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Consultation for new SEND Strategy in Brighton & Hove
Brighton & Hove City Council has created a draft for the city’s new five year SEND Strategy. The draft was developed with the help of local families, including children and young people with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities. However, to ensure everyone’s voice is heard, they are offering a chance for...
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Boosting children and young people’s voices: how has Covid19 affected your family?
As part of a national campaign, we want to share quotes on social media on July 1st from children, young people and parents on how Covid-19 has affected them and what they want and need from recovery. The idea is that children and young people’s voices will be so prominent on social media that their...
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Updated statement from Brighton & Hove City Council: phased school return from June 15
Brighton & Hove City Council have released an updated statement to headteachers this week, advising schools and council nurseries to begin opening more widely to pupils from Monday 15 June. They expect pupils to return in a gradual way, beginning with the age groups previously identified by the government: nursery years, reception, Year 1, Year...
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Brighton & Hove youth services review – chance to win £25 gift voucher
Are you a young person in Brighton & Hove aged 11 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)? Or a parent carer of a young person 11-25 with SEND in Brighton & Hove? Brighton & Hove City Council would like your help to decide what youth services are needed in the city. Your...
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Amaze and ESPCF’s letter to East Sussex schools
Today Amaze and East Sussex Parent Carer Forum sent a letter to all head teachers and SENCOs at East Sussex schools, sharing the key messages and suggestions we have heard from parent carers about providing support to SEND children and young people during Covid-19, you can read the letter here: Key suggestions for schools colleges...
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Amaze and PaCC’s letter to Brighton & Hove schools
As schools are focusing their efforts (in very challenging circumstances), to support more children in certain year groups to return to school, Amaze and PaCC have sent a letter to all school Head Teachers and SENCOs in Brighton & Hove, outlining some key messages parents have told us they would like schools to think about...
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Letter to the government regarding SEND pupils’ return to school
As part of the Disabled Children’s Partnership, Amaze is a signatory to this letter to Vicky Ford, which asks the Government to ensure that there is no further extension of the amended arrangements to vary timescales in The SEND CV19 Regulations 2020, beyond the current end date of 25th September: Sector letter to the Children’s Minister...
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Letter from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families
See attached letter from Vicky Ford MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, in which she thanks parents for all their support at this time, and outlines the latest guidance to schools to bring more children back in, including those with SEND. Minister Ford’s open letter to SEND sector schools opening [140KB PDF]...
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Amaze’s new online coronavirus resource
There’s a brand new section all about coronavirus and SEND on our website which aims to answer all your questions about education, health and wellbeing, social care, safety, money and more during the pandemic. There’s also a section just for young people. Visit our Coronavirus advice and support section Our SENDIASS and Comms staff developed...
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Amaze services now offering online support
Due to the recent Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve had to be creative with how we can continue to provide our support services during this time, that’s why we’re now offering online sessions with our various projects. Take a look below to see if you’d like to get involved in any of the sessions. Amaze online support...
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Local response to government’s proposed reopening of schools
We know you will all be anxious and wanting to know more detail following the government’s recent announcements about the potential reopening of schools but we know all schools are planning how it can happen in safe and fair way. In Brighton & Hove, Amaze understands that Jo Lyons (Brighton & Hove Assistant Director, Families,...
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Brighton & Hove and East Sussex councils reach out to parent carers around temporary changes to SEND law
You may have heard in the news last week that the government has made some temporary changes to the law in relation to local authorities’ duties regarding Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan processes for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis. In light of these changes, both Brighton & Hove and East Sussex County Councils...
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Lockdown – what’s happening to education, employment and training for young people?
Many young people are worrying about how the Covid-19 lockdown will affect their education, employment and training. Lots of parent carers are too! Here at Amaze we believe that it is vital for young people’s wellbeing that you continue to think about the future and to make plans for the end of lockdown. The Amaze...
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Sussex teen ‘Trumpet Boy’ releases lockdown single in aid of Amaze
A Brighton schoolboy has written and recorded a song about lockdown, on wide release, with all proceeds going to Amaze! Arthur Ward, 13, has already raised over £500 for us with his uplifting live trumpet performances in Hanover (where he is now a lockdown legend amongst residents) as well as reaching people live on Instagram (@trumpet_b0y). This...
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Parent Carers’ Experiences of COVID-19
Thank you to all the parent carers who managed to complete our latest survey. This ran from 17-24th April and aimed to get a snapshot of some of the key challenges facing families with children and young people with SEND during this CV-19 crisis, and what support you most need. We have shared these findings with...
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Brighton & Hove Council thank you letter to SEND families
As lockdown continues, Amaze staff and volunteers are hearing many examples of strength, courage and mutual support from the parent carer community across Sussex, so it’s lovely that the current difficulties many are facing are acknowledged in this thank you letter to Brighton and Hove families: 2020 04 29 Letter to Parents and Carers [PDF 104KB]
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COVID 19 Parent Carer Survey
Amaze and your local parent carer forums (PACC and ESPCF) want to find out how the coronavirus crisis is affecting families. If you are an East Sussex or Brighton & Hove parent we would be very grateful if you can find time to complete this survey. We will use what you say to prioritise what...
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Amaze services during coronavirus/COVID-19
We are no longer updating this page. For up to date details of how our services are operating during coronavirus, please visit our Coronavirus Support from Amaze page Amaze is doing all it can to keep services going in some form during coronavirus/COVID-19, but things may be a bit slower than usual. This is because...
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Exercise and your child with SEND during lock-down
We know the lockdown is difficult for many of us but it can be exceptionally hard if you have a child with an additional need who doesn’t understand social distancing, or wants to be outside more than once per day. Your child might: Need to be able to exercise away from familiar people as they...
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Easter update: opening hours and helpful resources
Amaze services will be closed over the Easter weekend (Friday 10th April to Monday 13th April). If you’re starting to get cabin fever and could do with some resources to help you through, we’ve got you covered: Leisure, Learning and Lockdown – Our Compass team has been busy creating and regularly updating their guides for...
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#BigCheerUp for Amaze
Need cheering up? Love funny videos? Amaze is hugely excited to be launching #BigCheerUp with some of the UK’s best-loved comedy names, to support our Amaz-ing community of children with special educational needs and disabilities. Take a look at our launch video by the fabulous Angela Barnes who also happens to be an Amaze patron. Over the coming weeks, as...
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LATEST – Support from BHISS during coronavirus pandemic
Brighton & Hove Inclusion Support Service (BHISS) have just released the following advice about how their service will operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Dear Parent/carers We wanted to contact you to update you on how BHISS can continue to support you and your family during this unusual time. Everyone at the Brighton & Hove Inclusion...
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Amaze creates Community Help Postcard to help vulnerable SEND families during COVID-19
Here at Amaze we are looking at creative ways to help local families of children and young people with additional needs during the coronavirus outbreak. Yesterday we launched our Frequently Asked Questions resources, and today we are launching our “AMAZ-ing Community help postcard”. This is based on the one that has taken off online elsewhere, but ours specifically tries to help families...
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Home to school transport latest – BRIGHTON & HOVE
An update from Brighton & Hove City Council’s Home to School Transport team. The article includes Important info regarding Home to School transport and Covid 19 Information around a commitment to improve provision ahead of September 2020 “Dear parents and carers Firstly, we are aware of the concerns parents and carers have around the coronavirus/...
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Amaze seeks Face2Face Befriending Project Worker
12 hours per week Salary: Equivalent NJC 21, £24,340 pro rata. Amaze hourly rate £13.37 (based on 35 hours week) Fixed-term to 31st March 2021, with possibility of extension subject to funding Amaze is a Sussex-based charity that supports families with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Face2Face is our...
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Amaze seeks Data and Performance Manager
25-30 hours per week (flexible depending on experience and availability) Salary: Equivalent NJC 25-29 £27,698-£30,819 pro rata. Amaze hourly rate £15.22-£16.93 (based on 35 hours week) Fixed-term for 2 years, with likelihood of extension subject to funding Amaze is a Sussex-based charity that supports families with children and young people with special educational needs and...
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Opportunities for accessing school until the end of the summer term for Year 11 pupils who have an EHCP
Brighton and Hove County Council’s Health, SEN & Disability department have issued a position statement regarding opportunities for accessing school until the end of the summer term for Year 11 pupils who have an EHCP. This Position Statement covers funding for Year 11 students to continue with support until the end of the Summer Term. At...
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Coronavirus update from Brighton & Hove CC’s Public Health team
We are pleased to share some updated information on coronavirus, now also referred to COVID-19. This has been prepared by the Public Health team at Brighton and Hove City Council. We hope you find this useful. The risk to the general public is ‘moderate’ based on the World Health Organization’s declaration that coronavirus is of international concern. ...
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Update for families from Brighton & Hove City Council about the coronavirus
You may be hearing a lot in the news at the moment about the reported incidents of coronavirus in the city and we understand parents and carers may be especially anxious and hope the following information will be helpful: Public Health England is the lead organisation responding to the situation. Public Health England is working...
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SENDIASS Helpline news
We’re really excited about two developments for our SENDIASS helpline that we hope will cut the time you have to wait to speak to an adviser. We have a new helpline assistant, Boo Vaughan, who will be contacting people who have left messages to book them a scheduled callback with a trained SENDIASS adviser to...
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Face 2 Face peer befriending launches in East Sussex
Amaze’s Face 2 Face peer befriending service is launching in East Sussex. Face 2 Face provides emotional support to parents of disabled children during the very early days, around the time of diagnosis. We have a team of trained befrienders who are ready to support parents in most parts of East Sussex, particularly around Crowborough...
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Tell us what you think of our Compass Card and DLA/PIP projects!
Many of you will have a Compass Card or have had some support from us to claim DLA/PIP disability benefits for your child or young person. Can you help Amaze to continue to improve, and secure future funding for these important projects by filling in one, two or all three of our short surveys! The surveys...
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New Amazingly Active programme launching in Eastbourne
Amaze is delighted that thanks to a generous grant from the John Jackson Charitable Trust we are now able to offer Amazingly Active – an inclusive healthy exercise programme for young people with additional needs in Eastbourne, as part of our Amazing Futures project. Phase one of this exciting new exercise programme begins in February,...
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Brighton & Hove City Council update on Home to School Transport
This is the latest update from Brighton & Hove City Council on Home to School Transport: “Dear families, Many parents and carers will be aware that a problem last Thursday 16 January caused disruption to the journeys of eight children to school the following morning. We regret disruption caused very much and have apologised to...
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What now for the national SEND Review?
Last autumn it felt like SEND was high on the political agenda nationally. In September 2019, it was five years since the Children and Families Act brought in the current SEND system, including EHC Plans, and there was some honest discussion about whether these reforms had lived up to hopes and expectations. The Education Committee...
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East Sussex Parent Carer Forum seeks Chair
ESPCF is the new forum for parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in East Sussex. ESPCF’s aim is to ensure that every parent carer in East Sussex feels that their voice, their views and their experiences matter and contribute towards developing and improving services. We do this...
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East Sussex Parent Carer Forum seeks Administrative and Communications Assistant
ESPCF is the new forum for parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in East Sussex. ESPCF’s aim is to ensure that every parent carer in East Sussex feels that their voice, their views and their experiences matter and contribute towards developing and improving services. We do this...
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East Sussex Parent Carer Forum seeks Engagement Co-ordinator
ESPCF is the new forum for parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in East Sussex. ESPCF’s aim is to ensure that every parent carer in East Sussex feels that their voice, their views and their experiences matter and contribute towards developing and improving services. We do this...
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The independent review of Brighton and Hove home to school transport is underway
The Independent Review of Brighton and Hove Home to School Transport is now underway. A team from the Local Government Association will spend the next 3 weeks reviewing relevant documentation and 3 focus groups will take place (dates below) providing an opportunity for parent carers to share their experiences and thoughts. Amaze is supporting PaCC...
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Amaze’s East Sussex AGM a big success
Amaze’s first ever AGM in East Sussex took place in December at the Lawn Tennis Association in Eastbourne. It was also our first AGM focused on our direct work with young people as we celebrated our first year of Amazing Futures in East Sussex.The peer supporters, interns and group participants from East Sussex took to...
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New Head of SEN Statutory Services for Brighton & Hove
Welcome to Rhian Hughes who has very recently joined Brighton & Hove City Council as Head of SEN Statutory Services. Rhian has 13 years of experience in SEN management and has worked in four London boroughs. Rhian says “ I am delighted to have joined Brighton & Hove Council as the Head of SEN Statutory...
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Latest on Brighton & Hove SEND Strategy
Work is underway to develop a new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy for Brighton & Hove, to be launched next year. This strategy will be co-produced with parents and carers and there will ongoing scrutiny to make sure that the strategy is meeting its aims. Discussions with parents, carers and other professionals and...
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Colour Matching really is catching
We’re delighted to report that our brilliant new Colour Matching is Catching coffee table book is selling like hot cakes – so much so that we’ve ordered another batch in time for all your Christmas stockings – so please order one and help support Amaze this Christmas. The book is hard backed, 230 by 180mm,...
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New ‘Amazine’ e-magazine for young people with SEND launches in the new year
Amaze is launching an accessible new online magazine for young people with SEND, by young people with SEND. “Amazine” was the idea of young people in our Amazing Futures peer support groups, who’ve been working hard to put together the first edition. The e-magazine is being coordinated by our Student Project Worker, Megan O’Brien, who...
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Parents and schools at inclusion conference
This year’s ISEND Inclusion Conference on 19 November broke new ground as it brought parents and school staff together to look at the theme “Working Together for Better Outcomes”. All East Sussex schools were invited to book a place for their SENCO or head and one or two parents from their school to all attend together....
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Independent Review planned for Home to School Transport in Brighton and Hove – PaCC UPDATE
It was a difficult start to the autumn term for many parents whose children rely on Home to School Transport to get them to and from school. Problems arose following changes in the way Home to School Transport is run which involved a new tender going out to multiple taxi companies with multiple new routes....
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New parent carer forum for East Sussex
East Sussex Parent Carer Forum (ESPCF) is the new forum for parent carers of children and young people (CYP) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in East Sussex. Local parent support groups iContact and ImPACT are working together to set up ESPCF to ensure that every parent carer in East Sussex feels that their...
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‘Colour Matching is Catching’ – new coffee table book in aid of Amaze
‘Colour Matching is Catching’ is a bright and beautiful coffee table book that celebrates Brighton’s colourful quirkiness, in aid of Amaze. Available now, ‘Colour Matching is Catching’ is stuffed with brilliantly witty pictures of local residents colour-matched to their home, their cars and each other. All proceeds from the sale of the book go to Amaze to...
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New Amaze patrons comedians Joe Wilkinson and Angela Barnes celebrate BIG CHEER success with Amaze
New patrons Angela Barnes and Joe Wilkinson are celebrating with Amaze following our BIG CHEER comedy night at Komedia on Thursday 10th october. Amaze’s flagship fundraising event sold out yet again and raised £5,600 for local families with disabled children. Over the last eight years, ‘BIG CHEER for Amaze’ has generated a whopping £70,000! Angela...
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Volunteer peer supporters wanted for our Amazing Futures Brighton groups for young people
We’re looking for more young people to join our friendly team of volunteer peer supporters at our Brighton peer support activity groups. Our next training course for new volunteers starts in November. About you You must be aged 18-25 and either have additional needs yourself, or have had experiences that help you understand what it’s like...
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