Noticeboard 15 September 2022

This week's noticeboard contains the link for Sue Harrison's webinar on the Children and Young People's Plan, taking place on Tuesday, 20 September, an Oracle Cloud update, and much more!

 

Children and Young People’s Plan: Webinar with Sue Harrison

Ahead of the BEP conference in October, Sue Harrison would like to invite school leaders to a webinar where she will provide an update on the Children and Young People’s Plan as well as the Directorate’s Improvement Plan.  Two sessions were arranged so that school leaders could choose the session most convenient for them. The first session was due to take place on Monday 19th September which is now a National Day of Mourning so that session has been cancelled.

Tuesday's webinar will take place on Teams (link above) and for those of you unable to make the session a link will be provided to a recording shortly afterwards. 

Learning to Shape Birmingham Conference - 4 & 5 October 2022 

After the launch in 2016, the annual Learning to Shape Birmingham Conference is returning this Autumn term. The Conference has always had the mission of bringing the community of Birmingham schools together and Birmingham Education Partnership is delighted to be able to do that in person again this year.

This year’s conference will offer attendees knowledge and learning around Leadership, Curriculum and Inclusion from forward thinking experts, including; Matthew Syed, Prof. Peter Fonagy, Michael Rosen, Branwen Jeffries, Rosemary Campbell-Stevens and Andrew Warren to name but a few. Attendees will also gain practical input from their peers through a variety of workshops.

You can book tickets via The Birmingham Education Hub, and a full speaker line-up and agenda can be found on the website: www.learningtoshapebirmingham.co.uk

Any queries should be referred to events@bep.education

A Message from Sue Harrison, Director of Children & Families

Dear all

I’m writing to let you know that Nasreen Hussain has been seconded into Birmingham Children’s Trust to work on some critical priority projects that support the wider system’s SEND improvements. These include:

  • Developing a single, integrated SEND Early Help offer, supporting children, families and schools, building on the resources Nas has developed
  • Enhancing the role and effectiveness of social care in SEND
  • Working to support the strategic integration of services and support that includes Social Care (Children & Adults), Health & Education
  • Supporting the changes required by the new Liberty Protection Safeguards for social care and education
  • Working with the Trust to develop a single social work training hub for children across the Trust and the Council

While the SEND Improvement Board oversees implementation of the recommendations of the independent review undertaken, Nick Taynton is acting up as Head of Service leading SENDIASS in the interim period.

This secondment is a great opportunity for the council and the Trust to work together to ensure we are putting children with SEND at the heart of our work, and to continue to deliver our SEND improvement journey. Nasreen brings with her into the Trust great expertise, knowledge and experience that will help us build new and better services, across education, health and care, to support children with SEND and their families.  

I’d like to thank Nas for her tireless work in SENDIASS and wish her every success in her new role. Please share this message with your teams.

Best wishes

Sue

Oracle Cloud Update

This is the weekly update from the HR, Payroll, Finance and Procurement services related to Oracle. 

  • Invoice Processing Issue - We have now identified the specific issue that has been affecting the use of the Simplified Loader tool and have resolved the invoice processing issues. Further testing with Simplified Loader has been carried out to ensure that the resolution does not impact schools invoice processing. This is now completed, and you can resume the use of Simplified Loader to submit invoices for processing.  Apologies for the extended period to resolve this issue, and if you require any further support please do contact us.
  • Weekly Invoice Report - The first weekly invoice report of the term was sent on Friday, 9 September; this report shows history of all invoices raised via the Simplified Loader. We apologise for the confusion caused by last week's messaging; the report was paused over the summer due to the lack of invoices.
  • Reconciliation File Update - Additional testing has now been completed with three schools in the live environment. Files have successfully loaded, however we identified two issues for correction, which we are working to resolve. Test files will then be created in the live environment for seven more schools. Testing with these schools will take place next week, if all this testing is successful, we will then contact you to arrange a phased roll out of live reconciliation files to all schools from week commencing 26 September.
  • Duplicate Payment Risk Reduction - Please ensure the invoice number is exactly as it appears on the invoice, i.e., if there is a space or a dot, please include these. This minimises the risk of entering the same invoice twice with a slightly different number.
  • Setting up new suppliers - When you engage with a supplier please check if they are listed on the Simplified Loader, regardless of if you paid them prior to April 2021. If the supplier is not listed, please ensure you send the Data Validation team a completed new supplier form 30 days before you must raise the payment. 
  • Internal Billing - We have completed the three Internal Billing refresher sessions scheduled for the week commencing 12 September, one for bill raisers and two for schools approvers. A further session for bill raisers will be completed on 21 September. The sessions were well attended and functionality was good.  As a result we have now moved forward with a phased roll out, increasing the volume of bills raised over the coming weeks. This will provide time for both bill raisers and schools approvers to become familiar with the system processes and allow progress to be monitored and any queries addressed. For those who were unable to attend the sessions, recordings can be accessed via the Teams Meeting ‘Chat’.   Any queries should be directed to Birmingham School Support Service in the first instance.  If you need further support after 27 September, please email abiola.odusote@birmingham.gov.uk including any call reference number. 

School Nursing Service

Change in Location and Contact Details:

Please note that the North-East SN team have moved location from Kitts Green to Bordesley Green/Yardley and also have a new telephone number:

South Central School Nurse Team

Lansdowne Health Centre, 34 Lansdowne Street, Birmingham B18 7EE

Tel: 0121 245 5750

NHS Net:  BCHNT.southcentralsnteam@nhs.net   

Team Leader: Frances Smith

Districts:  Selly Oak, Northfield, Edgbaston, Ladywood, Perry Barr  

North-East School Nurse Team

Hob Moor Road Health Centre, 192 Hob Moor Road, Birmingham B10 9JH

Tel: 0121 466 6565

NHS Net: BCHNT.northeastsnteam@nhs.net

Team Leader: Christine Roberts

Districts:  Hall Green, Yardley, Hodge Hill, Erdington, Sutton Coldfield

Medical Needs Training Sessions:

Birmingham School Health Support Service currently offers medical needs training to all local authority schools in the following areas:

  • Asthma
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Diabetes awareness
  • Epilepsy

In addition, they offer buccal midazolam training to schools that have pupils on roll who are prescribed this medication.

Full length and refresher training is offered.  The full-length training should be accessed every three years and the session runs for up to one hour. The refresher training is offered in the intervening years and runs for up to 30 minutes per topic.  The duration of each session remains dependent upon questions and discussions generated during the training.  Full length training can be offered each year, if schools feel they would benefit from this.

The preference is that all schools receive training face to face, as it is easier to demonstrate devices such as auto adrenaline injectors and questions can be answered more clearly.  However, it is recognised that on some occasions it will be more convenient for school staff to receive training virtually, and this can be accommodated.

In addition to the above training, School Health Assistants have been trained to deliver awareness sessions to lunchtime supervisors in primary schools.  These sessions can be booked directly with the School Health Assistant.  For lunch time supervisors who are expected to deliver first aid, it is recommended they attend the full or refresher training with their teaching colleagues, in addition to any first aid training organised by the school.

Any queries, should be directed to the School Health Administrators for the school nursing team on the numbers below, Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00:

  • North-East SN team at Hobmoor Road Health Centre 0121 466 6565
  • South Central SN team at Lansdowne Health Centre 0121 245 5750

Catch-Up Medical Needs Training:

Catch-up Medical Needs Training Sessions are available for new school staff who may have missed schools’ main sessions.  All sessions run from 16:00-17:00 and are held via Microsoft Teams. Sessions can be booked by emailing  bchnt.birminghamschoolnursingservice@nhs.net stating the preferred date:

  • 31 October 2022 – Epilepsy
  • 1 November 2022 – Diabetes
  • 3 November 2022 – Asthma and Allergy
  • 27 February 2023 – Epilepsy
  • 28 February 2023 – Diabetes
  • 2 March 2023 – Asthma and Allergy
  • 5 June 2023 – Epilepsy
  • 6 June 2023 – Diabetes
  • 8 June 2023 – Asthma and Allergy

Speech & Language Therapy

Strategy Videos Launch - 28 September 2022:

Join Chrissie Houghton, Javairia Mahmood & Vicky Caulfield Speech and Language Therapists, for the launch of an exciting new resource – a set of videos from the SALT Outreach team demonstrating how to work on functional communication skills, i.e., using objects and sensory cues, developing joint attention, using a now and next board.

The webinar is suitable for setting staff and professionals working with children and families, and will run from 16:00-17:00 on Wednesday, 28 September via Microsoft Teams.

Bookings can be made simply by following this link.

Situational Mutism (SM): 

The Situational Mutism (SM) Information Pack is co-produced by Solihull Parent Carer Voice, North Solihull Additional Needs Group, Birmingham Parent Carer Forum, Solihull Inclusion Support Service, Birmingham SEND Therapy Team, Birmingham and Solihull Educational Psychology Services and NHS Birmingham and Solihull.

The creation of this pack followed feedback from Birmingham and Solihull Parent Carers that there was insufficient information on how to obtain support for children, young people and young adults with Situational Mutism in Birmingham and Solihull.  It was designed to collate good quality advice and information for parent carers, professionals, and young people.   

The pack includes:

  • Information about Situational Mutism and how it presents
  • Feedback from young people on their experience of Situational Mutism
  • Advice and guidance for professionals and parent/carers
  • Signposting to resources for young people, professionals and parent carers

To support in ensuring this information reaches a wide audience, please share across teams, networks, schools and early years settings. 

We would be delighted to receive feedback on the contents of the pack and which can be provided by simply completing a three question survey by following this link. Feedback will be reviewed in Autumn Term 2022.

Birmingham Virtual School Pupil Premium Plus for Children in Care Surveys

Birmingham Virtual School invites you to participate in a Pupil Premium Plus survey for Children in Care and Previously Looked After Children.

All responses will help find the best ways to support in making the most effective use of these funds to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

The surveys will take between 10 and 20 minutes to complete and will close on 1 October 2022.

If you need help completing the survey or would like to discuss any practice following completion please contact your Birmingham Virtual School Officer.

Survey 1 - for Designated Teacher:

We would encourage you to add the details of your finance manager/bursar to the ePEP target setting page.

To access Survey 1 for Designated Teacher simply follow this link.

Survey 2 - for School Finance Officers/Bursars/Business Managers:

Please note this is only applicable for schools and settings of Statutory Age.  

To access the survey please click on either the link below or use the QR Code.

To access Survey 2 for School Finance Officers/Bursars/Business Managers simply follow this link.

Person-Centred Review (PCR) Facilitator Training – 1 & 2 November 2022

This course is for Education, Health and Social Care professionals, working with young people and their families, who wish to increase parental engagement and ensure the views of children and young people are gathered and used effectively.

Pupil and School Support offer a two-day course which provides professionals with a range of person-centred tools to develop pupil voice and parental engagement, and full training for facilitation of Person-Centred Reviews (PCRs).

Course Outcomes:

Day 1 – An introduction to the principles of person-centred practice and a range of practical person-centred thinking tools. Tools and knowledge support gathering the views of children and young people and increase parental engagement.

Day 2 – An understanding of the process and principles of Person-Centred Reviews (PCRs); Training in facilitation skills; Practical application of the PCR process and how to use information gathered to inform statutory requirements.

For more information please email PSSinfo@birmingham.gov.uk or follow this link to book your place.

Early Education Entitlement - 30 Hour Information Sessions for Schools

  • Do you offer the Extended Entitlement (30 hours) for your 3 and 4-year olds?
  • Do you want to know more about how to manage your 30-hour applications for your parents? Are you responsible for census or parent enquiries?
  • Are you a new member of staff and want to know more?

We are offering three 30 hour Information Sessions explaining how parents can apply, how they manage their 30 hour codes and what you should be doing in order to receive funding for them.

Sessions will last approximately 45 minutes and run from the beginning of the Autumn term. They will provide an opportunity to ask questions and signpost to links to assist in providing support to parents to access information.

Session Dates and Times:

  • Thursday, 22 September 11:00-12:00
  • Tuesday, 27 September 13:30-16:30
  • Friday, 30 September 10:30-11:30

Please book your place by simply following this link.

Hear the Lived Experiences of DI Warren Hines Who Describes His Autism as a 'Gift'

Operational Development & Learning, West Midlands Police invite you to hear the lived experiences of DI Warren Hines who describes his autism as a gift. 

Warren will be presenting a live webinar on Thursday, 20 October 2022 between 10.00-11:45 giving a rare opportunity and insight into the lived experiences of Autism enabling us to recognise the struggle of others and to remember the importance of building a fair and just society through the inclusion of everyone. It honours our Neurodiverse communities and showcases the gifts that Autism can bring. The talk will be impactive, helping to equip you with a greater understanding of inclusivity that can better shape our future.

Warren states: "I am Autistic and for me the world is generally a confusing mass of people, events and places that I do not fit into. Like other Autistic people I have spent my life imitating neurotypical people to ensure that I am accepted, masking the traits that would identify me as being Autistic. This can have a catastrophic affect upon mental well-being, especially when the mask slips. Depression and anxiety have been my constant companions throughout life, however I wouldn’t trade being Autistic for anything".

You can register for the webinar by following this link

Aspire To Engineer: Cars - What's Next?

Linda Zhang is Chief Engineer for Ford creating an electric version of the USA’s most popular vehicle. Joining live from the US, Linda will answer your students’ questions, explain her revolutionary work that landed her on the cover of Time magazine, and inspire your class to design vehicles that could change the world.

During this one hour session, students will also take part in an engineering challenge of their own and design a car of the future. Every class that submits a design will receive an Aspire to Engineer certificate. Classes that take their designs further will be in with the chance of winning an exciting prize.

This event is open to students in KS2 and KS3. The event will take place on 29 September at 14:00 GMT on Zoom. Can’t make the 29th? Email your school name to engineer@big-ideas.org for priority access to the spring and summer events.

Places are limited, so please sign up now for the autumn event.

Aspire to Engineer is funded by the Royal Commission of 1851 and delivered by Big Ideas. Sign up here.

Assistive Technology for Literacy Event - 5 October 2022

This is a free event to be held at Prince Albert High School which will include outside speakers and a marketplace for settings to visit throughout the afternoon to gain further information and insight into the assistive technology available to support pupils with literacy difficulties. It aims to support settings and teaching practitioners make decisions about how they can help the learners with literacy difficulties through the integration of assistive technology.

To book onto the event or for more information, please email PSSinfo@birmingham.gov.uk or follow this link. 

Metacognition – Applications In Education – 26 September 2022

Metacognition relates to in-depth thinking in which cognitive processes involved in learning are actively controlled. Research has shown that teaching students metacognitive strategies can improve learning. This course will explore how your students may have greater control over their own thinking and learning activities leading to deeper learning experiences.

To book on to the course please follow this link. 

School Staff Training Delivered by Team Modeshift

This term, Birmingham City Council officers will deliver three fantastic CPD sessions in the form of online webinars, which will run from 15:45-16:30:

  • Wednesday, 21 September: Getting Started with Modeshift STARS
  • Wednesday, 19 October: Road STARS in preparation for Road Safety Week in November
  • Wednesday, 16 November: Getting Accredited with Modeshift STARS

Our Road STARS session will:

  • Build teacher confidence in delivering a lesson on road safety. 
  • Provide you with handy lesson plans and resources, saving you vital preparation time.
  • Provide a foundation for pupils to learn more about keeping themselves safe when out and about
  • Provide further information about Modeshift STARS the national award scheme that supports and rewards schools for taking steps to promote safer, greener, healthier travel

Our getting started and accredited with Modeshift STARS sessions will

  • Provide a rundown of how to navigate the Modeshift STARS website
  • Give you hints and tips of how you can get the most out of Modeshift STARS
  • Help you to get started with creating a travel plan for your school
  • Ideas of exciting things that your school could get involved with

All CPD sessions are 45 minutes long, take place after the school day and best of all, they are FREE to attend!

To register for any of these sessions please email connected@birmingham.gov.uk

West Midlands Police Museum – ‘Free’ Teachers’ Open Day

Due to the National Day of Mourning on Monday, 19 September, this event will now take place on Friday, 23 September 2022.

Teachers and other education representatives can book up to two free tickets for a visit which will include a guided tour and an opportunity to meet with their Engagement Officer and the team to see what the museum can offer.

Tickets are limited. Book now using this link: Teachers' Open Day - West Midlands Police Museum or contact Archie for further details on 07775 557339.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This entry was posted by Dawn Evans on 15/09/2022.