Home / HPCI Member Update 11 November 2022
We haven’t done a full newsletter for a couple of weeks, so there’s a lot to cover… Have a look at the summary below and scroll down for more information about the items that you’re interested in. And please do find the time, if you haven’t already, to give your views about Herts SEND services. The 2022 HPCI survey is now closing on Sunday 13 November, so you still have this weekend to give your opinion (and possibly win a gift voucher). We really do appreciate every response.
In this week’s newsletter
HPCI’s meeting with the HCC Director of Children’s Services
Our survey is only one way in which we gather information about families’ views and experiences. Just before half-term we met with our Involvement Partners (support and advice organisations from across Hertfordshire) to hear what families are telling them. We took their feedback to a meeting this week with Jo Fisher – the HCC Director of Children’s Services. Among other things, our discussion with her included concerns about ongoing issues with the Statutory SEND function (EHCP deadlines being missed, problems contacting the team, and worries about the quality of advice being given to families). We also talked about increasing feedback from families about children struggling to attend school because of anxiety, the ongoing issues with special school places and concerns relating to the 0-25 Together service. As ever, it is difficult to share concrete changes that come about following a specific conversation, but we will keep sharing your concerns and doing what we can to help find solutions.
November update from HCC on their Provision Panel review
In September, we let you know about the work that HCC was doing to look at those children and young people on the special school referral list, and their review of the process for considering requests for a change of type of placement. HCC has published an update on this work on the Local Offer website, which sets out their plans to trial a new panel process in November and December, with a view to having the new process in place from January. If you want to read the full update, it is available here: Update on Provision Panel review
Vaccinations available to unpaid carers
In case you weren’t aware, unpaid carers are entitled to a free ‘flu jab this winter, as well as a Covid booster. Full information is available here: COVID-19 and flu – Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care System
New document explaining Hertfordshire’s Therapies service offer for children and young people
Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust has recently published a new document that sets out information about its offer for Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Speech & Language Therapy for children and young people. The document sets out who can access these services, how referrals are made and what you can expect to be delivered. You can find the document here: CYPT service offer
A really helpful video for those of you whose child has sensory processing difficulties
If your child has sensory processing difficulties, you may be interested in this video that has been put together by a group in the South West, including health professionals and parent carer forums. It has got lots of practical advice and you can easily skip between the different sections to find ideas to support the specific needs that your child might have. The video is available here: NSPCWT | Sensory Processing Difficulties
For those of you with older children
Opportunities to take part in research studies: