Reaching high for the best for your child

School Blog SEND SUPPORT

School Blog

SEND SUPPORT

The blog for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Transition Workshops for Year 6 Parents/Carers

By Mrs Dunthorne, in SEND SUPPORT - Thursday, 18 May 2023

The transition from Year 6 - Year 7 can bring up many different feelings, including worry.
These workshops, which are open to all Year 6 parents in Stevenage, are being run by the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) for parents/carers to discuss how you're feeling and suggest ways to support the transition process.
There are 3 online workshops and 2 face to face for parents to choose from. To make it easier, we are hosting one of the sessions here at Fairlands.
See attached flier to book your place.
 

Free Mental Health and wellbeing day in support of Mental Health Week

By Mental Health lead, in SEND SUPPORT - Wednesday, 10 May 2023

Free Health & Wellbeing Day supporting Mental Health Awareness Week

A great, free event for parents and carers. Pop along and explore the stalls to gain ideas and support for your own mental health and the mental health of your family members. 


Tuesday 16th May 202310:00 – 15:00
Healthy Hub Stevenage, Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre


Join Hertfordshire Talking Therapies for a fact-filled day of stalls and workshops hosted by local charities and services including: 

• NHS Talking Therapies
• Mind in Mid-Herts
• Triangle Community Gardens
• Healthy Hub Stevenage, Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre

• Holistic Health At Home
• Newleaf Recovery and wellbeing College
• The Living Room
• Foodshed/Babyshed
• Pixie & Pickles Therapy Ponies!

Free Mental Health and wellbeing day in support of Mental Health Week

By Mental Health lead, in SEND SUPPORT - Wednesday, 10 May 2023

Free Health & Wellbeing Day supporting Mental Health Awareness Week

A great, free event for parents and carers. Pop along and explore the stalls to gain ideas and support for your own mental health and the mental health of your family members. 


Tuesday 16th May 202310:00 – 15:00
Healthy Hub Stevenage, Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre


Join Hertfordshire Talking Therapies for a fact-filled day of stalls and workshops hosted by local charities and services including: 

• NHS Talking Therapies
• Mind in Mid-Herts
• Triangle Community Gardens
• Healthy Hub Stevenage, Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre

• Holistic Health At Home
• Newleaf Recovery and wellbeing College
• The Living Room
• Foodshed/Babyshed
• Pixie & Pickles Therapy Ponies!

The Early Help Team - Parenting When Separated course

By Mrs Jeffries, in SEND SUPPORT - Wednesday, 10 May 2023

The Parenting When Separated programme is a practical and positive evidence-based course for parents who are preparing for, going through or have gone through a separation or divorce.

It is a six-week course that highlights practical steps parents can take to help their children cope and thrive, as well as coping successfully themselves.

The course commences on Tuesday 13th June and will be held from 10.00am - 12.30pm at The Shephall Centre, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 9XR.   Parents can request if they prefer to access the course online or in person on the referral form.

Course details

The course consists of six group sessions for up to 12 parents, each session will last 2 hours 30 minutes with a 15 minute break. We will meet all parents for an individual introductory meeting prior to the group starting to discuss your goals for the course.

How to register

You can be referred by a professional or parents can self-refer https://surveys.hertfordshire.gov.uk/s/5SHI7N/

Tune inToGether from Tune into Autism

By Mrs Dunthorne, in SEND SUPPORT - Tuesday, 25 April 2023

This on-line event, which is being held on Wednesday 10th May from 7.30-8.30pm via Zoom is open to all adults, whether they are Parents, Educators, Adults with additional needs, family members of people on the Autistic Spectrum or with related condition. Everyone is welcome.  

This free zoom session is an opportunity for hosts and guests to explore, share ask questions or just listen to others. Cameras can be on or off and microphones can be muted or unmuted. People can access the session in the way they feel most comfortable.  

To register to attend, please visit the website www.tuneintoasd.com or contact them at letstalk@tuneintoasd.com 

MHST Parent Workshop - Emotionally Based School Avoidance

By Mrs Dunthorne, in SEND SUPPORT - Tuesday, 25 April 2023

The Stevenage Mental Health Support Team (MHST) are running an on-line workshop on Friday 19th May from 10.00 - 11.00am for parent/carers needing support with emotion based school avoidence (EBSA).  Click here to book your place.

Kai's Corner

By Mental Health Lead, in SEND SUPPORT - Friday, 21 April 2023

Looking for new books to read at bedtime to support your child's emotional development and wellbeing?

The 'Sandbox' website has a lovely section called 'Kai's corner' which is full of book recommendations for children aged 5-8 and 9-12. 

Follow the link and scroll down to find it:

https://sandbox.mindler.co.uk/theresourcezone/?#lp-pom-block-655

Each book has a short description so you know what aspect of wellbeing and mental health the text focuses on. Why not see which texts are available at your local library? 

Some examples of the themes are: 

  • A book about things getting better with time and not being afraid to ask for help
  • A book about a hedgehog who limits himself because of worry and how he learns to manage those worries
  • A book about grief and healing following the death of Kai's dad

HENRY Healthy Families Programme - Starting w/c 24th April

By Mrs Dunthorne, in SEND SUPPORT - Tuesday, 18 April 2023

The HENRY programme helps families to learn how to keep their families healthy and provides everything you need to help your child get off to a great start.  It is completely FREE for families whose children are 0-5 years old.

The programme runs on-line (1 hour session) or face-to-face (2 hour session - there is a creche available to parents).

Session 1 - Let's get started (what's a healthy person? Goal setting)

Session 2 - Balancing acts (balance of foods and looking after self in terms of 'me' time)

Session 3 - Needs and demands - parenting strategies

Session 4 - Tuning into mealtimes - healthy habits

Session 5 - Time to be active

Session 6 - Eating Healthily - lunchboxes, portions and food labels

Session 7 - Let's focus on feelings (listening and empathy)

Session 8 - The way forward (celebrating what parent has achieve and handing out certificates) 

 

 

 

Balance meditation app free for a year

By Mental health lead, in SEND SUPPORT - Thursday, 30 March 2023

The mental health team would like to share a great well-being deal we have come across and some of our teachers are already using ✨

If you have never used Balance app, they are offering a free year, full access to new members. It’s a really good guided meditation app to help with relaxation, reduce stress, sleep and other areas. 

You can choose to listen to different sounds, follow a guided meditation or guided stretch and there’s a kids section too! There are many wonderful benefits to including meditation as part of your routine for you and your family. Even a few minutes a day can make a positive impact. 
 
The sessions range from 3 mins - 20 mins and build up depending on the plan you choose so can start off small to give it a try.
 
You can access via this link: 
https://www.balanceapp.com/referral-email
Or open in apple apps:
 
Happy meditating

Parent/Carer Motor Development Information Sessions

By Mrs Dunthorne, in SEND SUPPORT - Tuesday, 28 March 2023

When do children develop particular motor skills, such as riding a bicycle or using a pen? 

How can you help your child to develop these skills?

What can you do if your child is struggling with a skill?

The NHS are running on-line sessions for parents or carers of children aged between 4-8 years old who would like to understand more about their child’s motor development and how to support this. 

The session will share information about the typical ages when children develop different motor skills. It will explain how to breakdown an activity such as pulling on a jumper into simple steps to help your child complete this independently. You will also get advice on activities and simple things you can do at home to support your child’s motor development.

Please see attached flier for more details and how to book.