Sunderland's Family Hubs

SEND Local Offer

Sunderland

Blind Children UK is the leading charity for children and young people with sight loss.  They help children and their families tackle the challenges of young sight loss so that they can enjoy their childhood and realise their potential as adults. They believe that no child should feel isolated and afraid or be deprived of a full life just because they can't see.  They help children and young adults with sight loss to be all they can be, and to live as independently as possible. The services they deliver support children - and their families too - right from birth through to young adulthood. Their aim is to enable the whole family live life to the full, so they also give parents tools they can use to help their children reach educational and recreational goals.   Services available - Movement Matters - provides training to help blind children and young people get around safely and independently.  Movement Matters also teaches important life skills such as handling money and preparing food. These vital services are delivered by qualified Habilitation Specialists, who work shoulder-to-shoulder with other organisations, including local authorities.  Family Support - The Family Support Team gives the families of children with visual impairment emotional and practical support, advice and information.  They also advise and work with other professionals and organisations. Education Support - The Education Support Team is on hand to help children and young people with sight loss to get the best from their education.  The support they offer is particularly valuable to help children move smoothly and confidently from one stage of education to another. They can assist with identifying a suitable nursery, school or college, and provide confidential advice around a child's statutory rights.  They explain complex terms and help with processes and forms.  They are also experiences at liaising with professionals on families' behalf and acting as expert witnesses. Technology - The Access Technology Team gives advice on choosing the most appropriate technology and sensory equipment to help children with a vision impairment study and play.  They also offer a grants programme that allows families to apply for recommended items they otherwise wouldn't be able to access. CustomEyes® Books - Blind Children UK's CustomEyes® service produces large print books for children with vision impairment.  These are tailor-made for each child or young person, but we only charge the recommended retail price.

Blind Children UK

Looking for autism friendly things to do? Dimensions UK work with cinemas, libraries, museums and Belong by GAME Arenas. Each venue’s autism friendly training is tailored to their environment and guests. Adjustments include reduced sensory stimulation, increased signage and autism training for staff. Our training is developed with autism and industry experts, so it works for both our guests and the venues. Autism friendly screenings are held at over 300 cinemas nationwide: ODEON, Cineworld, Vue, Showcase, Picture House, Everyman, Light and some independent cinemas. The screenings take place regularly and have adjustments to make the cinema experience more enjoyable for people with autism or sensory sensitivity. To find out more about Autism Friendly screenings you can visit the Dimensions website or the Dimensions Facebook page, or your local cinema.

Dimensions - Autism friendly environments nationwide

Dimensions - Autism friendly environments nationwide Logo

Disability Employment Advisers (DEA) work for Job Centre Plus and help people, whose disability or health condition is preventing them from obtaining work.  A DEA will know about disability friendly employers in your area. Criteria for access DEA is available via Job Centre Plus, using the contact details given. Universal services DEA is a universal service but eligibility criteria apply.

Disability Employment Adviser (Jobcentre Plus)

As well as services to adults, Guide Dogs provide mobility and freedom to blind and partially sighted children and young people. They have over 20 years' experience supporting children and young people with vision impairment. Guide dogs - They have now removed the lower age limit for guide dog ownership and are working with children and young people under the age of 16. Further information about the children and young people's guide dog service is available by visiting the website. Buddy dogs - are guide dogs that haven't qualified to work as mobility assistance dogs but can improve the quality of life of blind and partially sighted children and young people by contributing to sensory and physical development, enhancing their confidence and self-esteem, countering isolation and depression, increasing levels of exercise and improving their communication and mobility skills.  In some cases as buddy dog can help to assess whether a young person could benefit from a guide dog in the future. Please visit our website for more details.

Guide Dogs for the Blind

At any given time up to 40% of adults and 50% of children (this rises to 80% with a SEND diagnosis) have difficulties with their sleep. Yet in a recent survey, almost 60% of adults felt there was a lack of support for sleep issues. Sleep problems can leave people feeling isolated and lonely. Our free helpline is run by trained sleep advisors, many of whom are specialists in working with SEND. We can talk to young people directly, or parents (we can also talk to adults, including older people, about their sleep issues). The helpline is open 5 times a week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday evenings 7-9pm, and Monday, Wednesday mornings 9-11am. The number is 03303 530 541. You can read more at the National Sleep Helpline website.

Our sleep practitioners have specialist training in working with SEND children, many have professional qualifications as health visitors, nurses or teachers.

National Sleep Helpline

Nexus in partnership with bus operators and the 5 local authorities in Tyne and Wear have introduced the Bridge Card to help anyone who may need additional support whilst travelling. If you have difficulty using public transport because of age, disability, illness, or you simply lack confidence, you can carry a Bridge Card. When you show the card to transport staff they will recognise that you may need extra help during your journey. You don’t have to register for the scheme you just have to carry a card and show it to transport staff if you need help. They can indicate whether you have a visual or hearing impairment, if requested. What kind of things can the card help you with?<ul><li>You might just need time to find a seat before the vehicle moves off</li><li>You may have difficulty remembering the place you have to get off</li><li>Sometimes you may get into special difficulty, like getting on the wrong bus or Metro</li></ul>Here are some of the things transport staff can do to help:<ul><li>Count out money or change</li><li>Check that you know where you are going and what stop to get off</li><li>Tell you when you have arrived at the place you are travelling to</li><li>Allow time for you to sit down on a seat before moving off</li><li>Tell you information about your journey rather than giving you a written timetable</li><li>Use bus stop bays to make it easier for you to get on and off</li><li>Operate special equipment like ramps</li></ul>

Nexus Bridge Card

One Place, Your Space (OPYS) funded by the National Lottery The project offers: counselling for adult family carers who care for someone aged 25 or under with a disability; disabled children and young people aged 25 or under; non disabled siblings aged under 18.  Also offers training in holistic treatments for adult family carers in order for them to offer the treatment to their disabled child.

One Place, Your Space - Grace House North East

Special Olympics Sunderland supply coaching and training for youngsters with learning disabilities in swimming, judo, badminton and other sports.  We have qualified coaches in all sports.  Children and young people are encouraged to reach their full potential and enter competitions if they wish.  1-1 swimming lessons are available for age 6 years and over.Criteria for access All potential members must have a diagnosed learning disability and be aged 6 - 25 years.  All members are to be accompanied by a parent or carer.Targeted services Coaching and training for children and young people with a diagnosed learning disability.Cost to access services Fees of £4.00 per session and £20 annual membership.Please visit our website for more details.

Special Olympics Sunderland

The Physiotherapy Service is part of Children’s Integrated Therapies (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy &amp; Speech and Language Therapy services). Physiotherapists aim to facilitate optimum independence and quality of life in children who have been affected by illness, injury or disability through movement and exercise, education and advice. Physiotherapists enable and encourage development to optimise function.  Our Team:Our team is made up of Specialist Physiotherapists, Technical Instructors and Physiotherapy Assistants who work with children. We have expert knowledge and skills to deliver appropriate care and education and to encourage family involvement. We are based at a specialist Children’s Centre, with services provided within outpatients, community, educational setting (mainstream and specialist schools). Children’s physiotherapists treat babies, children and young people with a wide range of conditions. Physiotherapy input is based upon the assessment of the child’s needs. Physiotherapy would usually be beneficial for the conditions outlined below and, if required, we would advise you to contact your GP or Consultant regarding referral into our service. Conditions seen by the Paediatric Physiotherapy Service could include:Musculoskeletal and Orthopaedic ConditionsNeurodevelopmental Conditions &amp; Developmental DelayNeurological ConditionsDevelopmental Coordination DisorderChronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)Neonatal High Risk Babies What to expect from the Physiotherapy service:Following acceptance of the referral, the child will be offered an appointment for an initial assessment. After initial assessment and discussion with the child and family, physiotherapy will be offered according to your child’s needs. Physiotherapists work closely with the other appropriate professionals that are involved in the care of your child depending on the needs of the child and family. This could include professionals from a range of settings including health, education and social care. Who can access our service:Any child aged 0-19 living in our catchment area experiencing a range of physical, functional and / or developmental difficulties can be referred by their GP or Consultant (referral guidelines and referral form are available from the department and all referrals are triaged before being accepted for assessment).  If referred for a musculoskeletal condition we see children aged 0-16 years.

Sunderland Children's Physiotherapy Service

Together for Children's SEND Team carries out the statutory functions on behalf of the Local Authority in relation to Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments and Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).The team:<ul><li>delivers the Council's statutory responsibilities for SEND in relation to the legislation, regulations, statutory and non-statutory guidance contained in the Children and Families Act 2014, The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014, the Special Educational Needs (Personal Budgets) Regulations 2014 and Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 - 25 years. </li><li>co-ordinates, administers and manages the statutory EHC needs assessment of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)</li><li>co-ordinate and share summative assessment</li><li>produce EHCPs arranging provision and placement for children &amp; young people, with appropriate resources, in line with their EHCPs</li><li>co-ordinate the annual review process of EHCPs across all educational settings, including schools and colleges</li><li>manage and facilitate the process of parental appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND) representing the Local Authority at appeal hearings</li><li>provides information, advice and guidance to parents, carers and school and other key partners on the statutory processes regarding EHCPs, annual reviews and other matters relating to SEND in line with the SEND Code of Practice: 0 - 25 and other legislation and regulations regarding SEND</li></ul>Criteria for access The eligibility criteria to be considered for an EHC (Education, Health and Care) needs assessment and be considered for an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) refers to Section 36(8) of the Education Act 1996 'The Local authority must secure an EHC assessment for a child or young person if, after having regard to any views expressed and evidence submitted under subsection (7), the authority is of the opinion that:<ul><li>the child or young person has or may have special educational needs</li><li>it may be necessary for special educational provision to be made for the child or young person in accordance with an EHC plan'  </li></ul>A referral is usually made by the school or other setting requesting that the Local Authority consider whether or not to carry out an EHC needs assessment for your child.A referral can also be made by a parent requesting the Local Authority to consider whether or not to carry out an EHC needs assessment for your child. A referral may be made by a young person over the age of 16 but under the age of 25.In addition, anyone else can bring a child or young person who has (or may have) SEN to the attention of the Local Authority, particularly where they think an EHC needs assessment may be necessary.  This could include, for example, foster carers, health and social care professionals, early years practitioners, youth offending teams or probation services, those responsible for education in custody, school or college staff or a family friend. When the Local Authority considers whether or not an EHC needs assessment is necessary the decision is made in line with the following principle legislation, regulations and guidance:Section 36 of the Children and Families Act 2014; and regulations 3, 4 and 5 of the SEND Regulations 2014 and Including All Children and Young People: Guidance for Implementing the SEND Code of Practice: 0 - 25, 2014 Further information regarding EHC needs assessment and EHCPs can be found in the Special Educational Needs &amp; Disability Code of Practice: 0 - 25 years. Referral forms can be accessed from the Local Offer site. Universal services Advice regarding the SEND process is available to all schools, colleges, parents and young people from the SEND Team.  The service can also be contacted by email. Specialist services The service is for those children and young people who are identified as having SEND.  Therefore, the Local Authority must conduct an assessment of EHC needs when it considers that it may be necessary for special Educational Provision to be made for the child or young person in accordance with an EHC Plan.

Together for Children - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Team

Work Choice is a voluntary employment programme that provides support to disabled people facing barriers to getting and keeping a job. The type of support offered is different for everyone but can include training and developing your skills, building self confidence and interview coaching. Criteria for access Help from work choice is available for people over 16 years of age and have left school or college and are disabled.  Work Choice is accessible through contacting a Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) Universal service - Work Choice is a universal service provided by the Department for Work and Pensions but eligibility criteria apply.