News from the Cymru ALN team - July 2016.

ALN BILL 
Gear up to talk to AMs as soon as Bill is published, suggest amendments, watch out for delay to code.  How the ALN Bill becomes law here.

Ministers Statement:- Next Draft of the ALN Bill expected before Xmas.

Our group is currently discussing what we see as being the key priorities for the next 12 months in order to respond to the current consultation by the deadline of September 9th 2016. Do join us!

New Health related WAG consultation now open - Welsh Language Standards – Improving services for Welsh speakers within the health sector. End of consultation:14/10/2016 

The Campaign for the Children and Young People Assembly for Wales (Funky Dragon)

The Campaign for the Children and Young People Assembly for Wales are calling on everyone aged 11 – 25 in Wales, and all those who care about them, to take part in their consultation on what a new youth assembly for Wales should look like. The consultation is running between the 15th June and the 15th September.

This is a real opportunity for our children to have a voice, so let's not waste it!

https://www.facebook.com/CYPAWales/


ESTYN - report on EOTAS - our summary of the salient points, and the link to the original report here

Useful sources of help 

Dyslexia Gold Learning outside of school continues all year round, so we have a NEW fantastic offer for our children who need help with visual tracking as part of their dyslexia programme. Please see our facebook group for details of how to obtain the Home Education discount for www.dyslexiagold.co.uk "From struggling reader to fluent in 10 minutes a day". 

Calvert Trust The Calvert Trust enables people with disabilities, together with their families and friends, to achieve their potential through the challenge of outdoor adventure in the countryside. We aim to do this by providing: A wide range of adventurous outdoor activities, meaningful challenge and adventure within a framework of safety Skilled, qualified and caring staff able to fulfil the needs of visitors Accommodation appropriate to the needs of the visitors Facilities for families and friends to share the enjoyment and experience http://www.calvert-trust.org.uk/home/home

Disability Sports Wales Disability Sport Wales are committed to providing a range of activities as close to your doorstep as possible in an environment that is just right for you.  Whether you want to participate or compete in non disabled or disability specific clubs /sessions we can help you find the perfect opportunity. Use our search options to find the right sports for you all across Wales. http://www.disabilitysportwales.com

Sense Cymru TouchBase Wales provides a range of services across Wales for deafblind people and their families.While the main focus of our work is with people who have a dual sensory loss – a loss of sight and hearing at a level where people are experiencing difficulties with mobility, accessing information and communication - we also work with individuals who have a single sensory loss and other disabilities. https://www.sense.org.uk/content/sense-cymru-touchbase-wales

Boparan Charitable Trust UK based National Children’s charity, which helps those with disabilities, life-limiting conditions or are in extreme poverty. http://www.theboparancharitabletrust.com/

The Sequal Trust, a small national fundraising Charity, founded in 1968, which is committed to bridging the communication gap for disabled people of all ages throughout the UK. It is  their aim to help each of our disabled members to reach their full potential through the provision of suitable communication equipment. To help people to see the person and not the disability, and to provide the means to set lively minds free, continues to be our prime objectives. SEQUAL stands for Special Equipment and Aids for Living. http://thesequaltrust.org.uk/

We were asked about help with continence issues -ERIC education and resources or improving childhood continence is a national charity that supports children with continence problems and campaigns for better childhood continence care http://www.eric.org.uk/  The leaflets are free to download http://www.eric.org.uk/InformationZone/Leafletsandresources
PromoCon have a team of dedicated experts who can provide advice and support to help manage any kind of incontinence, bladder or bowel related issue. Our helpline is accessible to patients, health care professionals and anyone who requires further information or support.  Our aim is to raise awareness of continence from a national perspective, whilst supporting patients and professionals to improve the quality of life for sufferers of bladder and bowel problems. We can help with information about services, practical solutions and product advice in a friendly a personal manner. We are a part of the wider organisation  Disabled Living and offer our support throughout the country.  We have a range of literature that will help parent, carers, health care professionals and schools cope with incontinence in children and young people. Our Children`s Specialist Continence Advisors can provide support, advice and information. If you wish to speak to them, contact our helpline on telephone number: 0161 607 8219 You can leave a message on our voice mail if no one is available to take your call. Please leave your name and contact information and we will return your call as soon as we can, although this may not be the same day.

Estyn - Education other than at school. June 2016

Summary of Estyn EOTAS Report - Arthur Tanner. 

Link to full Report HERE

Estyn is the Education Inspection Body for Wales. 

Main findings

1. Overall, EOTAS provision does not give pupils the same access to their education entitlements as their peers. A minority of pupils have to wait for more than 15 days to access provision, receive a restricted curriculum, or follow courses that are not challenging
enough
.
2. Pupils receiving EOTAS do not usually have access to a broad and balanced curriculum that enables them to gain qualifications that meet their needs and potential. Only a very few pupils are taught by subject specialists. A lack of resources and facilities for subjects such as science limits the curriculum for too many of these pupils.
This shortfall means that pupils miss out on important aspects
of education, which can impact on their future chances of employment and training.

3. Pupils receiving EOTAS do not always receive the full-time education (usually 25  hours a week) to which they are entitled. Most pupils for whom local authorities provide home tuition are educated for a maximum of 10 hours a week. They then follow a restricted curriculum because there is not enough time to teach
all the subjects of the National Curriculum. Many of these pupils have had extended periods of school-based intervention and support through a Pastoral Support Programme (PSP) to help them manage their behaviour.

4. Pupils who have previously been attending Welsh-medium schools have extremely limited opportunities to continue their learning in Welsh when they start EOTAS.
When providers recruit staff to work with these pupils, they do not always recruit qualified teachers.

5. Pupils with additional learning needs do not often receive the  specialist support they need, even when this is set out in a statement of special educational needs. They do not consistently
receive the specialist multi-agency support they need.

6. Nearly all pupils who receive EOTAS in Years 10 and 11 remain in EOTAS for the rest of their school career. They rarely re-integrate into school.

7. For many pupils, EOTAS provides them with a second chance to succeed. Many pupils’ attendance improves and they are more
motivated to learn because they have interesting learning experiences.

8. Many pupils who receive EOTAS study  vocational  courses. These experiences often motivate pupils to do well. They learn the skills
needed to access further training or work. They gain qualifications
that are relevant to the area of work they wish to pursue.

9. Many pupils develop good relationships with staff. They appreciate
Staff understanding the difficulties they experience. Over time, th
ese relationships help to support pupils to improve their behaviour.

Education other than at school
5
10. Very few pupils continue to be friends with pupils from their mainstream schools. They develop new friends in EOTAS,
but these pupils often do not live nearby and it is difficult to meet up with them outside of school time.

11. Nearly all local authorities experience difficulties ensuring that
pupils receiving EOTAS access the expertise of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). Staff do not get the specialist advice and guidance they need to support pupils’ needs.

12. Overall, local authorities’ referral processes for learners to gain access to EOTAS are unclear and not well understood. In most local authorities, these processes do not make sure that assessment and other information is transferred promptly from school to the EOTAS provider.

13. Across Wales, there is a lack of understanding about the registration requirements for pupils receiving EOTAS.
A very few headteachers, who have dual registered pupils receiving EOTAS in Year 11, remove them from the register of the school in January. This means that the attainment of these pupils, which is often not in line with their peers, does not count in the school’s performance data. Their local authorities endorse this practice.

14. Most local authorities do not monitor or oversee EOTAS or alternative provision robustly enough. In most cases, they know how many pupils are receiving the EOTAS they provide or commission from independent providers. Very few know how
many other pupils are also accessing full-time offsite alternative provision, often in the same providers, but directly commissioned by schools.

15. Most local authorities collect data on the qualifications gained by pupils receiving EOTAS. Only a minority of local authorities monitor and evaluate the progress of pupils receiving EOTAS. Overall, local authorities do not track the ongoing progress of pupils well enough
to ensure that all pupils meet their potential. They monitor
attendance and behaviour, but they do not all keep records of pupils’ learning needs or their progress against learning targets.
In a few cases, procedures to track pupils’ daily punctuality and attendance and to ensure pupils’ safety are not followed.

16. Very few teachers of EOTAS, especially those employed by independent providers, have access to training and support that would keep them up-to-date with the latest practice and curriculum requirements. They do not usually know where to go to get the best advice or to see good practice
.
Local authorities do not encourage their specialist teachers and educational psychologists to share their expertise with independent providers of EOTAS
.
17. Welsh Government regulations require independent providers of full
-time provision for five pupils or more, and one pupil with statements of special educational needs, to be registered as independent schools. A minority of local authorities commission
full-time EOTAS for large groups of pupils from providers that are not registered as independent schools.  The majority of local authorities visited maintain unregistered PRUs. They operate tuition centres and other non-registered centres to provide education for up to 25 hours a week. Education other than at school

6
18. Elected members are unaware of all the aspects of EOTAS for which they are responsible
.
They are unsure about how well pupils receiving EOTAS progress
Or how much the local authority spends on EOTAS.
They do not know if the pupils who received EOTAS go on to further education, employment or training. This means they cannot judge whether the EOTAS they provide is effective or gives value for money.

Home Education Acronyms and  Glossary.
 
EOTAS - LA funded home programmes are commonly referred to as EOTAS (Education other than at school) in official documentation. The Local authority is responsible for the Education be provided. Monitoring of the LA funded provision is right and proper to ensure taxpayers money is spent correctly. Welsh Government guidance here. 


EHE - Self-funded programmes are called EHE (elective home education). No monitoring. Parents who are funding their child's education themselves already know how well their children are progressing. The parents assume full legal and fiscal responsibility for the education a child receives. Many parents who feel their children have been failed by the system, resent attempts to monitor them by that same system. Elective Home Education Government guidance here. 

It is incredibly important for ALL parents of children to be aware of the very clear difference in status both in terms of funding expectations and their own duties under the law. For a link to all the relevant references that may impact upon children with Additional Learning needs who educated otherwise than at school please refer to our earlier blog post here & save it to your favourites! 

WALES specific guidelines and legal references.

Below is a list of the most useful Government guidance you may need as a parent for reference.

Current EHE Guidelines (updated 22 March 2016)
http://gov.wales/topics/educationandskills/schoolshome/pupilsupport/elective-home-education-guidance/?lang=en

NEW -  EOTAS guidelines updated 18 March 2016. (look at section 6).
http://gov.wales/topics/educationandskills/schoolshome/pupilsupport/inclusionpupilsupportguidance/?lang=en

Current SEN Code of practice
http://learning.gov.wales/docs/learningwales/publications/131016-sen-code-of-practice-for-wales-en.pdf

Access to Education and Support for Children and Young People with Medical Needs
http://learning.gov.wales/docs/learningwales/publications/131016-access-to-education-for-children-with-medical-needs-en.pdf

Social Services and Wellbeing Act (Wales) 2014 which replaces part III of the existing Children's Act from April 2016
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2014/4/contents/enacted

Our Face Book group & other web links.
Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/WalesHESN/
FB page - https://www.facebook.com/cymrualn/
Blog - http://cymrualn.blogspot.co.uk/
Email - cymrualn@gmail.com

WAG Consultations coming thick & fast - CALL TO ACTION

Our devolved Government is churning out consultations on issues that will directly affect Home Education here almost faster than we can track of. It really is so important that you respond to all of the following so that the voice of our children is heard.

On the table is a battle to protect our local Home Education group freedoms and for our children's access to vital NHS therapy services etc.

The relevant consultations and their end dates are listed below for easy access. We've also added a couple of helpful info links for you.  In addition we have a Welsh HE SEN group which you are more than welcome to join.

Anyone who is not totally knackered after responding could also help by writing to their local Assembly member ahead of this year's election.

1. Out-of-school education settings.

Closes 05/4/16
- help protect our home ed groups pls -

http://gov.wales/consultations/education/out-of-school-education-settings/?status=open&lang=en

Link to supporting petition that will help protect Home ed groups. This petition is not a Home Ed one! http://www.citizengo.org/en/pc/33469-welsh-government-prohibit-undesirable-teaching

A view point from Fiona nicholson of Ed Yourself - a home education advice organisation
http://edyourself.org/articles/regulationoutofschoolsettingsWales.php

2. Supporting learners with Healthcare Needs.

Closes 29/04/2016

http://gov.wales/consultations/education/supporting-learners-with-healthcare-needs/?lang=en

A useful legal article on this consultation from Sinclairs Law firm, who helped us with our responses to the ALN Bill.
http://www.sinclairslaw.co.uk/news/specialist-law-firm-responds-to-welsh-consultation/

3. Consultation on the refreshed Autistic Spectrum Disorder Strategic Action Plan.

Closes  27/05/2016

http://gov.wales/consultations/healthsocialcare/autism/?lang=en

Link to Face Book Group where the consultations are all under discussion. 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WalesHESN/

The Story Behind the Making of the ALN Bill Cartoon by Swansea Kids.

The Story Behind the Making of the ALN Bill Cartoon by Swansea Kids.  For http://cymrualn.blogspot.co.uk/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di9A8G9_Cpk

By Gail John

In late August/early September 2015, I was asked by a number of parents if I would work with their home-educated children.  This was after, I had home-educated  my own daughter, helping her to acquire her GCSEs against the odds, since she had developed  severe panic attacks in school and had no choice but to leave school at 15.  Therefore, after producing successful GCSE results with her, against all the odds stacked against us, a number of parents asked if I would help their children too, since educational ‘other’ options within our locality were virtually non-existent.

From September to November, in order to successfully engage these new learners, I made films with them.  The kids not only had fun making these films, but they also found that they could learn complicated concepts, difficult key vocabulary and could remember key themes from the core syllabus that we were studying. During this time, we made films about consensus and conflict theories, as well as culture, identity and socialisation, as part of the sociology syllabus.  During this process, I discovered how all the learners were incredibly creatively talented, with their own set of unique gifts and interests. One of our learners was already an experienced film maker. Others were expert actors and mimics. We had so much fun creating these digital learning tools together and our expert film-maker was able to edit some of our films, using special effects to produce films of quite a high visual quality.

One day, after some of the children had attended an ALN Bill consultation talk, we talked about how this legislation would affect generations for years to come and how important it was for the Welsh public to engage with the Welsh Government during the proposals. At the same time, we were also using cartoons as an educational tool to analyse different interpretations of the different characters within an English Literature set text which we were studying. The children and I enjoyed using the idea of a ‘chat show’ to question the different characters in order to explore dramatic irony and to experiment with different possible interpretations of the characters’ actions, grounded in context.  

This was when the idea of combining both the ALN Bill information and creating a cartoon was born.

A script was written using the information found within the Welsh Government Draft documentation, ALN Bill Consultation presentations, statistics, the personal experiences of some Welsh parents and it was set in the context of a ‘chat show’ in order to present the different perspectives.  The children did not want to be filmed live but chose a cartoon format. Our very own 15 year old film- expert set to work designing and creating a set for our cartoon ‘Chat Show’.  A 12 year old (mainstream child, who attended an ALN Consultation presentation) and two home-schooled children (16 years old and 13 years old) took on the parts of the fictional characters.  Our very own 15 year old film/cartoon expert recorded the different character voices and all adults were banned from the room, during this process, due to possible unwanted interference.  Later, our very own experienced film/cartoon expert used his gifts in special effects to complete the cartoon conveying a powerful message, completely from scratch and without adult intervention.   

This cartoon has made it onto multiple social media sites. It has also been shown to a range of stakeholders, including being sent to Welsh Government and councillors within local government.  Our 15 year old cartoon creator, along with the 13 year old youngster who was the voice behind the fictional presenter, ‘Sian Griffiths’, realised just how famous and wide-spread their ALN Bill cartoon had become, when their mum came home from work one day and stated that she had been shown it independently as part of her job.    

Well done kids. Gwaith ardderchog!

 

                       

  

ALN BILL - Voice of the child animation.

WALES ALN BILL - responses needed!

THE VIDEO - VOICE OF THE CHILD  - watch the children's self-made animation.

Urgency - If you are a young person, parent/carer or/and a professional, please fill in the form. There are gaps in provision, which will widen unless your voice is heard by Welsh Government by 18th December, 2015.
http://gov.wales/consultations/education/draft-aln-and-education-tribunal-wales-bill/?status=open&lang=en

Credits
Voices by Dylan and Enya Morgan-Beattie and another.
Created by Welsh children who wanted their voices heard (UN Rights of the Child, Article 12, 42)

ALN Bill Consultation Events across Wales.

Running list of all the opportunities for face to face engagements we know of so far.

SNAP Cymru: Pembrokeshire
23rd November 2015, 9:00am - 1:00pm
The Picton Centre, Haverfordwest SA61 1UG

WAG stakeholder events
Venue Cymru, Llandudno
24 November 2015, 9.00-13.00

WAG Stakeholder events
City Hall, Cardiff
30 November 2015, 9.00-13.00 - NOW FULL
.
Sinclairs Legal Firm with Mike Charles - to be confirmed.
Cardiff City Stadium 25th November 6pm.

SNAP Cymru/SHED: Swansea
7th December 1.00 - 3.00pm
Penlan Children's Centre, Swansea SA5 7AZ

BHEC & WAG Brigend - date/venue to be confirmed

.

Please do share the relevant details to your local HE groups. We also need to urgently get the word out that WRITTEN wag responses directly to the WAG consultation on their website are the only way to be sure that the voice of the EHE child or young person is heard.

The appallingly low (153) response rate to the EHE consultation earlier this year, is something that we MUST improve upon.

There is strength in numbers and we must utilise that!

More details of these meetings can be found as per usual in our Face Book group here