’s School, Crouch Hall Lane, Redbourn AL3 7ET
09.30-11.30 on: Monday 07 March, Monday 09 May, Monday 06 June, Monday 04 July
Counselling
The Alban Way is currently developing a Counselling Service within all schools to support the services already in operation.
Integrated Practice (CAF)
Integrated Practice, including the Common Assessment Framework (CAF), is a key part of delivering frontline services that are integrated and focused around the needs of children and young people. The CAF is a standardised approach to conducting an assessment of a child's additional needs and deciding how those needs should be met. It can be used by practitioners across children's services in England.
The CAF will promote more effective, earlier identification of additional needs, particularly in universal services. It is intended to provide a simple process for a holistic assessment of a child's needs and strengths, taking account of the role of parents, carers and environmental factors on their development.
Practitioners will then be better placed to agree, with the child and family, about what support is appropriate. The CAF will also help to improve integrated working by promoting co-ordinated service provision.
Common Assessment Framework - Every Child Matters
The roll out of the Common Assessment Framework within the Dacorum District is at a very early stage, as it is within the whole of the county. Please keep referring to this website for more details as they will be posted as the role out of the CAF gathers momentum.
CAF
in Hertfordshire (450KB)
If you have any questions regarding the role out of the CAF, contact the District CAF Manager Pam Mogford.
Disabled Parents Network
www.disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk DPN aim to support disabled parents whether their disability be physical or sensory impairment, learning difficulties, mental health issues, long term illness, drug or alcohol dependance. There is a helpline and advocacy service and regular newsletter.
SNAP Hertfordshire
Special Needs Activities and Play
The scheme offers a service to young people aged 3 to 19 years old, who have learning disabilities of varying severity. Some service users may also have physical or sensory disabilities and/or behaviour that is challenging.
The schemes are based in local schools and provide play opportunities for over 200 young people. The schemes run during the Easter, Christmas and Summer school holidays in Dacorum, St. Albans/Harpenden and Welwyn Garden City/Hatfield Areas.
We also run a monthly Saturday Club in Hemel Hempstead and St. Albans. This group is designed for children who are 8 years – 18 years.
The play scheme teams work to provide a varied and interesting programme that is implemented by staff and volunteers.
On each site the scheme has access to basic school facilities but has its own toys and equipment.