What is the Local Offer?

The Local Offer provides information on the services in the Wokingham Borough available for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) from birth to 25. The Local Offer was published as part of the SEND reforms under the Children and Families Act 2014.


Local Offer Guide booklet

Local Offer Guide 2022 (update from 2021)

Local Offer Guide 2021

During Covid we were not able to run our Local Offer Live event so instead, we have produced these Local Offer Guides.

Although not exhaustive, it gives you information about some of the organisations and services locally that can provide activities, help, information and support to you and your child aged 0-25years with any Special Educational Need and/or Disability.

Thank you to all the local groups and services who provided information for the guide.

Thank you also to Pam Breslin and the team at the CAN Network who we have worked in partnership with to post the guide to all those registered with the CAN Network. If you would like to receive a hard copy of this guide please email us at info@sendvoiceswokingham.org.uk to request your copy


More links to our Local offer here:

Wokingham Borough Council Local Offer

Local Offer What's On Guide


Local Offer Survey


How will the Local Offer help me?

  • Provide you with clear and accurate information about the local education, heathland care services making it easier to choose and access the services you need.
  • Help you find the nearest and most suitable services, support groups and leisure activities.
  • Make service provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations

What makes the Local Offer different?

It is more than a directory of services. It brings everything together in one place. It provides all the information you need to help you identify suitable support. You can then make informed decisions about the resources needed, to enable the child or young person with SEND to participate and achieve their outcomes.

The Local Offer is being collaboratively developed by children, young people, their parents and their carers.

The Local Offer will inform joint planning and commissioning of services within Education, Health and Social Care. It is constantly developing based on the feedback received by the local authority.




SEND Guide for Parents

SEND Guide 2023

We know finding information can be difficult so we have produces a quick and easy guide for parents & carers of children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). You can click on the links in the guide to take you to the websites listed and further information.

We know that the Wokinghma Borough Council website is currently being updated and after June 2023 some of the links may not work. Please contact us (info@sendvoiceswokingham.org.uk) if you are having problems finding the information you need.



Information Leaflets

We have produced some information leaflets with QR links to webpages to give you more information on help and services that are available for families in the Wokingham Borough.

When your child needs extra help at school - Special Educational Needs Support for Children & Young People with SEND in the Wokingham Borough

When you need a break from your caring responsibilities - Short Breaks & Respite for Children & Young People with SEND in the Wokingham Borough

When your child has health problems - Health Support for Children & Young People with SEND in the Wokingham Borough

When you need Early Years Support of 0-5's - Support for children with SEND & their families in the Early Years in Wokingham Borough


Admission Avoidance - How to avoid mental health admissions for young people with autism and or a learning disability.

A video produces by the South East Parent Carer Forum network is here: SE Admission Avoidance video

A flip book produced by the South West Parent Carers Forums is here: Admission Avoidance Flip-book

Ordinarily Available & Graduated Response

This is a benchmark / baseline / common set of expectations about the provision that should be made for all children and young people within early education settings, schools, academies, free schools and colleges of further education.

WBC Ordinarily Available
WBC Ordinarily Available for Early Years & PVI's (pre school age)


Early Years

WBC Support for Early Years children with SEND who live in Wokingham - Information for Parents

Preparing for Adulthood

Wokingham's Preparing for Adulthood - Parent's Guide







Links & Support Groups

SENDIASS - Impartial Information Advice & Support about SEND

SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service, formerly Parent Partnership) provide impartial advice and information to parent and carers of children who have SEND.

Email: sendiass@wokingham.gov.uk

Website: www.sendiasswokingham.org.uk

Telephone: 0118 908 8233


The CAN (Children with Additional Needs) Network

The Wokingham Borough Council Children with Additional needs (CAN) Network is an information and support service for children and young people with additional needs and their families.


Looking after parent carers - Wokingham Carers Partnership

Wokingham Carers Partnership (Age UK Berkshire, Promise Inclusion& Berkshire Youth) provide Information and advice support including :finding services & help, your health & wellbeing, connecting with other carers and understanding your rights.

Age UK Berkshire (lead contact for all carers age 19+)

www.ageukberkshire.org.uk

email: carers@ageukberkshire.org.uk

Tel: 0118 959 4242

Promise Inclusion (Carers of children and adults with a learning disability and/ or autism)

www.promiseinclusion.org

email: admin@promiseinclusion.org

Tel: 0300 7778539


Benefits Advice

Contact for Families offer information and support for help with accessing government benefits for children with SEND.

website: www.contact.org.uk

Contact Benefits & Financial Advice


Wokingham Borough Council Useful Links

Short Breaks & Respite Care

Provides fun, leisure and social activities for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities outside of the school day. There are certain criteria to be able to access Short Breaks, emails the for more information: Wokingham Short Breaks & Respite Care Tel:0118 974 6881/ 0118 974 6890

Benefits Service

For Housing, Council Tax and other benefits: WBC Benefits Tel: 0118 937 3707

Children with Disabilities Team

Provide services for disabled children up to 18 years: WBC CWD Team Tel: 0118 974 6881/ 0118 974 6890

Deputy's Office.

Contact WBC to request the Deputy's Office: Contact WBC Tel: 0118 974 6000

Duty Triage & Assessment Team Early Help and Social Care

Support for Families for Children with SEND: WBC Duty Triage Tel: 0118 908 8002

Health & Social Care Hub

For referral to Adult Social Care (Age 18 +) for those not already known to social care services: WBC Health & SC Hub

Housing Register

WBC Housing Register Tel: 0118 974 6000

Transition Team

Make sure all young people and their parents or carers get the information, Advice And support they need when moving from Children's Social Care Services to Adult Social Care services: WBC Transition Team Tel: 0118 974 6832

Transport - School & College

Information about school & college transport including SEN Travel Assistance: WBC School & College Transport . Email: CTU.Group@wokingham.gov.uk

Transport & Travel Passes (Adults)

To apply for travel & transport passes for those eligible: WBC Adult Transport

SEND Team

Undertakes the EHC Needs Assessment, arranges any necessary provision in and EHCP and organises the EHCP Annual Review: WBC SEND Team Tel: 0118 974 6216


Other Local Authorities

Reading Borough Council

Bracknell Forest Council


Charities/Support Groups

All Disabilities

Building for the Future

Camp Mohawk

Dingley's Promise

Parenting Special Children

Me 2 Club

Wokingham Healthwatch

TuVida - Wokingham Outreach Carers Service

Just Around the Corner (JAC)

REMAP

Thrive


Autism/ ADHD

National Autistic Society

Autism Berkshire

ASD Family Help

The Autism Group

ASSIST

Kimel Foundation


Physical Disabilities


Learning Disabilities

Promise Inclusion (formerly Wokingham & Bracknell Mencap)

CLASP

Rose Buddies

Downs Syndrome


Hearing Impairment

Berkshire Deaf Children's Society

The National Deaf Children's Society


Visual Impairment

Berkshire Vision


General Information

Thinking ahead : ABOUT ME a planning guide for families

National Network of Parent Carer Forums

Local Offer Jargon Buster

The Local Offer Survey

COVID 19 Information, Advice & Resources

Covid-19 Quick Reference Guide for SEND Families (Jan 2021)

Easy Read Guide to Covid-19 Vaccination

Top Tips for Autistic & ADHD Children returning to school in September 2020

Education Psychology - Information packs for parents on:Sleep, Supporting ADHD, Mindfullness, Balancing Anxiety, Parents & Carers

#Coping Young Persons Guide (Senior school age) - Information from CCG & WBC

#Coping guides that are aimed at CYP and their families. Public health information to keeping yourself and family/ friends well during our lock down period and phases. - Primary age & Secondary age

WBC SEND Team - Parents Q&A's

Easy Read Social Distancing

Easy Read Corona Virus & Mental Health

#Coping Family life during the lockdown - Information from CCG & WBC

WBC Children with Disabilities Team - Parents Q&A's

CAMHS Prescriptions during Covid-19

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust CYPIT Services during Covid-19

Wokingham Borough Council

Wokingham Voluntary Sector Useful Contacts during Covid 19

AnDy Clinic - Supporting Children & Young people with worries about Covid-19

Dingley's Promise - Support for any 0-5 year old with SEND

Hospital Communication Passport & information

Council for Disabled Children (CDC) COVID-19 Support and Guidance

IPSEA update on COVID-19, school closures and SEN provision

UK Gov Guidance - COVID-19: residential care, supported living and home care guidance

Downs Syndrome UK

Mencap

Carers UK

Well Child (National Charity for Sick Children)

NHS Easy Read/photo posters: How to stay safe, Coronavirus and Health issues, What if you get ill?

Information from Wokingham ASSIST (Social Stories etc)

The following resources may be helpful to you when explaining about the coronavirus COVID-19 to your children and young people. Hopefully, alongside showing the importance of washing hands etc., it may also be helpful in allaying some anxieties.

As always with a generic written story – you may have to change language and/or adapt the story to suit your needs, but the basic information is there! Have a look and hopefully one or two will be useful to you.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51734855 - BBC news article with visuals on washing hands and keeping safe – also parental advice to keep it simple!

https://www.sensoryintegration.org.uk/News/8821506 - hand washing tips for an individual with sensory difficulties

https://carolgraysocialstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Pandemics-and-the-Coronavirus.pdf - a social story written by Carol Gray

https://www.facebook.com/pg/LittleMiraclesCentre/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2982849081766593 – a social story from a special school

https://harborschool.com/2020/03/13/the-autism-educator-coronavirus-social-story-amanda-mcguinness/ - a social story written by Amanda McGuinness

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Coronavirus-Social-Story-5314771 - a teaching resource to download

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus?t=1584348144350 – a comic strip story from the USA


Home Education, Activities & Resources

Here are some useful links to for activities and educational resources while schools are closed:

Gina Davis Autism Centre - Ideas for all children with attention or listening difficulties

School is closed explanation graphic

WBC Educational Psychology Tips for Families

Online resources:

- BrainPop
- Curiosity Stream
- Tynker
- Outschool
- Udemy
- iReady
- Beast Academy (Math)
- Khan Academy
- Creative Bug
- Discovery Education

YouTube Channels:
- Crash Course Kids
- Science Channel
- SciShow Kids
- National Geographic Kids
- Free School
- Geography Focus
- TheBrainScoop
- SciShow
- Kids Learning Tube
- Geeek Gurl Diaries
- Mike Likes Science
- Science Max
- SoulPancake

Lots of board games, library books (and Kindle), tinkering/upcycling with household junk, etc.
Some resources to help with kids at home:

*Scholastic has created a free learn-from-home site with 20+ days of learning and activities.

https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/…/learnathome.html

*Pretend to travel the world..Go on a virtual tour of these 12 famous museums.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/…/museums-with-virtual-tou…

*This is the awesome free curriculum that we use. Everything from preschool activities to 12th grade is here!

https://allinonehomeschool.com/

*List of thinking games by grade: https://allinonehomeschool.com/thinking/

**More awesome free learning websites that we like to use**

https://www.starfall.com/h/

https://www.abcya.com/

https://www.funbrain.com/

https://www.splashlearn.com/

https://www.storylineonline.net/

https://pbskids.org/

https://www.highlightskids.com/

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

https://www.coolmath4kids.com/

http://www.mathgametime.com/

https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/

http://www.literactive.com/Home/index.asp

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/

https://www.switchzoo.com/

https://www.seussville.com/

https://www.turtlediary.com/

https://www.e-learningforkids.org/

SEND Voices Wokingham is a Wokingham based, parent led charity. We are the independent voice of families, representing their experiences with the aim to improve lives. SEND Voices Wokingham is a Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

Registered Charity Number: 1201621