Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA) : Advice sheets

Ipsea have developed advice sheets designed to help you get the special education provision that your child is entitled to. they are based on frequently asked questions from their helpline.

All the sheets can be downloaded and have suggested steps you can take to deal with the problem.

Click here for a link to the advice sheets.

Options Group - Services for people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

The Options Group provide person-centred learning programmes for people with ASD which incorporate the key elements of care, education and therapy.

A proactive and forward-thinking organisation run by an experienced management team and supported by sector specialists. Established in 1999, they have grown steadily, and are now trusted by more than 60 Local Authorities to provide specialist care, education and therapy to almost 200 children, young people and adults

To find out more about the services they provide please click here

An Introduction to Understanding Autistic Spectrum Condition - Online Training

Concept training in association with safeguarding children's e-academy are offering online training based on understanding Autistic Spectrum Conditions.

The course is at an introductory level and can be completed at a learner’s own pace, but should take approx 1-2 hours. After finishing the course learners are issued with a downloadable certificate

For more information on the course click here

New special school

Bright Futures School

Our new school located in Grasscroft, Oldham, specialises in provision for children with autism and brings a new approach to autism education. It is within reach of children from several neighbouring local authority areas including that served by your Parent Partnership. For more information about the school please log on to: www.brightfuturesschool.co.uk  

We trust that, having viewed the website, you will be able to bring it to the attention of those parents and colleagues to whom it may also be of interest. We welcome informal enquiries by telephone or email and will be pleased to arrange visits to the school. 

Zoe Thompson
For Directors and Staff, Bright Futures School.

A letter from the Department for Education and an accompanying letter from Special Educational Consortium (SEC) regarding the issues of SEN services and academies

The accompanying letter from SEC encourages people to use the DfE letter to make a strong case to their local authority that SEN support services must be protected from the expansion of the academy programme and that the Government confirms that these services as key to early intervention. It is now really important that we use this letter as LAs are setting their budgets as we speak

The two key benefits of the Government's decision are:

A local authority should not now cut SEN support services on the basis that a number of academies have opened in that area. Where there are academies in a local authority area, that local authority will now retain the money to keep SEN support services viable;

As they are retaining the money for SEN support services that was previously being delegated to academies, local authorities must now provide these services to children in academies. All disabled children and children with SEN should continue to receive services from the local authority no matter what type of school they attend.

In addition, it is important to note the following points:

This will only have an impact in areas where there are academies, but the more academies there are the greater effect it will have and this relates to all SEN support services, not just those for low-incidence needs or a particular condition.

Click here for the letter from the Department of Education and here for the letter from the Special educational consortium

A general summary of the Education Bill 2010-11 introduced in the House of Commons on the 26th January 2011

This summary refers to the bill as introduced and published on the above date. The bill applies to England only unless otherwise specified. The bill covers many of the Government priorities set out in the November 2010 White Paper.

Click here for more information

Autism Spectrum (Webautism)

We still have places available on the Webautism course for September of this year.  So if you know of somebody who you think would be interested in joining the course, then please pass on the attached brochure and FAQs. It couldn’t be simpler to join the course. No prior formal qualifications are required, the only prerequisite is 2 years experience in caring for or working with individuals on the autism spectrum.

Click here for brochure and here for FAQs

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Transition Toolkit (produced by DFES) can be found at the following link:
http://www.autismtoolkit.com/

This has a lot of really useful information and has a fab Transition workbook for children moving from primary to secondary school with excersises for them to complete to help prepare them for the changes ahead.

Oaasis - For Parents of a child with Autism/Aspergers Syndrome & other Learning Difficulties

Oaasis are a resource for parents and professionals caring for children with Autism/Asperger syndrome and other learning difficulties.

click here to read more

Grumpy are a charity that aim to promote resources and provide play opportunities for children and young people in a safe and creative environment with the necessary material, equipment and support. They have 3 centres in Blackpool, Salford and Manchester.

click here to read more

Skill Building Dates and Venues

Click here for dates and venues for the skill building courses

Visual Aids for Learning

Visual aids for learning is a website with excellent free resources which can be used to support learning and aid independence. They can be used for school, home and for various age groups needs.
All resources are free and can be accessed by everybody.

http://www.visualaidsforlearning.com/