Portsmouth DSA Advisory Publications

An Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document in England for children and young people aged 0 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It describes their specific needs and outlines the extra educational, health, and social care support they must receive from their local authority.

This guidance is intended for parents who are beginning the EHCP process for the first time, as well as for families preparing for an annual review. An annual review should always involve a full review of the provision set out in the EHCP to ensure it continues to meet the child’s evolving needs, rather than simply carrying forward existing arrangements.

This is particularly important when a child is preparing to transition to a new school or college. In these circumstances, the EHCP should be reviewed to ensure that appropriate and sufficient provision is in place to support a successful transition and enable the child or young person to settle into their new educational setting.

If your child is starting school next September, many of you may already have commenced the process in preparation. If not, it is important to act now, as delays may reduce the time available to review and appeal the EHCP, gather supporting evidence, and arrange any private assessments needed to secure suitable provision before the new school year.

Please click on the link below to read the full document.

PDSA Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Guidance for Families

Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association’ s Response to the Down Syndrome Act Guidance Consultation

Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association (Portsmouth DSA) provides specialist services and training to families, as well as to education and health professionals across the South of England and beyond. As one of the UK’s leading specialist school advisory service providers, Portsmouth DSA directly supports successful inclusion in over 100 schools and colleges.

As a co-founder of the National Down Syndrome Policy Group, we work collaboratively to improve policy, provision, and outcomes for people with Down syndrome. We also played a key role in drafting the Down Syndrome Bill and have actively supported its passage through Parliament, as well as the development of the Act’s statutory guidance.

Like other Down syndrome organisations, Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association welcomes the publication of the draft statutory guidance accompanying the Down Syndrome Act 2022. We recognise the significant work undertaken by all to consolidate information relating to people with Down syndrome into a single document and acknowledge this as an important and positive step forward.

We also recognise the leadership and contribution of the National Down Syndrome Policy Group (NDSPG), the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Down Syndrome (APPGDS), and sector organisations such as Down Syndrome UK and the Down Syndrome Research Foundation UK in shaping both the Act and its guidance.

However, drawing on lived experience from families in Portsmouth and the south, alongside national evidence and sector-wide feedback, we have serious concerns that the guidance in its current form does not yet deliver on the ambition or statutory intent of the Act.

People with Down syndrome have recognised and well-evidenced differences in their education, health and speech, language and communication profiles, meaning they typically require approaches that reflect these specific strengths and challenges, not generic ones.

Families are not asking for special treatment; they are asking for fair treatment, rooted in an honest recognition of what works. Without a clear commitment to Down syndrome-specific training and interventions, backed by overwhelming expert research and the voices of more than 70 specialist organisations, UK experts and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Down Syndrome, the Act risks becoming symbolic rather than transformative.

You can find the link to our response here:

Portsmouth DSA – Consultation Response

The Big Screen Film

This week is Down Syndrome Awareness Week and we are delighted our film is being featured by Portsmouth City Council all week in the Guildhall Square, shining a light on some of our work and activities. Didn’t our young people do well! You can catch our film every day, once an hour at 49 minutes past the hour*, every hour, from 7am-11pm between Monday 16^th, Sunday 22^nd March. *There will be a few hours where it’s half an hour out due to BBC news playing throughout the day and it shifts the timings!

Official Opening of Portsmouth DSA HQ by VVIP HRH the Duke of Edinburgh

It was an immense honour and pleasure to welcome HRH, the Duke of Edinburgh, to officially open our Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association centre on the 13th November 2024. His Royal Highness enjoyed a comprehensive tour of our facilities, learning about our vast range of services and initiatives, and exploring the pathway we scaffold from birth through to adulthood, aimed at building skills, confidence, and ambition. HRH enthusiastically participated in our demonstration activities and engaging in meaningful conversations with our families, staff, and volunteers. This visit not only marks a significant milestone in our journey but also reinforces our commitment to work with our members and community to improve provision, opportunities and outcomes.

“I know that the brilliant Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association has been at the leading edge for a long time, and I’m delighted to hear about all your exciting new projects and initiatives.”

HRH, The Duke of Edinburgh

Halloween Party 2024!

Boo-yah! What a spook-tacular gathering of families at our annual Halloween bash with costumes to die-for! It was certainly a graveyard smash! Always a pleasure to welcome our teenage buddies from King Edward VI School Southampton. Massive thanks to our incredible hosts at RN HMS Nelson for providing a delicious hot supper and for their and continued generosity, to Sarah at @ribbonandair for donating the most spectacular balloon decorations (truly out of this world!) to Wes Skelly the most popular DJ!! Huge thanks also to Stacey and our fab events volunteer team for putting together a dead brilliant event! #PortsmouthDSA #HalloweenParty2024 #BooCrew #TrickOrTreat