SEN News
Special school staff not trained in SEN Most staff members in special schools have no specialist training in SEN, says a new study by the Policy Exchange. Only 39 per cent of teachers and support staff in the schools surveyed had any qualification in SEN, and only 30 per cent had a qualification directly relevant to the specific needs of the children they were teaching. More
Drug for hearing loss Researchers in New Zealand have discovered a drug which repairs hearing loss suffered as a result of exposure to load noise. The team at the University of Auckland found that after treatment with a compound called ADAC, post-noise hearing damage recovered substantially. More
TUC wages war on education cuts Parents, governors and education professionals are being called upon to unite against education cuts introduced by the new Liberal/Conservative Government. Speaking in July, the General Secretary of the TUC, Brendan Barber, outlined the need for all interested parties to create an alliance to tackle what he called "the coalition's regressive approach to education." More
Final call for Home Access Time is running out for families of children with SEN or severe disabilities to apply for a Home Access computer package. The second phase of the Home Access programme, which closes at the end of the year, provides bespoke assistive technology solutions for those with disabilities and SEN alongside computers and internet connectivity provided under the standard Home Access scheme. More
Study examines disabled participation in services A new project examining the participation of disabled children and young people in services and matters which affect them is being fronted by the NCB. While recent policy encouraging children and young people to get involved in matters affecting their lives has increased participation in the services they use, the participation of children and young people with disabilities has not increased proportionately. More
Legal help for autistic Those with autism who feel their rights are been denied should have greater recourse to legal redress following the introduction of a new Autism Legal Network. Launched by the National Autistic Society (NAS), the Network will see the charity ramp up its campaigning in the courts. More
Art questions perceptions of disability A new exhibition of art which challenges popular conceptions of disability will open in Wolverhampton later this week. The show features digital works produced by local young people with disabilities in collaboration with professional artist Lisa Gunn. More
Success claimed for Reading Recovery Reading Recovery has given 70,000 children a fresh start and a better life since it was launched in England two decades ago, Baroness Shephard told an international audience of practitioners of the scheme at the Institute of Education. More
Featured Organisations
National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (PG Cert) at MMU September cohort now recruiting. Award open to qualified employed teachers with two years teaching experience. Part time - weekday evenings/Saturdays. Three Units taught over a year. High focus on developing school based practice. Total course fees £450.
For further details email: j.berrigan@mmu.ac.uk or visit: www.ioe.mmu.ac.uk/cpd/
Prior's Court Prior's Court is recognised worldwide for its pioneering and successful approach supporting and developing young people with autism and complex learning difficulties. The School (5-19 years) and Young Adult Provision (16-25 years opening September 2011) offer personalised learning focussing on developing independence, life-skills, behaviour management, communication, choice-making, vocational skills and inclusion in the community. more
Chunc Posture and Mobility supply the NHS with their product range. Chunc 45 is a postural management seating system to support children with Cerebral Palsy and other conditions. Chunc Spica offers post operative mobility. Chunc Adapt mobility base for other seating systems. Call Jane, Lucie or Jess on 01432 377512. more
Escendency HOLISTIC PROGRESS REPORTING
- Works with your EXISTING pupil assessments
- Absorbs ALL your data - academic, social, emotional, behavioural...
- Set phased targets
- Run real-time reports
- Analyse by pupil, subject, year group, key stage, LAC, LEA...
- Track improvement plans
- Report to governors, LEAs, parents/carers. more
Experia Experia are designers, manufacturers and installers of sensory equipment, sensory rooms and multi-sensory rooms with a fresh, new and fun approach. From sensory pools and rooms, soft play environments and outdoor sensory equipment to the very latest sensory experience, Experia's unique Multi-sensory Interactive Learning Environment (MILE), Experia are the UK's leading innovators in sensory equipment. more
Boardmaker Software Family For more than 25 years, Special Educators, Speech and Language Therapists, Parents and Caregivers have successfully applied Mayer-Johnson's Picture Communication Symbols(r) (PCS) at home, school and in clinical settings with our Boardmaker Software Family. Today, approximately 11,000 PCS symbols are available in 44 languages and used throughout the world. Boardmaker Software Family
Register of Play Inspectors (RPII) Play safety inspectors are examined and certificated competent by the RPII. Its rigorous exams ensure RPII inspectors are trained, informed and experienced in Outdoor, Indoor or Inflatable Play. Most RPII Annual Inspectors are independent of play providers or manufacturers. All have certificated competence to inspect and report on play safety. more
Mike Ayres Design Soft Play Rooms Mike Ayres has been designing, manufacturing and installing Soft Play Rooms for 30 years. They are completely soft, safe, adventurous spaces for people of all ages and all abilities. We also create special spaces for chilling out in, relaxation and extra safety. Sensory Studio Mike Ayres Design are the creators of the original and very best 'Sensory Studios', sensory rooms, multi-sensory environments and a wide range of other Sensory resources. These include: The Sensory Trolley, 'Switch2' control system, LED colour change lights and Responsive Bubble Tube. Contact 01359 251551 More
Priory Group Priory Education Services is the country's leading independent provider of specialist education and care for children aged four upwards with Asperger's syndrome, autistic spectrum disorders, behavioural, emotional and social difficulties and specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia. Our 22 specialist facilities nationwide offer flexible programmes tailored to meet the needs of the individual. More
A Reading Programme for ASD One of the most critical aspects of teaching a child with autism to read is to make certain the experience is a positive one. The stories in our books are based on the everyday life of the Pops Family. Humorous storylines introduce familiar situations that are recognizable and fun. This builds on your child's understanding of everyday actions and equips them with everyday functional words. The illustrations are attractive and uncluttered. More
Brookdale Care Brookdale Care provides specialist residential and supported living services for young adults with autism and Asperger syndrome. We believe that for a successful transition it needs to be prepared in advance, identifying a holistic person-centred care plan for the individual from adolescent to adult services.
Contact us on 0845 550 1348 or info@brookdalecare.co.uk to see how we can support your client. More
Educational Publishers
Rapid Writing and Reading Thousands of teachers already know and trust Rapid's award-winning resources, proven to improve reading standards. Independent research with NFER has proven that Rapid more than doubles the normal rate of reading in the classroom. Come and see all the evidence in one place: View schools results tables, read case studies, watch classroom videos at: www.pearsonschools.co.uk/rapidreallyworks
Rapid Maths Rapid Maths offers personalised learning support and repeated practise in books and software to help your low-attaining children catch up in maths. Founded on proven teaching strategies and written by expert author Rose Griffiths, the vibrant design and accessible reading levels are perfect for your less-confident learners. To order a FREE preview disc visit: www.pearsonshools.co.uk/rapidmaths
CPD, Training and Events
24/09/10
Stanbridge Earls School Assistive Technology Open Day Romsey "Levelling the Playing Field for the Dyslexic Learner" Keynote speakers, Kellogg College, Oxford University, British Dyslexic Association, technology exhibition. Headmaster, Peter Trythall, launches project: Assistive Technology for Independent Learning. 9:30am - 3:30pm 01794 529400 www.stanbridgeearls.co.uk
29-30/09/10 Naidex South ExCel, London Discover hundreds of products designed to aid independent living at Naidex South, the newest homecare, disability and rehabilitation event. Attend KideQuip, a zone dedicated to children with special needs, see the latest paediatric and communication equipment, and benefit from CPD-accredited seminars. Register for free entry at www.naidexsouth.com using priority code EW2.
30/09/10 & 01/10/10 Assessing & Treating Regulatory, Emotional, & Sensory Deficits Cork, Ireland Georgia DeGangi, Ph.D. OTR, Clinical Developmental Psychologist. This two-day workshop is designed for professionals working in early intervention and mental health settings who are interested in enhancing their knowledge of and clinical skills in assessment and treatment of self-regulation, attention, multisensory, and interaction problems in children aged from birth through school-age years. These professionals include occupational therapists and physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, paediatricians, nurses, and special educators. For more information and application form, visit: www.sensoryintegration.org.uk.
Various Oct Practical & Effective Ways of Using Multi-sensory Equipment 20 Oct: Birmingham
21 Oct: Taunton Find out everything you need to know to get the most out of a multi-sensory environment, how to use it and how to set up a new multi-sensory environment without breaking your budget. Gain a greater understanding of how to apply multi-sensory principles and learn new ideas you can take away and use the next day. Concept Training Ltd 01524-832828 More
Various Oct Intensive Interaction: Connecting with non verbal children and adults with Autism or Profound Learning Disabilities 8 Oct: London 13 Oct: Chorley 21 Oct: Glasgow Learn how to identify the "brain-body language" a person uses to talk to themselves. Develop the confidence and knowledge to set up a "conversation". Learn how to focus on the difficulties a person is experiencing, rather than the problems they are presenting. Gain a thorough understanding of how to communicate with people who do not speak or respond due to their disability or behavioural difficulties. Concept Training Ltd 01524-832828 More
Various Oct Positive Ways of Changing Behaviour 13 Oct: Liverpool
21 Oct: Edgbaston Don't just manage challenging or difficult behaviour, use pro-active approaches to support children and service users to make positive behavioural changes. Gain an understanding of behaviour and its function and learn to recognise early warning signs of negative behaviour and make positive early interventions. Concept Training Ltd 01524-832828 More
Various Oct Empowering Staff to Work Effectively with Children & Young People who experience Behavioural, Emotional & Social Difficulties (BESD) 5 Oct: Edgbaston
20 Oct: Liverpool This course is for practitioners working in care, education and secure settings with young people who exhibit challenging behaviour. Concept Training Ltd 01524-832828 More
4-5/10/10 Assessing & Treating Regulatory, Emotional, & Sensory Deficits Cardiff, Wales Georgia DeGangi, Ph.D. OTR, Clinical Developmental Psychologist. This two-day workshop is designed for professionals working in early intervention and mental health settings who are interested in enhancing their knowledge of and clinical skills in assessment and treatment of self-regulation, attention, multisensory, and interaction problems in children aged from birth through school-age years. These professionals include occupational therapists and physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, paediatricians, nurses, and special educators. For more information and application form, visit: www.sensoryintegration.org.uk.
08/10/10 Working with ADHD London Understand the causes and effects of ADHD and develop positive and effective working strategies. Concept Training Ltd 01524-832828 More
15-16/10/10 TES Special Needs London Islington, London Visit the MUST attend SEN event to view, compare and buy the latest products and services and keep abreast of advances being made in our comprehensive CPD seminar programme at the UK's largest SEN exhibition! Log on to www.teachingexhibitions.co.uk for details.
09/11/10 Independent Schools Council (ISC) SEN Conference London The Conference is aimed at SENCOs, Heads of Learning Support, Support Staff and Heads from independent schools across the UK. Delegates will hear from industry experts on the link between nutrition and SEN, dyslexia, language and comprehension, SEN legislation, Asperger's and dyscalculia. For the full programme, please visit website below. 020 7766 7054 conference@isc.co.uk www.isc.co.uk.
15-16/11/10 Special Educational Needs Resources Summit Whittlebury Hall, Northamptonshire Bringing the SEN sector together for a series of meetings, workshops and networking opportunities, this event is specifically for those executives and managers responsible for procuring SEN products and services for their educational establishments. The event is free for delegates, including accommodation and meals. Suppliers get a personalised itinerary of face to face meetings with senior managers. More
08-09/04/11 TES Education North Manchester TES North incorporating Special Needs North takes place on 8-9 April 2011 at Manchester Central. This is the best attended event of 2011 for SEN practitioners in the North, with 28 CPD sessions and an exhibition of 200 plus exhibitors, nothing else comes near! Keep checking www.teachingexhibitions.co.uk for updates.
|