This will be our last newsletter of the term. It seems to have flown by and we've been glad to see some sunshine and a real feeling of Spring over the past few days. We hope you've managed to get out and about as it really can lift the spirits.
It was announced this week at the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF)/Contact joint conference that the SEND Review green paper that we've been waiting for will finally be released next week. If you don't already, please follow us on Facebook or Twitter as we'll be sharing news there of the SEND Review and how parent carers can engage during the consultation period.
We have lots of new sessions coming up for parent carers in the Summer term and plenty of opportunities for them to get involved and have their say. Check out our events page or Facebook Page for full listings.
We understand that these continue to be tricky times for many parent carers. They are not alone. We have our final Tii Hub of the term next week where they will always find a friendly face and a chance to chat with others who "get it." Booking here.
Finally, a reminder that Pinpoint operates during term-time only and as such we will be taking a break at the end of next week for the Easter holidays. If you know of parent carers in need of support, the Listening Ear service from Contact is there for them. They provide support, advice, a chance to vent, or even just a friendly chat with someone who truly understands. Further details and to book as session can be found here.
Our FREE online events and groups
Sessions are currently all online and booking is easy via our events page. Our upcoming events for April:
1st April, 10am-12pm: Pinpoint Parent Carer Tii Hub. Book here.
20th April, 12-2pm: Yvonne Newbold – Transitions – how change and routine impacts behaviour. Book here.
22nd April, 10am-12pm: Pinpoint Parent Carer Tii Hub. Book here.
26th April, 10am-12pm: Red Balloon – exploring ways to help your child cope better at school. Book here.
27th April, 10am-12pm: Building resilience – life lessons from dogs. Book here.
28th April, 8-10pm: Twilight recording- Harry Thompson – PDA, Autism and Me. Book here.
29th April, 10am-12pm: Pinpoint Parent Carer Tii Hub. Book here.
All of these sessions will be held online. Zoom links to join will be sent from Eventbrite 2 days before and again 2 hours before the start of each session. Please do check your junk mail as they sometimes end up there! Thank you.
Preparing for Adulthood Series
25th April, 10am-12pm: Relationships, Community and Staying Safe Book here.
This series of online sessions is for parents and carers to help consider what happens after school. The sessions will cover areas including further education, employment, housing, benefits, adult support and health.
Supported Living Focus Group
Would you like to help shape the next contract for ‘supported living’ arrangements in Cambridgeshire for our young people?
This is the service that supports young people with SEND living at home, independently and their community-based options.
21st April, 10am-12pm: Supported Living Focus Group. Book here.
This focus group is particularly aimed at those who have young people who are already using these services or whose young people will be using these services soon (possibly older than 14 years).
Our annual survey closes soon! Please do take the time to complete it as we use the responses we receive to inform our conversations with service providers in health, education and social care.
Tell us about your experiences this year for a chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher.
Many holiday schemes participating in the Easter Holiday and Food (HAF) Programme have spaces still available. If your child receives benefits-related free school meals they may be able to attend for 16 hours for FREE.
The HAF scheme is in addition to the Cambridgeshire Holiday Voucher Scheme which has been extended for another 12 months as part of the pandemic recovery.Special help will again be made available over the Easter school holiday for eligible families in Cambridgeshire. Read more about the extension of the scheme here and the scheme eligibility details here.
Are you the parent/carer of a child or young adult with complex health?
The NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has embarked on a project to explore the healthcare experiences of children and young adults (0-25 years old) with complex health needs (medium to long-term medical needs) and those of their parents/carers and families.
Have you say by 7th April 2022.
Complete the parents/carers Experience of Care Survey here.
Complete the children & young adult (up to 25 years) Experience of Care Survey here.
Exciting FREE opportunities for you and your family this Easter holiday!
Suitable for families with a child or parent who has a disability, bring your family together and come and have a go at ice skating or footgolf.
Both activities will take place for two hours, over two days and will give your family the chance to learn new skills and spend some quality time together, whilst enjoying an activity that you might never have tried before. Both activities will be led by experience coaches, who will be on hand to assist where needed.
Active Families Inclusive Ice Skating course • Cambridge Ice Arena, • Tuesday 5th & Tuesday 12th April; 10-11am • Minimum age 6 years old • To book your free family tickets, visit: https://bookwhen.com/activefamiliescambridge
Active Families Inclusive Footgolf course • Cambridge Footgolf Centre (Milton) • Friday 8th & Wednesday 13th April from 1.30pm. • Contact Phil: PMSportsCoaching@hotmail.com or call 07948 407950 to book your family’s free spaces!
Your family must be available to attend both free sessions and parents will be expected to take part alongside their children. For more general information on these sessions, please contact: sport@cambridge.gov.uk
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for Personal Assistants (PAs) survey
Do you receive Direct Payments? Do you employ Personal Assistants (PAs)?
Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council are looking at their guidance on Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for Personal Assistants (PAs) paid from a direct payment and would be interested in your views about this.
Have you heard about the Parent Carer Wellbeing Study?
It’s a national survey of parent carers in England and by sharing your experiences you can help researchers develop better support for carers in crisis.
The study is being led by the University of Exeter and the survey has been co-designed by carers. There’s no limit on the type of illness or disability your child has and parents, step-parents, foster parents, kinship carers, and legal guardians are all welcome, as long as you live in England and your child (or at least one of the children you care for) is under 18.
Finally, a reminder that Pinpoint operate during term-time only. The team will therefore be taking a break over the Easter holidays to be with our families.
