Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer

The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children & Young Adults is a charity working with deaf children, young people and their families, based in Stevenage. They welcome anyone with any degree of D/deafness or hard of hearing (HOH) and offer a range of events, workshops and fun and inclusive activities for all age groups - find out more on their website: https://buff.ly/49eLRHf

Earlier this year, 19 year old Hana shared her experience of being in a mainstream secondary school as an autistic young person, and offered some brilliant advice and strategies to help other young people get the most out of school... check out her guest blog for tips - especially if you know a young person who's anxious about going to back next week: https://buff.ly/4dwCdSq

Happy Bank Holiday! If you're looking for low cost ideas on what to do with the family today - look no further than our Fifty Thrifty list of adventures and days out to keep children, young people and families entertained – without breaking the bank: https://buff.ly/3ScVXkM

Autism Hertfordshire provides support to autistic adults to help them lead empowered, fulfilled and rewarding lives. They offer a range of services which include social groups, skills development courses, post-diagnostic support and a transitions service for ages 16-25.

For information, phone 01727 743246 or email [email protected]

https://buff.ly/3IX76Bl

Do you know a young person who's thinking of applying for university? This page on the UCAS website is packed with tips, resources, and advice for students with SEND to help navigate the application process smoothly. Check it out: https://buff.ly/3XhpAnS

Looking for something to do with the kids this weekend?

Play out FREE with friends, family and your local .

is for everyone. It’s 2 hours of FREE fun every Saturday from 10am in parks and open spaces.

Discover where you can already play in Herts & new locations coming soon at https://orlo.uk/JxAyK

Neurodiversity Support Hub evening appointments for September are now bookable on our website.

Head to our website https://www.add-vance.org/ and click the blue 'Neurodiversity Support Hub' banner on our home page. This will take you to the calendar where you can select the date and time of your 30 minute evening slot, between 7 & 9 pm on Wednesdays.

Or click this link https://www.add-vance.org/parents/neurodiversity-support-hub/ and scroll down the page to the calendar.

If you're looking for inexpensive activities to do with the children this summer, check out your local family centre where you'll find lots of fun, free and low-cost activities for children (aged up to 8 ) to play together and meet other local families.

From messy play to garden explorers, there’s something for everyone – and every centre is breastfeeding friendly, and a welcoming space for new and expectant mothers. https://buff.ly/44gwYki

Good luck to all the students getting their GCSE results today! If you know a young person whose results are better or worse than expected, remember that Services for Young People is there to offer practical and emotional support and help young people make informed decisions about their next steps.
For more details, visit the SfYP website: https://buff.ly/3T0p8YL

Lumi Nova can help 7-12 year olds with their fears and anxieties using fun, goal based therapy. It’s free to use without a professional referral for children registered with a GP in Hertfordshire. Find out more: https://buff.ly/3s9OAkx

Mission Employable, a wonderful organisation based in Chorleywood, has a training cafe, helping young adults with learning disabilities gain skills for work. Get in touch with them if you'd like to know more ☕

We are always looking for more volunteers to be a host in our Café on the Common 😆

Send us a message if you'd like more details about what's involved!

Summer can be a difficult time for some young people, with a break in normal routines and structure. The Anna Freud website has a self-care section which contains lots of ideas from young people about how to look after their mental health: https://buff.ly/3YLY03v

Lending SPACE is open throughout the holidays!

Lending SPACE is an equipment lending library for families living in Hertfordshire with children and young people with SEN. It is also so much more! Everything at Lending SPACE is completely free for families to borrow. They have everything from trikes, pushchairs and scooters to weighted blankets, lap pads and hoodies to wobble cushions, body socks and compressions sheets to beanbags, peanut balls and books! It really is an ideal way to try expensive equipment to see if it works for the needs of your child.

Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 9.30am - 12.30pm
The Lending SPACE team can also help you with:
😊 Friendly Advice: help and suggestions on equipment for your children’s specific needs
👂 A listening ear: emotional and practical support
✔️ Signposting: knowledge and understanding of local community and statutory services and support

Find out more: https://buff.ly/3HBX34c

If your young person is expecting their GCSE results this week, you may have some questions about their next steps. This webpage from Contact - For families with disabled children has some helpful information and advice on the options available for young people aged 16+ with SEND: https://buff.ly/445RrI8

We've added some new recorded webinars to our Neurodiversity Support page on the Local Offer, including on topics such as anxiety, sleep and puberty. You'll also find details of the Neurodiversity Support Hub and courses for children and young people. Take a look: https://buff.ly/44Q3LhL

The latest edition of SEND News is out now!

Find out about support for exam results, low cost summer activities and the new youth councils for children and young people SEND:

https://buff.ly/4dqYdgQ

Subscribe to receive SEND news fortnightly to your inbox: https://buff.ly/3Q1FBL9

Good luck to all those young people getting results today. Remember Services for Young People are there to help you if you need advice about what to do next 👇

Good luck to students getting their A Level and T Level results today!

Whatever the results, Services for Young People advisors are on hand with the latest information and impartial advice to help you make the best choices for your future. Visit https://orlo.uk/NC02a

Results day is getting close ! If you know a young person who's feeling anxious, you can help them prepare with these tips from YoungMinds: https://buff.ly/3XcksBP

We have over 30 episodes of Neurodiversity Chats our podcast series covering a wide range of topics - from Surviving the summer holidays to what makes a good EHCP.

You can listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and also on our website:

https://angelssupportgroup.org.uk/podcasts/

Colourscape is returning to Cassiobury park this weekend! This unique sensory experience blends light, music and architecture into an immersive and interactive art installation. For those who'd prefer a quieter session, there are bookable slots at the start and end of each day, and a music-free day on the 17 August. Book your tickets here: https://buff.ly/4d7H3nW

SEND Chat and Play - Free drop in Weekly
📅 Thursday 15th August
⏰ 10:00 - 11:00
📍 Beechfield Family Centre, Watford, WD24 5TY
Come along to SEND Chat & Play & meet Abi DeMornay-Davies the new Childcare Inclusion Officer for Hertfordshire County Council. She will be available to advise parents on finding an appropriate setting, and acting as a broker between the parents and the settings, to reach the desired outcomes. Come along to learn more.

Young people receiving their A-level, T-Level or GCSE results can get support from Services for Young People (SfYP) as they decide on their next steps. On both exam results days, SfYP Advisers are available in schools and at SfYP young people’s centres across Hertfordshire.
Whether the results are better or worse than expected, SfYP Advisers offer the latest information and impartial advice to help young people with their important choices.

Exam results support 2024 news story This summer, young people receiving their A-level, T-level or GCSE results can get support from Services for Young People as they decide on their next steps.

Check out the great summer sports sessions being offered by Inclusive United for young adults with mild to moderate learning difficulties (ages 18+) - more info on their website: https://buff.ly/3WYfHf0

Have you discovered the ParksHerts website? It's a great way to find out more about the parks and green spaces in your area. If you're looking to get some fresh air and exercise with the family, it's well worth a visit:
https://buff.ly/3ygnUfs

Head Up! is an organisation run by a group of university students who have a variety of disabilities, physical & mental health conditions, learning difficulties and neurodiversity.
They want to share their advice and experiences of dealing with these in school, university & in their social lives in the hope that other young people will feel supported, encouraged and able to keep going: to overcome extra challenges and to chase big ambitions.

Their free mentoring scheme supports 14-18 year-olds who self-identify as disabled (or anyone who has a physical /mental health condition, SpLD, or neurodivergence).
Mentees are paired with a student or recent graduate with a similar condition or studying a particular subject. They meet online for an hour per month for at least 1 year.

Find out more: https://buff.ly/3UaEPhn