news
See what PaCC & amaze are talking about...
Carers Rights Day 2021
It’s Carers Rights Day on 25 November, and this year the campaign focuses on the rights that unpaid carers have. We’ve found some staggering statistics on the Amaze Compass West Sussex database, which shows just how hard parent carers on the Compass are working to look after their child or young person with additional needs...
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Stay Well This Winter
Amaze is working alongside the three other carers organisations in East Sussex to support all local carers to Stay Well This Winter. If you look after a relative, friend or neighbour, we would like to support you to focus on your well being, improve your physical health and maintain social connections. This winter there is...
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Vaccination Update – end of October
What’s the latest on Covid-19 booster vaccination for carers and vaccination for children and young people? Vaccination is a personal choice but most families of children with SEND want to know where they stand with vaccination so Amaze continues to try to keep our community up to date. The Sussex Vaccination programme website has the...
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Latest leisure offers across Sussex
Looking for somewhere new to check out this October half term holiday? Check out the latest offers with concessionary rates for children and young people with SEND and their families in Brighton & Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex. Amaze Compass Card – Brighton & Hove and West Sussex A J Roller Discos – Haywards...
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Secondary school admissions – advice on choosing a school
Is your child due to start secondary school in September 2022? Now is the time to start booking visits to the schools you are interested in. Your local schools should have posted information about open evenings and taster sessions by now. If your child has an EHC plan there will be an Annual Review of...
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Covid-19 Vaccination – where are we now and what’s next?
The coronavirus vaccination programme has seen a series of changes and developments recently so here is an update with the essentials for parent carers and children and young people, including vaccination for children and booster shots for carers. Is it too late if I didn’t take up vaccination when I was offered it? No. If you...
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Free infection prevention and control support for unpaid carers in East Sussex
Unpaid carers in East Sussex can now get free support with infection prevention and control from East Sussex PA Infection Prevention & Control Project (PA IPC). Since January this year, PA IPC has been supporting East Sussex’s paid personal assistants with key actions to help reduce the transmission of germs and infections. The good news...
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More progress on improvements to the neurodevelopmental pathway
Amaze and the local parent carer forums are getting involved in developments to the neurodevelopmental pathway (NDP) in both Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. The neurodevelopmental pathway (NDP) describes the different steps that a child or young person goes through from referral to the diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental condition such as autism or ADHD....
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East Sussex Children and Young People with SEND Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
The East Sussex Children and Young People with SEND Joint Strategic Needs Assessment report has been published. What is the SEND Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)? If you are a parent carer in East Sussex, you may recall completing a survey earlier this year, asking about your family’s views and experiences of SEND services in...
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Latest news about vaccination for children and young people
16 or 17 year olds If you have a 16 or 17 year old, your child can be vaccinated if you and they want this. There are walk in clinics across Sussex this week which you can use instead of booking via the invitation from your GP-linked vaccination service. Details of walk in sessions are...
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Update about vaccination for under 18s
The Sussex Vaccination Programme has released an update about vaccination for under 18s on 20 August. They set out what is happening for three groups: clinically extremely vulnerable 12 to 15 year olds 12 to 15 year olds who live with someone who is immunosuppressed all 16 and 17 year olds If you have a 16...
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Amaze seeks Information, Advice and Guidance Co-ordinator
Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to co-ordinate and deliver a service that makes a significant difference to the lives of young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Sussex? Amaze is an award-winning local charity that provides a range of information, advice and support to children and young people with SEND...
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DLA and PIP information and advice over the summer
Our Disability Benefits team will be taking some well-deserved leave this summer, so we will have reduced support for this service over the next month. If you need help with your DLA or PIP claim, please read on. We have put together guidance to help with your next steps (including any information we need from...
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12-15 year olds at increased risk from coronavirus (Covid-19) to be offered a vaccine
On 19 July, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) announced that children at increased risk of serious coronavirus (Covid-19) disease are to be offered a vaccine. This follows their announcement in June that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for use for 12 to 15 year olds. Based on scientific advice, vaccination will...
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Amaze seeks Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) Manager
Are you looking for an exciting new opportunity to lead a service that makes a difference to the lives of families with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Sussex? Amaze is an award-winning local charity that gives information, advice and support to children and young people with special educational...
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PaCC seeks Vice-Chair
Exciting opportunity with the Brighton & Hove Parent Carers’ Council (PaCC) Are you looking for an exciting new opportunity to really make a difference to the lives of families with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brighton & Hove? PaCC is the parent-led forum which represents parents and carers...
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Your Choice, Your Voice: our new group for sharing views and shaping Amaze services for young people
Your Choice, Your Voice is a new group that has been set up by some of the young people from our Amazing Futures peer support project. The group aims to give young people more responsibility and a voice within Amaze to shape the offers and opportunities we provide. Through participating in the group, young people...
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Schools Wellbeing Service and Mental Health Support Team working together with parents and carers
A new partnership between Brighton & Hove Inclusion Support Service (BHISS), Amaze and PaCC has recently launched. The aim is to enable families with children with SEND living in Brighton & Hove to access information on wellbeing and mental health, either online or by attending workshops. The first workshop took place in June and offered...
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Could you befriend another parent of a child with SEND in East Sussex?
Our Face 2 Face project is all about parent carers using their experience and insight to help others who are just starting out on their journey as the parent of a child with additional needs, or going through particular challenges. Could you be one of our volunteer befrienders in East Sussex? We’d offer you full...
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Amazing Futures Kickstart Traineeship
Amazing Futures have a Kickstart Traineeship vacancy, advertised through Eastbourne Job Centre. To apply for the Amazing Futures Kickstart Traineeship, please download and complete the following application and diversity monitoring forms (and apply through Eastbourne Job Centre): Kickstart Amazing Futures Trainee Application Form Diversity Monitoring Form
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Amaze seeks Young People’s Peer Support Interns
Paid Internship Opportunity Two roles available: in Brighton & Hove and Eastbourne 12 hours a week for up to 8 months with the potential of extending this to a year, funding permitting £9.50 per hour (based on living wage guidelines) Watch our short film to find out what it is like to be an Amaze...
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Amaze’s Lizzie Batten awarded MBE
We are so delighted and proud to announce that our DLA/PIP project manager, Lizzie Batten, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her services to children and young people with disabilities and their families! Lizzie has been actively supporting parents and carers of disabled children in a multitude of ways...
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Reduced funding means some changes to services at Amaze
We are sorry to share that Amaze is having to cut back in a few areas of our service delivery, due to not getting all our funding agreed. Firstly, as our National Lottery Community Fund funding was not renewed for our work with young people with SEND, we have had to slightly reduce the number...
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New Sussex Police autism passport now downloadable
We’re happy to pass on information about the new Sussex Police autism passport. This passport was co-produced by autistic people, the Sussex Police and the local NHS neurodevelopmental service, based on similar cards in other areas. The aim is to make sure that if someone comes into contact with the police or other services there...
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Symptom-free Covid-19 tests now available to parent carers
Parent carers can now access regular Covid-19 lateral flow (rapid) testing if they live in Sussex. These tests are normally available for anyone over 18 who lives or works in Sussex who cannot work from home and who does not have access to a symptom-free test through other routes. However, carers have been told they...
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Update on the East Sussex SEND Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)
We’d like to say a huge thank you to all the parent carers who participated in the recent survey for the East Sussex Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). East Sussex Parent Carer Forum, East Sussex County Council, the Clinical Commissioning Group and Amaze worked together to develop the survey...
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Easter Holiday play schemes and activities 2021
With the Easter holidays almost upon us, parent carers’ thoughts will no doubt be turning their attention to childcare, play schemes and activity options. To help out we’ve brought together links and information on inclusive clubs in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex here: Brighton and Hove: Brighton Table Tennis Club is running a free Easter activity camp at Moulsecomb Primary School for children and young people aged 6 to 18 who...
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Improving the neurodevelopmental pathway in Brighton & Hove
Amaze, PaCC and other local organisations have been working with Brighton & Hove City Council and NHS Brighton & Hove Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to develop the route to assessment, diagnosis and support for children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders. Planning and discussion about this has taken place for some years and we had...
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Covid-19 vaccinations for eligible unpaid carers: how to book
UPDATE 7 April: We understand that there may be fewer slots for vaccinations over the coming weeks. But if you are an unpaid parent carer and have not yet received your vaccination, but want one, it’s worth still trying to book a vaccination appointment yourself on this link or you can call 119. If you are...
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Tackling racism: our commitments to you
Amaze is an organisation set up to empower children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their families. We champion inclusion and lobby against inequality experienced as a result of a special educational need, disability or long-term health condition. The brutal death of George Floyd in the summer of 2020 and subsequent Black...
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Above and Beyond: Amaze’s Lizzie celebrated on a bus
Brighton and Hove Buses were searching high and low, far and wide to find amazing local people who make a difference: the chosen ‘Community Champions’ would form part of their ‘Above & Beyond‘ buses. Naturally, we told them about Lizzie Batten, our DLA Project Manager and naturally, Lizzie was selected! We know you’ll all agree...
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March 2021 – Open letter from Vicky Ford, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families
In response to the return to school and college, Vicky Ford MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, has published this open letter to children and young people with SEND and their families, and those who support them. As well as thanking families, schools and other professionals for the ‘tremendous efforts’ they have...
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Update 4 March 2021 – Vaccinations for unpaid carers
The Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that people who are in receipt of a Carer’s Allowance, or who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill, should now be eligible for vaccination. In Sussex, carers’ organisations and local authorities...
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Good news: young people and adults on Learning Disability Register to be prioritised for vaccine
Fantastic news: all young people (age 16 and over) and adults on the Learning Disability Register will now be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine in England. This means 150,000 more people at higher risk being offered a jab more quickly in England. The government announcement follows Jo Whiley’s plea for people such as her sister,...
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Covid hardship grants for families in need in East Sussex – apply now
If you’re a young person with SEND, or a parent carer living in East Sussex and are struggling financially – we invite you to apply for a Covid Winter Hardship Grant. If you are eligible, this will pay £50 per child or young person with SEND up to the age of 25, to help with...
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Update about the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme availability for unpaid parent carers
There has been a change to the definition about which unpaid adult carers will be eligible for vaccination under priority 6 to: (from Public Health England’s COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a) Carers whose cared for are clinically vulnerable are specified as including those with: children with severe neuro-disabilities those who are designated Clinically Extremely...
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Vaccination FAQs – unpaid carers and children and young people with SEND
We know that many of you are understandably anxious about when and how your family will be getting their Covid-19 vaccinations. Though we cannot give you specific timelines for vaccination – this will depend on vaccine supplies arriving and how quickly different priority groups get vaccinated – we have worked together with all the carers...
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Vaccinations for paid carers – available to book now
Personal Assistants (PAs) who provide care to elderly or vulnerable disabled people in Sussex are now eligible for Covid-19 vaccination as frontline health and social care workers in Priority Group 2. PAs can book appointments at vaccination centres including the Brighton Centre, the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastbourne District General and the Conquest Hospital, Hastings....
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SEND Services in Sussex during lockdown
Amaze spoke to our local SEND health and education services to get the latest on how they are operating in this second lockdown. Assessments and therapies Despite increased pressure on the NHS in this latest lockdown, children’s health service staff in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex will not be called away to work on...
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Face 2 Face: our superstar volunteer befrienders and new online support groups for East Sussex
This month Face 2 Face is celebrating our longest-serving Star Befriender, Diana, on her 7th anniversary volunteering for the team. Rather than telling you why we think she’s so brilliant, we thought it would be far better to share what some of the parent carers she has supported say about her: “She has always helped...
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Covid-19 vaccinations: our survey findings and latest on prioritisation and process
The rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme is picking up pace across Sussex. You can read the latest local vaccination news here but please keep an eye on the vaccination info in our coronavirus advice section, which we will update as and when we get more information. Findings from the Covid-19 Vaccine Survey January 2021...
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Groups in lockdown: what’s on offer for parent carers and young people
As we head towards a year since the first lockdown began, the isolation is really starting to take its toll for many of us. Whether you’re a parent carer, burning out from being in a caring role 24/7, or a young person with disabilities, struggling without people your age to talk to, peer support groups...
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New open letter to SEND community from Children and Families minister Vicky Ford
Vicky Ford, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, has written another open letter to the SEND community, this time outlining some of the latest information and guidance relating to the current national lockdown. Key headlines include: The legal duty on schools and colleges to use their best endeavours to meet the special educational needs...
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New letter for outdoor exercise during lockdown – for families of children with SEND
Amaze has worked quickly and closely with the local parent carer forums and West Sussex charity Reaching Families to create a letter for children and young people with SEND or their parent carers to use when exercising outdoors during the new lockdown. The letter sets out the reasons why a family with a child or...
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Helpline holiday – getting advice, information and support over Christmas
The Amaze SENDIASS helpline will close for Christmas and New Year on Monday 21 December at 2.30pm and re-open on Monday 4 January at 9.30am. You can still send us a message and we will pick this up on 4 January but it may take us a few days to reply: sendiass@amazesussex.org.uk or 01273 772289....
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Covid-19 vaccination latest for children and young people with SEND and their carers
The NHS in Sussex will begin vaccinating patients against coronavirus this week, prioritising those who are most at risk of serious illness or death if they catch the virus, according to independent advice. Read the government’s vaccination priority list here. You can also read the advice that underpins the government’s vaccination priorities. Broadly speaking the...
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DCP “back to school” survey results show mixed results for SEND families
Amaze is proud to be part of the Disabled Children’s Partnership, a coalition of more than 80 organisations campaigning for better support for disabled children and their families. Earlier, this year, the DCP published an influential “Left In Lockdown” report on the impact of lockdown on disabled children and their families. In September and October,...
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Latest on child development services in Brighton & Hove
Despite the second lockdown, Child Development Services in Brighton & Hove are still continuing to see children, young people and families. They are offering support both remotely and face-to-face as required, and staff have been busy visiting schools and pre-school settings wearing appropriate PPE. Lucy Domoney, General Manager for Child Development Services in Brighton &...
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A big impact – read how Amaze has supported children and young people with SEND this financial year
We’re really pleased to publish our latest report on the impact of our work to support families with disabled children and young people across Sussex. The report focuses on the financial year 2019-20 but it also includes a summary of all the extra and different things we have done during 2020 as a result of...
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Amaze secures grant from the Youth Futures Foundation and Children in Need!
Amaze is delighted to announce that it has been successful in securing £79,676 from BBC Children In Need and the Youth Futures Foundation for work to inspire and guide young people with SEND into education, employment and training. This grant is very timely because we know young people with SEND are struggling now more than...
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events
See what's happening...
Amazing Futures groups and peer support - autumn 2021 [Brighton & Hove and East Sussex]
22nd September 2021 - 16th December 2021 - All Day
Amaze SENDIASS Zoom: Annual Review - Getting the most from the EHC plan
29th November 2021 - 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Face 2 Face Breakfast Club Zoom for parent carers (Brighton & Hove)
02nd December 2021 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Free Amaze Zoom Workshop - How to claim DLA
07th December 2021 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Face 2 Face EAST SUSSEX parent carer group on Zoom
08th December 2021 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Amaze Preparation for Adulthood Workshop
13th December 2021 - 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
How to claim Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
15th December 2021 - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Face 2 Face Breakfast Club Zoom for parent carers (Brighton & Hove)
17th December 2021 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Face 2 Face autism parent carer group on Zoom (Brighton & Hove)
17th December 2021 - 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Amaze SENDIASS Zoom: EHC Needs Assessment Process
11th January 2022 - 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Free Amaze Zoom Workshop - How to claim DLA
14th January 2022 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Amaze SENDIASS Zoom: Annual Review - Getting the most from the EHC plan
19th January 2022 - 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
How to claim Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
25th January 2022 - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Amaze SENDIASS Zoom: Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support for your Child
17th February 2022 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Free Amaze Zoom Workshop - How to claim DLA
02nd March 2022 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Amaze SENDIASS Zoom: EHC Needs Assessment Process
15th March 2022 - 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
How to claim Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
17th March 2022 - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Free Amaze Zoom Workshop - How to claim DLA
25th April 2022 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm