Welcome to our SEND Information for Parents page. This page will be updated regularly with school and government updates related to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
As a school we are proud to be inclusive and to reflect the local community in which we live. Our school is situated in one of the highest population areas of SEND in our local authority. As a result, we have a wonderful diverse range of needs and abilities in our school. We are committed to ensuring the curriculum is not narrowed for our pupils with SEND and they have the same experiences as every other child. The delivery of the curriculum may be adapted and scaffolded but the learning is challenging and focused on each individual reaching their full potential.
You can find our full SEND Information Report here.
If you have any questions regarding your child’s needs or support, please contact our SENCO, Mrs Newbrook, on 0191 4893143 or at [email protected]
Please see links to useful websites below.
ICT in schools is a South Tyneside Local Authority website which has a SEND portal, sharing information for families of children with SEND and professionals who work with them. It is updated regular with resources and useful information.
The Local Offer outlines support that is available in our borough for children and adults who have SEND and their families.
BBC Bitesize has a Parents’ Toolkit for. It has links to lots of useful information relating to all types of SEND and practical support materials which you may find useful.
The Stronger Together Strategy outlines our Local Authority’s aims to provide the best care and provision for people with SEND in our Region.
Autism Awareness
There are some brilliant services and charities in our local area to support families around Autism. Please see information below and speak to your child’s class teacher or Mrs Newbrook if you require any additional advice or support.
The Autism Hub
The Autism Hub provides pre- and post-diagnostic support to families and carers of children and young people, with or without a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), up to the age of 18. It uses a family-centred approach, offering practical skills, advice, strategies, and a listening ear.
The team provides support to families and carers when:
- they think their child or young person may have ASD.
- they are currently being diagnosed.
- their child or young person has a diagnosis.
Referrals can be made by ringing 0191-816-0550 or by emailing [email protected].
For further information on support groups and upcoming events, see their website.
The Autism Hub – Events and Support Groups
South Tyneside ASD parent support group
A group for parents and carers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Come along and join for advice, support, or just a chat. Running alongside this will be a junior activity club to enable you to bring your child along while you attend the meeting. Meetings are held at Jarrow Children’s Centre twice a month on Monday evenings from 5.15 pm to 6.45 pm.
South Tyneside ASD Parent Support Group
North East Autism Society
The North East Autism Society provides support for autistic people and their families across the North-east pre, during, and post-diagnosis. It has a variety of resources to support family development of children who have autism.
North East Autism Society Family Resources
Dimensions
Dimensions supports people with learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs to lead ordinary lives. This organisation tests out and seeks out autism-friendly venues and events, including autism-friendly cinema screenings. To find an autism-friendly cinema screening, click the link below.
Dimensions – Autism-friendly Cinema Screenings
The World Health Organisation have created a story book for children aged 6-11 years about COVID 19 that is also available in different languages.
Public Health England have produced guidance to families on promoting children’s mental health and wellbeing at this time.
Living Paintings Audio App
Living Paintings’ daily Soundcloud channel. Each day they are offering a fantastic track from their Living Paintings’ audio library. Whether you’re self-isolating, home-schooling during social distancing or simply need to unwind from a day at work, they’ve got something for everyone – of all ages. Tune into their selection of tracks for mindfulness and story time, nature trails and celebrity chat every day! You can also access the channel through their Facebook page.
Think Ninja App
As a direct response to the current crisis, Healios have updated ThinkNinja with specific COVID-19 support scripts. The new content brings self-help skills and knowledge to young people (10-18 years old) who maybe experiencing increased anxiety and stress during this time.
Healios have also made ThinkNinja open to all young people during the crisis, so it is freely available to everyone across the UK.
The new COVID-19 content provides an opportunity for young people to understand the following aspects:
* Fears relating to the virus
* Isolation struggles and how to stay connected to family and friends
* Worries about personal health and health of family members
* Coping techniques to use during the crisis
* Other helpful tips
If you want to know more about ThinkNinja please go to the following website:
https://www.healios.org.uk/services/thinkninja1
Resources for parents for children with SEND can be found below
RNIB advice and support for parents re COVID-19
https://www.rnib.org.uk/advice/children-young-people-education
Valley View SEND Updates
Friday 9th October 2020
This is an opportunity for parents and carers to ask questions and share experiences of SEND services for children and young people in South Tyneside.
You’ll also hear about the exciting new approach to involving parents and carers in decisions about SEND services in the borough.
Andy Ritchie (Service Manager – SEND Access & Inclusion) will answer your questions about SEND services for children and young people in South Tyneside and the help and support available for their families. You’ll also meet Mehrnaz and Becca, our new SEND Participation Workers, as well as Catherine Ratcliffe from Contact (a support organisation for Parent Carer Forums).
This ‘question and answer’ session is the first step in a new engagement approach that will ensure parents have a strong voice in the provision of SEND services in South Tyneside. We hope you’ll join us on this exciting journey to improve services for families and our SEND Local Offer.
The dates for these events are Tuesday 21st October 10:30-11:00, Wednesday 22nd October 19:00-19:30 and Thursday 23rd October 13:30-14:00.
There are limited spaces available, so please book your space early.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/124403587479
Monday 1st June 2020
Here is a joint ministerial letter from Minister Ford, Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, and Minister Whately, Minister of State for Care, to children and young people with SEND and their parents and carers.
Tuesday 9th June 2020
Our friends at Stronger Togeteher have told us about some FREE parent online workshops funded as part of the DfE Early Years SEND programme for the North East region.
Managing sleep on 9th June
https://sleep-09-06-20-north-east.eventbrite.co.uk
Speech, Language and Communication on 16th June
https://speech-and-language-16-06-20-north-east.eventbrite.co.uk
Please sign up if you’re interested.
