Blackwood have received a message for parents from Walsall SENDIASS, since the announcement of the proposed reopening of schools from 1st June. Please see the details below from John Bird (Consultant) Information, Advice & Support Service (SEND):
At Walsall Council SENDIASS we are able to provide free, impartial, confidential advice and support about education, health and social care to children, young people and their parents on matters relating to special educational needs and disability.
Across the Authority there could be a potential significant increase in enquiries from parents and carers – especially where children and young people are recognised as having a special educational need.
Ordinarily we are based at the Education Development Centre in Pelsall but are currently available by email and telephone from home. Please see contact details below.
Aileen Overton. aileen.overton@walsall.gov.uk. Mobile: 07827 311786
John Bird. john.bird@walsall.gov.uk Mobile 07384821795
We will endeavour to assist in every way we can.
Strategies for parents of pupils on the SEN Register during school closure
If your child is on the SEN Register, in order to find ways to support their needs whilst school is closed, firstly, please refer to their ARC forms. On the front page, you will find the strategies we use to support their learning at school. These strategies can be implemented in the home environment in a variety of ways. Here are a few things you could continue to utilise:
Cognition and learning
Communication and interaction
Social, Emotional & Mental Health
Deep “Belly” Breathing –
This is a simple method to calm the anxiety response:
Practice by placing one hand below the belly button and the other on the chest, watching the belly rise first as you breathe in. Keep the shoulders down!
Pizza massage -
Physical and sensory
Useful websites
Please see below a list of some other useful websites if you need further advice:
SEND at Blackwood
Special Educational Needs and Disability
Some children, at some point in their school career, may have special educational needs (SEN). Most children’s needs will be met by their school, often with support from outside specialists.
If you think your child has a learning difficulty at school, make an appointment to talk to your child’s teacher or ask to see one of the SEND team.
Often, SEN concerns can be dealt with within school. In some cases, with parental permission, the school may call on outside specialists to help ensure that the child’s needs are fully understood so that appropriate help may be given.
SEN Team:
Miss Karen Breakwell - Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-ordinator (SENDCo)
Mrs Jacqui Conroy - Assistant SENDCo
Mrs Sally Robson - Child Advocate
More details of our SEN Information Report (previously known as the Local Offer) and our SEND policy are available below.
SEN Information Report (previously known as the local offer) from Walsall.
As part of the Government’s reforms of special educational needs and disability (SEND), local authorities are required to publish a SEN Information Report showing the support available to disabled children and young people and those with SEND and their families/ carers. All Children and Young People are entitled to an education that enables them to make progress so that they:-