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Parental Courses delivered by Freemantles School - Book in for the Autumn Term

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Parental Courses delivered by Freemantles School - Book in for the Autumn Term

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Take a look at the support our lovely Mentally Healthy Schools Team can offer

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Impartial SEND Advice for parents.

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We are currently replying to contacts within 10 working days. Sorry for any convenience.
SEND Advice Surrey staff update can be found on the hot topics page below.
Our hot topics page has information on the most talked about topics for SEND Advice Surrey at the moment

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SEND Advice Surrey is Surrey's Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities information, advice and support (SENDIAS) service.

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This document visually explains the different layers of provision on offer to children at Echelford.

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This website places cookies on your computer to improve your experience. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. For more details, see our privacy policy. I agree

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The British Dyslexia Association is the voice for the 10% of the population that are dyslexic

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Social stories are a great way to explore social situations. Read regularly supports better understanding of the situation and how to manage it in future.

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A lovely website with a range of picture books to support children with a range of issues and experiences.

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Little Parachutes: Picture books to help children

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Little Parachutes helps you to find children’s picture books about your child’s worries, experiences and milestones. Our children’s book reviews library contains hundreds of picture books about sharing, moving house, starting school, potty training and the arrival of a new baby. There are also children’s books about more challenging situations: bereavement, adoption, divorce and serious illness.

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This is the website for the Surrey Branch of the National Autistic Society.

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The Surrey Local Offer website is for children and young people with additional needs, their families and the practitioners who help them.

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Welcome to Surrey's Local Offer!

Our Local Offer website is for children and young people with additional needs, their families and the practitioners who help them. On it you will find helpful information and the details of support services in your area.

Use our feedback page to tell us how helpful you have found the Local Offer and ways we can improve it.

Share your feedback and get involved

Search our directory

Find registered childcare, family activities, holiday clubs and support groups near you.

Find information by category

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Our Local Offer website is for children and young people with additional needs, their families and the practitioners who help them. On it you will find helpful information and the details of support services in your area. Use our feedback page to tell us how helpful you have found the Local Offer and ways we can improve it.

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Speech & Language Link is an award-winning speech and language support website for parents, carers and families.

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Welcome to the Parent Portal, our award-winning speech and language support website for parents, carers and families.

At Speech and Language Link, we understand that supporting your child's language learning, alongside everything else that life demands from you, can be challenging. The Parent Portal provides ideas and advice, information and activities for developing your child's understanding, talking and listening in a way that works for all of your family.

How to use the site? Visit the development tab to help you work out what the next steps are for your child's learning and then go to the stage-appropriate activities section. You don't always need to create a special time for working on listening and talking, use our everyday activities turn many routine tasks into support activities.

Our speech and language therapists have devised support videos for you. Check out the 'Can I have your attention please?' series to help get your child in the right frame of mind for learning and access super fun games and ideas to encourage a range of language skills.

Our activities are designed to fit around normal family life and by implementing some of them every day you can make a real difference to your child's language development.

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Supporting Parents and Carers who support children with SLCN - Speech and Language resources, information and activities

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Mindworks Surrey - the emotional wellbeing and mental health service for children and young people in Surrey.

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Emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people, including the CAMHS service, now known as Intensive Interventions.

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Update on Mindworks Neurodevelopmental Referral Pathway

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Update on Mindworks Neurodevelopmental Referral Pathway

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Posted on: 30 November 2023

Mindworks Surrey, alongside Surrey Heartlands ICB and Surrey County Council, would like to update you on the current neurodevelopmental (ND) diagnostic assessment pathway for children in schools.

In October 2022, we piloted some service changes intended to be for an initial 6-month period followed by a review. At this time the Assessment of Need (AoN) form was distributed to schools accompanied by practical help, advice, access to consultation, information, and resources. The changes were intended to ensure that children and young people's needs were identified as early as possible so that the child, their family, and support network including education would receive support early on. Our evaluation of the pilot has identified that only two-thirds of the AoN requests received indicated that there may be a neurodevelopmental need. The audit also identified we could improve the extent to which an "assess, plan, do" approach had been implemented.
Since the launch of the AoN pilot the team have received over 4000 requests for support. Total demand significantly exceeds the team's contracted capacity. Alongside this there has been an unexpected reduction in workforce. We recognise that this situation is unsustainable, and we need to make some changes.

Children and young people's needs should be appropriately supported, and this requires a range of actions to be taken wherever possible within schools, by families and by healthcare professionals. As commissioners of this service, Surrey Heartlands and Surrey County Council have agreed to work with Mindworks Surrey, and other stakeholders including Surrey schools and families, to develop an improved pathway that helps to avoid children and young people across Surrey experiencing lengthy waits, and - by drawing on skills and capacity across the wider system - reduces demand for the ND diagnostic service to a level that is manageable for Mindworks to deliver.

Additionally, you will also be aware there is a national shortage of ADHD medication which we are now expecting to continue into at least April 2024, and national guidance is not to initiate new patients on ADHD medication until supply issues resolve. There is currently an approximate 1 year's wait for initiation of medication.

While the new pathway is developed with all key partners across education, health, and children's social care services, we are unable to accept any new AoN forms. We recognise this is an exceptionally difficult position to be in and not one we would want for our children, young people, and their families.

We have recently communicated to schools across Surrey to update them on the developments and highlight the contingency's we have put in place to support them. Schools who are supporting a child or young person who is exhibiting challenging behaviours at school and are at risk of exclusion can contact the team on: 01372 216555, to request a consultation appointment to discuss the case. Two pupils from each school (to ensure fair distribution of slots across all schools) can be discussed in each one-hour consultation appointment, and we have asked they prioritise the pupils of most concern for these sessions. We will also offer consultations to parents of young people whose school attendance is below 70% (this would trigger a safeguarding referral), that they've been referred or self-referred to Early Help, and engaged with any support offered, and where there is evidence that school and parent have worked together to support the young person back into school, but haven't been successful.

For requests for support made prior to September, the team are working their way through these and will be in touch in due course with the next steps. For those who have already implemented strategies and interventions, completed the forms and are ready to make a request for support, please continue to utilise strategies and interventions to help meet the identified needs. We would recommend that you take a look at our Neurodevelopmental strategies and resources section on the Mindworks Surrey website for more information. These strategies and interventions are developed by our clinicians to support families and have recently been updated.

The Learners' Single Point of Access (L-SPA) offers help and support if you have a concern about the development and/or learning needs of a Surrey child. Both parents and practitioners working with children in Surrey are welcome to call the L-SPA. It is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, all year round (except Bank Holidays) on 0300 200 1015 - https://www.surreylocaloffer.org.uk/lspa

If you are supporting a child who has severe mental health needs, you can continue to make requests for support via the online referrals portal - Secure Referral Forms by RIVIAM Digital Care (sabp.nhs.uk).

For families and carers, our out of hours advice line for ND runs from 5pm -11pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year and can be reached on: 0300 222 5755. We also have a free 24/7 mental health crisis line for children aged from six years, young people and their families or carers who are in crisis. The Crisis Line can be contacted on 0800 915 4644 to talk with a professional who will provide advice, support, and signposting to a range of community services. It's open all day and all night, seven days a week.

This decision has not been an easy one to take and as a system we understand it is an exceptionally challenging situation, and collectively, we are working hard to ensure the new pathway is introduced as soon as possible.

We will provide you with a further update in the new year.

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Update on the Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Assessment Pathway for children :: Mindworks Surrey

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Mindworks Surrey, alongside Surrey Heartlands ICB and Surrey County Council, would like to update you on the current neurodevelopmental (ND) diagnostic assessment pathway for children in schools.

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This link takes you to a free series of workshops about neurodivergence in children.

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What is Navigating the Maze?

Navigating the Maze is a workshop for parents of children who have needs that may be associated with ASD and/or ADHD. Its purpose is to support parents to become experts to their children, by understanding and therefore responding to their presenting needs. In doing this, parents can become co-therapists to their unique children, and in doing this uncover and recognise their amazing gifts. The workshop was created by professionals with both lived experience and knowledge and experience of working clinically with neurodivergent children.

What does the workshop involve?

It is a six-week online programme.

Weeks 1 & 2 explore your understanding of neurodevelopmental (ND) needs and how you respond to them. These lay the foundation for the following weeks. To get the most out of this workshop, it is really important to try to engage with each week fully.

Week 3 explores different presentations of neurodivergence.

Week 4 examines neurodivergence in the context of the developing brain.

Week 5 focuses on independence skills and strategies to support these.

Week 6 is an overview of the workshop and also examines the importance of play.

What can you expect after attending the workshop?

The workshop is a supportive tool and not a cure-all solution. It targets parents of children spanning a range of neurodevelopmental needs, ages, and across different points in their journeys. Therefore, parents can watch this workshop before, during, and/or after their journey of ND discovery.

If you are considering requesting an assessment for your child, please be aware that it is a very long process, because demand is so high. Most of the referrals do not require an assessment. ASD and ADHD are lifelong diagnostic outcomes, and as such can never be treated as urgent. Needs associated with them, however, can be supported in all environments.

Should you complete this workshop, and you decide to complete a screening pack for consideration of assessment, you will be required to evidence this by noting which support and strategies you put in place following the workshop, and the outcomes of these.

Where will the workshop be held?

Our workshop is held online so that parents/carers can access and revisit it whenever they choose. You can access our workshop here.

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Navigating the Maze - a toolkit of strategies for parents of neurodivergent children

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Navigating the Maze is a workshop for parents of children who have needs that may be associated with ASD and/or ADHD. Its purpose is to support parents to become experts to their children, by understanding and therefore responding to their presenting needs.

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Supports children to move from one activity to the next.

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The more regulated children feel the better able they are to access the environment around them, socialise and learn.

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We all work with kids who worry or struggle to gain control over their thoughts in the moment. While we can work over a longer period of time to help kids examine and restructure their thoughts, we need to also give them the tools to interrupt those thoughts in the moment! Grounding techniques are a powerful tool to help kids to connect to the here and now and interrupt spiraling worries. Keep reading to check out 10 of my favorite grounding exercises to help kids manage worry and anxiety.

Help Kids Manage Worry with These 10 Grounding Exercises

1. 5-4-3-2-1 Senses

This grounding exercise is a great go-to for kids. All they need for this exercise is their senses! Have students practice identifying:

5 things you see

4 things you hear

3 things you smell

2 things you can touch

1 thing you taste

Some people swap the final 2, and that works too! I find especially with younger students that identifying 2 things they taste in the moment can be tricky ("but I'm not eating!") so I have them do just 1 taste identification.

2. 5-4-3-2-1 Sights

If noticing each sense is tough for your student right now, try an exercise just with sights. Create categories and have students name what they see. Here's an example:

3. A-B-C Around the Room

This exercise will get students connected with that place where they are right now. Have your student look around the room and name something they see that starts with A, then B, then C and so forth. See how far they can get through the alphabet and then check-in to see how they're feeling once they reach the end.

4. Be a Tree

There's nothing more grounded than a tree! Teach your student to feel his or her connection with the ground by imaging him/herself as a tree. This sounds like, "I am firmly planted. I feel my feet rooted to the ground. My back is a strong trunk helping me feel stable in the moment. I feel my toes connecting with the ground. My arms are my branches. I feel them reach out into the world." Simply noticing their bodies and feeling their connection with the room helps kids feel grounded!

5. Power Hug

Firm pressure is great for grounding. Help students create an affirming statement to use for this exercise. It could be something like, "I am in control," or "I am safe in this moment." Practice placing the left hand on the right shoulder for a tap and then the right hand on the left shoulder for another tap. Then squeeze into a hug and say the affirmation. Tap, tap, squeeze, affirm. Tap, tap, squeeze, affirm. Repeat this as many times as needed!

6. Object Focus

Keep some unique items on hand with different textures and colors. These could be sensory items, colorful rocks, snow globes or something else. Students can hold an item in their hands and tune in all of their focus to the item. Notice the colors. Notice the textures. How does it feel in my hand? How does it feel when I squeeze it? What colors do I see? Just notice everything there is to notice about the item!

7. I am Here Hand Trace

For this exercise, you'll need paper and a pencil, marker, or crayon. Students will trace a hand on the paper. You can take this a few different directions. Students can simply press the hand into the space on the paper and feel the connection between hand and table. Or they can use the space inside the hand to write things they see or describe the room.

8. Reorientation

To re-orient to the moment, just have students name facts about the moment. You can give them a card to keep with them to remind them of facts they can state and practice practice practice! It might sound like:

9. Stomp Stomp Blow

For an active grounding exercise, have students stomp the left foot, stomp the right foot and then exhale deeply. Continue this pattern of stomp, stomp, blow, stomp, stomp, blow, stomp, stomp, blow. Feel the connection of feet with the floor. Blow away anxious thoughts.

10. Room Search

Pick one broad category and search the room. Name everything in the room that's green. How many stars can you find in the room? Say the type of shoe everyone in the room is wearing. Count the bricks on one wall.

How do you help kids manage worry?

Grounding is a powerful way to interrupt anxious thoughts in the moment! Give your kids who worry a chance to practice each one and see which one works for them. What strategies do you teach your kids? Do you have a favorite grounding technique that wasn't mentioned here? Leave it in the comments below so I can give it a try!

Resources to help kids manage worry:
Worry Workbook for Kids Worry Small Group Counseling Curriculum

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Help Kids Manage Worry with These 10 Grounding Exercises

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We all work with kids who worry or struggle to gain control over their thoughts in the moment. While we can work over a longer period of time to help kids examine and restructure their thoughts, we need to also give them the tools to interrupt those thoughts in the moment!

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Apps for children with Numeracy Difficulties

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Apps for children with Numeracy Difficulties

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Paired reading is a simple yet effective way to engage children in the reading process. Things you will need-
Books: Let your child choose any book (even if it seems too hard).
Time: Every day for 5-10 minutes.
Place: Somewhere quiet and comfortable.

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These ideas can help settle the nerves when returning to school after the weekend.

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Echelford SEN Information Report 2023-24

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Use this resource to breakdown homework tasks into manageable chunks

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Grouping letter formation according to similar patterns.

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These games are great to play with children to develop their memory and hold information in their mind.