1. Islington Local Offer Update
Local Offer Website
SEN Provision
Short Breaks
Joanna Hussain
Deputy Manager Family Support Service
Centre 404

2. Local Offer Website
Islington Council have begun moving all of the content on the main Islington Council website to a new website that is more mobile phone and tablet friendly.
The Council hope to launch the new Local Offer website by the end of April 2016.

3. We are looking for a parent/ carer
Local Offer Website
Islington is proposing to establish a ‘Virtual Focus Group’ to capture feedback and suggestions.
We are looking for a parent/ carer
to join this group

4. How will the virtual Focus Group Work?
It is proposed that, on an ad hoc basis, members of the Virtual Focus Group will be ed a multiple choice question. These questions will relate to structure, look and feel or operational functions of the new Local Offer website.
Leaflet available describing this in more detail

5. SEN Provision
At the last Talking Shop meeting Candy Holder from Pupils Services explained the need to review and consult on the future of SEN provision because of :
the rapid rise in pupil population that will continue (by there will be an additional 160 children and young people with High Needs)
an increase in severity and complexity of need (‘a new generation of children with complex learning difficulties and vulnerabilities’)
the changing educational / economic landscape including changes to Local Authority and education funding.

6. SEN Provision
Feedback from the Talking Shop meeting has been added to the other feedback from Schools and partners in Health and Social Care.
This information is now being used to help write various options for the future of SEN provision. Once these have been written they will be shared for further discussion and comment.

7. Short Breaks
The annual Short Breaks mail out to eligible families will take place around the 11 February 2016
Details available in leaflet

8. Short Breaks cash alternative
Families opting to use the short breaks cash alternative will need to contact the service at the appropriate time.
There have been some changes to how the short breaks cash alternative can be used from April to make sure the provision is used on breaks for parent/carers. These changes are explained in the 2016 Short Breaks Statement.