Council and local partners run SEND and Alternative Provision strategy consultation
Telford & Wrekin Council and local partner organisations are running a consultation for parents/carers, children, young people, family carers and professionals to have their say on a new draft strategy set out to improve services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 0 to 25.
This consultation is a result of the council’s ongoing collaboration with PODS, as part of the SEND “Working Together” Charter, that ensures borough families and their children and young people with special needs and disabilities are listened to, cared for and involved in decision-making on services that impact them.
The council has published the draft SEND and alternative provision strategy to set out how children and young people with SEND and those using alternative provision* will benefit from better support services and better outcomes over the next five years.
PODS Parent Carer Forum and families have been involved in workshops over the last few months to support the development of the draft strategy. Health, social care and education support services as well as early years settings, schools and post 16 providers also provided their input.
People are invited to share their views on the draft SEND and alternative provision strategy by completing an online survey on the council’s SEND Local Offer website.
Paper copies of the survey are available on request by calling 01952 385399 (9am-5pm, weekdays)
The consultation runs until 16 March 2023.
Councillor Shirley Reynolds (Lab), cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families, said:
“We want all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in our borough to succeed in life and be well supported throughout their education, so they can live happy and fulfilling lives as adults. We are absolutely on their side!
“Whilst we are proud of the work we’ve achieved so far (together with PODS, families, schools, health and voluntary partners) to support the borough’s children and young people with SEND, we will always strive for better to improve our services to them.
“That’s why we now want to hear from as many children and young people with SEND, their parents, carers and professionals as possible to understand, if the draft-five year strategy developed together with them does indeed make a positive difference to their lives.
“This is your chance to shape the final strategy so please share your views until 16 March 2023.
“This consultation part of our “Working Together Charter” with PODS underlines once again our firm commitment to keep the involvement of families, children and young people at the heart of everything we do and to engage them in the development of services that matter to them.”
Jayne Stevens, Strategic Co-ordinator at PODS, says: "The families that our Charity works with have told us how important it is to ensure the best educational opportunities for their children and young people, with the right support at the right time – across education, plus education and care where needed. We want families to continue to feel involved and supported.
“That’s why we have been working together with the council, NHS partners and a range of professionals to launch the draft SEND and alternative provision strategy – which helps shape the future of SEND services and its educational offer in our borough for the next five years.
“We are encouraging people to take part in the consultation so as to have their final say on the strategy and suggest any further improvements to it.
“Every feedback counts - Together we can 'Make A Difference'.”
*Alternative provision helps children who need extra help to stay in and enjoy learning at their mainstream school, or provides specialist places and support for those who would benefit from spending time away from their school.
Background:
To find out more about the SEND & Alternative Provision Strategy and the consultation that runs until 16 March 2023, visit the council’s SEND Local Offer website.
This consultation is part of the “Working Together Charter” that Telford & Wrekin Council, PODS Parent Carer Forum and NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin have recently launched to ensure borough families and their children or young people with special needs are listened to, cared for and provided with appropriate support.
The Charter is published on the council’s SEND Local Offer website where people can also find, in one place, useful information, advice and guidance on local services and activities to support children and young people with special needs.
PODS (Parents Opening Doors) has been set up in 2008 and is a parent carer/peer led charity in Telford and Wrekin, with staff and volunteers who have the relevant ‘real life’ experience to involve and support families who have a child with a disability or additional need (aged 0 – 25 years).
The charity delivers a unique offer to families through the Parent Carer Forum that involves families in decision making, how services are co-produced and delivered and strategic planning. Wider charity offers include a range of services and projects.
PODS has been recognised with Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2022, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Year.
Families who wish to join PODS Parent Carer Forum or find out more about their wider Charity offers including activities and groups, befriending and support can contact support@podstelford.org
Photo caption (from the right): Jayne Stevens, Strategic Co-ordinator PODS Parent Carer Forum with Councillor Shirley Reynolds (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families (second, centre) and PODS members of staff and volunteers
