FAMILIES with children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), or who access alternative provision outside of mainstream schooling are invited to join online discussion groups as the next stage of helping to shape provision in Wiltshire.
Earlier this year, Wiltshire Council held meetings across the county with parents, carers, children and young people who were invited to have their say on the future of their SEND and alternative provision.
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Council said, “Wiltshire Council works closely with SEND families to ensure there are high standards of support and also opportunities for independence.
“The topics discussed at these meetings have helped provide some emerging priorities for the long-term plan for Wiltshire called the SEND Inclusion and Alternative Provision Strategy (SENDIAP).
“When the new strategy is published, it will set out the long-term plan of how the council will act on agreed priorities so children, young people and families with SEND or in alternative provision have the very best in Wiltshire.
“Now parent carers can sign up to join online sessions to discuss how these priorities will be part of the strategy, with topics including preparing for the move from school to being an adult, support and advice and the voice of the child and their family. As well as parent carers, there will be key representatives from services and providers to listen and respond to the views and suggestions.”
The dates and timings for the online sessions are: Monday 15th April, 10am to 11.30am, Quality of planning; Monday 15th April, 4pm to 5.30pm, Preparation for Adulthood; Monday 22nd April, 10am to 11.30am, Better communication and quality of information; Monday 22nd April, 4pm to 5.30pm Support and Advice; Tuesday 30th April, 10am to 11.30am Skills, knowledge and understanding of practitioners; and Tuesday 30th April, 4pm to 5.30pm, Voice of the child and their family.
Wiltshire Council cabinet member for SEND, cllr Jane Davies, said, “The feedback we’ve had already from parent carers has been invaluable. We’re now taking those key findings and priorities from those earlier sessions and asking people to attend these online discussion groups to explore this further. Ultimately, our SENDIAP strategy is for everyone and will reflect the views of all and will be our reference point for all SEND decision-making in the future.”
Wiltshire Council cabinet member for children’s services, cllr Laura Mayes, said, “We are fortunate in Wiltshire to have so many parent carers who will engage and inform us with their own first-hand experiences. These discussion groups are an opportunity to gather more views and ideas on how to provide the best support and opportunities for the years ahead. I hope many people will be able to join these important discussions.”
People can sign up for the online sessions here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SENDIAP-FG-APR24
