Support for Parent
We are in the process of developing this part of the site to provide useful information to support parents with links to external agencies.
Identifying a need
If a child's progress is significantly slower than that of their peers or fails to match their previous rate of progress, it may be that the child has special educational needs (SEN). In these cases, information would be gathered, including seeking the views of parents and the pupil, and the child would be placed on the SEND register. Your child does not need to have a specific diagnosis to be offered support.
We will work with parents to help identify a child's main area of need. We may use specific assessments to give us a clear understanding of the difficulties being faced.
These assessments could include:
Using Bedfordshire Speech and Language toolkit and screeners
Using 'Nessy' Dyslexia Screener
A colour overlay screen
Using Boxall Profile to identify different needs
We also work closely with other agencies, such as specialist outreach advisors, JIGSAW, Early intervention team, Early Years SEND team and the Educational Psychologist. This helps us ensure the correct provision is in place for your child.
0-19 Team
This is the primary Padlet that they use which has lots of information for supporting parents in managing sleep and wider health needs.
PADLET - Primary-school-health-promotion-5-11-years
We are writing to introduce you to the Bedfordshire 5-19 service. When your child reaches school age their care transfers from your Health Visitor to the 5-19 team; our team is made up of School Nurses, public health staff nurses and support health professionals. We are available to support all children aged from 5 years to 19 years.
Please click the link to view an animation explaining our service and how to contact us. The information also includes details of our Parentline and ChatHealth confidential text messaging services. We can support children and families in school, the home or at one of our clinics.
Please find the link here https://bit.ly/5-19primaryinfo
Please contact us before your child starts school if they have an additional medical need that will require emergency medication or a care plan (allergies, epilepsy, for example). Our service operates year-round, and we will be available for support during the summer holidays.
We can also offer support for you or your child with their physical, developmental, or emotional health. We will be contacting you once your child has started school to offer a health assessment and to undertake growth measurements as part of the National Childhood Measurement Programme – further information will be provided. This will include details for our digital School Screener Parent Portal where you can complete the assessment, gain advice and support, consent and view the results of your child growth and hearing screening.
We can be contacted via our Health Hub on 0300 555 0606 between 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us at ccs.bedsandlutonchildrenshealthhub@nhs.net
The administrator will ask for your child’s name, date of birth and the school they attend so they can identify the school nursing team in your area, who will return your call within 2 working days.
Understanding the Jargon
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SEND: Special Educational Needs and Disability
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SENDCo: Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-Ordinator
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EHCP: Education, Health and Care Plan
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SSP: SEND Support Plan
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IEP: Individual Education Plan
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SALT: Speech and Language Therapy
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SLT: Speech and Language Therapist
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OT: Occupational Therapy
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EP: Educational Psychologist
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CDC: Child Development Centre
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ASD: Autistic Spectrum Disorder
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ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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MLD: Mild Learning Difficulties
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SPLD: Specific Learning Difficulties
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LA: Local Authority
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CBC: Central Bedfordshire Council
Website links
Our Diagnosis Support Pack (DSP) has been coproduced by families for families following a diagnosis of a neurodiversity.
Autism Bedfordshire is the only voluntary organisation in the county that is specialised in supporting autistic adults and children. We are also there to support their families.
Outside-iN (outsidein-solutions.com)
Outside-iN is a voluntary organisation dedicated to supporting and educating families, adults and professionals living with or working with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and associated conditions.
Carers In Bedfordshire (carersinbeds.org.uk)
We support all types of carers in Bedfordshire – whatever your age or who you look after because of their disability or condition.
Children's Speech and Language Therapy for Luton and Bedford (childspeechbedfordshire.nhs.uk)
Our NHS Children’s Speech and Language Therapy service provides specialist support to children with speech, language and communication needs across Bedfordshire and Luton.
CHUMS https://chums.uk.com/bedfordshire-services/
Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing support for Children, Young People and their families, with other services specifically supporting adults; Babyloss Bereavement Service and Bedfordshire Suicide Bereavement Service.
British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk)
The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) has been the voice of dyslexic people since 1972. We are a membership organisation working to achieve a dyslexia-friendly society for all.
Central Bedfordshire SENDIASS - Central Bedfordshire SENDIASS (cbsendiass.org)
Central Bedfordshire SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and disability Information, Advice and Support Service) is a statutory service, provided by but working at arm’s length from the Local Authority which offers a free, confidential support service for young people with SEND and their parents and carers.
Who is SNAP? - SNAP PCF - Central Bedfordshire
NAP (Special Needs Action Panel) is a pro-active, independent forum of parent carers who all have children or young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). As members of the National Network of Parent Carer Forum’s we support the development of parent carer participation, a process in which parents work together with professionals to make improvements to local services.
(IPSEA) Independent Provider of Special Education Advice
IPSEA offers free and independent advice on local authorities (LA) legal duties to assess and provide for children with special educational needs. Independent advice and information on special needs education, based on the law.