KEY TOPICS (SEND)
Here you will find a range of key topics that will assist you with a child’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Click on one of the key topics below to go to the relevant section.
0 to 25 SEND Team
The 0-25 SEND Team is based at The Hub School and Specialist Services building in Anlaby and includes the Children’s Social Work Team (0-25) (previously known as the Children’s Disability Team), and three area teams comprising Intensive Family Co-ordinators, Family Co-ordinators, Family Co-ordinators (Portage) and SEND Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) Officers.
The Hub also hosts the Learning and Disabilities team, Designated Continuing Health Care Officer and the Strategic Lead Nurse for complex cases who work with the 0-25 SEND Team. For more information please click here.
Additional Information:
Caring for children with complex needs
If your child has been diagnosed with an illness, disability or sensory impairment and needs a lot of additional support on a daily basis, they’re described as having “complex needs”. A child might have complex needs from birth, or after an illness or injury. The NHS provides useful information on supporting children with complex needs and caring for children with disabilities. Finding out that your child has additional needs can change your expectation of life. SCOPE explains that there is no right or wrong way to feel, everyone reacts differently. It takes time to adjust to a new reality with different expectations and these expectations will also change and evolve over time as your child growths and achieves new accomplishments. SCOPE have excellent advice for parents/carers when caring for a child with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), click here to learn more.
Additional Information:
Managing your stress when caring for your child
Respite Care
Applying for Disability Living Allowance
Local support services
East Riding Local Offer Sendiass
Family Lives
MENCAP
Challenging Behaviour
According to Mencap, challenging behaviour includes tantrums, hitting or kicking other people, throwing things or self-harming. When a child or young person is displaying behaviour that is harmful to other people and to themselves, it can also prevent them achieving things in their life, such as making friends or concentrating at school. This can make family life stressful and exhausting times. It can make every day activities like going to shop or to the park more complicated. For more information on managing challenging behaviours click here.
Additional Information
Parenting children with disabilities
Parent and carer support
Downright Special
Downright Special provides support to families and professionals in the Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire region in all aspects of the care, development and education of children with Down syndrome. Our aim is simple: to build a brighter future for children with Down syndrome, supporting them to achieve their full potential, and promoting successful inclusion in all aspects of life.
Siblings are welcome to attend Downright Special Friday sessions, and our social events are aimed at the whole family. Parent carers stay with children at our Friday morning sessions. School-age children, who attend our afternoon Downright Special Education groups, attend with their Teaching Assistants. For more information please click here.
Additional Information
East Riding Children and Young Person’s SENDIASS
The East Riding Children and Young Person’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service or SENDIASS is a free, confidential and impartial service for Children and Young People aged up to 25.
The service aims to provide information and advice about matters relating to young people’s SEN or disabilities, including matters relating to health and social care across the whole of the East riding of Yorkshire. For more information please click here.
Additional information
East Riding Local Offer
Care and Support
Families Information Service Hub (FISH)
School Transport
East Yorkshire Parent Carer Forum (EYPCF)
They work with the Local Authority and Health Commissioners to improve services for children and young people (0-25 years) with special educational needs and disabilities.
East Yorkshire Parent Carer Forum (EYPCF) is for the parents and carers of children and young people (0-25 years) who have any special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) and live in the East Riding of Yorkshire. For more information please click here.
Additional Information
East Riding Special Educational Needs Support
Advice and Support Service
Maxi Fun Club
Special Stars Foundation
Healthy Eating
Research shows children who stay a healthy weight are more likely to be physically fit, confident, and also less likely to have health problems in adulthood. Children whose parents/carers encourage them to be more physically active and to eat well are more likely to remain a healthy. The NHS has some great advice for parents, click here for more information. If you would like some low cost healthy recipe ideas take a look at Change4life for inspiration. They also have some great ideas for healthy packed lunches.
Sports and active hobbies are also a brilliant way to get children active, which is really important for their physical health, and can help improve their confidence and self-esteem. It does not need to take up a lot of time or be costly. Change4life have some great ideas and resources for families. It is important that children have 60 minutes of activity every day. For local clubs and actives for the whole family please click here. The NHS also has advice on exercise for children and young people with disabilities.
Additional Information
Managing weight with a learning disability
Be sugar smart
Sugar swaps
The eat well guide
5 a day
What to feed your children
What can I do if my child is overweight?
Underweight children aged 6 -12
Internet Safety
The internet is a fantastic tool. Children can learn, play, create and connect with their friends online. But the digital world changing all the time and it is vital to ensure your children remain safe. For more information around online Safety please take a look at the guidance by the NSPCC. Children can be exposed to online grooming and to adult images and content. Mencap also has a guide for parents/carers called Learning Disabilities, Autism and Internet Safety, click here to take a look.
Many children enjoy online gaming, it is important that parents monitor who their children are talking to whilst they play online. Some are simple games that you can play on your own and others are big multiplayer games with hundreds of people.
As children get a little older they enjoying talking to their friends online, however they can sometimes be at risk of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is when someone bullies, threatens or harasses another person online. Childline has some great advice regarding cyberbullying and ways to deal with it.
Additional Information
Mobile phone safety
Bullying on social networks
Parental controls
Share Aware
Oral Health
A regular teeth-cleaning routine at home is essential to ensure good oral health and hygiene. For toothbrushing tips for children of all ages please click here. Children should be taken to the dentist when their first milk teeth appear, so they become familiar with the environment and get to know their dentist. Your dentist will recommend how often you should bring your child to their dental check-up. The dentist can advise parents/carers on how to prevent decay and identify any dental problems early. NHS dental care for children is free within the UK. For more information on accessing a local dentist click here.
Children with complex health needs and/or disabilities may not be able to get to their dental practice. In this case the dentist should refer the patient to a more specialist dental service. Ask your dentist what is needed for a referral and if it is suitable in your case.
Additional Information
How to look after your children’s teeth
Be sugar smart
Sugar swaps
The eat well guide
Tooth decay
Fear of the dentist
Potty/toilet training children with additional needs
Potty/toilet training children with additional needs can be achieved in much the same way as teaching a child without additional needs according to ERIC. Children with additional needs can sometimes find it hard to communicate their thoughts and feelings so it can make it slightly more challenging for parents/carers. For advice and information take a look at ERIC’s tips for potty training, ERIC’s Guide to Potty Training and ERIC’s Guide for Children with Additional Needs. They also have some fun advice for children and teens, as well as guidance for parents around managing bladder and bowel issues often experienced by children and young people
Further Information
ERIC – ERIC’s Guide for Children with Additional Needs
National Autistic Society – Toilet Training
ERIC- Help at school
Treating Constipation
Bedwetting
Puberty
Puberty is the time when a young person’s body goes through lots of changes, and their body develops and grows into an adult body. Some changes are the same for both genders, and some are different. When puberty does start girls develop breasts and start their periods. For information on the changes girls experience click here. Boys develop a deeper voice and facial hair during puberty. For information on the changes boys experience click here. Girls normally start puberty around the age of eleven and boys around the age of 12. It is important to remember that these changes start at a different time for everyone, so they should not worry if their friend’s bodies are changing and their body is not. For information on the early signs of puberty click here.
Puberty can be a difficult time for young people, because hormones released by the body can cause mood swings. Girls have two hormones called Oestrogen and Progesterone, and boys have one hormone called Testosterone. Other changes they may experience is an increase in spots, possibly acne and body odour. Don’t worry because puberty can also be an exciting time, as many young people also develop new emotions and feelings, start new interests and make new friends around this time.
It is important for parents to talk to their children about puberty. For children with special educational needs and disabilities it is important break down the information, trying not to tell them everything there is to know about puberty all at once. Leave time for them to reflect on the information and come back to you with their questions. For some useful advice take a look at the National Autistic Society – sex education and puberty.
Additional Information
Stages of puberty: what happens to boys and girls
Early or delayed puberty
Puberty and disabled teens
Paediatric and Speech and Language Therapy
The Integrated Paediatric Therapy Service includes Speech and Language Therapy (SALT), Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy for children, young people and their families who live, or go to school, in Hull or the East Riding of Yorkshire. Our service provides a range of assessments and therapeutic interventions which can impact upon educational outcomes.
What do they offer?
Referrals come through our Single Point of Access Service, where they are assessed and, if appropriate, accepted. An appointment is then offered for an initial assessment.
During the appointment you and a clinician will work together to think about the issue and what or who might help.
Services provided could include;
- individual therapy
- advice and support to parents/carers and other professionals
- group work (such as parenting groups or gym sessions)
- specialist assessments (for example Autistic Spectrum Conditions)
- training opportunities for parents, carers and other professionals.
For more information about Children’s Physiotherapy please click here.
For more information about Children’s Occupational Therapy please click here.
For more information about referrals to Children’s Speech and Language Therapy (Hull and East Yorkshire) please click here.
For more information about referrals to Children’s Speech and Language Therapy (York) please click here.
Additional information
Sensory Differences
Many people with additional or complex needs, including children and young people on the autism spectrum, find it hard to process everyday sensory information. These sensory differences can affect behaviour, and can profoundly affect their daily life. The National Autistic Society has some useful advice around sensory differences and the environment and surroundings.
Additional information
Self-injurious behaviour
Obsessions, repetitive behaviour and routines
Connect Specialist Therapy Services
DSI Service – Sensory Integration Therapy
Sleep Routine
Sleep is essential to children’s health and growth. Sleep promotes alertness, memory and performance. When a child gets the right amount of sleep they are more to be alert and active, and are less prone to behavioral problems. That is why it is important for parents/carers to help their child to develop good sleep habits from an early age. The NHS has some healthy sleep tips for children and guidance to how much sleep children need. A relaxing bedtime routine is one important way to help your child get a good night’s sleep and The Sleep Council has Seven Steps To A Better Night’s Sleep, as well as other great advice for parents. Family Lives also has some useful tips to aid sleep for children with disabilities and additional needs, click here to learn more.
Additional Information
Sun Protection
Playing outside is really important for a child’s development. It’s how they learn about the world around them. However, too much direct sun can cause risks such as skin cancer later on in life. Sunburn can also cause pain and considerate discomfort for children. The NHS recommends that all children should have their skin protected from March to October in the UK. To learn more about sun safety click here.
Additional information
Sunscreen and sun safety
How to get vitamin D from sunlight
Heat Exhaustion