Impartial Information, Support and Guidance Regarding Educational Health & Care Plans for Children and Young People aged from 0 to 25 living with Special Educational Needs or a Disability
Click to view:
- Parents Guide to Independent Support
- Herefordshire’s Independent Support Service leaflet *REVISED 2016*
- Frequently asked questions
Tel: 01432 356068 | Email: help@herefordshirecarerssupport.org
Useful information leaflets & fact sheets
- Revised briefing on the extended timescales for an EHC needs assessment as part of a Transfer Review - now published
- Education Health and Care Plan - assessment flowchart
- Education Health and Care Plan - request flowchart
- Education Health and Care Plan - family conversation request
- Education Health and Care Plan - template Herefordshire
- How to appeal an SEN decision - a guide for parents
- Amended timescales for transfer reviews (August 2015)
Funding for children with special educational needs or disability in Herefordshire
- High Needs Matrix - How the local authority makes decisions on allocating additional funding for SEND
- Appendix - The High Needs Matrix Category of Need Descriptors
- High Needs Funding Matrix
- High Needs Funding Matrix - My version
Does your child have a Learning Disability Assessment (LDA)?
Independent Support phase 2 summary report
National coverage was retained with an Independent Support service offer in every local authority area
Independent evaluation of the IS programme by NTDi published in January 2016 reports:
“The IS role has become the cornerstone of the reforms for many people in many areas, reflecting a focus on personalised and people led support at critical transition points in young people’s lives.
Independent Supporters can be and often are a catalyst for change, helping to embed the culture of the Reforms in organisations and with families so that they have a wider impact on systems as well as with individuals.”
“The added value of Independent Support is most often demonstrated through the experiences of parents who have experienced IS as a distinctly new resource, a focused capacity and access to enhanced support.”
“It is too soon to be thinking about ending the IS Programme (ie in March 2016), as it is only just gathering momentum at a local level and is taking time to take effect both for individual families/young people and those delivering the service”
Minister Edward Timpson announces £80 million to extend opportunities to children with special educational needs and disabilities - important news to share
DfE have released a press notice to say they have allocated £80 million to boost support for special educational needs including a commitment to fund the independent support programme for a further financial year.
The DfE press notice can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/80-million-to-boost-support-for-special-educational-needs
Independent Support : some good news to share - 7 December 2025
1,000 responses from parents and young people on their experience of Independent Support
- Over 60% felt the work with Independent Supporters was extremely useful, 30% felt it was very useful
- Over 86% found the support they received had a positive impact
- Over 96% confirmed that support was available when they needed it
- Nearly 73% would recommend the Independent Support service
- 85% felt they needed support with EHC planning in the future
- 85% felt the referral process was easy
- 53% received IS during Transition from a statement/LDA; other an EHC assessment
- 77% felt they were fully able to express their views and were listened to throughout the process
View survey quotes.
Copyright © 2015 Council For Disabled Children, All rights reserved.
Council for Disabled Children have launched 2 new CDC websites
Get Your Rights is a new interactive website which helps to explain to children and young people their rights when using the NHS. It has been developed in partnership and co-produced with children and young people, and sets out their rights in an interactive and accessible way.
IASSN CYP is a new site which aims to help disabled children and young people and those with SEN better understand what rights they have for accessing information, advice and support across education, health and social care. The website also contains full contact details for IAS Services across England.
NEW briefing: What do the SEN and disability reforms mean for schools?
This month CDC has worked with nasen and the SEN Leaders programme to produce a briefing on what the reforms mean for schools one year on and to be clear on who has responsibility for what and what support is available. It’s a good resource and schools may want to use the briefing to check how they are doing. Please feel free to share this resource and link amongst your networks.
The resource can be found at: http://www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/resources/what-do-the-sen-and-disability-reforms-mean-for-schools
Excellent blog
Do take time to read this blog written by Conrad Will - a 17 year old sixth form student from Kent who is visually impaired and has been a part of EPIC since its inception, nearly 3 years ago. This blog has been written by Conrad and very much his own words!
You can access the blog at: http://www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/epic/news/july-december-2015/epic-blogs-1-conrad-will
National Autistic Society – Report on SEN reforms
“A year on from the introduction of a new Special Educational Needs (SEN) system in England, a report from The National Autistic Society shows that parents of children on the autism spectrum are facing highly stressful battles to get the right support. The promising reforms are being let down by poor local implementation. A thorough review is needed to identify and address the challenges in the system.”
Click here for more detail
JOB VACANCIES: Independent Supporters
As part of the national network, Herefordshire Carers Support has a small team of independent supporters who work with families and young people to help them with Education, Health and Care plans.
We want to expand the team, creating a small bank of skilled people who could work with families and young people as needed.
The work is part-time, with no minimum hours guaranteed, because demand varies throughout the year.
There is a mandatory two day training course and ongoing support, but would be desirable if you have some prior knowledge off EHC planning and knowledge of the Children and Families Act 2014.
If you are interested please contact Katherine Fellows on 07779 267915 for an informal discussion before applying.
There will be an interview process and the post is subject to DBS check and satisfactory references.
Published 10 September 2015.
Derwen College
New satellite campus from Derwen College in Craven Arms for 16+ students with SEN. The college offers a bespoke vocational programme for its students focussing on education, training and independent living skills.
Click to view:
- Craven Arms course information
- Online prospectus
For more ideas around things to do, holidays and short breaks visit Herefordshire Carers Support’s Short Breaks Database for Parent Carers.
Training opportunity for Parents/ Family Carers of children with a disability and or special need
Training will focus on:
- Putting together requests for Education and Health Care Plans
- Completing good quality Family Conversations and promoting participation of families
- Exploring other types of information that can be used to support a request.
- Opportunities for questions and answers
Tuesday 7 July 2015, 10am - 2pm at Kindle Centre, Hereford
‘Click here’ for more information
To book a place call 01432 356068 or email help@herefordshirecarerssupport.org
Additional useful information - just click the links below:
- Independent Support Leaflet 11.11.14
- Herefordshire Assessment Process for an EHC Plan
- SEND Reform Guide for Parents
- sen reforms moving into adulthood september 2014
- KIDS_MIP2_press release_re SEND Reforms 240914
- Making it Personal_leaflet
- We also have a Young Person and Children’s Guide to the Children and Families ACT 2014 - but is too large to upload. Do call or email us for an emailable or hard copy!!
Do you need advice, information or support on SEN related issues?
From Tuesday 11th November, the ASSERT team at Autism West Midlands will operate a phone advice service from 12.30-2.30pm on weekdays.
They will take calls from parents, carers and professionals who need advice, information and guidance on any SEN-related issues, including:
- SEN reforms – what the changes mean for you
- Transition to adulthood
- Self-directed support including Personal Budgets
- EHC Plans and Statements
Call 0121 450 7585, Monday to Friday between 12.30 and 2.30pm.
If you would prefer to email your query, please email: assert@autismwestmidlands.org.uk
The team also offers face-to-face advice sessions at their office in Edgbaston, Birmingham, please book at: http://shop.autismwestmidlands.org.uk/collections/events/products/november-sen-surgeries-1
SKYPE advice sessions available on request.
Jenny Maher - Case Coordinator
Autism West Midlands
Head Office, Ground Floor, Main Wing, Regent Court, George Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 1NU
Tel: 0121 450 7582 Fax: 0121 450 7581
This web site uses Google Analytics in order to improve the experience of our visitors. Information on their use of cookies is available on the Google web site.
