SEND and inclusion news
The October edition of our SEND and Inclusion newsletter is now available. It includes:
- SEND Reform Plan update
- ‘Autistic and Wonderfully Wired’ conference for parent carers and professionals
- quality assurance update - strengths and areas for improvement
- spotlight on selective or situational mutism
Conference event
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- Time: 9.30am to 2.30pm (registration from 9am)
- Ticket price: £20 per ticket (including lunch - dietary requirements will be collected on booking)
About the event
The West Sussex Autism Ambassadors are groups of autistic children and young people. They work alongside friends and other young people who support autism and want to be good allies.
Together, they have made a series of short films. In the films, they explain in their own words how adults can better understand and support autistic children and young people.
This event is for parent carers, school staff and anyone who works with autistic children and young people. It is a chance to listen, learn and hear directly from autistic young people.
Conference highlights
The Autism Ambassadors chose the speakers for this conference. The programme includes neurodivergent speakers and a researcher who studies autism.
The speakers are:
- Jessica-Jane Applegate, Paralympic swimmer and World Champion
- Dr Julia Simner, Professor of Psychology at the University of Sussex
- Dave Higgins, Fire Officer at West Sussex County Council
- Cam Parfitt, Paramedic at South East Coast Ambulance Service
The autistic speakers will talk about their own experiences. They will share how recognising and using their strengths has helped them succeed. Dr Julia Simner will explain the science behind many autistic strengths.
What you will learn
You will:
- hear real experiences from autistic people
- learn why focusing on strengths can make a positive difference
- gain practical ideas to support learning, wellbeing and achievement
- join discussions about creating a more inclusive and understanding future for autistic children and young people
SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy and Partnership Board
The SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy and Partnership Board meets monthly to monitor the delivery of the SEND Strategy and the SEND improvement plan. It includes members from:
- education settings
- NHS
- West Sussex Parent Carer Forum
- West Sussex County Council
Minutes from this meeting can be found on the Tools for schools website.
Find out more about the SEND strategy and the SEND improvement plan.