Fantastic feedback!

'Dear Jo,

I just wanted to email you to say thank you for the work that you have done with P (EHCP) at XXX. P had been not attending school since December 2022 due to an autistic shutdown.  

After several meetings, home visits, 2 early annual reviews, nothing had changed and P was rarely leaving his room.

One meeting with you and P came back to school the next week and is now attending full time more or less. Not only did you help P, but you were also a great support to mum. 

When P had a wobble after a difficult school trip, you called him and after a chat with you, he was back to school the next day. 

You are everything a SEND Advisor should be and a breath of fresh air.   

Thank you once again and it is great to be working with you.’

"I just wanted to write and say a MASSIVE thank you. There have been many cases where we have co-worked to achieve, what I believe, are best outcomes for our children, but yesterday, after some considerably hard work we managed to get two great results which I wanted to highlight.  

In six and a half years in the company I can honestly say this is the first time that I feel we are back to a relationship with SEND that we had when I came into post, and they were part of the Trust. You have cared so deeply about putting the child at the centre that you have been able to see "outside the box" and made yourself available to talk, attend meetings, advise, guide and explain statutory processes to a range of audiences which has meant we can air challenges and work to resolve them. 

Yesterday you managed to get a case (SMAP) to another local authority's SEND panel. This close to the end of term in itself is a minor miracle. For S who has not attended her allocated school since coming into care in October due to distance and wants to return to her previous school, which is 5 minutes from her placement, this is potentially life changing. Yesterday you were live messaging me, as your discourse with them went along."

The other case is, in my opinion, a real piece of outstanding work (LH). You came on board early last summer when school raised concerns as to whether they could continue to meet need. You took up the mantle and consulted,  to cover every scenario from return to Slough to a variety of other potential placements. 

I feel we have a really good working relationship based on trust and respect and the fact that we are both keeping the child at the centre of decisions. Your tireless energy to achieve good outcomes for our children is so appreciated and I wanted to put in an email how much I appreciate everything you have done, not just for S & L, above, but for all the other Ls and Ses, whether they are children looked after or not, I am certain that Slough children have better outcomes as a result of your work, so THANK YOU.

Leader for EYFS and Primary & SENDCo – Virtual School, Slough Children First.

Feedback from SENCos:

• regarding staff in the Inclusion Team - "I just spoke with Daria. She was so incredibly helpful. Your team has been just brilliant and so patient and knowledgeable with me this week. Maki took so much time and care with my questions regarding access arrangements. I feel very supported and listened to. Thank you!" (November 2023)
• "I am emailing today to say how lovely it has been to work with the Slough Borough Council SEND team since September 2023. The ability to make a phone call knowing the team will call back within that day, has made a world of difference to my mental health and well being. Additionally, working with Sam, Natalie, Jo and Pav has given me tremendous support and has added immensely to my professional development. I have worked in Slough, as a SENDCO, since January 2021, and I have not had this support in this way since I started. Thank you so much."