Support for children with SEND
News Update
Lumi Nova
Lumi Nova is a new service designed to support young people aged 7-12 (years 3-7) who are experiencing fears or worries; funded by Children and Family Health Devon.
What is Lumi Nova?
Lumi Nova: Tales of courage is an intergalactic adventure game where players step into the shoes of a newly recruited Luminaut and start an exciting adventure through space – travelling to different planets, meeting new characters, solving puzzles and attempting challenges. Lumi Nova supports young people to fight fears & manage worries. Whilst exploring planets, customising characters and earning treasure your child breaks their fears and worries down into manageable steps, learning life-long skills and building resilience.
Lumi Nova is designed for 7 – 12 year olds (school years 3 – 7) who are having difficulties with fears and worries related to social situations, separation or phobias, but may also be helpful for young people outside this age range.
Designed by BFB Labs, Lumi Nova was developed with NHS clinicians and leading academics. It is based upon Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Exposure Therapy which are proven to be effective. Lumi Nova is recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health & Care Excellence) and adheres to strict standards of clinical safety.
How to Access Lumi Nova
To use Lumi Nova you must first register to get a game key by visiting https://childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk/lumi-nova/ and completing a short registration form. You will then receive an SMS message that will guide you through getting started.
Lumi Nova is free to download from the Apple and Google Play Stores and is compatible with iPhones, iPads and most Android smartphones and tablets.
Where can I find out more about Lumi Nova?
• More information about Lumi Nova including FAQs and case studies can be found at luminova.app
• If you have any questions please reach out to the lumi nova team: luminova@bfb-labs.com
• To listen to a short presentation about Lumi Nova you can attend a 30 minute Parent Lumi Nova Discovery Session
Useful Links
Devon’s Local Offer for SEND
Devon’s Local Offer for SEND provides information on the services and support for children with SEND. It includes information on education, health and social care services and how to access them.
The Devon Information Advice and Support (DIAS) Service for SEND
DiAS is an independent organisation that you may find helpful to consult when considering home education. They have produced a guide on home education.
Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD)
Children and Family Health Devon provides community services for children, young people and in their families in Devon (excluding Plymouth). The services include:
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHs) – (emotional health and wellbeing service)
Learning disability and autism spectrum disorders
Community children’s nursing (including specialist school nursing; palliative care)
Speech and language therapy (including Early Years Language Consultant Torbay)
Occupational therapy (NHS and social care)
Physiotherapy, Specialist Children’s Assessment Centres.
For the full range of services please see our website here
Communication and Interaction Team Resources
SEND support for parents and carers is a page where you will find autism resources, Speech, Language and Communication Needs resources and One minute guides
Amazing Things Happen – by Alexander Amelines
Alexander’s film, ‘Amazing Things Happen’ ,gives an uplifting introduction to autism for young audiences, aiming to raise awareness, understanding and tolerance in future generations.
The Devon Autism Card
The Devon Autism Card was started by a dedicated locally based group interested in supporting autistic people. The card allows the holder to inform others (emergency services, medical professionals, members of the public) that they are autistic, so they can change how they interact with the holder. The back of the card has some further advice, a website address to learn more, and a space for the holder to add the name and telephone number of someone who can be contacted in an emergency.
The card is available to
• any autistic person living in the Devon area
• for anyone who identifies as autistic; a diagnosis is not required
• it’s free of charge there are no postage or packaging costs
To request a card send your name and a full postal address (including post code) via any of the following:
Tel: Leave your details on a voicemail by calling 07496496651
E-mail: send your details to autismcard@dimensionsforautism.life
Website: Or apply on the website https://devonautismcard.info/apply
For more information visit www.dimensionsforautism.life
The Home Education Special website
The Home Education Special website is run by a group of families who home educate children with SEND.
NDCS The Buzz: Website for deaf young people
The National Deaf Children’s Society has re-designed its website for deaf young people. The Buzz is the only website for deaf young people aged 8 to 18 in the UK. It is a safe, online space created by deaf young people for deaf young people.
The new features mean that deaf young people now have a platform where they can read inspiring stories, connect with others like them, find the latest information and support, sign up to events, ask questions and get involved. Have a look at this YouTube clip or visit the NDCS website to find out more.
Children and Family Health Devon Autism Assessment Team resources
The Autism Assessment Team has a range of resources on their webpage. They include ‘bitesize videos’ on subjects such as Anxiety in Autism and The PDA profile of Autism. They also have a selection of ‘One Minute Guides’ ranging from Sensory Differences to Social Stories.
Find these and other useful resources on the Autism Assessment Team page.
ICAN’s – Talking Point
Talking Point is there to help parents who are concerned about their child’s development. The website has a wealth of information to help you understand and support children and young people’s speech, language and communication.
Find out more by visiting I CAN’s Talking Point.
Free ‘Introduction to pathological demand avoidance (PDA)’ webinar
The PDA Society has recorded a free 20-minute introductory webinar about PDA.
They discuss:
- what demand avoidance is
- how PDA relates to autism
- the key features of PDA
- why identifying PDA is helpful – and much more
Afasic – voice for life
Afasic is a national charity that supports parents who are concerned that their child has speech, language and communication needs or if their child is not talking or saying as much as other children their age, or both.
Visit the Afasic website to find helpful resources as well as a parents helpline.
Space Youth Services – support for young people with SEND
Space, which delivers our youth services, provides specialist support sessions for young people in Devon with SEND.
The Ambassador Volunteer Project
The Ambassador Volunteer Project connects parents within their own communities and more widely into a network across Devon. Ambassador volunteers are based in communities across the county. Some are mums and dads of children with SEND and some are professionals and support staff who work with them. What they all have in common is a desire to help families and an understanding of what life is like with a child with special educational needs.
Volunteers share information from DiAS about all kinds of SEND issues and help parents to access DiAS services. This means parents get the most up-to-date information and support to help them make decisions and understand what’s happening to their family. They also help parents share their views about Devon services and support through the local Parent Carer Forum. This is a great way to influence policy and change the way services work for children and young people with SEND in Devon.
Positive Approaches to Support
A new Positive Approaches to Support website has been set up for families who care for children, young people or adults with a learning disability or developmental difficulty (including those who are autistic).
You will find information about positive approaches for supporting your own wellbeing and supporting choice, independence and communication for your relative. You will also find information about how to support your relative if they display behaviours that challenge.
There is a mixture of reading material, videos and printable tools, with links to other resources and organisations. Everything on the website has been created by experienced family carers and professionals working together.
Books Beyond Words
Books Beyond Words has produced a range of free picture stories and illustrated guides to support people with learning disabilities and autism through difficult times and situations, including the coronavirus pandemic and the Ukraine war, for example.
Learning Disability Annual Health Checks
Did you know that anyone aged 14 or over with a Learning Disability is entitled to a free Annual Health Check at their GP surgery?
People with a learning disability face many health inequalities and die younger than the general population.
The Annual Health check is a full physical check covering all areas of health, including lifestyle advice and screening, questions about mental health and relationships, medication review and offering vaccinations.
Anyone on the Learning Disability Register will be invited every year.
If you or someone you know with a Learning Disability has not been invited, then please check that you are on your GP’s Register by contacting your surgery.
More information can be found on the Mencap advice and support page
EHCP Information
Visit the links below to find information regarding Education Health Care Plans:
DiAS EHC needs assessment information page
DCC Request an EHC Needs Assessment