The SENAD Group have sponsored a community initiative for young people living the Chaddesden area of Derby.  Sporting Communities helps young people to engage with sports and through this helps tackle anti social behaviour. They use public buildings and open park spaces to provide activities for young people to enjoy, engage and network with each other. Doing this helps to create a more prosperous, cohesive and integrated community.

Also working in partnership with SENAD and Sporting Communities are Pattonair Logistics, based in the City. The funding received from SENAD and Pattonair will enable Sporting Communities to run their project for 20 weeks. The project is being championed by Chaddesden Ward Councillor, Jonathan Smale.

Pictured left to right are representatives from Pattonair, the Sporting Communities Team, Councillor Jonathan Smale and Jenny Fearn Group Marketing Manager and Richard Atkinson Financial Director from the SENAD Group.

For more information about Sporting Communities visit:   www.sportingcommunitiescic.org

Brian Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the SENAD Group joined delegates at the Conductive Education Professional Education Group (CEPEG) 12th annual conference which took place at the Curve Theatre on March 11th. The conference, titled Conductive Education is our Superpower! was hosted by Leicestershire’s conductive education centre Steps and attracted 150 delegates from across the UK.

CEPEG is a professional group that supports the development and practice of conductive Education throughout the UK. Conductive education, which derives from the Peto Institute in Hungary, is a non- medical based developmental aid, which promotes independence for those with conditions like cerebral palsy and is not routinely offered by the NHS. Cerebral Palsy is the most common form of childhood disability affecting 30,000 children in the UK. Conductive Education is one of the few developmental opportunities available, but is not widely known about within the medical profession and society as a whole. There are around 13 Conductive Education centres in the UK, including Steps.

Brian delivered round table discussion titled  ‘The acceptance of Conductive Education in the wider world.’ the discussion explored why conductive education remains relatively unknown despite being present in the UK since the 1960’s.

The Right worshipful Lord Mayor of Leicester Councillor Stephen Corrall opened the conference Steps Patron Rosemary Conley CBE gave the welcome speech.

For more information visit –www.stepscentre.org or www.cepeg.org.uk

One Nine Five, the SENAD Groups transitional home for young adults with learning difficulties and complex needs, has received praise from the Care Quality Commission in their latest inspection report. The home, which is based in Burton on Trent in Staffordshire focuses on the transition of young adults to a more independent life.

Following conversations with staff, parents and other professionals the inspector praised the high levels of committed and well trained staff at the home, the person centred support given to residents to pursue their interests and take part in social activities, the support residents are given to make decisions about their care and support and the willingness of the Registered Manager and her team to listen to and include relatives in the care of their loved ones.

Read the report in full.

Following our application to the UK Home Office to become a Tier 4 (child) licensed sponsor, we are pleased to confirm that our application has been granted and we are now able to consider referrals for our specialist schools from international students.

For more information please contact us Tel: 01332 378840 Email: info@senadgroup.com

Cedar Lodge specialises in the care of young adults aged 19 and 30 years and aims to help them develop the skills required to live with support in the community or to prepare them for life in a suitable residential home.

The focus at Cedar Lodge is to ensure each young adult gets to reach their full potential   regardless of the barriers in their way.

This focus has been highlighted by one of the young adults currently living at Cedar Lodge achieving the required level of competency to self-medicate.

It all started back in June when Julia Hawkes, Health and Well-Being Coordinator, discussed with E the possibility of becoming completely independent to administer her own medication. E had previously shown an amazing knowledge and understanding of how her medication worked and what it was used for.

Martin Bradder, SENAD Group Health, Safety and Well Being Manager was asked to support in the initial assessment and to help complete the risk assessments as this was a first for the SENAD Group.

E passed the first stages with flying colours, passing levels E and D to zoom straight in at level C, finally ending up in September with level A. Level A means that E is not only wholly responsible for all her medication, but she is also responsible for reordering, auditing, stock checking, keeping all areas clean, ensuring the safe management of medication and keys and all communications with her prescribers, so you can really start to see what an accomplishment this has been.

With the help and support of the medication officers, E showed enthusiasm, thoroughness in keeping straight and accurate records and the determination to succeed. Although not all plain sailing, the goal was set and E had her eyes set on completing this amazing achievement.

A presentation and celebration of E’s achievement was held on Thursday 22^nd October where E was presented with a certificate of Achievement by Brian Jones, Chief Executive of the SENAD Group.

During our last academic year Rowden House School held a very successful work experience programme. Three of our post sixteen pupils attended work experience once a week for an hour in two local Bromyard businesses and another in Hope under Dinmore.

Dan went to Holden Vintage and Classic, a mail order motoring company at Linton Trading Estate, where he helped in the warehouse. Dan worked closely with the Holden team, who were brilliant with him, showing him how to pick and pack goods to send all over the world. He particularly enjoyed using the paper shredding machine, quickly picking up which buttons and switches to press to create packing material.

Whitegates elderly care home at the top of the Bromyard by-pass, provided Joanna with an opportunity of being part of their care team; she helped clear tables after lunch and made tea and coffee for the residents, who commented that she was always bright and cheerful. Joanna built up some really nice friendships with both staff and residents who looked forward to her Tuesday afternoon visits.

Prometheus Medical at Hope-under-Dinmore saw John absolutely blossom with confidence as he learned lots of new skills. John was made to feel like one of the team and was given his own company uniform and protective clothing. The staff in the stores really went that extra mile in preparing tasks each week to challenge him. John thoroughly enjoyed every moment he spent there, especially when his weekly task involved one of the many company vehicles.

This year will see the addition of two new work experience placements. One at Warren Farm, working in the polytunnels, under the supervision of James and Tor Hawkins and one at Instone Court, collecting and sorting eggs from Simon and Lenny Parker’s beautiful hens.

I would personally like to thank each and every one of you involved in allowing our young people the opportunity of being part of a real working environment. Placements such as these are of enormous value in helping them to develop interpersonal skills and gain more confidence.

If there are any other businesses out there who feel they may be able offer a work experience placement to one of our students then please contact me at Rowden House School.

Susie Bateman

Work Experience Co-ordinator

Email: susanna.bateman@senadgroup.com

Tel: 01885 488096

Website: senadgroup.com/rowdenhouse

Please note – Young people’s names have been changed to protect identity.