I have attended planning meetings for our inclusive island at this year’s River Festival, we are about to open our brand new changing place toilet and work should be commencing on our sensory garden in the next few months. There is always something exciting going on in the world of SEND and I hope that you feel able to be part of it and shape the future, make sure you contact the local offer if there is anything you would like to see across Bedford Borough this year.

We are also part of the SEND and AP Change Programme Partnership, which is a chance to test the government’s reforms which they hope will improve the current system for children and young people with SEND and their families. More information on this is contained within, however I take our role in testing these reforms very seriously – we know that the system is not working as well as it should be for all children across England and we want to be sure that whatever we test in these reforms gives open and honest feedback to national decision makers. There is real strain across the entire SEND system which we are also feeling here in Bedford Borough, however I am clear that the only way to truly address these issues is by continuing to have open and honest dialogue and coproduction with parent carers and the practitioners delivering services on the front line. Our commitment to this in Bedford Borough is unwavering.

Best wishes

Chris

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A young person must:

• Be aged 14 years old and over
• Have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
• Live within Bedford Borough

What is Independent Travel Training?

Independent Travel Training is the teaching of the skills required to enable an individual with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to start travelling independently and safely to and from school/college or place of work and within their local community with confidence.

Travel Training involves teaching an individual to walk a particular route or travel by public transport, some methods of transport

How to make a referral for Independent Travel Training?

A young person or someone on behalf of a young person (a parent/carer or professional) can refer for independent travel training, by visiting the Independent Travel Training page on the Local Offer

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