Spring 2025 Newsletter

Like and follow our Facebook page to get up to date information on activities and services.

Find us at https://www.facebook.com/WakefieldWESAILandLocalOffer

On Facebook, we will be sharing information about the following awareness days:

21st March - World Down Syndrome Day
21st – 27th March - International Neurodiversity Celebration Week
28th – 3rd April - World Autism Acceptance Week
30th April - World Bipolar Day
April - UK Stress Awareness Month
April - Loss of Limb and Limb Difference Awareness Month

What else would you like to see in this newsletter? Let us know your thoughts by filling in our short survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VR9M3YX

Happy reading,

Wakefield Early Support Advice Information Liaison (WESAIL) Service

WESAIL (Wakefield Early Support Advice Information & Liaison service) are very pleased to welcome our new starter Charlotte Scholes in the position of “SENDIASS & Admin Assistant” working two days a week. Charlotte will be supporting the team in all aspects of our work that covers the three elements of our contract-Pre & plus working, Wakefield Local Offer and Wakefield SENDIASS.

Hello, my name is Charlotte, and I am excited to be joining the WESAIL team as the SENDIASS and Admin Assistant. I am eager to get started and help in any way I can to ensure you have the support you need.

With a background as a qualified primary school teacher, I have predominantly worked with Key Stage
1 students, fostering a strong foundation for young learners. I later transitioned into Further Education, where I took on a role at a college in a different Local
Authority. In this setting, I specialised in supporting young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and their families, providing holistic support tailored to their individual needs. This experience has equipped me with a deep understanding of both educational
practices and the broader challenges young people with SEN and their families face.

I chose the role of SENDIASS and Admin Assistant because it gives me the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of others, using my administrative skills to support those within the service.

Top Tip
“Take it one step at a time – it’s okay to
feel unsure.”
Transitions, whether it’s moving to a new school or changing routines, can feel overwhelming. But remember, you don’t have to figure it all out at once.
Break things down into small steps, and focus on one thing at a time. It’s also okay to ask for support when you need it. Change can be challenging, but with time and the right support, it can also be a chance for new opportunities and growth.

You’ve got this!

The Early Years refers to pre-birth until children are 5 years old. Here is information about the people and services that can help.

Growing Healthy Wakefield 0 – 19 Service

The Growing Healthy Wakefield 0-19 Children’s Service provides health visiting and school nursing support. Support includes the following services:

The Healthy Child Programme offers screening tests, immunisations, developmental reviews, information and guidance to support parenting and healthy lifestyle choices.

Some common areas of information and support:
• Pregnancy and transition into parenthood
• Infant feeding/ specialist breast feeding support
• Growth and nutrition
• Healthy eating
• Dental health
• Development
• Behaviour
• Accident prevention
• Safe sleeping
• Speech and language development
• Common childhood illness/infection
• Safeguarding
• Postnatal depression and emotional wellbeing
• Parenting

Wakefield’s Parent and Infant Relationship Team (PAIR) will work with families at any point throughout pregnancy and until your baby is 2 years old. The PAIR Team can help you with difficult feelings that may be impacting on your relationship or connection with your baby by offering advice, 1:1 support or group interventions.

Perinatal Mental Health
Having a baby can be really overwhelming especially if your pregnancy has been hard, or your delivery traumatic. Your Health Visitor is on hand to support you through this difficult time, even if your baby is well. Our service is here for you as parents, as we understand that if you’re supported, happy and healthy, then its likely your baby will be too.

Our team is available Monday-Friday, 9-5pm on 0300 373 0944

Health Visitors and Family Health Nurses
Health visitors and Family Health Nurses are also known as School Nurses. They continue to help you whether you attend a school or not. They will support children and young people from birth up until they are 25 if they have a SEND.

You can ask your Health visitor or School Nurse for help and advice on anything to do with or your child’s health – whether you’re worrying about your health and development, beginning school or just need someone to talk to.

The School Nurse may contribute to your Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) and attend meetings with other professionals that support you so that you can achieve your goals.

Contact the Wakefield team on 0300 373 0944 or email hdft.wakefield0-19admin@nhs.net

Growing Healthy Wakefield 0 – 19 App

Download the free app for access to:

Health Chat – Message health workers direct
Up to date contact information
Childrens Health information
Video Library covering health, sleep and infant development
Push Notifications keeping you informed
Essential services Tracker – Find all the services you require within seconds
Activity Tracker – Walk, run and cycle. Have fun gaining medals and trophies along the way
Plus many more features

https://hdftchildrenshealthservice.co.uk/download-our-app/

The Children’s Sleep Charity

Our Children’s Sleep eBook is part of our ‘Tired of Being Alone’ campaign to support parents and carers who have a child or children that struggle to get good quality sleep. It’s a helpful guide that shows how common sleep issues are, that parents are not alone and that help and support is available.

Get your copy of the eBook by visiting https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/information-support/children/childrens-sleep-ebook/

Find more resources and support by visiting https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/ or calling the National Sleep Helpline on 03303 530 541.

Extra Funding For Early Years Providers

Early years pupil premium

Your child’s early years education provider could get up to £388 per year to help with your child’s education. This will be paid direct to your provider. You can apply for early years pupil premium if:

Your child is aged 9 months to 2 years
Your child is 3 or 4 and you get 15 hours free childcare

You must also receive financial support to apply for early years pupil premium.

Visit https://www.gov.uk/get-extra-early-yearsfunding for full eligibility information.

Disability access fund

Your child’s early years provider could get £910 or more per year to help with their education and support.

This will be paid direct to your early years provider.

You can apply to get disability access funding if your child receives Disability Living Allowance for children and one of the following:

15 hours free childcare for children aged 3 and 4
15 hours free childcare for disadvantaged children aged 2
15 hours free childcare for children aged 9 months to 2 years of working parents

You do not need to use all of your hours to be eligible for disability access funding.

Find out more, including eligibility by visiting https://www.gov.uk/get-extra-early-years-funding

Born and Bred in (BaBi) Wakefield

BaBi Wakefield is an exciting research project that aims to create a picture of local people’s health and lifestyles over time.

It is a long-term study that uses research to help find out how we might create a healthier environment for families across the Wakefield district to enjoy.

Starting during pregnancy, the data that is routinely collected about mums and babies is linked together to provide a wider picture of the factors affecting local family’s health and wellbeing. This includes information from health, social and education services, for example baby’s birth weight and height, or as blood pressure measurements during pregnancy.

Researchers use the data to investigate key questions around the health of people living in the district, looking for ways in which we could make improvements to help local people. Over time, this will provide really useful information to help us develop local services. Participants may also be invited to help with other research studies on particular issues.

One of the four key priorities for Wakefield District is giving every child the best start in life. BaBi provides an opportunity to explore whether patterns in routinely available data can be identified and used to help flag early signals of poor child health and wellbeing, and make service improvements and changes in policy.

To find out more and join visit https://www.midyorks.nhs.uk/babi/

Wakefield SEND Local Offer website

The Local Offer website has a section on support in the Early Years. All the below services can be found by visiting https://wakefield.mylocaloffer.org/earlyyears/support-in-the-early-years/

Adaptations Service

If you or your child have a disability or long-standing illness that affects everyday tasks at home, Wakefield Council Adaptations Service may be able to help.

The service can:

give advice, provide equipment and / or adapt your home to help you
advise you or your child on moving to a more suitable home
offer advice about financial help with major adaptations

Contact the Adaptations Service by emailing adaptationsservice@wakefield.gov.uk or calling

01977 722 220.

Health, Exercise and Nutrition for the Really Young (HENRY)

The free 8 – 10 week group programme will explore how to give your child/children a healthy start in life.

Everyone who attends the programme will receive a free parenting pack and resources for use at home including story books, reward charts and soft ball.

If you are interested in joining us and want to find out more or book your place onto the HENRY programme, call or pop into your nearest HENRY delivery family hub:

Cedars Family Hub

Barnsley Road, Hemsworth, WF9 4PU.

Contact: 01977 72215

Pomfret Family Hub

Rookhill Road, Pontefract, WF8 2DD.

Contact: 01977 722644

Sunbeam Family Hub

Lupset Cresent, Wakefield, WF2 8RH.

Contact: 01924 302333

https://wakefield.mylocaloffer.org/early-years/support-in-the-early-years/

SEND Early Years Support - part 2 coming in the next issue. This will include portage and WISENDSS Early Years.

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) - Part 1

From the PDA Society

What is PDA

‘Demand avoidance’ involves not being able to do certain things at certain times, either for yourself or others, and also refers to the things we do in order to avoid demands.

Autistic people may avoid demands or situations that trigger anxiety or sensory overload, disrupt routines, involve transitioning from one activity to another, and activities/events that they don’t see the point of or have any interest in.

They may refuse, withdraw, ‘shutdown’ or escape in order to avoid these things.

With PDA, these same types of demands or situations may be avoided for the same reasons.

However, pathological demand avoidance is all-encompassing and has some unique aspects:

many everyday demands are avoided simply because they are demands. Some people explain that it’s the expectation (from someone else or yourself) which leads to a feeling of lack of control, then anxiety increases and panic can set in
in addition, there can be an ‘irrational quality’ to the avoidance – for instance, a seemingly dramatic reaction to a tiny request, or the feeling of hunger inexplicably stopping someone from being able to eat
the avoidance can vary, depending on an individual’s capacity for demands at the time, their level of anxiety, their overall health/well-being or the environment (people, places and things).

What are demands

Direct demands are requests or questions made by other people or situations – such as ‘put your shoes on’, ‘sit here and wait’, ‘pay this bill’ or ‘would you like a drink?’.

In addition to these more obvious direct demands, there’s a whole raft of indirect and internal demands, including:

Questions – the expectation of being required to respond to a direct question can be disabling
Decisions – sometimes knowing a decision has to be made makes it a demand, or ‘options paralysis’ may set in if there are too many possibilities
Uncertainty – research from Newcastle University showed that intolerance of uncertainty is a significant factor in PDA, with PDA autistics needing to know and feel in control of what’s going on
Praise – this carries the implied expectation that the action will be carried out again or improved on next time, and so may not achieve the positive reinforcement that may be intended
Transitions – the demand to stop and switch what you’re doing and also the uncertainty around what may come next
Expectations – from others and of yourself
Sensory overload & sensory integration difficulties

And there are the many “I ought to” demands of daily life – getting up, washing, brushing teeth, getting dressed, eating, cooking, chores, learning, working, sleeping … the list goes on.

Demands will be perceived differently by different individuals, and response to demands may also be variable.

Find out more about demands by visiting https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/about-pda/what-is-demand-avoidance/

How people with a PDA profile might present

A PDA profile is also a spectrum and presents differently in different people. Some individuals may have a more externalised or active presentation – where demand avoidance may be overt, physical, aggressive or controlling.

Others have more internalised or passive presentations – where demands may be resisted more quietly, anxiety is internalised and difficulties are masked.

Many may have a variable presentation, depending on other factors like how well they are managing at the time, the environment, the setting, their age and so on.

Understanding behaviours

Anxiety – the most important starting point is to understand and accept that a PDA child’s behaviours are underpinned by anxiety and a need to feel in control. Anxiety can be expressed in many different ways including avoidance, anger, shouting, crying, laughing, not talking, restlessness, boredom, fidgeting, rocking, tics, repetitive actions, obsessing, skin picking, swearing, hiding, running off, withdrawing, masking, throwing things and lashing out at others.

In addition, any or all of the following may be underlying …

Difficulties in processing language – our children may have good expressive language but may not be able to process verbal communication quickly enough to keep up during a conversation and may be confused by non-specific questions or instructions.
Difficulties with social interaction – our children may not always understand the ‘unwritten rules’ of social interaction or non-verbal communication including body language and tone of voice.
Confusion about emotions – our children may not be able to understand or accurately ‘label’ emotions in themselves or other people, or may feel overwhelmed by their own and others’ emotions.
Intolerance of uncertainty – our children may struggle with all the ‘what ifs’ of life, not knowing how things might ‘pan out’, what might be expected of them, where a situation might lead, when a situation might end and whether they will be able to cope with whatever may come along.
Sensory overload – our children’s heightened sensory perception can also contribute to anxiety, overload and avoidance.

PDA demand avoidance isn’t a choice and is lifelong – it’s seen in infants and remains part of the experience into old age.

In our next newsletter, we will look at strategies to support children and young people.

Thank you to the PDA Society for this information. Understanding of PDA is still evolving and the information on this website represents the PDA Society’s current understanding.

To find out more, including support for parents, carers and professionals, visit https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/

What kind of challenge can be brought in the SEND Tribunal?

There are a number of challenges that can be brought in the SEND Tribunal relating to assessment of needs and EHCPs, these include:
• Refusal to Assess decisions
• Refusal to issue decisions
• Challenge to contents of an Education, Health and Care Plan, including health and social care
• Cease to maintain decisions
• Decisions not to amend an EHCP following an Annual Review

The Tribunal Process in relation to EHC Needs Assessment and EHCP Appeals

There is a mandatory requirement to contact a mediation advisor by telephone before you can lodge an appeal, unless you are only appealing placement (Section I). The details of how to obtain this will be on the decision letter. You don’t have to mediate though, you just have to have considered it.

You have 2 months to submit an appeal from the date of the decision letter or 1 month from the date of the mediation certificate, whichever is the later. You have to be appealing an educational element in order to also appeal health / social care elements.

You need to complete the Form SEND35A to lodge an appeal against a refusal to assess decision
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-send35a-special-educational-needsand-disability-tribunal-appeal-a-refusal-tosecure-an-ehc-needs-assessment

or a SEND35 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-send35-special-educational-needs-anddisability-tribunal-appeal

to lodge an appeal against any other type of decision in relation to an EHCP.

The Tribunal aims to have appeals registered within 3 weeks, where possible.
The Tribunal will provide a number of deadlines which need to be complied with throughout the appeal, these are generally:
• Further Evidence to be filed by parties by XX date
• Parties to file Case Review Forms by XX date
• LA to file bundle by XX date
• LA to file final Working Document by XX date (where applicable)

The Tribunal may also make any other directions it sees fit.
It is your responsibility to file any further evidence you want to provide and your case review form. It is also your responsibility to work with the Local Authority to try and settle matters to try and avoid a hearing, where possible, although this is not always possible.

The final hearing is usually listed within 50-52 weeks after the appeal has been registered by the Tribunal, unless your child is in a transition year, when they will try to list it sooner.

What happens at the hearing?

Refusal to Assess appeals are heard on the papers. All other appeals are held by video, unless you request an in-person hearing (exceptional circumstances only).
The hearing is very informal. There will usually be a panel of 2 (1 Judge, 1 specialist member) or in exceptional circumstances 3 panel members (1 Judge and 2 specialists) that hear your case.

Hearings in respect of needs and provision (B and F) only, are usually listed for ½ day. Appeals which include placement usually last for 1 full day and appeals which include health and social care can last up to 2 days.

Ask the independent experts who assessed your child to attend as witnesses where possible to give oral evidence.
Ask the Head Teacher / SENCO of your preferred school to attend as a witness for you where possible.

The decision will be given to you in writing within 3-4 weeks after the hearing date.

What happens post-hearing?

There are specific time limits by which Local Authorities must comply with Tribunal orders, depending on the appeal:

Tribunal Decision	Timescale
Start the EHCNA or reassessment process	LA must write to parents/YP within 4 weeks to say that it will make the assessment
Make and maintain an EHCP	Send parent/YP proposed EHCP within 5 weeks
Amend an EHCP	Amend and issue the EHCP within 5 weeks
Continue to maintain	Maintain with immediate effect
Change the name of the school in the EHCP	Specify the school within 2 weeks
Cease to maintain to EHCP	With immediate effect

Costs in the Tribunal

Each party bears their own costs in a SEND Tribunal appeal. Even if you ‘win’ your case.

Legal aid (legal help scheme) based on parents’ finances (unless the young person is over 16) is available. However, it doesn’t cover the hearing. If you want representation at the hearing Exceptional Case funding can be applied for but if this is refused, representation can be funded privately.

The Private costs of a Tribunal appeal can be up to £17,000 plus VAT and disbursements depending on the issues involved and the evidence required.

You should remember that successful appeals can also be overturned at the next annual review – there is no certainty in Local Authority funding in subsequent years.

What decisions can be made by the Tribunal?

The Tribunal has powers to do the following:

Order an Education, Health and Care needs assessment be carried out
Make and / or maintain an EHCP

iii. Make changes to the contents of the EHCP including placement

The Tribunal can also make recommendations in relation to health and social care.

The Tribunal is completely separate to Local Authorities and its decisions are binding on the parties.

By Rachael Smurthwaite

Associate Solicitor

IRWIN MITCHELL LLP

A young carer is under 18 years old and helps to look after someone. They do this because someone in their family is ill, disabled, battling addiction, or has a mental health condition. They do not get paid to do this. Young carers will likely look after parents, or a sibling. They may take on extra responsibilities at home such as cooking or cleaning.

I am a young carer. What support is there for me?

Wakefield Council has a Young Carers Team. They work with schools and agencies to support young carers and their families. Young Carer Engagement Workers offer one to one support to young carers aged 5-18. You can contact the team at youngcarers@wakefield.gov.uk

You can also contact your nearest family or youth hub to ask about support:

Youth Hubs
The Youth Hut Hub -
Kershaw Avenue, Castleford, WF10 3ES
01977 727622

Platform One Youth Hub -
Wakefield Road, Hemsworth, WF9 4AB
01977 727018

West Parade Youth Hub -
5 West Parade, Wakefield, WF1 1LT
01924 302665

Family Hubs
Sunbeam Family Hub -
Lupset Crescent, Wakefield, WF2 8RH
01924 302333

Stanley Family Hub -
Long Causeway, Stanley, Wakefield, WF3 4JB
01924 303181

Butterflies -
Wakefield Road, Normanton, WF6 1BB
01924 307835

Oakhill -
Hardwick Road, Featherstone, WF7 5JB
01977 723923

Castle Family Hub -
255 Barnsley Road, Wakefield, WF1 5NU
01924 303376

Kendal -
Kendal Drive, Castleford, WF10 3SP
01977 723543

Pomfret -
Rookhill Road, Pontefract, WF8 2DD
01977 722644

Cedars -
Barnsley Road, Hemsworth, WF9 4PU
01977 722215

Havercroft -
Cow Lane, Wakefield, WF4 2BE
01924 306312

What resources are there to help me?

The Young Carers Support App
This app offers clear and easily accessible advice. It is a useful resource for young carers and those who work with young carers. It has been co-produced with young carers and is based on feedback to make their caring role easier.

Download the app:

Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.expertselfcare.youngcarers

IOS - https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/young-carers-support-app/id1556955591

Young Carers’ Stories

You can listen to young carers and how caring impacts their lives. You can find young carers stories by visiting https://www.wypartnership.co.uk/ourpriorities/unpaid-carers/young-carers

Young carers have also created a video. It explains what they want other people to know about being a young carer. Watch by visiting https://youtu.be/109uoYMhxIg

One Minute Guides

On the Connect to Support website, there are some guides that give information on identifying and supporting young carers. The guides are:
• Health and wellbeing of young carers
• Identifying young carers and what next?
• The impact of being a young carer
• Young carers from ethnically diverse backgrounds
• A day in the life of a young carer

You can find these and more resources by visiting https://wakefield.connecttosupport.org/support-for-carers/young-carers/

Who should I tell?

You could tell a trusted teacher. It is your decision whether to tell a teacher that you are a caring for someone. You do not have to tell them, but it could prove to be helpful for you. The best person to contact is the Young Carers champion at your school or college. They can support you and help you to connect with the Young Carers team.

You can find a useful video on how to ask for support and why it’s important by visiting https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/help-and-advice/topics/getting-help-at-school-or-college-as-a-youngcarer/

You could also tell your GP (doctor). They may be able to help find support services for you.

What are Young Carers Groups?
Young Carers Groups allow young carers to have a break from caring, make friends and get the support they need. They run at Family Hubs and Youth Hubs.

Find your nearest Youth Hub by visiting https://www.wakefieldfamiliestogether.co.uk/youth-hubs/

You can find what groups are on by looking at the ‘what’s on guides’ underneath your local hub.

What happens when I turn 18?

A young carer becomes a young adult carer if they are aged 18-25. Carers Wakefield and District run group activities for young adult carers. You can find out more about these by visiting https://www.carerswakefield.org.uk/our-support/support-forcarers/young-adult-carers/

You can contact Carers Wakefield and District on 01924 305544 or email info@carerswakefield.org.uk

Thanks to the parents and carers that shared their tips for looking after your mental health.

	Talk to someone else so you don’t feel alone

	Don’t try to do it all – accept respite help

	Be kind to yourself – you’re doing your best!

	Do something each week that’s for you
	Celebrate the small wins

For free emotional support, information and guidance on family relationships contact FamilyLine on 0808 802 6666 or visit https://family-action.org.uk/get-support/familyline/

Have you got a Max Card? It can help you go on days out for free or with a discount. A discount is when you get money off the usual price. A Max Card lasts for 2 years. A Max Card is free if you join the Information Network. This is also called the IN. You can join the IN by visiting https://wakefield.mylocaloffer.org/informationnetwork/how-can-i-join/

For places you can visit, go to https://mymaxcard.co.uk

If you have lost your card, or it has expired (this means the date has run out) then contact the IN. They will help you get a new one. You can email them at informationnetwork@wakefield.gov.uk

You can also ring them on 01924 302471.

Previous Autumn 2024 Newsletter

Last updated: 17/04/2025