news
See what PaCC & amaze are talking about...
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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Latest national lockdown rules on going out and meeting up
There have been so many rule changes during the pandemic it’s not surprising that lots of parents and carers are confused about exactly what they can and can’t do during the new national lockdown #2. Here’s answers to some of your most frequent questions. Meeting up indoors or outdoors You can go out in a...
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Latest letter from Vicky Ford, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families
Vicky Ford, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, has published an open letter to all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), their parents/carers and families, and others who support them. Following the introduction of the new national restrictions on 5th November, the letter provides advice and...
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Secondary school admissions deadline fast approaching
Is your child due to start secondary school in September 2021? If you haven’t applied for a school place yet, be aware the school admissions deadline is coming up fast on Saturday 31st October at 23.59. It’s important to apply on time, or your preferred schools may no longer have spaces available. If your child...
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World Mental Health Day 2020: Mental health for all
World Mental Health Day (October 10th) is important to recognise every year, but it has particular weight this year. 2020 has brought with it many of the same challenges we face each year as parent carers or young people with disabilities, but the pandemic has put many of those issues into sharp relief, as well...
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The latest on Amazing Futures East Sussex activities for young people
Amazing Futures East Sussex are looking forward to resuming small indoor groups within a Covid-safe environment later this month. Claire (project manager), Chloe (Young People’s Intern) and some of the peer supporters will be running small workshops on topics like ‘Exploring wellbeing post-Covid’ and ‘Being together again’, as well as offering fun sessional activities that...
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Foundations For Our Future – improving the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people in Sussex
Children and young people, as well as their families and carers, have fed into an independent local review to improve emotional health and wellbeing services. This input included feedback received through Brighton & Hove PaCC’s mental health report (May 2019). As a result of the review, a total of 20 recommendations for change have now...
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Therapies through the autumn term
As schools, colleges and nurseries reopen this month, our assessment and therapy teams in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex are gradually restoring their full services, whilst keeping some of the new ways of working they developed during lockdown. We caught up with staff from the Children’s Integrated Therapy and Equipment Service (CITES) in East...
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Flu vaccine is free for parent carers
Parent carers are one of the priority groups being urged to take up their free flu vaccine this autumn/winter. Others eligible include: People on vulnerable shielded list during early part of pandemic and those that live with them All children aged 2 to 11 on 31 August 2020 Those aged 6 months to under 65...
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Amaze loves volunteers
When you think about “giving” to charity, you most likely think of donating money or fundraising... but have you ever considered giving your TIME? It is just as important to us as money. With Covid-19 we have been working quite differently. This has meant that some of our existing volunteers are not able to carry on or can’t do things in the...
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Thumbs up for extra summer activities in Brighton & Hove
This summer, in the run-up to the holidays, the Parent Carers’ Council (PaCC) asked Brighton & Hove City Council’s SEN Team to see if they could organise some extra activities over the summer for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Roger Wardle, from the SEN Team, and Zoe Anstey, from...
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DLA & PIP renewals start up again
Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment reviews, reassessments and renewals have started again. Many children and young people whose claims were due to end this year will have had their awards extended for another 6 months because of the Coronavirus lockdown. But six months can fly by. It’s likely that SEND assessments, medical reviews...
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Superhero Adrian keeps the wheels turning for Amaze
For those of you who may not have seen our stories on social media, we once again have to celebrate Brighton dad, Adrian Elkin, who managed to raise over £2500 for Amaze during lockdown. Adrian, father to two autistic boys and a member of our Face2Face Dads Group, raised the money from sponsors by cycling...
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Return to school letter from Vicky Ford MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families
Vicky Ford, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, has written a letter about returning to school for children and young people with SEND, their families and carers, and those who work to support them: Read Vicky Ford MP’s full letter here. [PDF 187KB] In the letter, Minister Ford acknowledges some of the additional challenges...
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Using your Compass Card to access parking in restricted School Streets
You may have heard of the imminent launch of School Streets – an initiative starting in September in Brighton & Hove to temporarily restrict motor vehicle access near school entrances during school opening and closing times. Blue Badge holders are exempt from these road closures and will be permitted access to park/drop-off/pick-up children. PaCC and Amaze flagged...
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Home to School Transport latest – Brighton
Today, Brighton & Hove Home to School Transport team sent out a letter to local parent carers about special arrangements for the autumn term, together with a social story to help explain the special arrangements to children and young people returning to school. HTST arrangements for September – letter to parents and carers [pdf 167kb]...
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Extra summer activities specifically for families with children and young people with SEND in Brighton & Hove
We’re delighted to now be able to share details of some extra summer activities and opportunities specifically for children and young people with SEND and their families. They are being run by local parent-led support groups and charities, and funded by Brighton & Hove City Council. Over the last few weeks, Amaze and the Parent...
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Covid-19 scams: what to know, and how to stay safe
There have been reports that some fraudsters have been using covid-19 to scam people in a variety of ways, and Police and Trading Standards are concerned people may try to exploit the new Track and Trace system. As people are unfamiliar with the system, they say there are risks that people might be tricked into clicking...
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Park spaces made available for SEND youngsters
You may have read in our recent newsletter, the plan for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to be given their own park areas in Brighton and Hove to allow them to play in peace and safety. We are pleased to confirm that Amaze teamed up with PaCC and the council to identify...
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Department of Health & Social Care & Department for Education letter to SEND families
Helen Whately MP, Minister of State for Care and Vicky Ford MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families – have written the following letter to all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), their parents/carers and families, and others who support them. The letter expresses sincere thanks for the key role...
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Amaze releases Haringey report
Amaze’s report, published today is essential reading for leaders, decision-makers and families with disabled children in the London borough of Haringey – setting out a clear way forward to bring together and harness the expertise of parent carers. In Haringey, we found many barriers still exist to supporting parent participation, including a defensive culture and...
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New guidance for children and young people on shielding
The latest guidance on shielding for children and young people most likely to become unwell if they catch coronavirus (which applies from 6 July 2020) is for them to continue to shield until 31 July, when shielding is paused for everyone in England. The government have confirmed changes in their latest general shielding guidance that the majority...
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End of term message to parent carers from Brighton & Hove SEND leaders
Georgina Clarke-Green, Assistant Director of Health, SEN & Disability at Brighton & Hove City Council has written the following message directly to all our Amaze families at the end of this extraordinary term. “Dear Parents and Carers, As the academic year draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and...
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Therapies in Sussex – what changed and how will they work going forward?
Coronavirus lockdown meant significant changes to the way physio, speech and language and occupational therapy have been delivered across Sussex to children and young people with SEND. As lockdown eases, we spoke to therapy teams in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex to get information about how they have been working and what will change...
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Lockdown sensory gifts a big hit with befriender families
A small gesture can make a big difference. During the lockdown period, Amaze was thrilled to be able to deliver surprise sensory bags and craft boxes to befriender families, thanks to the generosity of Rosie Weldon (who provided the wonderful sensory bags) and Out of the Box Create (who gifted craft boxes). The presents were a huge hit...
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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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events
See what's happening...
Amazing Futures - Thursday group B [Eastbourne]
03rd December 2020 - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
YMCA Youth Advice Centre (YAC)
56-58 Seaside
EastbourneFace 2 Face autism parent carer group Zoom [Brighton]
03rd December 2020 - 7:45 pm - 8:45 pm
Triple P Stepping Stones key strategies workshop: for Brighton & Hove parent carers of children with challenging behaviour
08th December 2020 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Amazing Futures - Tuesday group [Eastbourne]
08th December 2020 - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
YMCA Youth Advice Centre (YAC)
56-58 Seaside
EastbourneAmazing Futures - Thursday group A [Eastbourne]
10th December 2020 - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
YMCA Youth Advice Centre (YAC)
56-58 Seaside
EastbourneTriple P Stepping Stones key strategies workshop: for Brighton & Hove parent carers of children with a learning disability whose behaviour may challenge
11th December 2020 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Face 2 Face breakfast club Zoom for parent carers [Brighton]
15th December 2020 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Amazing Futures - Wednesday group [Bexhill]
16th December 2020 - 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
St Barnabas Church
Cantelupe Rd
BexhillAmazing Futures - Thursday group B [Eastbourne]
17th December 2020 - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
YMCA Youth Advice Centre (YAC)
56-58 Seaside
EastbourneFace 2 Face autism parent carer group Christmas Party Zoom [Brighton]
18th December 2020 - 7:45 pm - 8:45 pm
SENDIASS Zoom: iPad workshop with the Family Fund
13th January 2021 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
SENDIASS Zoom workshop: Preparing for adulthood
20th January 2021 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
SENDIASS Zoom workshop - Annual Reviews: getting the most from the EHC plan
02nd February 2021 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
SENDIASS Zoom workshop: Education at home if your child has SEND
10th February 2021 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
SENDIASS Zoom workshop: EHC needs assessment process
22nd February 2021 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Wills and Trusts - Planning for the Future Zoom Workshop
11th March 2021 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
SENDIASS Zoom workshop: SEN Support in school
18th March 2021 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am