Welcome to the PCAN! We are the independent, parent-led forum in Kirklees for all parents and carers of children and young people with additional needs aged from birth to 25 years.
You are in the right place to find lots of good information, links to social media for networking with other parents, and to help us to develop a strong, collective voice so that we can work in partnership with service providers across Kirklees. Together we can improve services for our children and young people with additional needs!
We welcome all parents or carers, whether you are just beginning to become aware that your child or young person may have additional needs, or if they have confirmed diagnosis or disability.
It is free to join, so please click the “join us” link above!
Kirklees Council will be having its Local Area SEND Inspection next week. This is an inspection connected with how the Council supports children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) since the Children & Families Act came into force in September 2014. We have included a copy of the letter from CQC/Ofsted below and the links to a survey and an email address where you can send information if you wish. A short video telling you what the inspection is about can be found at the beginning of the survey.
The focus of the inspection will be how well the various departments in Kirklees Council have carried out the requirements of the above Act.
A couple of us have completed the survey and it takes about 10 to 20 minutes depending on how much you want to say in the free text boxes.
There will be some events where you may get chance to meet the inspectors:
If your child/young person attends any of the following, watch out for a letter or call from them with more information: Castle Hill School, Newsome High School, Woodley School, Royds Hall, Windmill Primary, Kirklees College.
PCAN will also be holding a Zoom event next Tuesday 8th February 11.30 am to 1 pm where you can share your views with one of the inspectors. Although we are hosting, the inspector will direct the event. Numbers are limited so please book quickly if you know you can attend. It would still be really helpful to fill in the survey. You should have received the letter below already from your child’s education setting.
Hi – PCAN’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday 15th November 2021 at 9.30 am and we would be delighted to see you there. It’s a virtual one again (Zoom) – we hope we will be able to meet in person again next time.
As well as an update on PCAN’s recent activities we will have speakers from Kirklees Council including:
Tom Brailsford, Children and Families – Service Director Resources, Improvement and Partnerships
Jo-Anne Sanders, Service Director for Learning and Early Support
who will be talking about improvements that are happening across the Council in relation to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Dianna Lowe, Commissioning Manager who will be talking about the results from the recent CAHMS Survey as well as what is happening with our local services.
There will be time for you to ask questions.
If you would like to attend please click here and you will be directed to a registration page. Once you have registered, you will receive a link for the meeting.
You and your family are invited to PCAN’s Picnics in the Park – in Huddersfield and Dewsbury. Why not join us for peer support, good information and friendship?
Wednesday 18th August at Greenhead Park, Trinity Street, Huddersfield HD1 4DT
and
Wednesday 25th August at Oakwell Hall Country Park, Nutter Lane, Birstall, WF17 9LG
Picnics will start around 2pm till about 5 pm. There are cafes on both sites near the children’s play areas. All you need to do is bring a blanket and a little picnic so we can enjoy the afternoon together.
*Parents to stay with their children and are fully responsible for them.
Growing Works (Sprout) provides outdoor based fun activities for children/young people with a disability or additional needs alongside their siblings and parent/carers. Activities are inclusive and for all ages, abilities and disabilities. Sessions focus on the whole family having fun together and include growing vegetables and flowers, outdoor cooking, wildlife activities and non-competitive sporty games. This is an all-age activity, so parents will be responsible for the supervision of the children they bring to the activity.
Venue Crow Nest Park, Heckmondwike Road, Dewsbury, WF13 2SG
Day and Time Saturdays 10:30am until 12:30pm All Age
Project Communities (Project Stars group) is a great place for children to come along, make friends, learn new skills and have fun whilst at the same time making their views and opinions known about the services that they use. Activities will include, Bush Craft, Team Building, Art, Drama and much more. Venue The Stafflex Arena, Storthes Hall, Storthes Hall Lane, Huddersfield, HD8 0PT Day and Time Sundays 9:30am until 12pm Ages 8-14
The Huddersfield Town Foundation will listen to children about what type of physical activities they want to do whilst accessing their activity, children will be supported to choose an activity and help plan future sessions so as to ensure that they remain fun for everyone. Activities could include boccia, new age curling, football, cricket, yoga, parachute games etc. Venue John Smith’s Stadium FM Suite, Stadium Way, Huddersfield, HD1 6PG Day and Time Tuesdays, Wednesdays 10am until 3pm Ages 8-18
Endorphins will provide a wide variety of fun activities which will include arts and crafts, dance, baking, scavenger hunts as well as lots more fun things. Children attending this activity will be invited to help plan the sessions, meaning that they get real satisfaction from the activities that they do. All of the Endorphins sessions aim to help children to have fun whilst developing friendships. Please note activities will run from the 2nd until 28th August.
Venues: Colne Valley High School, Gillroyd Lane, Linthwaite, Huddersfield, HD7 5SP Day and Time Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 10am until 2pm Ages 8-13 Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays 10am until 2pm Ages 13-18
Birstall Community Centre, Market Street, Birstall, Batley, WF17 9EN Day and Time Tuesdays, Saturdays 10am until 2pm Ages 8-13 Thursdays 9am until 1pm Ages 8-13 Mondays, Fridays 10am until 2pm Ages 13-18 Thursdays 1:30pm until 5:30pm Ages 13-18
Hi please click here if you need to buy or renew a Maxcard.
The Max Card is the UK’s leading discount card for foster families and families of children with additional needs. Families can use their Max Card at venues across the UK to get free or discounted admission.
