Pinpoint are winding down for the summer holidays. We wish you all a restful break and look forward to working with you again in the Autumn term.
News
Newletter and mailings: https://www.pinpoint-cambs.org.uk/monthly-newletter-mailing-list/
August evening and daytime Pinpoint workshops ( exploring the Local Offer together)
Throughout August we will be running some evening and daytime workshops where we will be exploring the Councils ‘Local Offer’ together. Ideally these needs to be booked in advance, however feel free to just pop in if no time to book! Dates, venues and times are as follows:
WHITTLESEY
12th August – Whittlesey Library , 31 – 35 Market St, Whittlesey, Peterborough PE7 1BA
Pinpoint drop-in – Exploring the Local Offer 10.30-1.30
BOTTISHAM
14th August – Bottisham Village College Lode Road, Bottisham, Cambridge CB25 9DL
Pinpoint drop-in – Exploring the Local Offer 10.30-1.30
WISBECH
15th August – Queen Mary Centre Queens Road, Wisbech PE13 2PE
Pinpoint drop-in – Exploring the Local Offer 10.30-1.30
CHATTERIS
26th August – King Edward Community Centre, Cranes Yard Railway Lane, Chatteris PE16 6NF
Pinpoint drop-in – Exploring the Local Offer 5pm-8pm
LITTLEPORT
28th August – Family gathering with Highfield Ely and Littleport at Pocket Park, Ely 11-2
MARCH
29th March Community Centre 34 Station Road, March PE15 8LE
Pinpoint drop-in – Exploring the Local Offer 5.30 pm-8.30 pm
All sessions are free, we provide refreshments as well! To book one or more of the above sessions, email esther@pinpoint-cambs.org.uk or simply drop in!
If there is subject that you think would make a perfect future workshop that you would attend, let Esther know: esther@pinpoint-cambs.org.uk
19/20 Financial Assessment Charge Letters
Is your child/YP in receipt of a ‘Financial Assessment Letter’. Have you received a letter like this and believe it is not correct or have questions about the calculations or content?
Based on the level on of support you receive, your income, capital or savings contributions must be calculated and contributions made towards the cost of your care. These calculations are means tested. You may have received a letter to let you know about the annually uplifted client contribution and what do to, these letters are sent to service users or their financial / legal representatives or someone who has the authority to deal on your behalf if you are over 18 and lack mental capacity.
We are aware that in some instance’s letters may have been issued where calculations are not correct. We would urge you to not sit and worry but call financial assessment department (number on the letter) for more information and to speak with a representative.
- For more information – https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/adults/organising-care-and-support/paying-for-care/
- https://www5.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/site/custom_scripts/fid/fid_details.aspx?ID=153260
- For independent advice contact LGSS – https://www.lgss.co.uk/services/
Update from The Social and Education Transport Team
Transport for September
The Social and Education Transport Team would like to pass on this message that they will be working all summer, due to the amount of peak work and organisation of efficient routes, some parents may not be informed of their new operators until later in the holiday.
Meet and greets will take place, this can be arranged by parent/carers or transport providers.
The team would also like to inform parents that the companies themselves must recruit and put their staff through CCC DBS clearance and acquire suitable vehicles, which is why there is sometimes a delay in being able to share information as quickly as parents would like during the holidays.
If at all concerned please contact your transport provider and/or the Social and Education Transport Team, details below.
Main SEND officers are:
Pam Baugh, pam.baugh@cambridgeshire.gov.ik
Hayley Lines, hayley.lines@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Helen Treeby, helen.treeby@cambridgeshire.gov.uk, Helen covers SEND CRC & HRC campus
Susan Warburton, susan.warburton@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. Susan deals with SEND post 16 payments and Parental Transport Budgets
Lillian Grainger, Lillian.grainger@cambridgeshire.gov.uk, Lillian deals with LAC clients
The main office numbers are:
01223 715596
01223 715601
01223 715600
Parents/carers may also email the team edtransport@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
There is a new safeguarding leaflet for transport providers, this will be shared separately very soon.
Concerns around transport can be directed to SENTAS – SEN Transport Advocacy Service http://sentas.co.uk/
Thank you Morrisons!
Pinpoint Charity receives £5,000 from Morrisons Foundation
The Morrisons Foundation has donated £5,000 to Pinpoint a local charity that helps parents who have children with additional needs and disabilities in Cambridgeshire.
The support from Morrisons Foundation will enable play and activity sessions to be arranged for younger service users for a 12 month period. The additional activity sessions will provide some much needed support for parents of children with special needs, where they can get advice and information from the staff at the charity whilst their children have a great time playing with other youngsters in a safe environment.
Sarah Conboy, CEO of Pinpoint was thrilled to receive the donation, “Thanks to this great support from the Morrisons Foundation, not only can we offer more opportunities for children to play, but we can take the time to speak to parents to offer our support on how they can help their youngsters to achieve their potential.”
“This very generous donation will make a significant positive difference in helping us support more parent carers and help them to find the right services for their children earlier. It can be a real challenge to know who to ask for what help and we will use this money to help get information to families when they need it. On behalf of all those Morrisons will help us reach through this money, a huge ‘thank you’”.
Denise Gable, Community Champion at the Morrisons store in St. Ives presented the donation to the charity, “I’m really pleased that we were able to help such a great local charity. Knowing that our support will make a genuine difference to children with additional needs and disabilities and their parents really does make me proud. Helping local charities is at the heart of what the Foundation is all about and I’m so happy that we can provide this grant.”
The Morrisons Foundation was set up by Morrisons supermarket in 2015 and awards grants for charity projects which help improve people’s lives. Since launching over £26 million has been donated to hundreds of charities across England, Scotland and Wales.
Local charities are encouraged to visit www.morrisonsfoundation.com to find out how to apply for a grant
New Dyslexia Guidance
We are delighted to announce Cambridgeshire Dyslexia Guidance has been updated
Thank you to all who responded to the Local Authorities Dyslexia survey. As a result of this the Cambridgeshire Dyslexia Guidance has now been updated. The main changes include: separating the guidance from the research document, writing a ‘quick guide’ for parents and improving links to the most up-to-date websites. We are delighted that the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) continues to commend the Cambridgeshire literacy difficulties/dyslexia guidance.
This document has been written to provide guidance to professionals and parents on the most current approaches to support the successful inclusion and attainment of children and young people with dyslexia. The document forms part of the wider Cambridgeshire Local Offer which covers information on the local provision for Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability. It is a working document and will be reviewed biennially, or sooner if there is significant new research.
To view this new guidance, click on the link: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/localofferpathway
Welcome new staff members Laura and Linda
A warm welcome to two new team members for Pinpoint in 2019!
Linda Green is former Pinpoint Trustee and spent fourteen years with Papworth Trust. She will be joining us as our Volunteer and Engagement Manager, working alongside new and old Pinpoint volunteers, ensuring parents voices continue to be heard, whilst engaging in activities to increase awareness in the wider community. Did we also mention she is Jonnie Peacock’s mum?!
Laura Potter has previously worked for Core Assets as an Independent Supporter and joins us as our new communications officer. She will be working on all things communication, increasing our reach to parents and carers, and also ensuring that parents and professionals work together and all voices are heard.
We look forward to working alongside them both in the future.
Pinpoint Trustees Wanted
Ever thought of becoming a trustee for Pinpoint? Fancy getting involved and making a difference? Now could be your chance!
If this is of interest and you’d like more information about what’s involved, come and chat to a member of the Pinpoint team at the conference on 1st February 2019
Pinpoint needs you!!
Celebrating our first decade of support
Read all about our Tenth Birthday celebration and how Pinpoint has gone from a kitchen table dream into the charity you know today.
Take a look at our first decade feature
Cambridgeshire Accessibility Guide
A accessible guide to Cambridgeshire is launching – listing over 2000 places in Cambridgeshire. You can check out everything from parking to hearing loops, walking distances and accessible toilets.
It’s totally free and available at www.AccessAble.co.uk where you can also download the AccessAble App from the Apple and Google stores.
