Home / HPCI Member update 23 April 2024
Welcome to this week’s update which covers:
Independent Review into Education Health and Care Needs Assessments in Hertfordshire
HCC has appointed an independent barrister to look into their EHC Needs Assessment processes. You may have seen reports in the local press which raised concerns about how the views of parents and carers are being included in this process – the council has put out a statement on this which is linked here.
As the parent carer forum for Hertfordshire, HPCI has been invited to meet with the barrister who is leading the review to share the views and experiences of families in Herts. The parent representatives who are attending are experienced in working with families going through the EHCNA and Appeals process. They will also draw on what families told us in our last annual survey. If you have recent experiences (within the last two years) and would like to share your thoughts with our reps ahead of their meeting on Friday, please email contact@hertsparentcarers.org.uk
Seeking views from children and young people to improve ADHD training and information
Please see the bottom of this page for details about work underway to seek the views of children and young people aged 8-25 with ADHD about improving training and information to schools and services about ADHD. Under 16s will need to get a parent carer to make contact on their behalf.
Survey: Wraparound Childcare for children with SEND
The Department for Education, with the support of the National Network of Parent Carer Forums, have developed a survey to better understand to what extent the current wraparound childcare offer for primary age children meets the needs of parents and children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). (Wraparound childcare is childcare that ‘wraps around’ the conventional school day.) They are looking for parents of primary age children with a special educational need or disability to complete this survey.
The link to the survey is here and the deadline for responses is 29 April 2024.
New guidance on free school meals
The government has recently published its updated guidance on free school meals in England. The guidance now includes a section on making reasonable adjustments for disabled children, such as by offering a food voucher. The guidance also now includes a section on children with an education package called education otherwise than at school (EOTAS). This makes clear that local authorities should provide free school meals to eligible children unable to attend school due to their special educational needs and who have an EOTAS package.
If you are having problems getting free school meals for your child, Contact have some guidance on their website to help.
The Eastern Region (Learning Disabilities) Valuing Families Forum
This group is open to those in the eastern region looking after someone who has a learning disability and aims to allow members to:
For further information, please contact Sara on 07901837854 or email: sara.kent1@yahoo.com.
Webinar: What is the Local Offer Website? (25 April)
If you’ve ever wondered what the “Local Offer” is or how it might be helpful, you can join the team that run the site for a webinar to find out more. Thursday 25 April, 8pm – 9pm: Click here to join the meeting (no booking required).
Improving ADHD info and training:
