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What is the SEND Local Offer?


Click here for our: SEND Local Offer Guide 2024

The Wokingham Borough SEND Local Offer is for children and young people aged 0 to 25 years with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families.

It helps parents, carers and young people understand what services are available locally and how to access them.The Local Offer can help you:


  • Learn what to do if you're new to SEND
  • Find support if your child or young person needs extra help
  • Get advice for preparing young people for adulthood


To make things easier, we've created a SEND Local Offer Guide (3rd Edition, 2024). It includes information on local organisations and services that can offer support, activities, and help. Thank you to all the local groups and services who provided information for the guide.

To get a hard copy of this guide please email info@sendvoiceswokingham.org.uk


Some useful links to sections in the Wokingham Borough SEND Local Offer here:




SEND Guide for Parents

Click here for our: SEND Guide 2024

We understand that finding information can be tough, so we've created an easy guide for parents and carers of children with SEND. The guide includes links to websites, just click on them for more details.

To get a hard copy of this guide please email info@sendvoiceswokingham.org.uk

Please note, Wokingham Borough Council website was recently updated, so some links may not If you're having trouble finding what you need, contact us at info@sendvoiceswokingham.org.uk.



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


What is a Parent Carer Forum (for professionals)

Working with a Parent Carer Forum (PCF)- this guide is aimed at professionals working in health, (but also in education and social care). It explains what a PCF is, what they are lookingto achieve, what they can offer help with and how best to work withthem.


Demystifying the NHS (for PCFs)

Demystifying the NHS – this explains how the NHS isstructured in terms of Integrated Care Systems, Integrated Care Boards and whattheir roles are, key NHS workstreams and how things are commissioned



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

Preparing for Adulthood 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 Preparing for Adulthood 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

Wokingham Carers Partnership

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

Downs Syndrome


Hearing Impairment

Berkshire Deaf Children's Society

The National Deaf Children's Society


Visual Impairment

Berkshire Vision


General Information

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