Home / HPCI Parent Network Update – 8 October
Lots going on in Hertfordshire this week!
Update on the EHCP Improvement Process
I mentioned in last week’s update that HPCI has been raising a number of concerns with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) about the EHCP process in Hertfordshire. In case you haven’t already seen it, the council published a blog this week, which sets out some of the projects that they have put in place. These are looking to:
These projects are just part of an ongoing process of improvement and HPCI will continue to feed in the views and experiences of families as these new developments are implemented.
Survey on the impact of SEN officer staff shortages
I also mentioned last week that we have been in discussion with the local authority about the SEN officer staffing shortages. Since then, the SEND National Crisis Hertfordshire team have launched a survey to gather data on and understand the experiences of families within Hertfordshire who have been impacted by this issue over the last 6 months. The link to complete the survey is here and we will be making sure the survey results are used in our ongoing discussions with HCC on this topic.
Opportunity to improve SEND provision in St Albans, Harpenden and Villages
DSPL 7 brings together parents/carers, staff from early years settings, schools and colleges, local authority officers, and representatives from other agencies, to make sure that there is a range of services available in their local community that meets the needs of children and young people with SEND, aged 0-25, as close to home as possible.
An opportunity has come up for a new parent or carer to join DSPL7 in order to share the views of families in the area and be part of the decision-making process for the services that are put in place locally. HPCI will provide support through training and regular meetings for parents/carers to share their experiences. If you would be interested in taking up this role (which would likely mean attending at least one meeting every half term), please contact Elaine Bridle via email or on 01727 519229.
Down Syndrome Integrated Therapies Advice Clinic
A new integrated therapies advice clinic has been introduced for pre-school aged children with Down Syndrome living in East Hertfordshire (Welwyn, Hatfield, Broxbourne, Hertford and Waltham Cross areas of Hertfordshire).
These face-to-face sessions provide an opportunity for parents and carers to attend with their child for informal assessments and gain advice from a physiotherapist, occupational therapist and speech and language therapist. No referral is required and you do not need to be currently under any of the therapies services in order to attend. To book a place, please see the flyer here.
We understand that this new clinic is being run within the East Herts area as a pilot, before a wider roll out to the rest of the county is considered.
Step2Skills job fair (15 October) – for people 18+ with a learning or physical disability, sensory needs or Autism
If you know a young person aged 18+ in Hertfordshire who has a learning or physical disability, sensory needs or Autism, they may be interested in this event which is taking place in Hemel Hempstead on Friday 15 October. Full details are in the flyer below and you can also find out more about the services available to eligible young people to help them find and stay in work on the HCC website here.
A reminder about a request for your views if you have a young child with SEND and use the Health Visitors service
Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) is interested in hearing about your experience with your Health Visitor if you have a young child with SEND. To access the survey, click here.
As ever, thanks for reading, and I hope you have a good weekend.
All best wishes,
Kate Hudson
HPCI Membership and Comms Officer
