Welcome to the October 2018 Early Years SEND Information Bulletin – due to issues with Elearning this is being emailed to all settings. Please make sure this is passed on to the SENCo.
elearning website
We have received feedback from settings that they cannot access the elearning website. We have reported this issue and are hopeful that this will be resolved sooner rather than later. In the meantime, please get in touch with Tina Newman at 01634 334016 or tina.newman@medway.gov.uk should you require any help.
New funding application forms
We have received notification from Genny Cherriman SEN Manager that she would like to align all funding applications from both schools and PVI’s. Thus the funding forms have changed – there is a Nursery application for High Needs/SEN inclusion funding. In addition there is a provision map to complete. This will be on an excel document so as you complete the amount of support you require for a child this will total so that you don’t have to do any adding up! Please make sure that you work on this spreadsheet. The final format and examples will go on Elearning at the end of this week we wanted to give you a head’s up. Remember if funding is agreed and needs to be reviewed you will not receive a reminder but would need to re-apply in good time to ensure there is a continuation of funding. Both the Nursery application form and the provision map need to be sent to Jackie Andrew, SEN Office and Allocations Manager. If you have access to Egress then you are able to send it securely to jackie.andrew@medway.gov.uk – together with any supporting evidence. If you are in the middle of completing an application and have used the existing forms these will be accepted.
Tina Newman will email the new funding forms to you if you can’t get on to elearning – she may be contacted via 01634 334016 or tina.newman@medway.gov.uk
Sending information through the post
SEN have asked that if you send applications for funding or EHC’s through the post please could you ensure that you use the correct postage.
SEN Training
There are still limited places for the following courses being held at Gun Wharf:
The Role of SENCo – Thursday, 1st November – 9.30 – 2.30
This is a full days training for those new to the role.
Using Resources to support children with SEND – Monday, 5th November – 9.30-2.30
This is for SENCos or Practitioners and will show you how everyday items can be used to support children in a variety of activities. Please note this is a repeat training session so if you have already attended as SENCo you may suggest a member of your team attends.
If you would like to book a place please contact Tina Newman on 01634 334016 or tina.newman@medway.gov.uk. We will be limiting delegates one per setting but Tina will keep a waiting list should you want another member of staff to attend.
MCH online referral
You can now make online referrals to the Children’s Community Team – please see link below. We were advised to use Google Chrome web browser instead of Internet Explorer. This allows you to send the form securely direct to the CTT. You will receive an email as a receipt so you know that the referral has gone through.
https://www.medwaycommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk/forms-a-to-z/form-display/48870/
SENCo Surgeries
You should all now know who your SEND Practitioner is – this person will be your named contact for any issues relating to SEND. If appropriate they will be arranging a termly SENCo surgery to discuss the most complex children. Please remember to complete a parental consent form to enable this discussion to take place. An updated template for you to use is available on Elearning. A record of visit will be issued copy for you and parents summarising the conversation and outlining next steps.
Information from Andy Wilson 30 Hours Delivery Consultant Early Years Sufficiency Team
As part of the government support for the 30 Hours funding, Childcare Works are offering Provider and Professionals’ updates. We have the opportunity to offer this for all professionals on 17 October in the morning. This would be a two hour session covering the content below. There would be no cost to this session for any member of staff. The update would be delivered by Ann Van Dyke who is the Programme Adviser for Childcare Works.
Supporting take up of the early years entitlements
As from September 2017 some families have been able to access 30 hours of free childcare, in addition to some already accessing 15 hours as children turn 2, 3 and 4 years old. Tax free childcare is also now supporting with the cost of childcare, and in turn all of these offers are supporting child outcomes and lifting some families out of poverty and into work.
This session will support your understanding of why and how these changes impact on families, particularly the most disadvantaged. It will also develop your role in supporting informed choices for families, take up of the entitlements and improve outcomes for children.
Session aims:
Understand the context for the existing and extended entitlements
Outline the eligibility criteria, delivery model and processes for families
Understand our collective role in supporting take up by families
Understand our different customer journeys (parents), particularly the most disadvantaged
Create a prompt sheet to support what to say (and not say)
To know where to go for further information
This session will be most appropriate and recommended for your front line staff who work directly with families e.g. Children's Centres, Family support workers, Health visitors, community Nursery nurses, volunteers, job centre plus etc.
As a result of this session your staff members will be better informed to support the children they work with, helping parents back to education or the work place and signposting children to accessing high quality early education
The session will take place on 17th October 2018 in the morning from 9.30-11.30pm at The King Charles Hotel.
Please book your place via familyinfo@medway.gov.uk. Please highlight your name and service in the email.
Change in setting’s contact details
Please could you make sure that if the details for your setting change that you let us know by contacting Tina Newman or your Early Years SEND Practitioner so that we can update our records.