Newsletter March 2024
PCF February In-Person Forum - "Live Well" Live!
Live Well - Meeting the professionals behind the services that support your child/young person and an update from Gill Tyler on Cheshire & Merseyside – PINS Project 2024 - 2025
If you were unable to attend this event, please use the link below to access the presentations
SHORT BREAKS/WRAPAROUND CARE UPDATE FROM THE LOCAL AUTHORITY
We are very sorry to announce that the provider in the Ellesmere Port area who was due to provide SEND after school clubs and holiday clubs from the 1st March has had to withdraw. We are disappointed and we are sure many of you are too. We are continuing our search for more providers in Ellesmere Port and across the borough to commission for this important work.
We will also continue to develop this area of service for children, young people and their families as part of our local delivery plan for the National Wraparound Childcare Programme which begins in September 2024 and aspires for all parents and carers of primary school-aged children who need it to be able to access term time childcare in their local area from 8am-6pm by September 2026.
For more information on the National Wraparound Childcare Programme please visit the following websites:
wraparound-childcare-guidance-for-local-authorities
and wraparound-childcare-guidance-for-schools
PARENTAL RIGHT TO REQUEST
Parents have a right to request that schools consider providing wraparound or holiday childcare for children from reception up to the end of key stage 3 (year 9) and up to age 18 for disabled children. You can make the request to the school your child attends.
If you would like to know how your school should respond to such requests here is a link to the guidance for schools: responding-to-requests-for-wraparound-childcare
TAX FREE CHILDCARE, TAX CREDITS AND UNIVERSAL CREDIT
You may be eligible for financial help with paying for childcare. Visit Childcare Choices for more information.
Thank you to the 369 people who completed the PCF 2024 Survey - this is an amazing response. We are now in the process of analysing your responses and will share the results with you in due course.
We have updated our database with our new members, if you are recieving this Newletter for the first time a "Very Warm Welcome"
Dont forget to follow us on Social Media and visit our website for the latest news and events.
Wednesday 20th March⋅10:30am – 11.30am
Virtual Meeting on Zoom:
At the meeting - You will get to hear about and have your say on the following topics:
Short Breaks and Wrap-Around Care - Update.
EOTAS – Education Other Than At School - What is it?
Chance to ask questions and listen to presentations from the Service Professionals.
To book your place please use the link below...
Wednesday 22nd May⋅10:00am – 2:00pm
At:
Holiday Inn, Cheshire Oaks
Lower Mersey Street Ellesmere Port CH65 2AL
At the meeting - You will get to hear about and have your say on the following topics:
Preparation to Adulthood
Supported Internships - What happens when my EHCP ceases?
Social care - Supported Living / Direct Payments
Transitioning to Adulthood services
Marketplace - Stands & Information on activities, groups and services in your area will also be available.
Free Parking, Free Lunch, Free Tea/Coffee & Cakes, Wheelchair Accessible.
With much more to come in 2024 don't forget that you can keep up to date with the latest PCF news and signposting information by checking our website and following us on Facebook.
Go to our Easter Activities page for all the latest information on what is available over the holidays...
Click below to take a virtual tour of our incredible facilities!
Mercury College are proud to be hosting a one-day FREE TRAINING EVENT in Manchester for parents/carers of young adults with learning disabilities, often in association with autism and complex care needs including behaviours of concern, on the topic ‘Preparing for Adulthood’
Are you an Individual Employer of your own PA/carers?
Do you want to update your PA’s training or even add to it?
Then check out what we have organised for March – all training is FREE.
First Aid:
22nd March 2024 (Full day 9.30-4.30pm)
Manual Handling (9.30am-4pm)
11th March 2024
27th March 2024
Safeguarding (half day, am; 9.30-1pm) pm; 1pm-4pm)
5th March 2024 (pm)
19th March 2024 (am)
Good Employer Training (9.30-4pm)
13th March 2024
All training is in house at our head office in Northwich https://rb.gy/lt6uoz, though we also offer on-line training.
Our service provider can offer a variety of courses to cover all of your care needs.
Interested? Please email learning@disabilitypositive.org to book your place… but hurry places are limited.
Funded by Skills for Care
The Russet School
We are excited to announce our new Family and Toddler session. Play based learning sessions for children with additional needs aged 6 months to 5 years and their families.
Every Friday morning at 9.30 – 11.00 at Victoria Road Children's Centre, Neumann St, Northwich CW9 5UT.
No need to book just come along and join the fun!
The Ice Cream Farm SEN Sessions
Mark your calendars for ...
Morning Sessions (9 am - 11:30 am):
Sunday 11th February
Sunday 24th March
Afternoon Sessions (3:30 pm - 6:30 pm):
Sunday 21st April
Sunday 19th May
All dates are available to book here
Title of Webinar:
Social Care, Day Services & Volunteering
Date: Wednesday 27th March 2024
Summary of Content: Find out how to access support to help all young people with disabilities fulfil their potential and lead as independent life as possible. This webinar will look at care and support options including housing, day care, finance, volunteering, etc..
Speaker(s): Kath Hingston - Transition Team Manager (Social Care) and Denise Garner - Service Manager Vivo LD Day Services
Provider:
Cheshire West and Chester Council and Vivo Care
Time: 4-5pm
To Join: Click here to join the meeting
Reasonable Adjustments Check List
NEW FEATURE.... Discover Live Well Cheshire West.
Your new look PCF Newsletter will take you into "Live Well".
Let us help you explore what's on offer.
SEN Managers.
In the link below you will find the roles and responsibilities (as of November 2023) of the SEN Managers. At the bottom of the page, you will find the contact details for the team.
Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS)
We have updated the Information, Advice and Support Service page on Live Well, so you can find out more about what the service provides as well as finding a wide range of information covering subjects including Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support, Education Health and Care Needs Assessments and Plans, Meetings, Choosing a New School, Disagreements and Mediation and much more.. To find out more information or to contact the service please click below...
USEFUL CONTACTS....
Live Well Cheshire West - www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Information Advice and Support Service (IASS) - Tel 0300 123 7001
www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/Services/1279
SEN Team - Tel 0151 337 6505
senteam@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Starting Well - www.startingwell.org.uk/
West Cheshire 0-16 CAMHS Tel - 01244 393200
www.cwp.nhs.uk/services-and-locations/services/west-cheshire-0-16-camhs/
IPSEA- Call-in Helpline Tel- 0300 22 5899
https://www.ipsea.org.uk/Pages/Category/service-overview
CONTACT Advice Line -Tel-0808 808 3555
https://contact.org.uk/
Get Involved with the PCF....
We are always looking for new parents and carers to join us. You can attend meetings, give feedback to influence the services your child or young person uses or help us to identify the gaps in services. Also, a chance to meet other parents and learn about what's on offer in Cheshire West & Chester.
email contact.pcfcwac@gmail.com
or join us for one of our meetings. We hope to see you soon!
Copyright © 2024 CWAC PCF, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
contact.pcfcwac@gmail.com
