SEND LIVED EXPERIENCE/JOURNEY

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IT'S GOOD TO TALK...
Bexley Voice will be offering a number of sessions over the coming year, which we hope will enable parent/carers to talk with those supporting SEND families in Bexley, to help them gain a clearer picture of families lived experiences with SEND children - enabling them to build on good practice and improve the journey for families in the future.
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We hope that parent/carers will join us for the topics that relate to them and where they feel they have something to contribute, even if their experiences are not very recent.  We would suggest up to 5 years ago would be fine.

THE PLAN:
​We will start with four sessions over the year, each having a theme/topic.
We will bring a range of questions to ask parent/carers, related to their lived experience around that particular topic.
The session will be co-facilitated by Bexley Voice and colleagues from the Local Authority, NHS or Local Providers relevant to the subject.

We will set up and agree terms of reference with you, so that everybody feels comfortable and ‘safe’ in sharing their experiences and feedback.
The themes we have identified for this year are:

• Session 1: Noticing there were differences in my child's development
• Session 2: Seeking advice and support related to my child’s additional needs
• Session 3: Securing an education setting (nursery/school/college) for my child
• Session 4: Specialist support and advice over the years

Parent/Carers are invited to attend any or all sessions (if relevant to you).

All sessions will be held from 10am to 11:30 am (to avoid school runs) on the following dates:

• Session 1: Monday 25 April ‘22
• Session 2: Monday 20 June ‘22
• Session 3: Monday 26 September ‘22
• Session 4: Monday 21 November ‘22

(Please note: We will not be able to provide child care.)
 
At the end of the year we will reflect and evaluate with parent/carers on the benefits and impact of this collaborative work and jointly agree how to move forward. This will include structure/format and topics we might offer next year.

HOW WILL THE PROJECT RUN?

Before each session:

• Those wishing to attend will be invited to complete a registration form (see form at the bottom of this page) - this will include space to advise us of the areas you wish to discuss in relation to the focus area - this will help us ensure we cover key areas identified.
• We will confirm back to those attending that they have a place - we will be limiting each session to x20 parents to ensure all those participating get the opportunity to contribute.

At each session we will:

• Agree terms of reference with you, so that everybody feels comfortable and ‘safe’ in sharing their experiences and feedback
• Bring some questions related to each topic/theme and ensure everybody attending can contribute and feedback on these.
• Note key messages to share with the relevant teams across Bexley.
  

At the end of the project we will:

• Reflect on and evaluate with you the benefits and impact of this collaborative work.
• Jointly agree how to move forward and which focus group sessions we might offer next year.​

​HOW WILL YOUR FEEDBACK BE USED?

Your feedback will be shared with relevant partners and providers as well the local area’s SEN board, so that this can inform the practice across services, as well as raising awareness of how certain situations and experiences have made you feel. Practitioners will benefit from hearing about your experiences and you will be influencing how we work with each other in a collaborative and respectful way in the future.

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These sessions will be held at Pincott Hall, Christ Church, Bexleyheath, DA6 7BT. The hall is well served by buses and there is 3 hours, free parking at ASDA which is a very short walk away (see bottom of the page for details). 
Any queries please email: juli.bexleyvoice@outlook.com​

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Terms and Conditions: 

• You do need to be a Bexley Voice parent/carer member to register. If you are not already a BV member, you can complete a membership form - https://www.bexleyvoice.org.uk/2021-membership-form---parents-and-carers.html​
• Once your place is booked, if you are unable to attend, please contact us as soon as possible so that your place may be offered to another parent/carer.
• If you book a place but fail to attend without prior notice, you may not be able to book future events.
• I agree to the above terms and conditions and my information being stored under the Bexley Voice Privacy Policy.

Pincott Hall, Christchurch, Broadway, Bexleyheath, DA6 7BT

There is plenty of public car parking nearby in ASDA which is almost next door and in the Council car park off of Albion Road.
PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE CHURCH GROUNDS
There are many bus routes to access Pincott Hall at Christchurch, Bexleyheath, including 89, 96, 422, 486, B11, B12, B15 & B16.