Chudleigh CE VC Community Primary School
Devon County Council -useful links
Local Offer Website
The Local Offer has information for families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities(SEND), from birth to the age of 25. Information from different agencies, services and resources for children and young people with SEND and their families.
Support for different types of need and links to useful websites
Parental Advice and Support- Devon Information Advice and Support (DIAS) can support parents, carers, children and young people with SEND and their service is impartial and confidential.
Home - Devon Information Advice and Support (devonias.org.uk)
Further support and advice for parents can be accessed from DIAS. This organisation is able to provide impartial and independent advice, support and information on special educational needs and disabilities. Telephone: 01392 383080 Email: devonias@devon.gov.uk
Website:www.devonias.org.uk
We’ve got a new and improved telephone and email enquiry service!
To help more families get the expert advice they need, when they need it, while at the same time keeping waiting times down we have introduced a new helpline.
This means that when you call, or send a message in, our experienced and knowledgeable support team are on hand to deal with your enquiry using a solutions focused approach. That means we will help you find a clear and positive way forward with the issue you have that day.
You get the advice you need, when you need it, and help to take the next step. You can come back to us whenever you need more information or support.
The enquiry line is open 10am-3pm Monday to Friday and our web contact form is available 24/7 at http://soc.devon.cc/KRaOB
DIAS- jargon busting! Terms related to SEND are explained in this fact sheet:
https://devonias.org.uk/documents/2021/02/jargon-buster.pdf/
DIAS- helpful SEND websites
Helpful SEND websites - Devon Information Advice and Support (devonias.org.uk)
Autism- Communication and Interaction differences Autism and Us Programme
Autism and Us - Education and Families
Apply direct by email to: educationlearnersupport@devon.gov.uk
To secure a place on either of the below programmes, or express your interest for forthcoming programmes. We will confirm your booking request, and provide you with a direct link to the event. They will be delivered on line ‘live’ via the Microsoft TEAMs platform.
Support for parents/carers of Devon primary and secondary children who are either on the autism waiting list or who have received a diagnosis of autism.
Attending the ‘Autism & Us’ parent programme gives you an opportunity to develop your understanding of autism and look at practical solutions to managing and supporting your child’s presenting needs. It also offers the opportunities for parents and carers to connect with other families.
The free four week ‘live online’ programme is run twice a term and is made up of four, two-hour sessions. The first programme will start on Tuesday 16 January 2024, and the second on Thursday 29 February 2024. This core programme provides an overview of autism, communications needs, understanding and supporting behaviour and sensory needs.
These courses are amazing, very helpful, and they keep reminding me why my little girl does the things she does and this gives me more understanding.
Autism and Us attendee
The workshops are organised and delivered by the Communication and Interaction Team at Devon County Council as part of the Devon SEND Local Offer.
Autism & Us programmes:
- 4 weekly ‘live online’ sessions (approx. 2hrs each) related to the following topic/themes:
Additionally, we will also be offering the following very popular themed/topic based workshops, which lead on from the above programmes for themes/topics that may be a priority area for you against your child’s presenting needs:
Apply direct by email to: educationlearnersupport@devon.gov.uk
To secure a place on any of the topic based workshops, below. We will confirm your booking request, and provide you with a direct link to the event. They will be delivered on line ‘live’ via the Microsoft TEAMs platform.
Topic workshop overviews:
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Autism & Communication (Supporting strategies for verbal children and young people) |
This workshop explores communication strengths and differences and how these may impact on daily life for verbal child and young people and families. It will support in exploring strategies to support child and young people around the following areas: how adult use of language can support and provide structure, self advocating through communication, how visuals can support communication and sharing communication needs with the wider family/support networt. |
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Autism & Communication (Supporting strategies for Pre and Non-verbal children and young people)
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This workshop will consider both language and communication and what is meant by a Total Communication approach. We will also consider practical strategies to support pre and non-verbal children and young people communicate through a focus on means, reasons and opportunity. Please note, this workshop is not appropriate for supporting children who are experiencing situational mutism.
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Autism & Girls
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This workshop seeks to explore the background of the diagnosis of autism in girls and why historically the female / male ratio has been significantly lower. We explore the key characteristics of girls with autism including areas such as possible masking, communication, social understanding and associated vulnerability. Subsequently we seek to highlight key approaches / strategies which aim to help to support autistic girls within the home / family context.
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Autism & Demand Avoidance
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This workshop seeks to explore the key characteristics of the extreme demand avoidance profile while outlining the diagnostic background and how this fits into the strengths and needs of autistic children and young people. Subsequently it explores the characteristics of this profile and how it may manifest through a child’s behaviour. A range of strategies / approaches are highlighted with the aim of supporting children and young people in the home with an emphasis on an individualised approach which allows for the prioritising of goals to support family life.
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Autism & Anxiety
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This workshop will explore our understanding of anxiety and how autistic children and young people may experience and express their own anxiety. The workshop will also consider and provide how we can support and reduce their anxiety within the home / family context through a range of approaches and strategies.
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Autism & Vulnerability
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This workshop will explore some of the vulnerabilities that ALL CYP may experience growing up. But this workshop will specifically shine a lens on how an autistic CYP’s profile may lead them to respond in different ways through their own developmental journeys. A range of approaches, strategies and supportive links will also be offered to support family life.
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Autism & Sensory Processing + Integration
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This workshop will explore the 8 senses, sensory integration and how this may affect how autistic children and young people respond to the environment and sensations they are feeling. It aims to raise awareness of sensory processing differences that may impact on an autistic person’s life and provide a range of approaches and strategies to support through sensory regulation approaches within the home / family context.
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Devon Information and Advice Service (DIAS)
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This workshop will introduce DIAS; who we are and what we do. We will look at how you and your child or young person can engage with the decisions that impact you, including how to get best out of conversations and meetings about your child’s support, how to share your views and those of your child, and understanding your options and legal rights. We will take you through our information and resources that may be relevant for you and your child or young person, and talk through how and when it might be most helpful to link with our service. |
Autism is a Difference, not a Deficit
Watch the Autism Education Trust (AET) brand-new animated video!
Further local groups for differences related to Communication and Interaction/ and or Autism and children with additional needs, offering supportive networks for children, young people and families are:
AIMS: An activity and support group based in Dawlish Home - AIMS Families
Tissues and Issues https://www.facebook.com/groups/1998466853749511
South Devon Autism Forum - Events Page - Home | Facebook
Asperations Group - Home | Facebook
National Autistic Society exeter@nas.org.uk
Early Help run an online group Early Help Online Support Group for parents of children with ASC (diagnosed or undiagnosed) – monthly group if parents would like an invitation then they can email us with their email
earlyhelpsouthsecure-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Parent Talk Action for Children- this has a chat function parenttalk.org.uk/devon where parents can talk to professionals – other parents have found this really good.
Single Point of Access (SPA) team- parents can telephone the SPA team and request to talk to a duty worker with Autism experience for general advice-0330 0245 321
Parents can phone the SPA 0330 0245 321 and request to talk to a ASD duty worker for general advice
Parents/carers of children who are experiencing challenges- the Alice Cross Centre, Teignmouth from 7th September 2023, 10.30am -12pm every Thursday until the end of term, but not during school holidays. Tea and coffee will be provided. This group is for parents/carers of children who are experiencing challenges to give you the opportunity to meet others, share tips/advice and have time to talk. No sign up is required, just pop along.
Useful autism resources
- Finding a school for your child
- Working together with your child’s school – Autism Education Trust
- Raising a child with autism : Carrie and David – Nip in the bud
Bereavement
Coping with illness, death or loss - HappyMaps
Supporting children and young people after a death or when someone in the family is dying. Very good at explaining some of the misunderstandings that can arise for children when adults talk about death. They have a helpline and you can also e-mail for support and advice. Leaflets are available to download in English, Swedish, Polish, Arabic, Bengali and Spanish.
Winston's Wish - giving hope to grieving children (winstonswish.org)
Supporting children and young people after a death or when someone in the family is dying. Very good at explaining some of the misunderstandings that can arise for children when adults talk about death. They have a helpline and you can also e-mail for support and advice. Leaflets are available to download in English, Swedish, Polish, Arabic, Bengali and Spanish.
A charity with resources for young people and parents including some stories, advice on explaining funerals and leaflets produced by families for children of different ages (under 7yrs, 7-11yrs and young people) For 11-25-year-olds they have also produced an App about bereavement and grief which has links for local support and some short films.
Contact
Free advice and information helpline for parents and carers with a child/ren with a disability from birth to 25 years, living in any part of the UK.
Contact - for families with disabled children | Contact
Contact- education and learning advice
Education & learning | Contact
Contact- emotional support through a free, listening ear telephone line service
Domestic Abuse
Support for children, ages 5-18yrs, who have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse.
FearFree
Our work with children - FearFree
Safe Foundation
About SAFE - SAFE Foundation (wearesafe.org.uk)
NSPCC
Domestic Abuse, Recovering Together (DART) | NSPCC Learning
Early Help provision
Multi Agency Early Help Offer- more information can be found at Devon Children and Families Partnership https://www.dcfp.org.uk/early-help/
A one minute guide to Early Help in Devon - Devon Children and Families Partnership (dcfp.org.uk)
Early Help is the extra support your family can get if you need it. It may be that you want to prevent a problem, or change things for your family before the problem becomes more serious.
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It is not a specific service or team, it’s an approach that brings together people from a range of services and teams who will work together with your whole family to help improve the situation for everyone.
By identifying and building on your strengths as a family we can help and support you to find long term solutions to your issues, as well as developing your skills to help you manage any future challenges.
Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS) – Devon
Advice for schools to remove barriers and inequalities in attainment and achievement for children and young people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic and Traveller heritages, as well as those learning English as an Additional Language (EAL), including anti-racism and bilingual resources.(Ref: Devon EMTAS website)
Ethnic minority and traveller support - Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk)
Supporting Ukraine
Home - Supporting Ukraine (devon.gov.uk)
Homes for Ukraine – Resources - Devon Children and Families Partnership (dcfp.org.uk)
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Homes for Ukraine – Resources - Devon Children and Families Partnership Homes for Ukraine – Resources Introduction. Homes for Ukraine is a national official scheme to find homes for Ukrainian adults and children escaping war.. Some people have also arrived through informal routes and therefore may not be known to the scheme. www.dcfp.org.uk |
Family Hubs Teignbridge, Action for Children
Family Hubs offer support to all families of children aged zero to 19, or up to 25 years old for young people with special educational needs or disabilities.
Family Hubs are a new way of bringing together all the support a family may need. They offer a welcoming environment and serve as a central point of access for all families, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) up to age 25.
If you are working with families who you feel would benefit from advice and guidance from a Family Hub Navigator, please complete the below form:
Devon Family Hubs | Services | Action for Children
Parents can self refer through this link:
Devon Family HUBS - Parent Carer Request for Contact
Parents and carers can complete the request for contact form themselves or call 0800 538 5458 if they would like to speak to a member of the team.
Government Benefits Calculator Check benefits and financial support you can get - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
This includes information on children’s Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children with a disability or having additional needs.
Medical needs
School Nurse- Public Health Nursing team- Devon
Devon’s Public Health Nursing (PHN) team can be contacted for advice and reference to the following websites provide a wealth of information.
The PHN central hub can be contacted on 0333 2341 901, there is a school nurse on duty, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Alternatively, come and speak to Mrs Courtenay, Inclusion Leader to consider if a referral to this team would be helpful for your child.
Information about the services offered by this team.
Public Health Nursing – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)
This includes a wide range of health needs that may be affecting your child, for example, sleep problems, toilet training, bladder and bowel problems and much more!
Useful links – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)
For general health information, the below websites contain useful age specific information:
Under 5 Years Old: https://www.healthforunder5s.co.uk/devon/
5 to 11 Years Old: https://www.healthforkids.co.uk/devon/
11 Years+ : https://www.healthforteans.co.uk/devon/
Children and Family Health Devon leaflets - Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
This website has a wide range of advice and guidance on a variety of areas including, anxiety, anger, sleep, coping with divorce/separation, coping with a bereavement and much more.
Healthier Families - Home - NHS (www.nhs.uk).
Health for Kids provides information for primary school aged children and includes games, videos and quizzes. The site consists of four different worlds: Staying Healthy, Illness, Feelings and Getting Help. Each world is populated with different areas for children to learn about their health.
There is a separate area for grown-ups for in-depth guidance and localised information (www.healthforkids.co.uk/devon)
Healthy Bodies | Health for Kids Grownups
Healthy Minds | Health for Kids Grownups
Health Issues | Health for Kids Grownups
Fussy eaters
Sensory needs
Sensory Balance - Normal Magic
Sensory processing - Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk)
Sensory Processing - Children and Family Health (childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk)
Sleep
Sleep Advice Service - Cerebra
Mental Health and Well Being
Parents can phone the Single Point of Access (SPA) 0330 0245 321 and request to talk to a duty worker – either the CAMHS duty worker or Autism duty worker for general advice. Note, this is not a crisis phone number.
Social and Emotional, Mental Health-some useful strategies and support for young people
Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds
Parent Talk - Support for Parents from Action For Children
Children's mental health - Every Mind Matters - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Anxiety – Devon’s update and suggested strategies of support:
Anxiety is the most common psychological condition among children and young people, according to Anxiety UK’s Operations Director, Dave Smithson. Yet the signs of anxiety are not always obvious for parents to spot.
Anxious child or young person - how would I know? - News (devon.gov.uk)
Self harm
Support and advice for parents on children self harming.
Young Minds parent helpline- 0808 802 5544 open between 9.30am -4pm Mon-Fri
Managing worries
Lumi Nova - Free for families in Devon — Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage
Get instant access to a fun digital therapy app to help your child self manage their worries.
Free for families in Devon
Lumi Nova is for 7-12 year olds experiencing mild to moderate anxiety. It is not recommended for use with children who have severe anxiety, are in crisis, have suicidal thoughts or are at risk of self harming without clinical supervision. See Instructions For Use
Social Prescribing Service- from GP surgery, self-referral by parents
The Coastal Primary Care Network - Children, Young People and Families Social Prescribing Service
Parents and children registered at Coastal Primary Care Network surgeries, can request through their GP surgery further support for their child with social, educational, practical and mild to moderate emotional needs.
To request this help you can, ask a staff member at the GP surgery to refer you/your child or complete this self referral form:
Speech and Language- support and strategies for parents
Parent Portal | Home (speechandlanguage.info)
Stammering Support
https://actionforstammeringchildren.org/support/for-parents/
Toileting, Bladder and Bowel
ERIC is the national charity dedicated to improving children’s bowel and bladder health. There are a wealth of resources and supportive on their website or you can contact them on, 0808 1699 949, Monday to Thursday, 10am to 2pm on freephone.