New Local SEND Offer

Tuesday 4 May 10-11am Much-needed additional money for the Local Offer for SEND Children might not be enough to ‘fix’ mainstream schools which off-roll and persistently exclude children who ‘don’t fit the box’.  Instead, CQ says, the SEND Local Offer could be made co-operatively between schools and communities. Join the Zoom chat online to look…Read moreRead more

Develop Local Potential to Serve SEND Children Right

Councils are working out how to spend an increase in the higher needs block funding they get to provide education to SEND children.  In Birmingham, the Council is encouraging mainstream schools to improve the way they serve vulnerable children through partnerships aimed at developing local potential.  In the light of widespread off-rolling of SEND children…Read moreRead more

Celebrating Communities – Grant Update

Wednesday 14 April 2021 6.30-7.30pm online Children’s Quarter wants the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 to welcome and inspire children and young people in the West Midlands including those who are disabled, socially excluded or otherwise part of the 1 in 4 who the Children’s Commissioner says are vulnerable.  One way of making this happen…Read moreRead more

HAF Fund Members’ Update

Thursday 1 April 2021 10-11am online Children’s Quarter has been campaigning to make sure government-funded holiday clubs are inclusive and  that groups with commitment and expertise in inclusive services are involved in delivering them.  Member groups were invited to submit outline expressions of interest to be part of provision of holiday activities and food in…Read moreRead more

Make Holiday Clubs ‘Fit For All’

Children’s Quarter wants SEND children to be able to take part in inclusive holiday clubs funded by government and organised by local councils.  These services are being funded for the most vulnerable young people through government’s Holiday Activities and Food Fund.  We say they should include disabled children and that groups that are committed to…Read moreRead more

Learn for Real, Holford Drive Sports HUB June

Join CQ Members, supporters and guests at Holford Drive Sports HUB in Perry Barr for ‘Learn for Real’ – a series of peer learning events looking at our members’ outstanding practice and experience. Holford Drive is a Community Sports Hub which aims to improve the health and well being of the local community through the provision…Read moreRead more

Learn for Real in Dudley, Postponed

Join other CQ Members, supporters and guests at Sycamore Adventure in Dudley for ‘Learn for Real’ – a series of peer learning events looking at our members’ outstanding practice and experience. Sycamore Adventure is a successful social enterprise and an award-winning adventure playground situated in an area of significant deprivation in North Dudley.  More than…Read moreRead more

It Takes A Village, Birmingham Nov 20 9.30-12.30

introducing asset based commissioning and community investment… It Takes a Village… is Children’s Quarter third annual conference.  We’re focusing on making more of what we share – community assets: families, networks, communities, grassroots groups and schools – making the whole community a classroom.  The event takes place at Edgbaston Community Centre, Woodview Drive, Birmingham B15…Read moreRead more

Welcoming New Members!

Warm welcomes to new members joining the Children’s Quarter co-operative this month: Highbury Orchard Community, the Inclusive Sports Academy CIC; and Charlotte Slater of Urban Heard CIC. Highbury Orchard Community is a community interest company which aims to bring people into contact with Nature through projects, including Forest School, working together and underpinned by Permaculture…Read moreRead more

Suicide Prevention Training, Birmingham 17 Oct

Suicide is the biggest killer of young people in the UK.  At increased risk: disabled children and young people; those who are excluded and feel isolated from society including through autism, mental health or other special needs.  This half-day workshop is aimed at practitioners who come into regular contact with young people but who aren’t…Read moreRead more