Newsletter
July 2024
July 2024
Service Updates
Upcoming Events
Summer Term 2024
We are coming to the end of the academic year, but we still have one last school event before the summer holidays:
15th July:
Parents Coffee Morning - "Introduction to SENDIASS," 9 am to 11 am, at Torriano Primary School, Torriano Avenue, NW5 2SJ. (**Torriano School parents only**)
Autumn Term 2024
We have organised our parents and carers events for the autumn term and the following are taking place:
17th September:
Parents Coffee Morning - "Introduction to SENDIASS", 9 am to 11 am at Langtry Nursery, 11-29 Langtry Road, NW8 0AJ. (**Langtry Nursery parents only**)
24th September:
Somali Marketplace Event, 10 am to 2pm at the Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD (see flyer below)
1st October:
Camden Special Parents Forum - "Introduction to SENDIASS" (during the Exceptional Need Grant (ENG) Workshop), 10 am to 12 pm, Greenwood Centre, The Greenwood Centre, 37 Greenwood Place, NW5 1LB. (**Special Parent Forum Parents only**). Booking information to follow shortly and this will be managed by the Special Parent Forum.
17th October:
Parents Coffee Morning - "Introduction to SENDIASS", 9 am to 11:30 am at Fitzjohn’s Primary School, 86a Fitzjohn’s Ave, NW3 6NP. (**Fitzjohns School parents only**)
14th November:
"Introduction to SEND" - training for new parents, Rhyl Primary School, Grafton Road, NW5 4AX. (**Rhyl Primary parents only**)
21st November:
Somali Parents Coffee Morning - "Introduction to SENDIASS," 9:30 am to 11:30 am, at Regents High School, Chalton Street, London, NW1 1RX. (**Regents High School parents only**)
Our SEND Drop In's
Since September 2023 we have worked closely with the Camden Family Hub's and Camden Mosaic by delivering SEND Drop In's. A total of 37 parents and carers attended!
The SEND Drop In's are an opportunity for parents and carers to:
- Receive information and advice about education, health and social care SEND systems and procedures, from initial concerns to appeal processes.
- Speak to someone from the SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS).
No booking is needed, you can just turn up!
The following have been arranged for the Autumn Term 2024:
15th October: 9:30 am to 11:30 am, at Harmood Children’s Centre and Family Hub, 1 Forge Place, NW1 8DQ
24th October: 9:30 am to 11 am, at Camden Mosaic (room 44), Kentish Town Health Centre, 2 Bartholomew Rd, Cantelowes, NW5 2BX
13th November: 9:30 am to 11:30 am, at Regents Park Children’s Centre and Family Hub, Augustus Street, NW1 3TJ
Watch this space for more 2025 events!
Help with Meetings
If you need additional help with meetings e.g. school meetings, annual review meetings, etc, we can help you prepare for the meeting or attend the meeting with you (if needed). Please have a look at Our Intervention Levels to find out more about how we can help.
If you need help with meetings, please email us at sendiass@camden.gov.uk or call us on 0207 974 6264
Our Website
Did you know that we have a website? Our website is 'our information offer' to parents, carers and professionals and it is packed with useful information, resources and contacts. In June we had 2,159 views and we are planning to do further development in the upcoming months.
Check out www.sendiasscamden.co.uk
Useful Information
Camden Autism Partnership Board Survey
The Camden Autism Partnership Board in collaboration with the National Autistic Society has launched this survey. The aim is to gather the opinions and priorities of residents to inform the Camden co-produced autism strategy and plan.
The survey is open until 31 July 2024.
Why your views matter
Your views matter to support Camden Council in making an informed autism strategy and plan that reflects the needs and priorities of residents.
How to participate
If you live in Camden and belong to any of the categories below, we invite you to take part in the survey:
- Autistic (with or without a diagnosis)
- family members of Autistic people
- carers and Personal Assistants of Autistic people
You can access the survey in English, Somali and Sylheti here
Do you need help completing the survey?
If yes, click the attachment below for the different drop in sessions, where you can get help.
Special Parents Forum - Summer Lunch on 16th July
The Special Parents Forum (SPF) is network of over 250 parents and carers who understand the unique journey of raising children with special educational needs. They organise meetings and training workshops that equip parents and carers with the information and skills, and empowers them.
Being a part of this forum is a chance to connect with other parents, share experiences, and give and receive feedback on local matters. For more information please go to Camden Special Parents Forum - Kids and Camden Special Parents Forum | Facebook.
Please see attachment below for information about their Summer Lunch and how to book a place.
Family Fund - Discover More Support
National charity Family Fund launched a new 'Discover more support' search tool on their website. It can help you more easily find services best suited to you and your family.
Featuring topics like money and benefits, mental health and wellbeing, education and learning and disability, you can now browse through 130 trusted organisations listed on the new search tool – to find available support services in your local area, or nationally.
To use the tool and find out more, head to Family Fund's website.
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Society
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is widely understood to be a profile on the autism spectrum, involving the avoidance of everyday demands and the use of ‘social’ strategies as part of this avoidance.
The PDA Society (www.pdasociety.org.uk) provides information, support and training about PDA for individuals, families and professionals. For more information about PDA, please read their "What is PDA Booklet?" and have a look at their resources page.
The ArtsXchange
The ArtsXchange provides alternative education for 14-19 year olds through a creative arts and media curriculum. The school consolidates over thirty years’ experience of using arts and media education to turn disengaged young peoples’ lives around.
For more information, please see attached flyer and view their website: Welcome to The ArtsXchange
For all enquiries, get in touch via admissions@theartsxchange.com or 020 468 4747.
Discover Digital Summer Festival
Registrations for their annual Discover Digital summer festival are now open and families with disabled children are encouraged to take part.
The festival kicks off on Tuesday 30 July. It is a creative and friendly online space where children can learn new skills and socialise during summer holidays, from the comfort of their home. The workshops are free and range from learning how to create fun animations, to making a vlog and mastering the power of coding.
This year, more of the workshops are multiplatform, so children can join sessions from a device most suitable to them, such as Android tablet, iPad or PC. And families can book on as many sessions as they like.
To register and find out more details, please go to www.familyfund.org.uk/discoverdigitalfestival
Camden Rise - Summer Activities for Young People
For more information, please click this link - Summer is here - free and low-cost activities for children and young people - Camden Rise - Camden Council
Free Saturday Club with Roundhouse and The Place – ages 13 to 16
Young people aged 13 to 16 can join the Performance and Theatre Saturday Club at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, and develop their dance and circus skills with professional artists. Every Saturday, from 10.30am to 1.30pm, they will explore contemporary and creative dance techniques, and learn circus skills such as acrobatics, parkour, and juggling. No previous circus or dance experience is necessary. They can learn to balance, flip and improve their co-ordination, guided by professional tutors, while working towards a final performance piece, to be performed at London Contemporary Dance School at The Place, King's Cross. This is a unique opportunity to meet other young people and develop performance skills in a fun and supportive environment.