Read July's edition online

Sections

  1. SENDIASS update
  2. Focus week - Back to school
  3. Information for the summer holidays
  4. The Big Norfolk Holiday Fun Summer programme 2025 is now OPEN!
  5. Norfolk SEND Youth Forum update
  6. Engagement and Outreach Update
  7. Book recommendations
  8. SENDIASS outreach
  9. Feedback

SENDIASS update

We are now moving into the summer holidays and so this will be our last Newsletter until September. We want to wish you all a lovely summer break!   

As a Service we are currently very busy, on our Helpline we have a 6 week wait for an available appointment and we also have a long wait list for Casework and One-off support; we are unable to give a time frame on when someone will be given casework or one-off support at the moment.  

Our website has a wide variety of booklets and resources that may help answer your questions or help you fill in forms such as appeal forms. Please take time to look on our website and see if something can be supported or answered by one of our many resources before booking a Helpline appointment with us:
Visit our Information zone
We will still be open and working over the Summer Holidays.

If you no longer need your appointment, please cancel with at least 24 hours’ notice so that the appointment can be booked by other parent/carers that need to speak with us. 

Over the summer members of Norfolk SENDIASS will be working to create a plan to alleviate the wait times on our Helpline.

Focus week - Back to school

Focus week - Back to school


We will be running a focus week across our social media and website, sharing useful information, links and video's about back to school concerns following the school summer holidays.

Make sure you give us a follow on Facebook and Instagram!

 
Facebook
Link

Information for the summer holidays

Here are some links to webpages that might be helpful to look through over the summer:

Starting High School

Moving to secondary school can feel like a big step. You and your child mayhave mixed feelings about the change. This move comes at a time whenchildren are changing developmentally. It is normal to have a few worries andnerves, the below link gives help on how to prepare for this change:
Starting High School

Getting back into School Routines

Going back to school after any break can present challenges for children, young people and even parents and carers. It’s worth doing a little bit of preparation before the new school routine begins, to make the transition as easy as possible for everyone, the below link gives ideas and tips to help with this:
Getting Back into School Routines

Keeping safe in Summer
Summer is a time for families to enjoy good weather and being outside.  Children love playing outside in the summer months; in the garden, on the beach and at playgrounds, parks or attractions. Being aware of some of the risks can help you to keep your family safe while you all enjoy the sun, please see the below link for more information:
Keeping Families Safe During Summer

The Big Norfolk Holiday Fun Summer programme 2025 is now OPEN!

The Big Norfolk Holiday Fun Summer programme 2025 is now OPEN!
Summer Activities will run during the holidays between July 23rd and September 2nd.

This means that children aged 5-16 (or 4 if in Reception) receiving benefits-related free school meals can enjoy free activities during the summer holiday. Children who are eligible may attend up to 16 days of activities for free over the summer, whilst paid places are available on many activities for those who do not claim benefits-related free school meals.

These activities include multi-sports, dance, theatre, arts and crafts, and much more!

Click on this link to browse and book summer activities:
Search for activities

Norfolk SEND Youth Forum update

Norfolk SEND Youth Forum update


On Saturday (12th July) we met some of our members at County Hall in Norwich. As in previous years we were keen to meet with our members, and review the last years work, and plan for the coming new academic year.  And enjoy a hearty lunch, chosen by the young people!!

This provides a great opportunity to celebrate all our members contributions, and the important work they do to have their lived experience, as young people with SEND, heard.  We hope that by providing opportunities for our young people to share their experiences that this positively  influences and impacts on  SEND services and strategies in Norfolk.

We do know that our members have really grown in confidence, and are demonstrating a genuine commitment to working together to promote both the group, and the issues around SEND which our young people care about, and which impact them in all aspects of their lives.

We meet again, online in September; and as always we warmly welcome all new members.  Enjoy the  summer!!

Bridget Robinson, Engagement and Advice worker
Dawn Jones talks about the Norfolk SEND Youth Forum
CLICK TO REGISTER ONLINE

Engagement and Outreach Update

Year 6 transitions


Our Year 6 transition work has now come to end, it was such a pleasure to work with the children in helping to build their confidence to talk about the support they need in their education.  We got some great feedback from the pupils about the sessions.  When asked what they enjoyed about the sessions the children said:

"Finally able to tell someone how I feel"
"Spending time with a person who understands me."

The children completed a Support Passport that can be used in their transition to high school.  Good luck to them all as they move on to high school.
Parent support

We have been supporting lots of parents over this month so far.  We have attended coffee mornings, parents’ evenings, reception year transition sessions and specialist provision visitor sessions.  It has been great to meet so many parents and give them next steps advice as they go through various SEND processes.  And of course, a cup of tea and biscuits is always appreciated!  If your education setting or service runs a coffee morning or other parent session that you would like us to attend, you can email us on: nsendiassengagement@norfolk.gov.uk.
Library drop-ins

Library drop-ins will continue during the summer holidays and, where we can, we are inviting other professionals along to offer support to parents.  The calendar for July and August is now live and you can check the dates on our online calendar.  The library drop-ins offer the chance to talk to one of our advisors and get some next steps advice.  As the drop-ins are run in the public space in the library, we cannot guarantee privacy but we do our best to find a quiet spot to sit.  The drop-in sessions run on a first-come-first-served basis, so please be patient if you have to wait for a chat.  Here is the link to our events calendar:  Engagement and Advice Library drop in sessions and outreach | Norfolk SENDIASS

Remember, if you would like to get in touch with the Engagement and Advice Team to invite us to an event or a coffee morning, or just to find out more about the kind of support we can offer, you can email us on: nsendiassengagement@norfolk.gov.uk
 

Book recommendations

Book Recommendations 

Books are a great resource from local libraries in Norfolk. They can help and support children and young people with SEND, whilst creating a safe space for family communication. There are many books that can support this. Below are a few examples, and you can discover even more for free, from your local library.
It’s ok to cry – Molly Potter

 ‘It’s OK to Cry’ is an ideal tool for opening up meaningful conversations. It features vibrant illustrations, accessible language and strategies for understanding and managing emotions, along with supportive guidance for parents, carers, and educators.
Small Stanley’s big list of scary stuff – Angie Morgan

Stanley dreams of being brave like the superheroes in his books, but everyday life feels full of frightening things—earwigs, dogs, the dark, getting lost, even Santa!

Luckily, Grandad has a clever idea: “Make a list,” he says—and Stanley does just that. As his list of fears grows, so does the support from Grandad. This warm and humorous story is perfect for sharing and offers a comforting way to talk about fears and how to overcome them.
Victor: The wolf with worries – Catherine Rayner

Victor the wolf worries a lot—about being brave, big, and fierce enough. But when he talks to his best friend Pablo, things start to feel better. With Pablo’s help, Victor learns how to handle his worries, and soon he feels a little braver, a little bigger, and a lot stronger inside.
Me and my fear – Francesca Sanna

Me and My Fear is a touching story about anxiety, shown through a girl’s fear taking shape as a creature that grows with her worries. It powerfully captures how overwhelming fear can feel—but also shows hope, as the girl learns she’s not alone and that everyone has fears too.
 

SENDIASS outreach

Come see us at the FREE Swaffham Family Fun Day on the 23rd July and the  FREE Making Sense of SEND Event on the 27th June at County Hall:
For more information email - reception@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
 
For the third year in a row both SENDIASS and the SEND Youth Forum will be at SENDFest on the 20th July at Easton College. If you have tickets come see both stands in the marketplace to learn more and ask questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
 
After the success of last years event, Positive Minds has returned for 2025. MAP in association with Norwich YABS are putting on their successful Positive Mind event, come see us on the 24th July at The Forum:
 
Register your interest

Feedback