The first SEND Health Exchange
Wirral Council and the NHS recently hosted an event for NHS staff in Wirral and Merseyside. It was a chance for health colleagues to find out more about some of the changes taking place to improve SEND services in Wirral.
The council already hosts regular information sharing sessions for school SENCOS across Wirral schools. The health exchange is set to become a new feature in the calendar. Making sure that all health colleagues are aware of services and initiatives that can help the children and young people they work with. Creating a joined up approach to the offer of SEND services and support in the borough.
Speakers from the council, local charities and the NHS took part in the SEND Health Exchange. Providing updates on key projects, such as:
The changes to the council’s SENDSTART Team.
The Neurodiversity Hub. A new neurodevelopmental resource is being built on SENDLO. The hub will include a range or resources for parents and carers and practitioners. Helping the borough’s neurodiverse children and young people to get the right support they need to thrive. Health colleagues will be contributing to the hub with information from their services. So it was helpful for them to get some background on the project and understand the benefits of the hub to the families that they work with.
The Positivitree talked about their local offer. Discussing how their lived experience helps them to support others on the same journey.
Koala Northwest shared the SEND support they provide to families across Wirral and Cheshire. Highlighting that children and young people don’t need a diagnosis to come to the charity.
Health practitioners also got the chance to discuss the updates, bringing their questions and ideas! It was great to see so many colleagues in the room and we look forward to more events in the future.