Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 16th February 2024

This week’s online safety blog includes more information on the sessions for parents and an evaluation. Maria would appreciate it if those who have watched could provide some feedback. You will find the links to the sessions and the evaluation below.

This was one of the areas of concern in the recent CQC Report and the Trust recognises the improvements it must make. This is an opportunity to help them get it right for our children now and as they progress into adulthood.

There is a meeting being held on Friday 22^nd February to which parents/carers are invited. You can get more information from one of our parents who has posted this on our Facebook group.

“We help parents secure the right educational support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

We now have a team of over 70 volunteers advising parents, many of whom have been in your shoes, seeking to get the right provision for their children.”

Upcoming webinar

Send provision for the over 16’s (inc. phase transfer)

14th March, 6.30 – 8pm

Tickets are non-transferable. All attendees will receive a copy of the recording and slides.

See links below to book places.

Visit their website for further information or to see what other support they offer.

www.disabilitynorth.org.uk

Training at Disability North:

The Dene Centre, Castle Farm Road, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 1PH

Office:  0191 2840480

Online PA Training:

The Family Fund

Funded by the Department for Education and managed by Family Fund, the SFDC programme provides a wide range of grant items to families in England on a low-income, who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person.

You can apply for an SFDC grant every 24 months. To be eligible, you must also be:

• The main carer for a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 17 or younger.
• Resident in England
• In receipt of benefits, or on a low income from working

Disability Grants

Here’s another link where you can search for specific grants

Courtesy of Money Saving Central, this could help where you have more than one child too, or don’t have a CEA (Cinema Exhibitor Card).

This week I’ve found the chart above, again taken from Money Saving Central.

For further information and updates please see the link below.

Offer valid with all adult tickets purchased either on-bus or in advance and includes English National Concessionary Travel Scheme cardholders.

“The UK specialists for fun, family holiday accommodation for families with dependants on the autism spectrum.”

Link in the information section to The Family Fund.

The centre is open daily between 10am-4pm.

£4 per child/ young person. (Pathways 4 All membership required).

We were delighted to welcome Rob McDonald; our CEO who joined the meeting and expressed his thanks to us for raising funds to support school.

Your new committee is:

Chair: Ollie Teasdale (parent)

Vice Chair: Hannah Fuller (staff)

Treasurer: Ros Holden (parent and parent governor)

Secretary: Tracy Smithson (staff)

Fund-raising link: Trish Boynton (staff)

Family Liaison support: Eileen Robinson (this is a school appointed role specific appointment to support the logistics of FoPHS)

On behalf of the committee, I would like to express our thanks to our outgoing Chair and former Treasurer Donna Jones for 5 years of service to us.

Meeting dates will be arranged and circulated after half term as the general view from parents is that altering days would enable more to engage.

We also did the first 6 of 12 draws for the 100 club and the winners are:

Number:          Name:

5                      C Pitcairn

13                    E Robinson

31                    M Thompson

45                    H Crozier

50                    J Suggate

51                    Z Thompson

This year 58 numbers have been taken which is a total income of £696.

Of this £348 is retained for the FoPHS and the remainder divided by 12.

Each winner will receive £29. Cheques have been ordered.

If anyone wishes to join for the remainder of the year, please feel free and you will be allocated 2 numbers for the next 6 draws which will be done in July. Thanks to everyone who has been able to support this fund-raiser.

It is not for external professionals who may be working with families. To join, you need to answer the question stating your link with school.

Please note: this group is for sharing news and updates about school life and is not intended to discuss any issues around individual students, and as such all comments are moderated. If you have a particular issue or concern, please contact school directly on 0191 216 1811.