Sources of Support – Education
Teach Me Too
Teach Me Too is run by a charity called Learn and Thrive.
Teach Me Too provides resources for children with Down’s syndrome and special educational needs in early years and KS1.
The series cover:
- Literacy
- Maths
- The Wider Curriculum
- Exploring Language
- Language through Play
These resources are created with specialist teachers and speech and language therapists for children with Down’s syndrome/ SEN, to be used at home, in school, or at support groups.
Teach Me Too is dedicated to utilising innovation and technology to break down barriers to education and learning for every person with Down’s syndrome, regardless of wealth, background, or postcode. As a result, all the resources can be accessed completely FREE. These resources are used across the UK and globally to support the learning of children with a range of SEN.
While they were created for those with Down’s syndrome, these resources have been found, to be helpful to many SEN. All these resources can be accessed online. They have been made in conjunction with Key Communication, Inclusively Down, and Symbol UK.
For more information or to access the free online library, please visit:
www.learnandthrive.org.uk/teach-me-too
Learning for Life
Learning for Life is run by a charity called Learn and Thrive.
Learning for Life is a project providing educational resources for young people with Down’s syndrome and special educational needs.
It covers:
- Primary
- Secondary
- Post 16
- Relationships
- Sexual Education curriculum.
The resources are created in line with what the Downs Syndrome community needs;
- teaching on personal health
- emotions
- relationships
- appropriate behaviour
The current series explores Growing Up and Keeping Safe, Emotions, and Caring Friendships. These resources are created with specialist teachers and speech and language therapists, to provide accessible and specialised teaching across educational settings and in the home.
To break down barriers in SEN education and support provisions, all Learning for Life resources are completely FREE. The resources are made in conjunction with Inclusively Down and 21 Together.
For more information or to access the free online library, please visit: www.learnandthrive.org.uk/teach-me-too
Sources of Support – Health
Includes information in relation to: I’ve linked these fact sheets into various places- or should they all be here? Also, links will need checking as relate to CCG
- Sleep
- Toilet Training and Continence Issues
- Feeding
- Behaviour
- Communication
- Anxiety
- Downs Syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Recovery College Online
- Links to Local and National sources of help and advice
Below are some links to local and national sources of help and advice for lots of different issues.
- https://learningdisabilitymatters.co.uk
- https://what0-18.nhs.uk
- https://nhsjoinourjourney.org.uk/what-we-are-doing/priorities/optimising-health-services/child-health-and-wellbeing-network
- https://maudleycharity.org/families
- https://www.healthwatchmiddlesbrough.co.uk/what-we-do
- https://contact.org.uk
- https://teesvalleyccg.nhs.uk/our-work/hartlepool-stocktons-needs-led-neurodevelopmental-pathway
Downs Syndrome
Children with Downs Syndrome will have access to specialist paediatric support when they are born. They will monitor their heart and development closely to understand each child’s particular presentation. Downs Syndrome is a spectrum, some children have more needs than others and this is why there is early close monitoring of their needs so that an individual package of support can be identified.
Children with Downs Syndrome can have heart, bowel and feeding difficulties when they are born, this is very individual to each child. Your doctor will help you understand what will be needed in your child’s case.
Some children with Downs Syndrome can be delayed in hitting their milestones due to something called low muscle tone. This low tone makes it much harder to do things physically. One way to help this is by having lots of opportunities to lie on their tummy (some babies are not keen and might cry, but making it fun by using play and distraction, check with your specialist or health visitor first, but try and aim for a little bit in every hour on their tummy to help their development and this can be from a very early age). Using lots of tactile sensory play like messy play and water play can really help children develop their sense of self, supporting physical development and fine motor development.
Every child does things in their own time and there are considerable ranges within which children can develop. It is important not to rush stages and do things in your child’s timeline as rushing can mean you skip developmental stages which can cause problems later on in life.
Your child’s specialist team and health visitor will monitor your child’s development. If they need physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or speech and language therapy they can refer to these services. If you are worried ask your health visitor or specialist team for advice and support, they will help alleviate your worries.
Take time as a family and get to know and enjoy your new baby. The websites below offer excellent support and advice for families.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common condition that affects the brain and causes seizures. Seizures are bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works. They can cause a wide range of symptoms.
There are many different types of Epilepsy ranging from vacant episodes to Tonic Clonic seizures. People can have one type or a number, of different seizures. It is really distressing to witness a seizure, but if you do then clear the space around your child and remain with them. Call 999 for help immediately.
Diagnosis of epilepsy is done by a specialist consultant following a number, of tests. The main test will be an EEG – Electroencephalography. This measures the electrical activity in the brain and is completed by a specialist team.
If a diagnosis is made you would access specialist support from the Epilepsy team at the hospital in your area. These are specialist Epilepsy nurses who will complete a health care plan that explains your child’s epilepsy, what their seizures look like, and how to help them. This care plan will go to school and any external clubs your child accesses. If emergency medication is needed, then training is provided from the specialist team. Your child will be reviewed at least every 6 months to ensure the medication is right but if you notice any increase in the frequency or strength of seizure then your contact would be your Epilepsy nurse whose details will be on your child’s Health care plan.
For more information click on the link below:
https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/what-is-epilepsy
Feeding
Children can be fussy eaters at different times, again often related to the different experiences in their lives. Children with additional needs can often restrict their, own foods due to sensory preferences or in a bid for control. Knowing how to manage this can be difficult especially if communication is more difficult. There are no quick fixes with eating. It is important to be consistent and remember these things can take weeks or months to change a habit.
OT tips: When developing cutlery skills use different shaped and material cutlery and allow children to play with them at all times, not just at meal times. Practice those fine motor skill games, lots of pinching and using fingers to feed is ideal when starting to wean.
Below is a link to the general NHS advice for younger children who are fussier with their food. There are elements of this that will be useful for children with additional needs as well.
The second link is to the National Autistic Society advice and this can be used for a range of children not just those with Autism. It contains helpful hints and a step-by-step guide of advice.
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/fussy-eaters
- https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/eating
- https://mamaot.com/fine-motor-activities-using-household-items
Child Health and Wellbeing Network
The North East and North Cumbria Child Health and Wellbeing Network works to bring organisations together to design and deliver joined-up services to provide improved outcomes for children and plans to make a real difference to children’s services. Their vision states:
In the North East and North Cumbria we believe all children and young people should be given the opportunity, to flourish and reach their potential, and be advantaged by organisations working together.
The Network works with people from all sectors across the region: such as Health, Education, Local Authorities and the Voluntary and Community Sector as well as with children, young people and their families too. The Network aims to achieve meaningful and realistic engagement with key stakeholders from across the North East and North Cumbria.
Current priority areas, which were defined by the system, are Mental Health, Poverty, Additional Needs and Vulnerability, Inequalities and Access, Best Start in Life, Health Promotion and Childhood Illness. Following the first surge of the COVID pandemic the priorities were reviewed and Family Support was added as an additional priority area.
The Network is keen to invite people to join their journey- for more information on becoming a member and receive their newsletter, or to hear about projects and plans, please contact the Child Health and Wellbeing Network team via england.northernchildnetwork@nhs.net
More information is available at:
https://northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/our-work/workstreams/optimising-services/child-health-and-wellbeing-network and /or at twitter via @NorthNetChild
Invisible disabilities / Lanyards
Coming Soon
Sources of Support – Social Care
The Children’s Hub
Call 01429 284284 or childrenshub@hartlepool.gov.uk for concerns about the safety and wellbeing of children in Hartlepool.
Housing Strategy, housing advice and homelessness
For enquiries about how to register and bid for social housing contact 01429 806834.
For general housing advice including homelessness contact 01429 266522.
Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Resettlement
For general enquiries contact 01429 284074 or resettlement@hartlepool.gov.uk.
Welfare Support
For enquiries relating to Local Welfare Support, Discretionary Housing Payments, access to foodbanks and fuel top ups contact 01429 523469 or welfareandbenefit@hartlepool.gov.uk
The Emergency Duty Team
Provides an out-of-hours response to Emergency Situations involving child protection, childcare, mental health and other adults care service matters.
They provide a point of advice and where necessary, immediate service to individuals and families who are experiencing problems. They work closely with other emergency services including Health, Warden Call, Police, Women’s Refuges, and the Benefits Agency.
They are only available outside of normal office hours on telephone 01642 524522.
Special Guardians of Hartlepool
Coming Soon
Sources of Support – Local
SENDIASS Service
Hartlepool SEND Information Advice and Support Service is a statutory service supporting parents/carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and children and young people with SEND.
Hartlepool SEND Information Advice and Support Service provides confidential information, advice and support through a range of services. This includes home visits, attending meetings in educational settings and liaison with all services working with children and young people. Training and guidance to parents/carers, young people and professionals on SEND issues are also provided.
Hartlepool SEND Information Advice and Support Service operates at ‘arm’s length’ from the Local Authority and the services provided are confidential and impartial.
Visit the Hartlepool SENDIASS for further information
Telephone: 01429 284876 / 07776491662
Email to: HARTLEPOOLIASS@hartlepool.gov.uk.
You can access impartial information, advice and support by contacting Hartlepool SENDIAS Service.
Further information about the SENDIASS Service can be found on the website: www.hartlepoolsendiass.co.uk/
Parent and Carer Forum
1Hart, 1Mind, 1Future is the recognised Parent Carer Forum (PCF) for Hartlepool and was established in 2008.
This is a group of parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and disabled children aged 0-25 who work alongside the local authority, education, health service and other service providers to make sure they plan, commission, deliver and monitor the needs of children and families.
The group does this through active parent participation and ensuring parents have a voice.
As a Forum it works closely with Hartlepool Borough Council’s Short Break Lead to identify areas in which families feel short breaks could benefit them.
1Hart, 1Mind, 1Future believes it is important to enable families of children with SEN and Disabilities to live a fulfilling active life.
The group works closely with many other services to enable the reduction in isolation, to families in Hartlepool and help increase resilient parents.
You can contact the group by:
Telephone: 07896 054361
Email: HartMindFuture@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.1hart1mind1future.co.uk
Facebook: 1 Hart, 1 Mind, 1 Future Group Forum
Hartlepool Carers
Visit Hartlepool Carers for more information.
Carers’ Assessment
Hartlepool Carers are able to offer you a carers assessment which will xxxxxlink- current document was due for update 2020
Who can have a carers’ assessment?
Any carer who appears to have a need for support should be offered an assessment.
You will be entitled to an assessment regardless of the amount or type of care you provide, your financial circumstances or your level or need for support. You do not necessarily have to live with the person you are supporting or be caring full-time to have an assessment.
You can have an assessment whether or not the person you are looking after has had a needs assessment, or if the local council have decided they are not eligible for support.
If you and the person you are looking after agree, a combined assessment of both your needs can be undertaken at the same time.
If you are sharing caring responsibilities with another person, or more than one person, including a child under 18, you can have an assessment.
How will my carers’ assessment be carried out? Is this still the case now dealt with through hartlepool carers?
Assessments are carried out by Social Workers, Social Care Officer via telephone or face to face in a convenient and private place, usually at your home or at a council office.
Your assessment should cover:
- your caring role and how it impacts on your life and wellbeing
- your health, physical, mental and emotional issues
- your feelings and choices about caring
- work, study, training, leisure
- relationships, social activities and your goals
- housing
- planning for emergencies
The aim of the assessment is to help you get the support you need. You will need to give your honest opinion about your caring role, the care you provide and your feelings about being a carer.
Eligibility
Following your assessment consideration will be given as to whether your identified needs meet the new national eligibility criteria.
You will meet the eligibility criteria if there is (or is likely to be) a significant impact on your wellbeing as a result of you caring for another person.
There are three questions that Hartlepool Borough Council will need to consider when making their decision.
1. Are your needs the result of you providing necessary care?
Hartlepool Borough Council could decide that the care you provide is not necessary, that the person you support could do the things themselves, or they could decide that your identified needs are the result of something other than your caring role.
2. Does your caring role have an effect on you?
The effect on you must be either:
- your physical or mental health is at risk of getting worse, or
- you are unable to achieve at least one of the following outcomes
- look after any children you have responsibilities for
- provide care to any other person
- maintain your home in a fit and proper state
- eat properly and maintain proper nutrition
- maintain and develop your relationships with family and friends
- take part in any education, training, work or volunteering you may wish to
- have time for social activities, hobbies etc.
In considering whether or not you can achieve the above outcomes, Hartlepool Borough Council must take into account any difficulties you have. You will be considered unable to achieve the outcome if you:
- need assistance to achieve outcomes
- can achieve the outcome unaided but experience pain, distress or anxiety
- can achieve the outcome unaided but doing so endangers, or may endanger you or another person’s health and safety.
3. Is there, or is there likely to be, a significant impact on your well-being?
The definition of ’well-being’ is very broad and includes things like personal dignity, control over your day to day life, participation in education, work or social activities, relationships with other people, having suitable accommodation, and protection from abuse and neglect.
What help might I get?
Everyone, including those whose needs are considered not to be eligible for support must receive information and advice from Hartlepool Borough Council. Information and advice relevant to you can be found at www.hartlepoolnow.co.uk
If Hartlepool Borough Council decides that you meet the eligibility criteria and therefore have ‘eligible needs’, then providing you want them to, they must meet these needs and draw up a support plan detailing how they will be met.
It may be agreed that the best way to help you as a carer is by providing services directly to you, by providing services to the person you are looking after, or a combination of both.
Some examples of the kind of help that could be available directly to you as a carer:
- Carers Emergency Respite Care Scheme (CERCS) – (see factsheet)
- Sitting Service (see factsheet)
- A Direct Payment that includes things like: (see factsheet)
- help getting around
- technology to support you
- help with housework or gardening
- help to relieve stress, improve health and promote wellbeing
Some examples of the kind of help that could be available to the person you are looking after, in order to help you as a carer:
- changes to the person’s home to make it more suitable
- equipment such as a hoist or grab rail
- a care worker to help provide personal care at home
- a temporary stay in residential care/respite care
- meals delivered to the person’s home
- assistance with travel, for example to get to a day centre
- replacement care so you can have a break
- planning for emergencies
- housing
- planning for emergencies
West View Advice and Resource Centre
Click here for more information
Bubble of Support
Click here for more information
The Hartlepool Community Support Finder
The Hartlepool Community Support Finder is a comprehensive list of organisations providing a range of services and activities to adults, children and young people in Hartlepool. The Hartlepool Community Support Finder is available at www.hartlepoolnow.co.uk. It is also available as an App and can be downloaded on Apple IStore and Google Play.
These include: should these be in others section or at least the ones which are national?
Sources of Support – Other
Parenting Smart
A Place2Be survey of 962 parents found that around half (52%) of parents of 4-11-year-olds have felt isolated during the pandemic, and almost half (48%) of parents felt they would have benefitted from advice about how to manage their children’s behaviour during the pandemic.
Place2Be developed Parenting Smart to help parents and carers support their children, and manage their behaviour. It’s completely free to use and access. Developed by Place2Be’s parenting experts, the site is full of tips and advice on a range of topics including transition to secondary school, meltdowns, and sleep difficulties.
Learn more at parentingsmart.org.uk
IPSEA
Visit IPSEA for further information
Citizens Advice Bureau
Visit Citizen Advice Hartlepool for more information
Contact
Visit contact for more information
Money Matters
The aim of this page is to provide information and advice on how you can access information when considering making financial decisions and the best use of financial resources.
Specific information in relation to Education, Health or Social Care can be found by following the links and further information is below.
Carers Allowance
Visit gov.uk for more information
Direct Payments
What is a Direct Payment and what can it be used for?
Families now have the opportunity to have more control over the support their child receives. If your child is assessed as needing services from Children’s and Joint Commissioning Services at Hartlepool Borough Council, you can choose to receive the money to buy those services yourself. Using a Direct Payment gives you the flexibility to decide who is going to provide a service and to arrange how and when any service is provided.
The money is for you to use to pay for the services which will meet the needs of your child. It allows you to buy the care your child needs instead of having services organised for them. A Direct Payment can be used for:
- Getting help with your child’s personal care, for example bathing, dressing, eating or helping look after them overnight;
- Helping your child use leisure and educational facilities;
- Help with household tasks to free up your time to look after your child;
- A place at a dry nursery or after-school care.
A Direct Payment CANNOT be used for residential care.
How do I find out if I am eligible for a Direct Payment?
You must contact us via the Children’s Hub where a discussion will take place around your child’s care needs. You may then be allocated a social worker from the Children with Disabilities Team who will carry out an assessment in order to understand your child’s needs and how best those needs can be met. If we assess that specific services are required and the needs cannot be met in any other way, then a direct payment may be offered. This would involve a support plan being agreed which outlines why support is needed, what support is required and how the support will be implemented.
The social worker will remain involved in order to continue to offer support and review the support package at least 6 monthly and re-assess need annually.
Should the assessed need of your child require a Direct Payment and no other social care intervention then support will be via our Direct Payment Pathway. This means the worker will contact you 6 monthly, one of which will to be review your child’s needs which will be an annual event.
For further information please contact The Children’s Hub on 01429 284284 or email childrenshub@hartlepool.gov
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Visit gov.uk for more information
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term ill-health or disability.
You could get between £23.60 and £151.40 a week if you’re aged 16 or over and have not reached state pension age.
The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself.
You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.
Visit gov.uk for more information
Universal Credit
Visit gov.uk for more information
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
You can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work.
ESA gives you –
- money to help with living costs if you’re unable to work.
- Support to get back into work if you’re able to.
You can apply if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed.
Visit gov uk for more information
Advocacy
Advocacy Services
What is an advocate?
NYAS advocates are independent: they do not work for the local authority.
Our advocates listen to what you want, inform you of your rights and empower you to get your voice heard. We ensure your wishes and feelings are expressed and acted upon to improve your situation.
Our advocates work just for you and are on your side.
They help you to be actively involved in decisions that affect your life.
What support can I expect?
We can help you:
- If you feel your views are not being listened to and want someone on your side.
- If you are unhappy with the way you are being cared for.
- If you are angry or upset about something that is happening to you.
- If you feel you haven’t been treated fairly.
- If no one is telling you what is happening about your situation.
- If you haven’t been involved in decisions that are being made about you.
- To take part in meetings and reviews.
There may be some things that can’t be changed, but an advocate will make sure everyone knows how you feel and help you to understand why the decision has been made.
We provide a confidential service, and will only pass on information about you with your consent, unless it places you at risk of harm.
We are led by you which means you are in control.
For further information telephone, 0808 808 1001 or visit www.nyas.net This helpline is free and confidential
National Youth Advocacy Service
Visit nyas.net for more information
Contacts
Who are the contacts – should these roles be somewhere in health section or jargon buster? Also need details on how to contact
Children’s Care Co-ordinator
The Children’s Care Co-ordinator will support you and your family from the point of diagnosis by signposting and navigating you through the health, social care, and education system to ensure you get the right support and advice at the right time.
The co-ordinator will work in partnership with your family, providers, local authorities, and the voluntary sector, to ensure that the needs of your child are met, and your voices are heard. This support will be as personal and flexible as possible and provide you with a point of contact to support you through this journey.
The co-ordinator, will utilise the personalised care approaches and support any transitions of young people through into adulthood.
If you have a child or young person or you are a young person with a life limiting condition, that feel they require further support, please contact the Children’s Care Co-ordinator (Life Limiting Conditions) on email: necsu.cypcarecoordination@nhs.net
Designated Clinical Officer (DCO)
In June 2015 the Department for Education and the Department for Health produced statutory guidance for organisations which work with and support Children and Young People (CYP) who have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND). One of the provisions described within the Code of Practice is around the identification of a Designated Medical Officer (DMO) or a Designated Clinical Officer (DCO).
The role of the DCO is:
- Provide a point of contact for local authorities, schools and colleges seeking health advice on CYP who may have SEN or disabilities
- Maximise outcomes for CYP with SEND by working to improve quality of life, school absences, secondary mental and physical health conditions, a personal autonomy and engagement in further education and employment
- Play a strategic role in relation to, the SEND agenda, developing, improving and influencing services design and delivery
- Provide an expert resource for CYP health information, guidance, reassurance and support for families and professionals
- Attend multi agency panels and support decision making on the basis of clinical judgement
- Challenge and approve packages for the CYP and SEND
- Co-ordinate and pull together information from various services involved with the CYP (current and historic involvement)
- Develop processes for the quality assurance of the finalised EHCPs and the input from Health Colleagues
- Undertake trend analysis for the CYP cohorts and identify commissioning gaps to inform future commissioning
- Make and follow up safeguarding referrals
- Liaison with professions from health providers both internally and externally to ensure that all relevant health information is available to support EHC decision making at panel and provide longer term specialised and strategic oversight
There has been a DCO appointed to the ICB since 1st June 2018 who is working across the Tees Valley Local Authority boundary
North East and North Cumbria Key Worker Service
A Key worker service is available across the Tees Valley for children and young people that have autism and/or learning disabilities. The workforce will support children, young people and families to help avoid unnecessary admissions into mental health hospitals within the integrated care system.
In line with new policy, children and young people are referred to the Key Working service when they are included on the dynamic support register.
Key workers work with children, young people and their families with the most complex needs to make sure families feel listened to and included in decisions, are fully involved in their care plans, care plans are personalised, and they have the right support at the right time, in a co-ordinated way.
For further information on this service please visit the following links:
Regional information – North East and North Cumbria (NE and NC) Keyworker Service – Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (cntw.nhs.uk)
National information – https://www.england.nhs.uk/learning-disabilities/care/children-young-people/keyworkers/
Hartlepool LA SEND Team
Coming Soon
Jargon Buster
Get involved
Coming Soon
