DSPL2 host half-termly SENCo Forums for all SEND professionals.  

There is a separate forum for Early Years settings. The agendas can then be tailored to the needs of our colleagues.  

Meetings in 2024/25 will be held on Thursdays in the Oak Suite at Peartree Spring Primary School 10-11am.  Click on the button above for dates and times.

At the start of each Forum, we will share updates from DSPL2.  Professionals from Integrated Services for Learning (ISL) and guest speakers regularly join us.  

We always welcome contributions from our schools and settings and gratefully receive ideas for guest speakers.   

Contact:  dspl2@peartreespring.herts.sch.uk

0-5's offer

Information on the 0-5's offer is attached below. 

Step 2 referrals and queries

• Step 2 are very willing to speak to schools, and want to do more to actively encourage referrers to email in or call to arrange duty calls to discuss cases they have questions about.
• Step 2 welcome ‘pre conversations’ about potential referral is made, ensuring that the right children get support at the right time.

Next steps

If you have any queries about referrals which are not accepted, please email hct.step2@nhs.net or call 01438 730570 to arrange a duty call. They run duty calls on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You may need to wait a week for a slot, but they will definitely book you in.

In the meantime, Step 2 will be providing information/presenting at the summer/autumn DSPL meetings so that we can share this information with as many schools as possible. We’ll also be sharing guidance in the EMWiE newsletter.

New Childcare Inclusion Officer in the Early Years Service

The Early Years Service have appointed a new Childcare Inclusion Officer who started at the beginning of April.

Abi will be working hard to help assist parents who may be struggling to find a setting for any reason.

Her role is to act as a broker between parents and settings, liaising with both to enable families to take up Childcare Support. She will also be working closely with other teams to ensure that settings are able to access any support required to enable this to happen.

If you would like any further information, please contact Abi DeMornay-Davies on 01992 588596 or email abi.demornay-davies@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Slides from a presentation given by the IDO are attached below and can be downloaded.

FOLLOW:  An easy-to-use set of simple ideas to help support your child's speech and language at home.  You'll find top tips on using the key strategies in everyday activities, such as going for a walk, getting ready to go out and feeding the ducks!

https://www.stevenagedspl.org.uk/page/?title=Support+Links+for+Families&pid=36

Download the flyer attached below to click on the booking links.

Nasen is part of the DfE-funded Early Years SEND Partnership Project led by the Council for Disabled Children (CDC). The other partners are:

• Speech and Language UK
• Contact
• National Children’s Bureau (ncb)
• Dingley’s Promise

Nasen is currently working with local authorities from the nine regions across the country to develop their SEND provision at a strategic level through Regional Action Learning Sets and Specialist Action Learning Sets. Please visit Home page | Nasen for more information.

Meeting the needs of every child free CPD course

The training session will provide practitioners with a thorough understanding of inclusive practice for SEND in early years settings, including:

• responsibilities of a setting towards children with SEND 
• the role of the SENCO and the key person in PVI settings 
• the importance of the early identification of SEND 
• what effective inclusive practice looks like 
• how to develop positive relationships with parents and carers of children with SEND 
• Nasen’s free early years resources to support you in meeting the needs of all children in your setting. 

You will be emailed supportive documents before the webinar to use during the training and, on completion of an evaluation after the webinar, you will receive a certificate.

Visit events listing | Nasen to book your place for this free training.

This DfE funded online course is free to access and will provide early years practitioners with an overview and understanding of inclusive practice for SEND in early years settings. The 2-hour webinar will cover the following topics.

• What do we mean by SEND?  
• Responsibilities of a setting towards children with SEND
• The role of the SENCO and the key person
• What effective inclusive practice looks like in an early years setting
• How to use Nasen's free resources and materials

Who would benefit from this training?   

• Early years practitioners
• Childminders
• New SENCOs 

Throughout this webinar you will be invited to participate in a range of activities to support your learning.

This summer, Family Centres are offering a range of drop in events and activities which are all about creating a supportive network that empowers families and children to navigate school transitions with confidence and ease.

What is on offer for families:

1. Five-Week Series on Facebook: Follow your local Family Centre Service on Facebook where they will be sharing a series of posts covering various aspects of transitions and offering practical tips and strategies for parents.  Topics include: promoting independence, toilet training and hand washing, loving learning, turn taking, asking for help, and talking about school. 
2. Transition Drop-Ins: Family Centres will be running ‘Ready for School’ drop-in sessions during the weeks starting 8 July and 15 July. These drop-ins will provide an opportunity for families to connect with the team and discuss any concerns or questions they may have about transitions to school or nursery settings.
3. Family Fun Events: Throughout the summer, Family Centres will be hosting family fun events which will have a specific focus on supporting transitions. Alongside this there will also be the SEND Chat and Play sessions running as usual over the summer period for those families with a child with SEND transitioning to a school or setting.

https://www.hertsfamilycentres.org/news-and-campaigns/ready-for-school-sessions.aspx

Webinairs:   https://www.hertsfamilycentres.org/info-and-advice/health-and-development-advice.aspx

As we near the end of the school year, we know the idea of moving to a new class or school can be a worrying time for children and their families.

To support students through this transition, BFB Labs (creators of therapeutic game: Lumi Nova, part of Hertfordshire's With Youth digital wellbeing service) are excited to share a FREE educational workshop for professionals  to self-deliver.

"Talking about Worries", explores what worries are, what they might feel like and how to overcome them one step at a time. 
Suitable for years 3-6, the session includes:

• 45 minute interactive workshop
• activities and optional print outs
• a lesson plan, and

• suggested adaptations to meet your needs.

For more information and a workshop kit, get in touch! Contact the team by emailing luminova@bfb-labs.com.

Find out more about Hertfordshire's free With Youth digital wellbeing service and Lumi Nova at: Home - WithYouth