We are today (25 February) running our first 'Chat with Emma' session in Carlisle with Emma Hamer, Assistant Director for Education, SEND and Inclusion at Cumberland Council.

Emma and the SEND leadership team have been reviewing the data from SENDAC's recent survey reports and the partnership survey around EHCPs and want to hear more about parent/carer experiences with EHCPs and the EHCP process. 

The next session will be in Workington:

 Thursday March 13th, Curwen Room, Workington Library, 10 - 11.30am

We intend to add more sessions in future, and will inform professionals and parents/carers of the dates of these once confirmed. 

Sessions are free to attend, but to let our venues know about numbers we would appreciate parents/ carers who plan to attend registering their interest here.

Please share with any parents/ carers who may be interested in attending. 

These sessions are for parents/ carers who are exploring an autism assessment for their child and would appreciate some support and advice. Please share the below sessions with any parents/ carers who many benefit from attending. 

The sessions are attended by:

• Autism Pathway Navigators
• A Speech and Language Therapist
• An Occupational Therapist
• A Health Visitor

Sessions are for parents/ carers who may be considering an autism assessment for their child, or whose child is at any stage of the assessment process. Children and their siblings are welcome. 

 Thursday 6 March, Penrith Library, 11am - 1pm

 Monday 17 March, Kendal Library, 10am - 12 noon

 Tuesday 1 April, Barrow Library, 12 noon - 2pm

 Thursday 3 April, Sands Centre Carlisle, 10am - 12 noon

 Friday 16 May, Kendal Library, 10am - 12 noon

Young Minds have a blog section, which includes blog posts from young people and parents or family members surrounding mental health. They have recently shared a blog post from Mandy, who shared about her experiences her son's autism diagnosis, and seeking mental health support for him. Mandy found her son's mental health was in rapid decline following the Covid-19 Pandemic. 

You can read Mandy's blog post below; Young Minds have included a number of supportive resources, as well as contact information for mental health charities and helplines who may be able to offer support. This includes the Young Minds parents helpline, which is open 9.30am-4pm, Monday-Friday. The number is 0808 802 5544.