This section aims to keep you all notified of the current guidance and information from Central Government.

Ministerial Letters

Ministerial Letters  to all children and young people with SEND, their parent carers and families and other who support them.

Vicky Ford: Ministerial Letter - November 2020 (pdf 158kb) 

Vicky Ford: Ministerial Letter September 2020 (pdf 187kb) 

Vicky Ford: Ministerial letter May 2020 (pdf 150kb) 

Helen Whatley and Vicky Ford: Ministerial letter April 2020 (pdf 150kb)

COVID-19 Guidance from GOV.UK

New National Restrictions from 5 November 2020

GOV.UK - New National Restrictions from 5 November (external website)

GOV.UK - Education and childcare settings: New National Restrictions from 5 November 2020 (external website)

General Government COVID-19 Guidance

COVID-19: Online science, PE, wellbeing and SEND resources for home education (external website)

COVID-19: Education, health and care needs assessments and plans: guidance on temporary legislative changes relating to coronavirus (external website)

COVID-19: List of guidance (external website)

COVID-19: What you need to do (external website) 

COVID-19: Supporting children and young people with SEND as schools and colleges prepare for wider opening - Risk Assessment Guidance (external website)

COVID-19: Guidance for the Public on Mental Health and Wellbeing (external website)

COVID-19: Guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing (external website)

COVID-19: Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable (external website)

COVID-19: Guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection (Multiple Languages) (external website)

COVID-19: Guidance for educational settings (external website)  

COVID-19: Guidance for schools and other educational settings (external website)

COVID-19: Infection prevention and control (IPC) (external website) 

COVID-19: Government guidance for direct payments (external website) 

COVID-19: Help children with SEND continue their education during coronavirus (external website)

COVID-19: Supporting your children's education during coronavirus (external website) 

COVID-19: Guidance for employees, employers and businesses (external website)  

COVID-19: Guidance for mass gatherings (external website)

COVID-19: Action plan (external website)

COVID-19: Guidance for local government (external website)

Coronavirus Bill: Summary of impacts (external website)

This section is to ensure parents and carers are aware of how to contact services. Any disruption or changes to can be found here.

SENDIASS  

Email: sendiass@eastriding.gov.uk  

Tel:(01482) 396469

Text only number: 07507310273

East Riding Children and Young People SENDIASS  

Email: enquiries.yorkshire@kids.org.uk 

East Riding Council Services

Early Help and Prevention Service 

East Riding Council - Early Help and Prevention Service (external council website)

Families Information Service Hub (FISH) 

Email: fish@eastriding.gov.uk

Tel: (01482) 396469

SEND 0-25 Team

Tel: (01482) 394000 (option 5, option 2)

If the call is in reference to Direct Payments please contact the Family Coordinator or Social Worker directly in the first instance.

SENDART

Tel: (01482) 394000 (option 1, option 2 for an existing EHCP) or (option 1, option 1 for a new request)

Email: send.enquiries@eastriding.gov.uk

Education Psychology and Inclusion Practitioners

Tel: (01482) 394000 (option 4, then option 2)

Children Centre Support 

Anlaby Children’s Centre   
Tel: (01482) 565560    
Email: AnlabyCCHub@eastriding.gov.uk

Beverley Children’s Centre       
Tel: (01482) 880066    
Email: BeverleyCCHub@eastriding.gov.uk

Bridlington Children’s Centre     
Tel: (01262) 395470    
Email: BridlingtonCCHub@eastriding.gov.uk

Driffield Children’s Centre     
Tel: (01377) 240782    
Email: DriffieldCCHub@eastriding.gov.uk

Marshlands Children’s Centre      
Tel: (01405) 762614    
Email: MarshlandsCCHub@eastriding.gov.uk

Withernsea Children’s Centre     
Tel: (01964) 612618    
Email: WithernseaCCHub@eastriding.gov.uk

School Transport 

Tel: (01482) 395444
Email: school.transport@eastriding.gov.uk

Futures +

Tel: (01482) 393939 for people looking for support - new involvements

Tel: (01482) 391510 for people with existing involvement with Futures +

Carers Support

Tel:(01482) 396500

Direct Payments (Adults)

Tel:(01482) 396940 

East Riding Safeguarding Children Partnership (ERSCP) (external council website)

Additional information on services from ERYC can be found on:

East Riding of Yorkshire Council (external council website)

Community Response Hubs

The initial calls will be taken by council staff who will process the request for help before forwarding the information on to the HEY Smile Foundation for their team of volunteers to action.

Tel: (01482) 393919 - operational between 9am - 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am - 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Email: covid@eastriding.gov.uk

East Riding Community Response Hub (external council website)

Additional SEND Support Services

East Yorkshire Parent Carer Forum

Tel: 07813 676941

Email: admin@eypcf.co.uk

Council for Disabled Children

Email: CDC@nbc.org.uk

Contact - For families with disabled children

Tel: 0808 808 3555

Contact - for families with disabled children (external website)

IPSEA

Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA) (external website)

IPSEA Advice Line (external website)

Health Services

Speech and Language Therapy Services 

Tel: (01482) 692929 

Children’s Physiotherapy

Tel: (01482) 336774  

Children’s OT services 

East Riding Community Hospital - Tel: (01482) 478898

Walker Street (Hull) - Tel: (01482) 692929 option 4

Goole - Tel: (01405) 608233 or 608225

Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service 

• SLT service can be contacted during normal office hours on telephone number (01482) 692929 with an answer machine in place if no-one is available to take the call.
• SLT service is providing a ‘digital first’ approach – all initial appointments with parents/schools/nursery will be via telephone or video consultations in the first instance.
• SLT service is required to wear full PPE, including use of masks, visors, aprons and gloves, for any face to face contacts.  The use of PPE may compromise the effectiveness of face-to-face appointments hence the use of telehealth in the first instance.
• Clinical decision will be made in conjunction with parents/schools/nurseries as to whether child’s needs (assessment or intervention) can be met via telehealth.  If not, face-to-face appointments can be arranged.
• SLT service will continue to deliver the statutory requirements to support the provision of an Education, Health Care plans and to contribute to Education, Health Care plans – this will be via telehealth or face to face as clinically appropriate.
•  All staff have access to IT equipment to work effectively from home and are therefore available via email, telephone, MS teams etc.
  
  

Children’s Physiotherapy

• The physiotherapy service can be contacted Monday-Friday during normal office hours on (01482) 336774/(01482) 458809, with an answer machine in place in the event no-one is available to take the call. 
• The physiotherapy service is providing a ‘digital first’ approach –initial appointments will be considered for telephone or video consultations where appropriate. 
• Face-to-face appointments will be arranged where there is an urgent clinical need and cannot be undertaken via the phone/video call.  
• The physiotherapy service is required to wear full PPE, including use of masks, visors, aprons and gloves, for any face to face contacts.   
• A number of orthotic clinics are being undertaken across the region. All queries regarding orthotics should be made to the team on the main numbers, where an appropriate appointment can be offered. (Please note: this does not cover those children who live in the Goole area who have accessed the orthotic service through NLAG as it is a separate provider).
• The physiotherapy service will continue to deliver the statutory requirements to support the provision of an Education, Health Care plans and to contribute to Education, Health Care plans – this will be via telehealth or face to face as clinically appropriate.

Children’s Occupational Therapy Service 

• The OT service can be contacted Monday-Friday during normal office hours on (01482) 692929 (Hull team) , (01482) 478898 (ERCH) or (01405) 608233 (Goole)  with an answer machine in place in the event that no one is available to take the call. 
• The OT service is providing a ‘digital first’ approach. Initial appointments and reviews with be offered via telephone or video consultation where appropriate. 
• Face-to-face appointments will be arranged where there is a clinical need and they cannot be undertaken via telephone or video consultation. Visits to homes and educations settings will be completed as required. 
• The OT service is required to wear full PPE, including use of masks, visors, aprons and gloves, for any face-to-face contacts.   
• The OT service will continue to deliver the statutory requirements to support the provision of an Education, Health Care plans and provide relevant reports.

School Nurses

The duty phone line operating 9am -5pm on week days. 

Bridlington - Tel: (01262) 400565

Goole - Tel: (01405) 752931

Haltemprice - Tel: (01482) 355010

North Holderness - Tel: (01482) 677618

South Holderness - Tel: (01482) 344455

West Holderness - Tel: (01759) 448366

East Riding Health Visitors and School Nurses (external NHS website)  

CAMHS service 

Due to the temporary closure of the Beverley Children’s Centre at Coltman Avenue, the East Riding CAMHS Contact point will be based with Hull CAMHS, bringing them together into one team to work across the whole geographical footprint. The Team will be based at Walker Street, Hull, HU3 2HE. 

East Riding parents can still make self-referrals through the usual routes:

• Primary and Junior school children via EHaSH tel: (01482) 395500 
• Secondary school young people through the Contact point tel: (01482) 303810 

Professionals, the preferred referral route is online via:

CAMHS.hmber.nhs.uk or 

smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EastRidingContactPoint

Non-SEND-specific Support Services

Citizens Advice Hull and East Riding

Tel: 03444 111 444 (local rate)

Accessing Citizens Advice (pdf 57kb)

The team continues to pick up referrals but are only able to assist by phone and email during the current restrictions.

Help through crisis referral form (word 70kb)

Please email the above form to:

Email: HTC@hull-eastridingcab.org.uk

Universal Credit – Help To Claim (external Citizens Advice website)

Citizen's Advice team are accessible via phone and webchat

Tel: 0800 1448 444 

Domestic Violence Support for women

https://www.hullwomensaid.org/

https://chat.womensaid.org.uk/

http://www.hull.gov.uk/support-adults/safeguarding/domestic-violence

As well as staying physically healthy during this period, we recognise the additional stress and anxiety some children, young people and parent/carers may feel. Below are some contacts for families to access professional support and strategies.

East Riding Safeguarding Children Partnership (ERSCP): Mental Health Awareness

Domestic abuse support (pdf 466kb)

The British Psychological Society

Supporting yourself and others (pdf 1mb)

Preparing to go back to school

SchudioTV on-line ‘course' (external website) – some useful resources for parents to help children and young people with autism prepare to go back to school.

Information for children and young people

Mental Health Apps available for Parents and Children and Young People

Web:  https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/category/mental-health/

Young Minds (external website) general information for young people about managing their mental health

CAMHS resources for families, children and Young People (external CAMHS website)

Supporting Your Mental Health Workbook for Young People (word 1.2mb) 

KOOTH is mental health support endorsed by the NHS. We know our young residents might feel anxious, stressed or worried during this time.

Kooth is a FREE, safe and anonymous online tool for young people where they can find advice and support.  

https://www.kooth.com/

Information for parents on how to support children though COVID-19

EPS Guidance resources for families to support the emotional wellbeing of children - Coronavirus March 2020 (pdf 480kb)

EPS Guidance Supporting children and young people with social communication and interaction needs (June 2020) (pdf 407kb) 

Supporting children and families through unexpected times of rapid and unpredictable change in the light of coronavirus (pdf 506kb)

World Health Organisation (external website)

British Psychological Society (external website)

Child Mind (external website)

Incredible Years (external website)

Place2Be (external website) 

ACAMH (external website)- Podcast by Dr Jon Goldin on the coronavirus and children's mental health.

Young Minds (external website) - Talking to your child about Coronavirus and 10 tips from their Parents Helpline to support family wellbeing.

Five top tips for Adoptive Parents and Foster carers (pdf 692kb)

EPS advice - Supporting children and young people who are experiencing separation anxiety (pdf 456kb)

Information to support parent/carer's mental health and wellbeing

Hull and East Riding Mind are offering phone support for anyone struggling with mental health. 

Tel: (01482) 240133

Every Mind Matters (external NHS website)has been updated with information on Covid-19 and staying mentally well.
  

Carers UK (external website) - Coronavirus guidance for Carers

Information for Education Settings 

EPS Guidance resources for schools to support the emotional wellbeing of staff and pupils - Coronavirus March 2020 (pdf 400kb)  

Public Health England - Easy read advice on the coronavirus for places of education:  Advice on the coronavirus v1.pdf 

PACEY (Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years) -  pacey.org.uk

The East Riding local guide to assist education settings support the emotional wellbeing needs of children/young people during COVID-19:

East Riding Local Guide (pdf 1.1mb)

Managing Stress and Anxiety

Youth and Family Support Service (Y&FSS) resources to support young people with anxiety:

COVID Support Package (word 24kb)

Anxiety Workbook (pdf 523kb)

Support through this season mental health strategies (pdf 14mb) 

Mindfulness and relaxation exercises that parents can do with younger children

• https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
• https://www.headspace.com/meditation/kids

Managing anxiety about the virus as adults 

• https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/#collapse1644b
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51873799?fbclid=IwAR01ug03efw0BQAxTOrrm-zrte5gI7jSAHOA-cpgM7BPaDjmoqN7pRwotNE
• https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/blog/health-and-other-forms-of-anxiety-and-coronavirus/
  
  

Strategies 

Information for those with sensory difficulties who struggle with hand washing. 

Web:    sensoryintegration.org.uk/News/8821506

Advice for Parents and Carers of children and Young People struggling with OCD. 

Web:   ocduk.org/ocd-and-coronavirus-survival-tips/

National Autistic Society – guidance and helpline for parents’, young people and staff:

Web:  autism.org.uk/coronavirus-(covid-19)-advice

Coronavirus: Top tips for autistic people (pdf 540kb) 

Coronavirus: Top tips for families (pdf 540 kb) 

Please feed back to the Local Offer regarding which services and links you found particularly useful so we can filter information based on its resourcefulness. 

Talking to children and young people about the coronavirus is important for them to understand why they cannot do all the things they could usually do.

Please use the below resources and social stories from various organisations which have been catered for children with different disabilities, these may help you sit down and explain the impact it is having on their lives and why things are different at the moment.  

Information on coronavirus for children

Children's Commissioner

Children's Guide to coronavirus (pdf 1.1mb)

Carol Gray has produced a social story about coronavirus and pandemics. 

The social story uses large print pictures and provides contextual information for those with Autistic Spectrum Condition or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Coronavirus and Pandemics (pdf 25mb)

The Autism Education (external website)A social story about coronavirus that has a good level of specificity about the effects of social distancing e.g. not being able to go to favourite place.

BBC Newsround (external website)offers an explanation for children with a really useful video answering lots of questions about the virus and is really good for reassuring children.

Wearing face masks in school

EPS advice - wearing face masks in schools - September 2020 (pdf 166kb)

Story books for children about the virus

Covibook – an interactive resource designed to support and reassure children (aged 7 and under), to help them explain and draw the emotions that they might be experiencing. – Available in 18 different languages

mindheart.co/descargables

Elsa Support

elsa-support.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Story-about-Coronavirus.pdf

elsa-support.co.uk/coronavirus-story-for-children/

Coronavirus A book for Children (pdf 7.9mb)

Dave the dog Coronavirus (pdf 7.9mb) 

Hello I’m a virus (external website)from MindHeart

Please feed back to the Local Offer regarding which services and links you found particularly useful so we can filter information based on its resourcefulness.

Please browse and use the resources available online to support you whilst you are educating children and young people at home.

Think U Know - online Safety information (external website)

Inclusive resources

Riverside home school resources (external school website)

Inclusive Teach activities (external website) 

Early Years Resources

Small Talk (external website) - Chat Play Read  

BBC (external website) - Tiny Happy People 

Cbeebies Radio (external BBC website) – Listening activities

Early Movers (external website) 

Hungry Little Minds (external website)  

Kids Out (external website) - World stories

The Imagination Tree (external website) - Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest 

Learning at home

BBC Bitesize (external BBC website) - videos, quizzes and games covering the entire curriculum for primary, secondary and post-16 students

Kids Out (external website) - World stories 

Twinkl (external website) - School closure free home learning booklets from Early Years Foundation Stage through to GCSE

Ted Ed (external website) 

Discovery Education (external website) - English, Maths & Science activities for KS1 & KS2 and also a section on coding

Oxford Owl (external website) - free e-books for ages 3-11, and range of how-to videos for maths. A parents’ page which explains how spelling and grammar is taught in schools. If you ever wondered what a 'fronted adverbial' was, here's your chance to find out!  

Teachit - Sign up for an account is required to download the free resources.

Primary resources and games to print for English, Maths, Science and Foundation subjects.

Secondary School resources website address = teachit + topic name e.g. Languages

British Council (external website) – Resources for English language learning  

Phonics

Teach your monster to read (external website)

Phonics Play (external website) - phonics games that follow the Letters and Sounds phonics programme. Pick the phase the child is currently on using the menu at the side.

Phonics Play is currently free for all users during the school closure period.

Username: march20

Password: home

Literacy

Storyline Online - a catalogue of videos featuring celebrities reading children's stories https://www.storylineonline.net/

Unite for literacy - a US online library which provides free access to over 400 original picture books  https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/ 

Clicker - accessible word processing  https://www.cricksoft.com/uk/clicker/clicker-at-home 

Maths

Snappy Maths - maths worksheets for quick mental arithmetic sessions. http://snappymaths.com/

CoolMath4Kids - interactive games covering the four operations (+ - x ÷) and fractions  https://www.coolmath4kids.com/

Pet Bingo - an app for practicing the four operations, children get to earn pets and care for them

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/pet-bingo-by-duck-duck-moose/id726307725

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.duckduckmoosedesign.pb&hl=en_GB

Science

Science Museum Group - Videos, activities and facts on lots of different science topics for all key stages https://learning-resources.sciencemuseum.org.uk/

Mystery Science https://mysteryscience.com/ 

Science for Kids - A New Zealand based site with lots of science experiments and games for kids http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/ 

Switch Zoo - the idea started from creating new animals by switching parts, includes lots of information about habitats, biomes, feeding animals and animal sounds

https://www.switchzoo.com/ 

Crest Awards – Science awards that can be completed at home https://www.crestawards.org/

Topics (Geography, History)

The MET Office https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/met-office-for-schools  

 National Geographic Kids - covering animals, science, history and geography. https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/

3D Geography - free paper templates for making models, plus lots of geography information. https://www.3dgeography.co.uk/ 

Geography Games https://world-geography-games.com/world.html 

Big History Project - Secondary https://www.bighistoryproject.com/home 

Virtual museum tours

https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

https://hellogiggles.com/news/museums-with-virtual-tours/

Computing

Tynker - marketed as 'coding for kids', this website is currently offering free access to its premium content https://www.tynker.com/

Code.org - founders of the 'Hour of code' tutorials, this website offers computer science courses for students from reception through to A-level

https://code.org/learn 

iDEA Awards - Digital award scheme that can be completed online https://idea.org.uk/

Computer programming

Blockly https://blockly.games/ 

Scratch https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/games/

Languages

Duolingo - a free platform for learning languages. You can learn from a computer, or download the app.

https://www.duolingo.com/

Music 

Soundabout - online inclusive music sessions 

https://www.facebook.com/SoundaboutUK/

Music apps and interactive resources (even some online lessons)

https://www.facebook.com/GardenOfMusicOrg/photos/a.453328838205953/1287059384832890/?type=3&theater

Art

Access Art resources

https://www.accessart.org.uk/art-resources-for-home/ 

Art for Kids Hub - this Youtube channel shows you how to draw a variety of things from animals to cartoon characters and even cars 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5XMF3Inoi8R9nSI8ChOsdQ 

More Online Teaching Resources

Online learning information for parents and carers (pdf 148kb)  

Topmarks - collection of educational games covering all topics  https://www.topmarks.co.uk/

Toy Theater - Educational online games https://toytheater.com/

Chatterpack -  https://chatterpack.net/blogs/blog/resources-list-for-home-learning 

Smart videos for curious minds of all ages:  

The Kids Should See This -  https://thekidshouldseethis.com/

The Crash Course – YouTube videos on many different topics  https://thecrashcourse.com/ 

Please feedback to the Local Offer regarding which services and links you found particularly useful so we can filter information based on its resourcefulness.

Sensory Resources

The Sensory Projects  

Project packs - http://www.thesensoryprojects.co.uk/free-educational-resources

Sensory games - http://www.thesensoryprojects.co.uk/guides 

The Sensory Dispensary have activities available to download from TES SEN website

https://www.tes.com/member/Sensory_Dispensary

Pete Wells has some raucous free sensory stories available on his website - and the podcast is well worth a listen too! 

https://sensorystoriespodcast.com/free-special-stories/

Greenside School - sensory stories 5

http://www.greenside.herts.sch.uk/Creative/SensoryStories/SensoryStories.html?fbclid=IwAR1EaTSk2mu633RKq_wmwPCR9tJ6birjNkm6q7r4RIB9EsVTyQfdmJNMWCA 

Sensory and messy play activities for children with additional needs

https://www.empoweringlittleminds.co.uk/resources-1?fbclid=IwAR2AInVCXXW_ZMOg4I3Xdynlze8fEwmRnUXe2b8i1rivmM17eSb1D9RpCuc 

50 sensory learning activities 

https://inclusiveteach.com/2020/03/20/150-sensory-learning-ideas/ 

Activities including sensory and massage stories themed for the time of year

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2f48mlkqn0ylgiz/AADgTFXcby2aHw1E085-KJ6Pa/Home%20learing%20pack?dl=0&subfolder_nav_tracking=1 

Story massage - a free resource booklet of 36 stories, email them to be sent a copy: mary@storymassage.co.uk 

Activities and Family Fun

Time capsule sheets (pdf 700kb)

Time Capsule (easy read) (word 1mb)

Battle Ships Board (pdf 80kb)

Chess Board (pdf 320kb) prints on 2 pages

Dominoes (pdf 115kb)

Snakes and ladders (pdf 110kb) 

Family Fun Exercises (pdf 81kb)

National Geographic Kids – Activities and quizzes: https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/  

RSPB - activities https://www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-kids/games-and-activities/activities/  

Paw Print Badges – Free challenge packs and other downloads. Indoor and outdoor. https://www.pawprintbadges.co.uk/

Thinking games - designed to improve logical thinking skills: https://allinonehomeschool.com/thinking/ 

Positive Eye Ideas Machine

https://www.youtube.com/

Seussville - lot of activities, crafts and games based on the world of Dr Seuss

Children: https://www.seussville.com/

Parents: https://www.seussville.com/parents/ 

Ways to learn through play

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpkztoFHIgP4jpJDKWNWaHA 

GoNoodle - videos designed to get kids moving. https://www.gonoodle.com/ 

Highlights Kids - a popular US magazine for children, this site has lots of ideas for craft activities, recipes and an 'explore' section covering science questions and experiments

https://www.highlightskids.com/

Website and activity ideas - https://twitter.com/teachPMLD/status/1240369135885975554/photo/1

Please feed back to the Local Offer regarding which services and links you found particularly useful so we can filter information based on its resourcefulness.

Guidance and advice from various health charities and organisations.

NHS General Coronavirus Guidance (external NHS website) 

NHS 111 service online (external NHS website)

NHS Self-Isolation Guidance (external NHS website)

Guidance for pregnant women (external website)from Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 

East Riding Health Visitors and School Nurses (external NHS website) 

Support from Asthma UK (external website)

https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/ 

Support from Diabetes UK (external website)

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus 

NHS support Diabetes (external website)

https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/coronavirus 

Support from Mencap Learning Disabilities (external website)

https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/health/coronavirus-covid-19 

CAMHS service

East Riding CAMHS and Hull CAMHS, have been brought together into one team to work across the whole geographical footprint. The Team is based at Walker Street, Hull, HU3 2HE. 

East Riding parents can still make self-referrals through the usual routes:

• Primary and Junior school children via EHaSH tel: (01482) 395500 
• Secondary school young people through the Contact point tel: (01482) 303810 

Professionals, the preferred referral route is on line via:

 www.CAMHS.hmber.nhs.uk or 

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EastRidingContactPoint

Please feed back to the Local Offer regarding which services and links you found particularly useful so we can filter information based on its resourcefulness.

The questions below have been collected by the Parent Carer Forum who have consulted with families and support groups in the East Riding of Yorkshire area and presented to the Local Authority with the aim to address many of the common questions families and young people have within these uncertain times.

FAQs – Children and young people with an EHC plan in East Riding of Yorkshire

Council for Disabled Children - Frequently Asked Questions (pdf 606kb)

Is my Education, Health and Care Officer (EHCCO) or 0-25 team worker currently at work?

East Riding council staff are working from home in line with government guidelines. The majority of staff are working from home although there are some staff who are self-isolating or included in the at risk group due to Covid- 19. Please contact (01482) 394000.

Can I request an EHC assessment for my child at the moment? 

Requests for EHC assessments can continue to be sent to the SEN team via send.enquiries@eastriding.gov.uk or by post to County Hall, Beverley. The SEN team continue to work on these requests, however it is likely that the assessment and co-producing of EHC plans may take longer than the statutory assessment process of 20 weeks. The Department for Education (DfE) is working on some guidance for local authorities about the statutory timescales during this challenging time.

Are all panels still running?  

All panels are still running as part of the continuation of support for families, the outcome of this should be shared with families if relevant (Example; new request for an EHCP, SEN team to share the outcome to those families and professionals involved).

My child has an EHC plan and I am keeping him/her at home (as the government has said), can I claim part of my child’s EHC plan funding?

Unfortunately, this is not possible. The EHC plan funding is committed to schools when children take up a place. It isn't issued on a daily rate depending upon attendance, as schools' outgoings are largely fixed.

Are the Annual Reviews going to be taking place throughout the coronavirus lockdown?

There is an expectation that annual reviews will continue throughout this period, with schools acting as coordinators and facilitating this using various methods including virtually. In the first instance please speak to the SENCO at your child’s school or setting. 

I have heard that the 0-25 team are ringing parents who have a child/young person with an EHC plan, but this is only those who the 0-25 team are currently working with, is this the case?  

The 0-25 team are ringing those parent carers who they are currently working with to offer support, resources and advice during this difficult time. Those parent carers who are not currently working with a 0-25 staff member can contact the team on tel: (01482) 394000 if they feel they need support regarding their child/young person. The team are working hard to remain in contact with our most vulnerable families and ensure that they are supported.

Parents are struggling to use the secure messaging system? 

The Local Authority data protection team has provided clear guidance to the SEN team about emailing documents to parent carers using a password protected system. This is only to be used in exceptional circumstances when parent carers can not access the secure messaging system. Please speak to the SEN team should you have any questions.  

FAQs - School  

How will coronavirus affect my child's home-to-school transport?

Transport guidance for parents and carers (pdf 159kb)

Any further information regarding your child's home-to-school transport should be directed to transport services on tel: (01482) 395444.

What is the government saying about whether children should be at home or at school?

The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading. That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.

Schools are, therefore, being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children - children who are vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home. 

The schools are closed, but children with EHC plans should continue to go. Is that right?

As above, the government announced that schools will close from Friday 20 March, and they will remain closed until further notice except for children of key workers and vulnerable children, which includes children with EHC plans. It doesn’t include children with draft EHC plans or those who are undergoing assessment.

However, if children with EHC plans can be cared for at home during this time, they should be. The focus of schools at the moment is providing care to support key workers to work, and easing the pressure on families with vulnerable children. At this challenging time, it is not about continuing with education. 

I don’t want my child with an EHC plan to go to school. Do they have to?

No you don’t have to send your child to school, you have the right to make the decision that you do not want to send your child. Special schools, colleges and local authorities are advised to make case by case basis assessments of the health and safeguarding considerations of pupils and students with an education, health and care (EHC) plan. For some, they will be safer in an education provision. For others, they will be safer at home. 

My child is on SEN Support, do they need to go to school?

No, the government’s announcement only includes those children of keyworker staff and vulnerable children. The government’s definition of vulnerable currently only includes those who have a social worker and those with an EHC plan. 

My child has an EHC plan and attends an independent school, are they remaining open?

The government guidance details that registered childcare providers, alternative provision, independent special schools, colleges, special post 16 providers are required to offer provision for key workers and vulnerable children/young people, as detailed above.

I have more than one child with SEND and am struggling to complete school work. What should I do?

There are particular difficulties for parents where there are two or three children in the family who have SEND. Some parents are finding it very stressful trying to complete work packs provided by schools. The children in these families are usually at different schools so there needs to be some co ordination between schools as to what is expected of a family. 

Where a family is receiving work from school and they are struggling to complete this work with a child or young person the family should contact the school directly to share their worries. The expectations on families and children to complete work is a worry for many parents but guidance from the school on what is expected of them should be discussed in the first instance.

There is confusion about the accessibility of free school meals. Is it possible to have a voucher system for all families.

Some schools are choosing to provide takeaway meals for students eligible for free school meals whilst others issuing voucher schemes, this is expected to be managed by each school and in line with the below guidance.

This link will take you directly to the guidance for pupils eligible for Free School Meals: 

 GOV.UK - Government plans set out to support pupils eligible for Free School Meal (external website)

As stipulated in the guidance each school should manage how they want to manage this element of support. Those identified as suitable to receive free school meals and where the school is only supporting key worker children or closed, the expectation is that the schools should contact those parents of children eligible to notify them of how they intend to continue and support these families, this may include a voucher system emailed to parents and managed by the schools.

Parents are therefore asked to contact their schools in the first instance if they receive free school meals and not heard from their child’s school.

FAQs - Emotional and Behaviour Support

Can parent carers contact the Educational Psychology Service if they have concerns about their child's learning and or social/emotional wellbeing?

We advise parent carers to discuss any issues they have about their child's learning and social/emotional wellbeing with the school in the first instance as the school will have a detailed understanding of the most appropriate approaches and strategies to support each individual child or young person. Schools have staff with the knowledge and skills to offer support to parents carers- including the SENCO, ELSA and, in some schools, an emotional wellbeing worker and parent support worker.

The Educational Psychology Service has produced a resource guide to help families support the emotional and psychological wellbeing of their child during this really difficult emotional time we are experiencing because of the Coronavirus pandemic. There is also a resource guide for schools which can be found on this page.

The Service is in the process of writing a resource guide specifically to support children and young people with social communication and interaction needs (including those with a diagnosis of Autism) and this will be available on the Local Offer sometime next week.

Parent carers whose child is known to the Educational Psychology Service can speak with the Educational Psychologist involved in supporting their child by contacting (01482) 394000 (option 4 then option 2). It is also possible for parent carers to speak with the Inclusion Practitioner involved with their child and this can be arranged through discussion with the appropriate Educational Psychologist.

What support is available for families who are waiting for their child to have a possible diagnoses of Autism?

Any child with an EHCP who they feel  requires additional support can request help from the 0-25 Team (01482 394000 option 5 then 2).

Further support surrounding autism can be accessed by families via national support organisations (found on the Local Offer support pages).

Is the Healios on line Autism diagnostic services still operating? If so could the capacity in that service be increased? Is the Autism diagnostic assessment process continuing? What is the current waiting list? 

Healios in the East Riding this has been offered to all on the waiting list .The only families that would be offered are now the new referrals. The actual face to face assessments for autism diagnosis have ceased as a result of school closures as assessment in school is part of the assessment. We are unable to provide accurate numbers on the waiting list at the moment due to staff in the admin services being redeployed. 

If a care package has recently been agreed with additional hours can it be assumed that they can be used in the absence of any documentation? 

Please speak to your social worker/0-25 family coordinator for all questions relating to your families support package.

FAQs – Health  

What is the direct number to ring for CAMHS. Is it operated every day?

East Riding CAMHS and Hull CAMHS have been brought together into one team to work across the whole geographical footprint. The Team is based at Walker Street, Hull, HU3 2HE. 

East Riding parents can still make self-referrals through the usual routes:

•  Primary and Junior school children via EHaSH tel: (01482) 395500 
• Secondary school young people through the Contact point tel: (01482) 303810 

Professionals, the preferred referral route is on line via:

 www.CAMHS.hmber.nhs.uk or 

 https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EastRidingContactPoint

How can parents stay in touch with their Paediatrician particularly when their child’s medical situation is not stable?

The paediatrician service have staff in place to triage and take calls and follow up correspondence will be made if necessary, therefore parents/carers are asked to contact the service using the same telephone numbers if they need paediatric support.

Paediatrics Services Update

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH) are currently able to well maintain the standard timescale of 6 weeks for all EHC requests as we are implementing the new service protocol, have adequate staff and clinic capacity, and are up to date with follow up appointments for the entire inherited caseload.

For follow up appointments we are offering telephone consultation.  The only delay from standard protocol is for new referrals to the Neurodevelopment service (some of these children will have a SEND need but not an urgent health that warrants an immediate face to face consultation). It is only for this group we would utilise the new guidance “act as soon as reasonably practicable” and hope to start face to face consultation in the next 6-8 weeks dependent upon how the transition plan evolves and how we manage the social distancing arrangements within clinics.   Once we are in a stable position from a follow up perspective, after actively restarting face to face consultations, we would look to change the clinic structure to allow more new slots and reduce the number of follow up slots (allowing a catch up). 

How is the Therapy service (SALT, OT, and Physio) operating at the moment? How are CYP Termly plans going to be updated to inform the ongoing therapy for next term? Are resources going to be made available from the service?

Children’s Physiotherapy:

• Children who were receiving active treatment or have recently had a referral into our service have been sent a letter regarding the changes to routine face to face appointments. This has also provided families with a landline number, which they can call for any queries/concerns that arise.
• All routine triage (assessment) appointments are being undertaken by phone consultation with “what’s app” video being used where appropriate.
• Face to face appointments will only be arranged where there is an urgent clinical need and cannot be undertaken via the phone/video call.
• The physio team are undertaking phone/video calls with parents/carers to provide support and answer queries.  They have been resending physical management programmes where required and suggesting alternate activities/exercises where appropriate linked to the child’s health needs.  The frequency of calls is linked to the child’s individual health needs.  
• Children who access the orthotic service through our team are able to contact us regarding any issue with their current prescription and we are closely liaising with the orthotist.  All queries regarding orthotics are shared with the orthotist who will determine if the child requires a phone consultation or if essential a face to face appointment.   (Please note this does not cover those children who live in the Goole area who have accessed the orthotic service through NLAG as it is a separate provider). 

Tel: (01482) 336774 

Children’s OT services 

In answer to the questions from parents/carers from an OT perspective as follows;  

• All families on the current caseload and on the waiting list have been sent  a letter advising them of changes to the service. 

• Face to face visits will be carried out based on clinical need where deemed essential.  

• All parents/carers have been advised to contact the service with any queries. 

• Video calling via WhatsApp is available as an alternative to face to face visits. This will also help inform whether a face to face visit is required or not. 

• Telephone reviews will be carried out where required, particularly for children and young people's who have an EHCP. Support and advice regarding OT outcomes will be offered to families and other professionals involved. 

• OT reports for EHCPs can still be provided on request

Contact Numbers:

       East Riding Community Hospital – tel: (01482) 478898

       Walker Street – tel: (01482) 692929 option 4

       Goole – tel: (01405) 608233 or 608225

Speech and Language Therapy services

• All staff have IT equipment required to be able to work remotely from home
• Skeleton staff are available at Walker Street to coordinate adapted service delivery and review priority referrals
• All families currently receiving an episode of care have been contacted – if clinically required a telephone or video consultation has been offered
• Triage screening appointments have gone ahead via telephone consultations
• Face to face visits will be carried out based on clinical need where deemed essential – for children with dysphagia as risk of aspiration
• The central telephone contact number is manned each day
• EHC reports will be completed ensuring that it is clear that the information has been obtained from review of record, information from parents and from telephone or video consultations
• Resources/homework pack have been sent to parents as appropriate. 

Tel:  (01482) 692929 

Are school nurses available for advice. If so is there a direct contact number to ring?

If a parent or young person would like to speak to a member of the 0-19 (25) ISPHN service (including School Nurses) they can access this via:

The duty phone line to their local team 9am -5pm on week days. Contact numbers are split into locality areas :

Bridlington (01262) 400565

Goole (01405) 752931

Haltemprice (01482) 355010

North Holderness (01482) 677618

South Holderness (01482) 344455

West Holderness (01759) 448366 

Web: http://www.humberisphn.nhs.uk  

which has a language translation facility and has contact details and relevant information on plus an up-to-date Covid-19 page.

• Through our Chathealth- text messaging service for young people aged 11-19 or 25 with SEND
• We have a Face book page, Twitter and Instagram site which are updated daily so how ever families want to access the service it should be easy.  

We have nursery nurses who are on call to support with behaviour issues and are offering support to foster carers via identified need from the LAC nurses.

FAQs - Social Care

Will the 0-25 team be able to carry out ‘well-being” checks on families during the coming weeks?

The 0-25 team have made contact with those families they are currently working with following the government's message to stay at home to make contact and provide support to families. The local authority, including all specialist services is working hard to support our most vulnerable families during this challenging and difficult time. To provide some continuity for families all contact details for the SEN team, 0-25 team and other teams in specialist services remain the same and are staffed during office hours.

Could the LA organise a ‘bank’ of support workers eg PAs or TAs ( DBS checked) to support families of their worker is not available?

Those families who have a worker who is not available to support them due to the worker having to self-isolate, should contact the agency direct (if the worker is an agency staff member) to discuss alternative arrangements, or the 0-25 team if the worker is employer directly by the family.

What support is available for families with a child at SEN support. Also for all families what emotional and sociable support is available?         

We acknowledge that this is a difficult time for all families particularly those who have a child/young with SEND. We would encourage families who have a child/young person at SEN support level to contact their school or setting for resources/support etc. The Local Offer "Corona Virus" page includes lots of resource documents, website links and useful information. The KOOTH website has recently launched in the East Riding. This is a free online mental health and well-being support service for children and young people please visit www.kooth.com

Will there be a respite system introduced for families to enable them to have some time off to go shopping etc?

Where a family has a child with a package of support from children's social care, the family can request those workers to provide the short break they may need to access shops etc. Those without this support should in the first instance request further help from the Community Hub to support them. Example; to attend the shops on the families' behalf.

FAQs – PPE

Do people working with children need to wear PPE and how can they obtain PPE?

If the child has symptoms of COVID-19, then the risk of transmission should be minimised through safe working procedures. As with staff in home care services, personal assistants and other care staff should use PPE when caring for someone with symptoms for activities that bring them into close personal contact, such as washing and bathing, personal hygiene and contact with bodily fluids. Plastic aprons, fluid resistant surgical masks, eye protection and gloves are recommended. New PPE must be used for each episode of care.

PPE Guidance (pdf 1.1mb)

COVID-19: Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) (external Government website)

People receiving direct payments that normally purchase their own PPE from their preferred supplier, should continue to do so. 

If families are having difficulty in obtaining the required PPE, they should approach their key worker responsible for their Direct Payment/Personal Budget and ask for assistance.

What is the situation for carers entering a family home regarding PPE? Equally what protection is there for parents if they allow a Carer to enter their home? 

The request for PPE equipment from families for those carers entering a family home to deliver short break or direct payment services should contact their 0-25 Team worker or Social Worker in the first instance.

FAQs – Short Breaks

Will Endorphins activity programmes start as planned on 4 April 2020 (Endorphins are the new activity provider in the East Riding of Yorkshire) this was previously delivered by Barnardo’s all stars groups?

Endorphins and the local authority has decided to postpone the start date of these activities in order to comply with government directives regarding social distancing and staying at home wherever possible.  Further information will follow. 

Endorphins will be posting activities on their facebook page:

facebook.com/EndorphinsGroup (external website)

What will happen to Freedom Activity Support Payment (FASP) applications?

Please continue to send your applications for the freedom activity support payment to:

Email: fasp@eastriding.gov.uk or 

Tel: (01482) 394000 options 5 then 2.

For further information please visit the local offer website at: 

http://eastridinglocaloffer.org.uk/money-matters/freedom-activity-support-payment/ 

All applications will be processed as usual. Due to the current lockdown, we are considering extending the deadline for applications to ensure all eligible families have the opportunity to apply.

Could the FASP system be accelerated to enable families to use some of the money now?

The Local Authority is following the government guidelines which is that people should stay at home, as families in the East Riding area are doing. Therefore, the FASP system, which is to support families to access social and leisure activities, will not be accelerated any sooner as most activity providers are closed and families should stay at home. If families require additional support during the current situation, they should contact the 0-25 SEND Team to discuss their concerns.

FAQs - Direct Payments

What will happen with my direct payments (personal budget) payments? 

The local authority will not be making any changes to the current direct payments (personal budget) currently made to families. We are awaiting further guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) about how we continue to support families who receive these payments. If you have any questions, please speak to your social worker or 0-25 family co-ordinator in the first instance.

There is some conflicting information being given to parents and carers regarding direct payments. Is it still the case that parents should contact their 0-25 keyworker for advice? 

Parents should contact their DP key worker - this could be the 0-25 team, social worker, or futures+ social worker.

FAQs - Contacting Services

How can I contact the SEN team, 0-25 team and other teams within children and young people’s specialist services?

Telephone numbers and team email addresses remain the same, and are staffed during office hours. 

The telephone number to access all teams in Specialist Services is (01482) 394000.

How can I contact home to school transport? 

The contact details for Passenger Services remain the same: 

Tel: (01482) 395588/395501 or 

Email: transport.requests@eastriding.gov.uk

If you are contacting Passenger Services out-of-office hours please use the email address.  

Where can I find information about other East Riding council services?

 East Riding of Yorkshire Council (external council website)