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Action for all settings: Review water beads product safety alert

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a Product Safety Alert to warn of the risks that water beads pose to children and vulnerable adults.

The alert advises that water beads should be kept away from children under five, and only used with older children or vulnerable adults under close supervision. They are marketed for various purposes, including for use as toys and in crafting. Water beads can expand up to 400 times when exposed to liquid.

When swallowed, they expand and can block the gastrointestinal passage, potentially requiring surgery. They can also cause choking and have harmed children in the UK, with reports linking them to deaths overseas. 

If it is suspected that a water bead has been swallowed, medical help should be sought immediately.

Dear All

Our AGM is on Wednesday, 23rd October 2024, 7 pm - 8.30 pm at YMCA, Marlborough House, 34 Parkside Rd, Reading, RG30 2DD 

Have your say on how the Forum is run, meet the Director of Education - Brian Grady and SEND Consultant - Andrea King, enjoy coffee and cake.  Flyer attached.

Members* and non-members welcome. Members can vote in our annual trustee elections and help us plan for the forthcoming year.  Door opens 6.45 pm for meeting commencing at 7 pm. Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts available soon. A link can be available to join on-line if you are unable to attend in person.

To book your place, please email fran@readingfamiliesforum.co.uk or telephone/text on 

07516 185380

* All parents, guardians or other family carers of children and young people up to age 25 (to 26th birthday) living in the Reading Borough Council area are eligible to join the membership and membership is free. If you are a member and no longer in this category - please email fran@readingfamiliesforum.co.uk to be taken off the membership list, (but you can remain on the mailing list if you wish, if you no longer qualify as a member - please state this in your email).

We are always looking for members/people to join our steering group and for more Trustees. Flyer attached.

With Kind Regards

On behalf of the Trustees

Reading Families Forum

Registered Charity No. 1166585

A voice for families of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities

http://www.readingfamiliesforum.co.uk/               

SEND Summer Holidays 2024 - Short Breaks - Make Sense Theatre

Funded by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC)

At Make/Sense Theatre, we are pleased to bring back our popular Summer Holiday clubs for 2024. We will be running sessions throughout July and August, based in Reading. We have workshops for young people with SEND aged from 4+. We will be running our Primary Sensory, Secondary Sensory and MLD/SLD groups. Please email communityteam@makesensetheatre.com if you are unsure which group would be suitable for your young person. 

More Information - Reading Directory | SEND Summer Holidays 2024 - Short Breaks - Make Sense Theatre

SEND Short Breaks -Chance to Dance Stars CIC - Dance and Multi Activity Program (includes half terms & summer holidays)

Short breaks are available for Reading children aged 5 years to 18 years old. 

We cater for children 5 years to 25 years at all our activities. (discounted short breaks not available for 19-25yrs)

More Information - SEND Short Breaks -Chance to Dance Stars CIC - Dance and Multi Activity Program (includes half terms & summer holidays

SEND Short Breaks - Summer holidays 2024-Reading Play

SEND Summer Holiday Short Breaks Sessions - Provided by Reading Play

Our online booking opens Thursday 27th June 2024.

Reading Play welcomes you to The Ranger Station as your SEND summer provider, we will be holding four sessions on Friday 26th July, Tuesday 6th August, Tuesday 13th August and Tuesday 27th August. 

More information - SEND Short Breaks - Summer holidays 2024-Reading Play

More information on short breaks can be found on Reading’s SEND Local Offer - Reading Directory | SEND Short Breaks (all ability activities & overnight breaks)



SEND Short Breaks Summer Play Camps for 5 to 10 year's by Reading FC Community Trust

Our Play camps will be on this summer from the 30th July till the 21st August from 10am - 1pm. The Play Camps will take place at the Avenue School on a Tuesday and Wednesday. They are staffed by an experienced play team who work within SEND settings.

More information Reading Directory | SEND Short Breaks Summer Play Camps for 5 to 10 year's by Reading FC Community Trust

SEND Short Breaks Multi Sports summer camps - Run by Reading FC Community Trust

Our Multi sport camps are back at The Avenue in the summer holiday's running from the 29th July to the 21st August on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:30 - 14:00. This provision is for those aged 8 to 18 years of age.

More information Reading Directory | SEND Short Breaks Multi Sports summer camps - Run by Reading FC Community Trust

Please note that we have a video entry system on the pedestrian gate and Meadowside building. The times the gate will be open are below. For any other times, please press the button to gain access.

Morning Session 08:20 – 08:45 am 11:15 – 11:35 am
Afternoon Session 12:20 – 12:45 pm 3:20 – 3:35 pm

Please can we ask Meadowside parents to wait outside the building before drop off and pick up rather than waiting in the entrance hall in order to allow the office to deal with confidential discussions. If you need to speak to a member of staff please do come in.

Reading Children’s Festival 2024 starts this Saturday 11th May with the Forbury Fiesta, from 11am-4pm in the Forbury Gardens. Further activities and events will take place in and around Reading for all ages until Sunday 2nd June.

The following link is to the Reading Children’s Festival 2024 activities brochure. Reading Children's Festival 2024 - Brochure

To find out more please visit Reading Children’s Festival 2024 - Reading Borough Council

Or visit Reading Children's Festival | Reading | Facebook

Information also available on the Family Information Service website Reading Directory | Reading Children's Festival 2024

The Early Years Speech & Language Therapy Team will be visiting Morrisons in Reading on the Health Bus on the 13th March. Our Speech & Language Therapists will be delivering workshops live between 10.30am – 11.30am and be available for any questions before and after. See attached poster for more details.

Information also available on the Family Information Service (FIS) website. Reading Directory | Health Bus - Early Language Workshop

SEND Short Breaks Easter Holiday Sessions - Reading Play

Reading Play welcomes you to The Ranger Station as your SEND half term provider, we will be holding two sessions on the 9th and 11th April 2024. 

Each short break day will consist of 2 sessions, unique activity themes for each session like seasonal arts and crafts where young people can take home their work and crafts.  Young people will all have access to mini golf, climbing tree, low ropes, archery and more.  Each session is 2.5 hours with 8 spaces per session.

Further information and how to book a place can be found here Reading Directory | SEND Short Breaks Easter Holiday Sessions

Reading Play Education Play and Support, Communications & Bookings Officer 01189373283E- reading.play@reading.gov.uk

SEND Short Breaks -Chance to Dance Stars CIC - Dance and Multi Activity Program

Short breaks are available for Reading children aged 5 years to 18 years old.

We cater for children 5 years to 25 years at all our activities. (discounted short breaks not available for 19-25yrs)

Chance to Dance Stars CIC will provide group activities for children & young people with disabilities to have new experiences with sport and dance, to have fun and to build upon social and physical needs. 

*Note* Cost - £20 per day for anyone outside of Reading.

Reading Residents - Session are partial funded by Brighter Futures for Children. You receive a 50% discount only paying £10 per day. Don't forget to enter your discount code: EQN344. Proof of residence will be required in booking.  If your child requires 1:1 you must contact Vicky before booking on sendanceclub@hotmail.com or 07736343570

Time 10am till 2pm (sometimes we have to run 9am till 1pm)  - Location – Reading. Activities can vary week by week. We will always ask for your feedback.

Sports, dance, drama, singing, arts and crafts, table top games, zumba kids, generation pound, yoga, gymnastics, sensory and messy play.

Further information can be found here Reading Directory | SEND Short Breaks -Chance to Dance Stars CIC - Dance and Multi Activity Program

SEND Easter Holidays 2024 - Short Breaks - Holiday Clubs - Make Sense Theatre

Make/Sense Theatre will be running our ever popular Easter holiday clubs once again this April!

Our different sessions cater for young people aged 4-25+ and are designed in a way to ensure that we are fully inclusive, giving all young people with SEN the opportunity to attend. We will be running our Primary Sensory, Secondary Sensory and MLD groups over the first week of the Easter holidays (Tuesday 2nd April - Friday 5th April).  Reading Directory   SEND Easter Holidays 2024 - Short Breaks - Holiday Clubs

SEND Easter Holidays 2024 - Short Breaks – Reading FC – will be offering short breaks – awaiting information from Reading FC. Please check the SEND Local Offer later this week - Reading Directory | SEND Short Breaks (all ability activities & overnight breaks)

Dear Parents / Carers

You may have noticed the recent BBC news coverage about the increase in measles outbreaks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cqee2qz4vk1t. Measles is a highly infectious disease and can be very serious. 

We are advising parents and carers to check their child(ren) are up-to-date with their MMR vaccine by checking his or her personal child health record (the Red Book). If this doesn’t help, speak to your GP to check their immunisation history.

Children should receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine when they are one years old and the second at three years and four months old.

If your child(ren) have not had the MMR vaccine or they have not had both doses you can get a vaccine by making an appointment with your GP

Amber Cold-Health Alert 

The UK Health Security Agency has issued an Amber Cold-Health Alert for the South East, which covers Reading Borough. The alert is currently in effect until 12noon on Friday 12 January. This alert means that significant impacts are probable across the health and social care sector. Information on simple actions you can take to keep warm, as well as further guidance on the amber alert can be found on the UKHSA and Met Office’s dashboard. 

Brighter Futures for Children are holding a free workshop that helps parents/carers understand emotional wellbeing and emotional regulation in pre-school children.

26 March 2024 1-2.30pm

Civic Offices,

Reading

RG1 2LU

To book your place please contact Wilma.Williams@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

The admissions round for children (born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020) to start Reception Class in September 2024 is now open.

Please read the attached poster to see how to apply. 

Helen will be running a support session on 1st December at 11am and 3pm if you have any questions or need any support.New paragraph

Dear families

Please see the message below from Reading Borough Council regarding help for families:

Household Support Fund applications open
Reading residents on low incomes who may be struggling with the cost of living can now apply for financial aid from RBC’s Household Support Fund. Priority will be given to low-income households who are at higher risk of falling into crisis. Successful applicants will receive an initial payment of £125, although this is subject to change depending on demand.

Householders can apply for support on the council’s website at: https://www.reading.gov.uk/housing/money-matters/household-support-fund/New paragraph

Dear parents

Norcot has for many years provided student placements in conjunction with colleges/schools for those studying for childcare qualifications.

One of our students, Larisa, is working hard on gaining her qualification and has produced a project document for parents to read and provide feedback.

Please see below the document, the final page has space for you to type in your feedback. If you would prefer to write on a paper copy, this is available in Waterside office for collection. We will pass returned paper forms to Larisa on her next placement day.

For email replies please send to to: 22048572@ActivateLearning.ac.uk 

Many thanks for your support.

Norcot Early Years CentreNew paragraph

Royal Berks Maternity Partnership wants to hear from mothers

Autism Berkshire is working with the Royal Berkshire Maternity Voices Partnership to increase understanding of the experiences of maternity services of autistic mothers and those from minority communities, to improve care and support at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and from its home birth service.
 
 They are inviting autistic mothers and those from minority communities who live in and around Reading, and are interested in talking about their experiences, to get in touch to take part in a focus group with members of the partnership team.
Click here for more information about this project

To take part

• email contact@autismberkshire.org.uk

Call the Helpline on 0118 9594 594 (option 1)New paragraph

We have been asked to make you aware of the following alert:

ALERT

The Government testing of the UK Emergency Alerts Service on Sunday 23^rd April could mean that secret phones held by a victim-survivor of domestic abuse could be discovered by a perpetrator if they are near the victim-survivor/secret phone when the alert goes off.

The alert will be sent to all mobile phones and tablets and may make a loud siren-like sound for about 10 seconds, vibrate or read out the alert even if it’s on silent.

If you are a victim-survivor please take mitigating actions, for example turning off your phone/tablet or putting these into airplane mode or changing settings to turn off extreme alerts over the testing time period (This should be found on apple phones under setting – notifications and then scrolling down to the very bottom to extreme alerts, for samsung phones settings-safety and emergency-wireless alerts-extreme alerts for other makes of phones type extreme alerts into the search option).

More details are on How emergency alerts work - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) as well as details on the planned alert on 23^rd April which are at About Emergency Alerts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Healthy Start 

In Reading many families with a child under 4 years are missing out on help to buy fresh fruit, vegetables and milk. Parents can find out more and check their eligibility to apply here https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/how-to-apply/ 

London Zoo’s Community Access Scheme 

London Zoo is providing discounted tickets for families on low incomes, with tickets from as little as £3 per person, as part of their Community Access Scheme. To qualify, families must be in receipt of either: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance. 

The £3 tickets are available for the whole family (under 3’s go free), only at the zoo entrance (not online) from 11am every day of the week, and the current offer runs until the end of March 2023. For further information, please visit London Zoo’s Community Access Scheme page Community Access Scheme | London Zoo 

We would like to remind you of a few points from our intimate care policy with regards to nappy changing in the nursery school.

• If children are in nappies parents/carers MUST provide a bag with nappies, wipes and any cream to be used.
• We ask for children to be dropped off at nursery in a clean/dry nappy. We ask for parents/carers not to use pull up nappies unless their child is toilet training as these are more time consuming to take off/put on as the child needs fully undressing if they need to be changed.
• Children’s nappies will not be routinely changed during the 3 hours session unless they are soiled/ particularly wet or parents informed us that they need changing due to medical/personal reasons e.g. re occurring soreness, living the other side of town and being in a nappy for a prolonged period of time. This is to enable staff to spend quality teaching time whilst the children are at nursery for their 3-hour session. Children attending full days will be routinely changed during the day.

We are finding that staff are spending an increased amount of time changing nappies, this takes them away from interacting with the children and providing learning opportunities to help them with their development.

We would really appreciate it if you could support of with the points above. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to talk to us.New paragraph

Autumn Term 2022