At the last meeting, we were pleased to welcome Yannuka from BuDS along with Leanne and Hannah from the SEND Vaccine Team.
Fair for All:
At the moment the cards are local to Buckinghamshire, but they are working on becoming a national charity in the next few years, dealing with pan disabilities. The scheme came out of the pandemic over concerns about wearing masks. Some people aren’t able to wear them due to sensory issues, not being able to go out, etc. They provided a letters of authority service whereby people had letters to exempt them from wearing masks, to reduce confrontations about going out routines – if people had specific times and places that they needed to stick to. This was also based on the reasonable adjustments under the Equalities Act 2010, then the card grew out of that.
The card itself is a credit card size, with a photo of the holder on the front, and the information about their needs on the back. Each card is specific to each person and their needs. There is a robust process for application, requiring proof from doctors, diagnoses, etc. Disability can limit access to learning and work, and some people might not be able to argue for themselves. The card had the information that a person can show in order to simply communicate their needs. It’s easy for shops, employers, etc., to understand, and for them to be informed that reasonable adjustments is a legal requirement.
Businesses can sign up to be a Partner or Partner Plus. There are free resources and training, plus public recognition, which means they will be identified as a compassionate organisation.
BuDS promotes the card and supports service users during application. They help to support with evidence and documentation from organisations (check website). Partners are currently mainly in Aylesbury and Chesham areas. There is no cost and BuDS can help with complex queries. Partners can engage at their own pace. There is a new database service users can sign up and create a portal where they can upload evidence. BuDs will assess accuracy and credibility. The Chair of Trustees is a Tribunal judge and they are working on getting more qualified people on board. They have been informed that some members have even used their cards abroad.
QU: Could a partner plus organisation (like SPACE) help someone fill out an application? ANS: they are looking at adding a chat bot, but there is a general enquiries number 01494211179 (Voicemail).
QU: Can SPACE sign up as a partner plus? ANS: most partner pluses are charities and services, so yes.
Training for businesses raises awareness about the Equalities Act 2010 and reasonable adjustments. It is also tailored to what the organisation needs. There is a link on their website: http://www.buds.org.uk They are relaunching this month with a portal.
The card is for anyone of any age with a disability. They are also trying to promote it in schools. BuDS have a robust system if an organisation doesn’t accept the card and will support with complaints against those organisations. If a cardholder’s needs change, they can go to the portal, provide evidence, change the needs information and have a new card issued. There is standard information on needs on the portal, but these can of course, be tweaked. It is £5 for a new card. BuDS can provide a letter or print another card if more adjustments are needed.
SEND Vaccine Team:
Leanne and Hannah – nurses
They are keen to expand the service for SEND. Currently they deal with MMR, boosters, HOV, Meningitis, Flu, etc., and they do one big session for a year group, which isn’t always ideal. Covid has changed things a lot in that there is more anxiety. Some don’t leave the house or only do half a day at school, which makes it difficult should a child/young person not be in on the day that they come to do the vaccines. However, they are trying to run more SEND clinics, eg. on Saturdays with a less clinical atmosphere, where they will have more time. They do work with LD nurses, provide sensory lights, even a hide hole, but they are looking for more ideas for reasonable adjustments. Sometimes they can extend to holidays. Key areas right now are Amersham, Rayners Hedge, Aylesbury. Maple Dean Centre has also been used.
They are also struggling with home education, in that they don’t have a comprehensive list of students who are HE.
For feedback, parents can ring them, but there was also a questionnaire handed out in the meeting.