SEND Updates - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is happening with annual reviews for EHCPs?

Annual reviews for EHC plans is the process of looking at the needs and provision specified in an EHCP and deciding whether are still appropriate or if anything needs to change. In Newham we are committed to holding timely reviews for all children and young people with an EHCP. We recognise that not all reviews have been held within the specified timeframe and we are working to resolve this issue. If you want to find out about your child’s annual review please speak to your child’s school or contact your linked member of the SEND team.

Q. My child/young person is aged 14+, how do I arrange for them to join the GPs Learning Disability Register and to receive an annual health check? 

People aged 14+ who are on their GPs Learning Disability Register can have a free annual health check once a year. Check with your GP practice to see if you or someone you care for is on the register. For further information follow the link below.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/learning-disabilities/annual-health-checks/

Q. My family is experiencing financial hardship, what support may be available?

For impartial advice and information about the financial help and support available in Newham please see https://www.ournewhammoney.co.uk/ 

Q. What can I do to support my child/ young person who is struggling with anxiety, challenging behaviour or with mental health needs?

Regular weekly/fortnightly workshops are held with young people that join the YHC programme, where we discuss various topics related to mental health, education, physical health etc . The programme is open for any young person aged 10-25 who live, study or work in Newham..

Parents can access support from several areas including:
Resources on Local Offer to download: https://families.newham.gov.uk/kb5/newham/directory/advice.page?localofferchannel=2&id=YpfOYfBKFPI
Newham SEND Support YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu5wLbEaDu_KoKhjGtwZfaw?view_as=subscriber
Early Help Parental zoom sessions
EPS Parent Phone in
CAMHS self-referral

Q. I am worried about my own mental health and well-being what support is available?

If you require urgent mental health assistance, the mental health crisis line number is: 0800 073 0066.

You can also contact your GP for further advice and support regarding your mental health.

To support family well-being during the pandemic Newham are providing a Parenting Befriending Service. This service provides;

• A bespoke parenting befriending service for parents / carers of children and young people aged 0-16 years who needs a space to talk and think through the ways that they are coping in the circumstances and practical suggestions to manage challenges such as their young person’s behaviour, anxiety and worries, family relationship challenges and a young person’s screen time.
• Befrienders are either trained children centre staff or Newham Parent Peer Facilitators
• 30 - 60 min’s session per week for 1 - 8 weeks with a clear transition process put in place for when the contact ends
• Group sessions – will be developed where this would be helpful and appropriate
• Virtual Coffee Mornings- Early Years / Primary and Secondary
• Signposting and referrals to other support and services as and when appropriate
• To refer yourself to the parenting befriending offer, email your name and contact details to: BSILFamilySupport@newham.gov.uk

Parents can also seek support from Newham Talking Therapies the service accepts self-referrals and run groups - https://newhamtalkingtherapies.nhs.uk/contact-us/ or 020 8475 8080  

Q. How do I contact the SEND service now?

Please contact your linked officer, their email address and contact details should be on letters they have sent to you. If you don’t have a linked officer or you are unsure about their contact details please speak to your child’s school, they should be able to tell you who your linked officer is and can provide their email address. 

Q. What short breaks will be available during the Easter holidays? 

A short break offer is in place for Easter, please see further details below. Please note that the services below offer families one day of respite per family.

Fairplay House, please note the following:

There is no charge to attend this service

For more information about Fairplay House, please visit www.fairplayhouse.org

To book please follow this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/easter-family-activity-days-tickets-145291586045

Who is the Service For?

It is for families of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) living in Newham. The service is available for children and young people from the ages of 0 – 25 and their families, however not all activities are suitable for younger children. Activities will be designed to meet the individual needs of families on the day.

This service has very limited capacity, therefore it is for families that were not able to attend Fairplay House in the October 2020 half term, and for families that do not receive any other form of additional support during the Easter break.

Given the need for social distancing, numbers are very limited, therefore it is available on a first come-first served basis and families will be able to book for one day only during the Easter break to ensure as many families as possible get the opportunity to attend.

Transport

Free minibus transport is available for families that do not have access to their own transport. The Newham Transport Service will pick families up in the morning and drop them off at their homes at the end of the day. More details will be provided when bookings are confirmed by Fairplay House.

Free parking is available if families wish to travel by car.

Short Breaks at Arc in the Park – Easter Weekend

What is Available?

LBN have teamed up with Ambition, Aspire, Achieve to offer families most in need of a short break, the opportunity to attend Arc in the Park. A family group from the same household will be able to attend a 2-hour session between Friday 2nd and Monday 5th April. There will be three sessions on each of the four days.

Arc in the Park is a self-contained and fully fenced indoor/outdoor activity centre based in Hermit Road Recreation Ground, Terence Brown Arc, Hermit Road Park, Bethell Avenue, and E16 4JT. Families will need to enter the Arc via the pedestrian gate next to the fenced games area.

Three sessions are available each day at the following times:

10:00 – 12:00
12:30 – 14:30
15:00 – 17:00

The service is available to families at no cost, on a first come-first served basis. Families wishing to access the service can do so by contacting Arc in the Park directly on the phone number below:

To book a space Call Arc in the Park on - 020 7511 4253

Who is the Service For?

It is for families of a child or children with SEND that do not have access to an outdoor space at this time. Some families of children with SEND have told the Council they are struggling to keep their children occupied during the lockdown period. This is particularly challenging because many community-based and outdoor activities are currently unavailable.

We recognise that not all families will want to access this service, but it is available to those families who are most concerned about the effect the lockdown is having on them during this challenging time. Given the need for social distancing, numbers are very limited; therefore, it is available on a first come-first served basis. Bookings will be managed by staff at Arc in the Park.

Activities include:

Outdoors 

• giant Connect 4
• mini trampolines
• hoppers
• table tennis
• frisbees
• variety of bats and balls
• skipping ropes
• den building materials
• large climbing frame
• Multi-use games area
• Easter Egg Hunt

Indoors

• Lego/Duplo
• stickle bricks
• cars and roadway mat
• wooden train set
• Jenga
• various musical instruments
• floor keyboard
• piano
• basic arts/crafts materials
• table football.
• Easter based craft session (decorating eggs, making an Easter chick)

Families will need to bring refreshments with them, as no food or drinks are available for purchase on-site.

Transport

Families are responsible for their own transport arrangements and there is free parking available nearby at the weekend if families wish to travel by car.

Health and Safety

Whilst we cannot fully remove the risk, we have taken the following steps to minimise the risk as far as is reasonably possible:

• All reachable surfaces at Arc in the Park are professionally disinfected in the morning.
• The appearance of symptoms is observed at all times.
• Hand washing facilities are available.
• PPE is available for on-site staff as required and appropriate
• Disinfectant spray and tissues are available for families to use on equipment at Arc in the Park

Additionally, we do a final check on Covid-19 symptoms and take temperatures on arrival - using a non-evasive distance thermometer. 

Over and above the measures described above, the family remain fully responsible for the child/children in their care and any risk of infection whilst on-site.

To book a space Call Arc in the Park on - 020 7511 4253

Regarding Summer – we are working on a much wider offer that we hope will include opportunities with various ActiveNewham facilities. We are working with specialist training partners to upskill the coaches at ActiveNewham in order to provider parents the confidence they need in allowing their children to attend. More information to follow as the details are finalised.

Q. I receive a direct payment through a pre-paid cards. Can I withdraw cash from a pre-paid cards?

No you cannot use you per paid care to withdraw cash. Prepaid cards were introduced to stop cash being used. Every service now accepts card payment (Uber, public transport, leisure services, online purchases, etc.) If you are paying a PA the wages must be paid through the card as a bank transfer. As the card is contactless there should be no reason to withdraw cash.