Policy, news and initiatives update – Friday 11th November 2011
This weekly update brings together all news items released that may have an impact on KIDS work with disabled children, as well as providing an overview of what avenues we may need to pursue with regards to funding applications.
All weblinks are current and working at the time of writing.
Government:
Voluntary organisations contracted to support children with SEND: www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/inthenews/a00199898/voluntary-and-community-organisations-to-play-a-key-role-in-helping-children-with-special-educational-needs-and-disabilities
DfE & BIS, Children with Special Educational Needs – analysis 2011: www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d001032/index.shtml
Educational Psychologist training covered by £16million of government funding: www.cypnow.co.uk/Education/article/1103573/educational-psychologist-training-covered-16m-government-funding/
Education and Training (Young People with Autism) Bill 2010-2011: http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/educationandtrainingyoungpeoplewithautism.html
New toolkit launched to promote equality and fairness in the NHS: http://mediacentre.dh.gov.uk/2011/11/10/new-toolkit-launched-promote-equality-fairness-in-nhs/
Cuts and changes to projects:
Learning and Skills Network goes into administration: www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/Article/1102735/Learning-Skills-Network-goes-administration/?CMP=EMCSOCEML657
Other news:
Council for Disabled Children hosts national SEND marketplace event: www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/news/july-december-2011/cdc-hosts-national-sen-and-disability-marketplace-event
Adrian Voce launches ‘Policy for Play’: http://policyforplay.com/
Young people with learning difficulties face postcode lottery of provision: www.cypnow.co.uk/Education/article/1102623/young-people-learning-difficulties-face-postcode-lottery-provision/ / www.publicfinance.co.uk/news/2011/11/special-needs-services-for-young-a-postcode-lottery/?CMP=EMCSOCEML657
ALLFIE marks 30 years of key inclusion laws: www.candocango.com/allfie-marks-30-years-of-key-inclusion-laws/ / www.allfie.org.uk
CWDC postpones new learners cut-off deadline to support new Early Years Qualifications Review: www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/news/6561_cwdc-postpones-new-learner-cut-off-deadline-to-support-early-years-qualifications-review
House of Commons faces legal challenge after refusing wheelchair users entry to debate on accessible transport: www.proudlockassociates.com/news/commons-faces-legal-threat-after-debate-access-anger/
Tackling disability discrimination takes more than wheelchair ramps: www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2011/nov/04/disability-discrimination-more-than-wheelchair-ramps
Free nursery places for 140,000 disadvantaged toddlers:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-15675494
Families of adopted disabled children face a double struggle to access services: www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/05/adopted-children-special-needs-support
Ofsted reports increase in ‘excellent children’s services’: www.cypnow.co.uk/Childcare_and_Early_Years/article/1102863/Ofsted-reports-increase-excellent-childrens-services/
School’s urban jungle, nature play trail in Glasgow ‘cuts accidents’:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-15623658
IPA in the process of developing a General Comment on Article 31 of UNCRC: http://ipaworld.org/category/news-and-events/general-comment-on-article-31/
Clock changes ‘stop children’s play’: www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15646812
Charities secure funding to help disadvantaged children up to age 5: www.cypnow.co.uk/Childcare_and_Early_Years/article/1103058/Charities-secure-funding-help-disadvantaged-children/
ACT and Children’s Hospices UK have joined to form Together for Young Lives: www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk
Material deprivation harms children’s wellbeing: www.cypnow.co.uk/Joint_working/article/1102691/material-deprivation-harms-childrens-wellbeing/
Ombudsman identifies common faults of school admission appeal panels: www.cypnow.co.uk/Education/article/1103356/Ombudsman-identifies-common-faults-school-admission-appeal-panels/
Paperchase choose KIDS to benefit from xmas cards: www.kids.org.uk/information/106416/paperchase_2011/
Charities Advisory Service, Scrooge Awards 2011 (charity xmas cards, Paperchase is one of the more ethical companies!): www.charitiesadvisorytrust.co.uk/features/c-34/the-2009-8th-annual-christmas-card-awards/?CMP=EMCSOCEML657
Resources:
CDC, SEND Green Paper – Principles Planning Table: www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/resources/cdcs-resources/send-green-paper-principles-planning-table
Children’s Right to Play, an examination of the importance of play in the lives of children: http://issuu.com/bernardvanleerfoundation/docs/childrens_right_to_play_an_examination_of_the_impo
International Play Association, play resources section: http://ipaworld.org/category/play-resources/
International Labour Organisation ‘Everyone’s Right to be Included’: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSzuh_Wf6uM
NAO ‘Oversight of special education for young people aged 16-25’:
www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc1012/hc15/1585/1585.pdf
Contact a Family, SEN National Advice Service: www.cafamily.org.uk/index.php?module=newsmodule&action=view&id=714&src=@random4864ff40710ee
Preparation for birth and beyond, a resource pack for leaders of community groups: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_130565
Re:Play South East website: www.replayse.org.uk
Families in the Foundation Years, website for professionals: www.foundationyears.org.uk
Children’s Society. ‘Missing Out, a child centred analysis of material deprivation’: www.childrenssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/tcs/Images/missing_out.pdf
As part of Contact a Family’s SEND Information project, SENCOs can receive free access to the online version of the Contact a Family Directory until March 2013, worth £18. The Contact a Family Directory has descriptions of 440 medical conditions and associated support groups. SENCOS can sign up here: www.cafamily.org.uk/cform/contact.htm
www.evenbreak.co.uk is a website for disabled jobseekers and inclusive employers
‘Getting Better’ DVD’s about health for people with learning difficulties: www.teamaroundthechild.com/allnews/publications/452-qgetting-betterq-dvds-about-health-for-people-with-learning-disabilities.html
Dimensions ‘Making it Personal for Everyone’:
www.dimensions-uk.org/leaflets-and-resources/making-it-personal-for-everyone/
Final report on Action for Children’s short breaks services and impact on outcomes: www.teamaroundthechild.com/allnews/campaignnews/455-if-they-took-the-short-break-away-from-me-now-my-family-would-collapse.html
Consultations / Campaigns / Events:
National Quality Improvement Network. A small group of NQIN members is currently working on redeveloping NQIN support materials including the Quality Improvement Principles. They would welcome suggestions in terms of content, target audience and layout. Please contact Heather Ransom with your ideas, email: hransom@ncb.org.uk
DfE consultation on local authority land transfer (schools to academies), closes 18th Jan: www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/inthenews/a00200026/consultation-on-local-authority-land-transfer
FairPlay for Children survey on the Protection of Freedoms Bill, Vetting and Barring: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDFkdkUta3dOd290R01aMUZDZ0NZT2c6MQ
Pre-School Learning Alliance, Outdoor Play Showcase. Lewisham, 24th November: www.daycaretrust.org.uk/pages/sign-up-for-the-outdoor-play-showcasing-event-thursday-24-november-2011-lewisham.html
United Nations International day of Persons with Disabilities. 3rd December: www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1561
Re:Play AGM. Bracknell, 5th December. If you would like to attend or would like further information about the work of Re:Play, email replayenquiries@gmail.com
Children’s Rights Alliance England, AGM. London, 7th December. Details attached.
Westminster Education Forum, supporting young people with SEN. London, 26th January: www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/getting-involved/events/westminster-education-forum-keynote-seminar-supporting-young-people-with-special-educational