SEND News and Updates

This page is frequently updated with the latest news and updates for parents and professionals in relation to SEND, this includes a range of local activities and useful resources.

Join Sutton Youth Board in improving where you live and study in the Borough of Sutton

Help Sutton Youth Board get your voice heard to improve where you live and study in the Borough of Sutton.

Benefits on joining them include:

• Direct contact with decision makers

• Represent what is important to you

• Get your views taken seriously

• By young people for young people

• Plenty of snacks

When:

Thursday 5th December

Where:

Central Sutton location

RSVP your space by contacting: youngcommissioners@vcsutton.org.uk

The Autism Project are currently recruiting for their January and September cohort 2025

The Autism Project would like to invite you to attend one of their monthly Zoom information sessions. The sessions are a chance to hear from staff and ask them questions.

When:

• November 29th 2024, 1:00pm

• December 27th 2024, 1:00pm

• January 31st 2025, 1:00pm

• February 28th 2025, 1:00pm

• March 28th 2025, 1:00pm

• April 25th 2025, 1:00pm

• May 30th 2025, 1:00pm

• June 27th 2025, 1:00pm

If you would like to attend then click on the link to register [External Link]

Council launches new SEND and Alternative Provision strategy at event for young people

Hundreds of young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Sutton attended the Council’s third Preparation for Adulthood event on 7 November at Westcroft Leisure Centre.

Preparation for Adulthood forms part of the Council’s new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Strategy 2024-27 [External Link]. 

Read the full article on the Council website [External Link].

Free online 'Identity and self-exploration' group for young neurodivergent and/or disabled people aged 13-25

This group will give young people a space to talk, share and ask questions around their identity and identifying themselves. The young people will be given the space to think about all different elements of their identity and how they intersect with other elements. We will be thinking about taking your time to explore, change over time, self-acceptance,  how labels help some people and how labels do not feel necessary or helpful for other people. The group will be facilitated by neurodivergent and/or disabled youth-workers and mental health professionals from the LGBT + community.

If you know of any young people who might benefit, please share with them the below information. The group is open to all neurodivergent and/or disabled (or those awaiting or with suspected diagnosis) young people aged 13-25 regardless of how they do or don't identify, however the group could be especially beneficial to questioning young people. I have also attached a social media poster which if you can promote or share with your relevant networks, we would be really grateful.

"Finding your space and understanding yourself can be hard. Come along to this group to learn more about yourself and others. Accepting and understanding your own identity can help better your mental health. You will get to connect to your peers and make friends. You will also get to hear real life experiences and get advice from youth workers from diverse communities.

All discussion and participation in our groups is always optional, so please feel free to come along to learn and listen only.

This online group will be held on Tuesday 20 August from 5pm - half 6pm.

You can book online here: Identity and Self-Exploration - Young People's Hub from KIDS [External Link].

We run other online wellbeing groups for young neurodivergent and/or disabled people aged 13-25, please check them all out here: Our groups - Young People's Hub from KIDS [External Link].

If you have any questions or want to chat about your accessibility needs and how we can support you prior to accessing the group, please email:  orla.price@kids.org.uk

Ordinarily Available Provision Workshops for Families

A session focusing on supporting pupils with additional needs in early years setting (nurseries), schools and colleges. In addition to the main session you can also book individual surgeries with:

• Jane Morgan (Head of SEND Support)

• Amalia Banon (Head of SEND)

• Sandra Anto-Awuakye (Health)

• Claire Jackson (Social Care)

When: Friday 21st June 2024. Session: 9.30-10.30am, surgeries: 10.30am-12pm

Where: Cognus, Cantium House, Railway Approach, Wallington, SM6 0DZ

To book your place in the session, or for any of the surgeries, please email cpdadmin@cognus.org.uk

20 Week Process Workshop for Families

A session focusing on the 20 week process for pupils entering the SEND service. This includes on the EHCNA and EHCP process and the right to mediation and appeal. There will be a main session but you can also book individual surgeries with:

• Amalia Banon (Head of SEND)

• Jane Morgan (Head of SEND Support)

• Sandra Anto-Awuakye (Health)

• Claire Jackson (Social Care)

When: Friday 21st June 2024. Session: 1.30-2.30pm, surgeries: 2.30-4pm

Where: Cognus, Cantium House, Railway Approach, Wallington, SM6 0DZ

To book your place in the session, or for any of the surgeries, please email cpdadmin@cognus.org.uk

Transition to Secondary School Session

Transfer to Secondary School for current Year 5 pupils with Education Health and Care Plans.

As part of your child’s transfer to secondary school in September 2025, Cognus would like to invite parent/carers to meet with us to discuss the process. The SEND team is offering a meeting at the Cognus office at Cantium House, Railway Approach Wallington, Surrey, SM6 ODZ to discuss the secondary transfer process on **8 May 2024 at 10am, **followed by workshops with the following teams:

1. Independent Travel Training and Assisted Travel teams

2. Therapy teams, both Speech & Language and Occupational Therapy

3. SIASS – Sutton Information, Advice and Support Service Generic questions can be asked at these sessions. 

Please book a place (slots between 10.00am and 12 noon) via sen.team@cognus.org.uk by Friday 3 May 2024.

Post 16 Transition Session

Post 16 Transfer for current Year 10 pupils with Education Health and Care Plans.

As part of your child’s transfer to post 16 education in September 2025, Cognus would like to invite parent/carers to meet with us to discuss the process. The SEND team is offering a meeting at the Cognus office at Cantium House, Railway Approach Wallington, Surrey, SM6 ODZ to discuss the post 16 transfer process on 24 April 2024 at 10am, followed by workshops with the following teams:

1. Independent Travel Training and Assisted Travel teams

2. Therapy teams, both Speech & Language and Occupational Therapy

3. SIASS – Sutton Information, Advice and Support Service

4. Partner colleges Generic questions can be asked at these sessions. 

Please book a place (slots between 10.00am and 12 noon)via sen.team@cognus.org.uk by Friday 19 April 2024.

Come and Shape Your Local Parent Carer Forum

A message from Lara from Contact:

"My name is Lara and I am here in Sutton to hear from you on what you want from your local parent carer forum, a forum is: 

'A Parent Carer Forum is an organised group of parents and carers of disabled children and young people (0-25 years old) from a local area. Their aim is to work in a solution focused way to make sure that services in your local area meet the needs of children and young people with SEND/additional needs and their families.'

I have been asked by Contact (a national charity) to hear from the local area on what you want from a forum.

Come along on 18th March in person or join us online on 21st March to hear about what a parent carer forum is, to talk to me about how you would like it to work and if you want to be part of developing the forum! 

Please click on this link to register your place on the form here [External Link] or you can email me if you need more information on lara.oconnell@contact.org.uk

Please share this information and the information in the attached poster with other parent carer's and I look forward to hearing from you!"

When: Face to Face - Monday 18th March 2024, 12 - 1:30pm, Online - Thursday 21st March 2024, 7-8pm

Where: Face to Face - Sutton Salvation Army Church, 45 Benhill Avenue, Sutton, SM1 4DD

Supported Internship Information Session for Parents and Carers

Want to know what a Supported Internship is? Come along to an online information session for parent/carers of young people aged 14-25 who have an Education Health and Care Plan to find out more about Supported Internships and how to get one. You will have the chance to hear from 2 providers of Supported Internships in Sutton and ask Benefit questions to Sutton’s Welfare Benefits Advice & Support Team Manager.

When: Monday 11th March 2024, 10:30 – 11:30 am

Where: Online

If you would like to attend, make sure you sign up by Wednesday 6th March. To do this, fill out the form here [External Link].

The Change Foundation – Adapted Sports Club

Are you or someone you know looking to try out adapted sports? The Change Foundation are hosting an adapted sports taster session on Tuesday 9th of April between 10 am and 11 am. A variety of inclusive sports will be available including table tennis, cricket and handball!

When: Tuesday 9th April, 10 – 11am

Where: The Cricket Centre, Plough Lane, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 8JQ

To sign up and show your interest, fill out the form here [External Link].

If you have any questions, please contact Programme Manager Ryan Jones at ryanjones@changefdn.org.uk.

Cognus Autism Acceptance Events

The Cognus Autism Service is holding a wide range of events during autism acceptance week. There are events for young people and parents on a range of topics including crafting sessions, drama therapy and supporting challenging behaviour. To view all the events and to book your place, visit the Cognus Eventbrite page [External Link].

Your Voice Matters Report – January 2024

Barnardo’s recently spoke to young people at the Preparation for Adulthood event in November 2023. To see what they found out, read the Your Voice Matters Report – January 2024 [External Link].

New Cognus Website

The new Cognus website is now live! Be sure to explore it and have a look around. You can find out more about Cognus and the services they provide on their website [External Link].

SIASS Social Media

Be sure to keep up to date with all the latest news over at SIASS by visiting their social media pages!

SIASS Facebook [External Link]

SIASS Twitter [External Link]

SIASS Instagram [External Link]

SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan Resources

The Council for Disabled Children have provided some resources setting out the actions government will take to improve the SEND and AP systems.

Read SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan Resources [External Link]. 

National Autistic Society Card and Autism Alert scheme

If you are autistic of have a family member who is autistic, sometimes it's helpful to have a discreet way to let people know you're autistic and might need a bit more support. Here are two different schemes which might be helpful. 

• National Autistic Society Care is a good way for you to let people know that you are autistic and that you might need some extra time or help in certain situations. Download the Autistic Society Card from the national autistic society website [External Link].

• The MET police has an 'autism alert' scheme, a credit card sized card and a more detailed A5 size passport which gives more details. Once an officer is handed the card, it helps identify the person is autistic and has additional needs. If you would like one for you or your family, email autism@met.police.uk to ask for one and it will be sent to you. The police do not hold any personal data. 

ZSL London Zoo Community Access Scheme

Sutton Council is taking part in the community access scheme with ZSL London Zoo which allows the Council's people services and voluntary and community sector groups to access discounted tickets to the zoo for the people they work with. 

£3 tickets available for: low income families or individuals (proof of eligibility not required when booking via an organisation) and refugees

£6.50 tickets available for people over the age of 60 and may be at risk of isolation and people that have additional needs or disabilities (Free entry for one essential carer per paying disabled visitor). 

Fill in the form on the ZSL website to apply [External Link]. Select 'Sutton' for where users are based. 

Email communityengagement@zsl.org for more information. 

Cost of Living Support

We are here to help you and those you care about with the rising cost of living.

Find out about the range of support provided by Sutton Council, community groups, local charities, and partners on the LBS website [External Link]. 

The HOPE Study (Health Outcomes of young People throughout Education)

The HOPE study is a new study at UCL and is funded by the National Institute for Health Research Programme for Applied Health Research. The Hope Study is investigating the impact of adjustments for special educational needs or disability (SEND) on children’s health using linked education and hospital data for all children in England (the ECHILD database).

The findings will enable policy makers, service providers and users to make evidence-informed decisions about benefits from SEND provision for health and education and which children benefit.

Find out how to get involved through the UCL website [External Link].