Record of Need (RoN) – Information Online

We are pleased to share that two new flowcharts are now available online which aim to assist parents in understanding what is involved in the RoN process.  You can view them via the SEND pages on the Government website.

You will also see that the factsheet Funding for children with a Record of Need High Needs Matrix and Bandings created for parents at the request of the has also been updated to reflect the new funding rates and some clarification about which components of the funding different schools receive.

RoN Parent Workshop – summary of key feedback

Earlier in the year, we hosted a workshop to capture parent voice to assist in the review of the RoN process.  A parent feedback survey also collated parent views.

It is clear the RoN process is a huge stress point for families and the key feedback was around communication and information provision – parents not being clear about process or what stage they are at.

The key themes and summary slides from the RoN parent workshop can be viewed here. We continue to partner with the Inclusion Team and other professionals to share parent experience to help make schools more inclusive communities and look forward to sharing the work we have planned for the Autumn with you soon.

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We are excited to share that after much involvement from the Forum behind the scenes, a project to co-produce with parents, a SEND specific micro-site has finally been approved by the Children, Young People, Education and Skills Department (CYPES).

To date, this work has involved meetings with web designers and teams from other jurisdictions who have produced micro-sites in this way and we are delighted that project staff have now been appointed.

The idea for the micro-site came from discussions with our Early Years Pod parents, who highlighted the ongoing challenge families face in navigating the SEND system and accessing information. This causes frustration and anxiety for families already juggling multiple responsibilities. Parents find discussions with other SEND parents, social media, and Family Partnership Workers to be the most helpful sources of information, but they also see a need for a centralised website that gathers child-focused information and resources in one place to improve the situation.

The Forum will be working closely with CYPES to co-produce the micro-site and will be looking to engage a working group of parents to form part of the design and creation team.

We will provide more information on how you can get involved as soon as the details are finalised or sign up to our mailing list, use our contact form to get in touch.  We’d love to hear from you.

Get Involved!

We are actively seeking new members to help us better understand and represent the needs of parents and carers of children and young people with special needs.

Jonathan Langan, Chair of the Forum, says: “Membership can be as dynamic as you like, whether you want to receive information, share your parent experience, or join us as a committee member. We’d love to hear from you!”

By becoming a member, you enable us to gather your opinions and personal experiences on various issues, which helps improve our representation of the parent voice. Membership also keeps you informed about relevant activities and information.

Development of a SEND specific micro-site

Families face difficulties navigating the system and accessing information, leading to frustration and anxiety, but believe that a centralised, co-produced website could significantly improve their experience, a solution currently being developed with input from the Parent Carer Forum.

Question asked:

To ensure the minister was aware of this important piece of work and ask for support with the business case

Staffing Crisis

Parents are frustrated and concerned about staff retention issues that extend beyond pay and status, causing staff fatigue, inadequate support for children, and some class closures, despite ongoing efforts to address these challenges.

Question asked:

Other than the TA recruitment and training initiatives, is there work being done to address some of the wider issues being voiced by parents?

Improving the Record of Need (RoN) Process

Parents find the RoN process stressful and confusing, with key issues including lack of clear communication from core teams (School and SEN Team); access to information; inconsistent experiences and a need for more transparency about decision making and resources required.

Question asked:

How is Government working with fee paying/grant schools to ensure an effective inclusion strategy, consistent with provided schools?

We will continue to update you on our work.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Record of Need (RoN) Workshop last week and for the survey responses on the same subject.

By way of initial feedback, we understand:

1. The RoN diagrams that were shared at the workshop will shortly be on gov.je. We will share them with you, once online.
2. A greater focus on RoN and parent’s experiences will form part of future SENCO training.
3. Further ways of improving the process and communication with parents/carers are being considered, taking into account the feedback.

We will continue to update you on this and there is still time to share your experience through our survey.

In light of the Government’s announcement that the National Association for Special Educational Needs (nasen) are conducting an independent evaluation of inclusion in education and early years in the island over the coming weeks, the Parent Carer Forum is urging parents and carers to complete the Government survey to share their views on a number of key issues affecting the inclusion of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in education.

This week is Mental Health Awareness week and for parents of children with special needs, navigating the system to ensure you are doing the right thing for their future can be mentally draining and stressful for both the parent and the child.  One area where this holds particularly true is the transition to adulthood.  How do you prepare them?  Will they ever be ready?  How can you best support them? It isn’t even clear when they become an adult according to our system.  Is it 16, 18, 21, 25?  This parent story highlights some of the issues they are encountering as their child makes the transition.

The theme of this year’s Deaf Awareness Week is  ‘Coming Through it Together,’ which is explored in this personal story by a parent from their deaf child’s experience through education.  The aim of this week is to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people who are deaf or hard of hearing.  If you have similar experiences we would love to hear from you.

As we lead up to Friday, the Forum will be raising awareness. We will be looking at 3 different families, how they are affected and their daily struggles. Each parent’s case study will focus on one of our priority areas. Our case studies aim to help other parents feel that they are not alone and that problems can be halved if shared.

Our second case study focuses on Mental Health and tells the story of an autistic child’s journey from their parent’s viewpoint.

“The shoes are close to falling apart but they are comfy; the world sees a scruffy teenager but we know the reality”

As we lead up to World Autism Awareness Day, the Forum will be raising awareness through 3 family case studies. How they are affected and their daily struggles. Each parent’s case study will focus on one of our priority areas. Our case studies aim to help other parents feel that they are not alone and that problems can be halved if shared.

Our first case study focuses on Education and tells the story of a child’s  journey through school having received a diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Condition (or Asperger’s Syndrome), from his mother’s viewpoint.

“The funny thing about having a child with a hidden disability is that it can be a blessing and a curse, depending on the situation”.

Jonathan Langan has been appointed as the new Chair of Parent Carer Forum Jersey to help drive forward the Forum’s priorities for the coming year.