Working Together for Change Dudley Parent Carer Forum

Steering Group DY1, Stafford Street, Dudley Friday 4th March 9.30 – 11.30pm

AttendeesTina CartwrightSally WaldronRebecca DingleyClaire PowersAmanda BakerGeorgina HomerDonna Roberts (DCVS)Nicki Burrows (DCVS)Dawn Goodall

Dudley Educational & Child Psychology Service (DECPS)

Dawn who is an educational psychologist and Hannah who is a graduate psychologist and who has only been in post since Tuesday joined the meeting to explain a bit more about the service they provide. There are 17 Educational physiologists in Dudley and they also provide a counselling service.

Their services are provided free to schools for transfer and transition reviews, schools then buy in any additional services they require. The team have a presence in the majority of special schools within the borough. They have trained specialist to go beyond 16 up to 25 years. All parents present have had contact with educational physiologists. There is a generic email address and you can phone number that you can use to contact the team any time you need to speak to someone. More information can be found at http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/learning-school/parental-support/decps/ or call: 01384 814359 email: ecps@dudley.gov.uk

The question was asked “What do you actually do?”

Dawn explained how they mainly support schools to best support children. They look at all areas of child development and work out how best to support interactions, for example language needs with emotional needs, they support schools to look at how difficulties interact and affect each other. It’s an observational service, the teachers and TA’s are with the children every day so DECPS take on board their views but we are able to look through a different lens so can offer a different perspective.

Referrals usually come through schools but you can contact the team direct and then we will work with the school to get a referral. We look at what the behaviour telling us? What are we missing? Why is there a change in behaviour?

The question was asked “How do you work with CAHMS?”

Within CAHMS there is the clinical physiologist, educational physiologists work with schools to remove barriers where clinical psychologist work with families.

We also work with the Local Authority to ensure information is up to date and relevant. At point of transfer review school need to look at their files and ask does the current psychology report reflect the child’s needs now? If they do not then the school or SEN team should contact us.

With changes in the codes of practice, transfer review and updated EHCP have been slotted in but there was a shortage in physiologists. Dudley felt that graduates could help reduce the backfill. From Christmas a process has been put in place to trigger checks by parents / school to ensure everything is up to date as soon as possible.

It is not as straight forward around transition into post 16 provisions as post 16 funding has no ceiling so you don’t need an EHCP to access funding into this provision. This changes at 19 plus and an EHCP may now be needed to fund access to this provision.

Parents explained how stressful these reviews are on their families and how it feels like they are all worrying! “It feels like we are the guinea pigs for EHCP, it so much easier for little ones starting schools, but it is hard for transition into colleges.”

Dawn invited parents to share their views and thoughts on DECPS services

“I did not know it was there! All of a sudden their was a review and at a critical point all of a sudden you were there”

“School felt slow in getting DECPS involved, there were behavioural issues at school but we were not experiencing this at home. The service was really good at identifying that her needs were not being met within school”

“Its nice to know you are there not only when we have reached rock bottom!”

Action: Parents have asked for an article to go in the next newsletter about why you get involved and how and with a team photo. DECPS need to be out and about and letting people get to know who they are and what they do. They used to provide training for parents and would be willing to work with the forum to do this again. WTFC steering group members are interested in funding a training course for parents on this subject. We could also show case studies.

The team would also be available to arrange drop ins where parent carers can come and chat, find out more and ask questions. It may be a good idea to link in with the Carers tea and chat sessions on Friday mornings.

Initial thoughts for a training session would be around case studies that explain the breadth of what DECPS does. Practical examples will be helpful.

It is proposed that the forum holds a provider showcase event on Tuesday 19 April 11am-12:30pm to invite services and organisations to showcase and talk to parents about the support they offer.

Action: Donna will approach Gill to see if it would be possible to hire the independent support facility and hold the session their which will then lead onto the transition meeting. RIX Media

http://rixresearchandmedia.org/sharing-shanes-wiki/

Nicki shared a person centered on line tool that we are exploring in Dudley as a new way of working to improve the lives of children and their families. Parents were shown the clip and above and asked to feedback. Feedback received was overwhelmingly positive from all parents!

“I love it! I want one for my child now! You could use this for every child and for everything!”

Nicki is going to look at how it is working within Local Authorities that are using this system. Rix is a not for profit organisation, so all proceeds go back into the system. Nicki explained that it is a significant amount of money to initially set up the wiki. To maintain the cost some LA’s have spilt this cost between LA, School and parents. Steering group parents felt that it was worth contributing to the cost to be able to access this person centred tool. They did feel it should be free for very low income family.

Claire has a link to an investment company that are looking to invest in something to do with children with disabilities; Claire will ask whether they would be interested in investing in technology.

“Would it only be offered to people who have EHCP? Will it be offered to those who don’t have one?”

We are not sure and we need to consider that some parents won’t want this tool, the steering group felt it should be open to all and that if it could be downloaded as an app for the iPad etc that would enable more people to use it.

“It would mean so much for me in my situation it would make the world of difference.”

Action: Donna will share the link and parents will circulate throughout their networks to gain some wider feedback, this will also be shared through social media channels.

Task and finish

Integrated care - this meeting has not met this year as yet as Linda Cropper is still unable to work due to ill health. There is a meeting due on Monday 21st March, Donna will let parents know if this will go ahead.

SEN Reform Board – Tina fed back from these meetings, “Deanne is doing a wonderful job and it is moving forward as much as it can with interim posts, but it is positive and you do feel like something can be done.” Jo Tasker is picking up an element of Huw Powell’s role as he is retiring. There is still no whole life disability manager in post. “There is lots of work happening and parent’s views are being constantly fed in. It feels like parents are really driving the agenda, and professionals are listening”

Personal budgets – Nicki is confirming date shortly with Julia Simmonds and Stuart Lackerby

Transition – this continues to work well and is growing! The next meeting will be on Tuesday 19 April at 12:30-2:30pm

carers photo shoot - As part of the ‘Carer Awareness Campaign’ we are looking for carers including young carers and parent carers who would be interesting in being part of a photo shoot at the Black

Country Living Museum on Saturday 12th March 2016. The photographs will be used for promotional material including leaflets / posters / Dudley Carers Alliance website to raise awareness of carers. Carers are welcome to bring the person they care for to the event. If you would like to be part of the carer awareness campaign please contact Nicola McGregor on 01384 818723 or email Nicola.mcgregor@dudley.gov.uk by the Tuesday 8th March 2016. Please feel free to pass this message onto any carers who may be interested in taking part……….

Next Steering Group meeting will be on

Friday 6 May – Steering Group 9:30-11:30am Stourbridge Children’s Centre