Happy new term! It feels already like we are well into autumn and there are lots of things happening.
From us at the council, our big ask is that everyone take a moment to consider our Consultation on Funding and Provision for Children with Additional Needs. All the details are in this issue, including lots of opportunities to join briefings and discussions. This is a very detailed Consultation so there is a lot of ground to cover. I am really pleased, however, that we have already had so many responses, and so many people expressing their support for the direction of travel. There are also lots of thoughts, critiques and ideas coming forward about how proposals could be improved, all of which is extremely valuable. Keep it coming! The consultation closes on 21 October.
Another thing we are excited about is the launch of our new Children and Young People’s plan. We have heard from over 6,000 young people…incredible! My favourite element of the plan is the focus on relationships with family and friends. Friendships are so critical to every person’s life, and we spend too little time thinking about how important it is to have opportunities to make new friends and spend time with existing ones. We have a new group, the Thriving Childhood Partnership, with brilliant professionals and practitioners coming together thinking about just these issues. I am so looking forward to seeing what we can do together.
Speaking of which, one of the members of the group is our inspirational lead for Duke of Edinburgh award, Carol Authers. Autumn term is a key time when most young people sign up to the programme. There is Resilience Funding available for pupils who might otherwise not be able to participate. The funding window is open until November 29th. So far 50 participant places and £11,035 of equipment and training have been funded. There is also £20,000 ringfenced funding for Taunton schools from the Bishop Foxes Education Foundation, as well as funding from Bridgwater Town Council, to boost numbers of low-income pupils on the programme. Somerset is one of the few areas where there is a local programme – we have recently been re-accredited because of the huge successes locally. The centre count has risen to 69, including more AP and SEND centres. Three residentials are already full, but there is a pilot SEND residential in November. For any further information, please email DofE@somerset.gov.uk.
Finally, a big shout out to all the parents who joined the recent Parent Carer Forum Listening Events. We had two intense and moving sessions, full of ideas, challenge, lived experience and energy. More of that please! More opportunities to join in coming up, details are in this issue of SEND news.
