As we come to the end of the Autumn Term, we'd like to share an update on what we've been working on and what's coming up next half-term.

PINS - Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools

It has been another busy half-term for the PINS project. We delivered 13 engagement sessions and received lots of positive feedback from parent carers. A big thank you to everyone who attended sessions at their school or joined us online.A summary of our work so far, including examples of good practice and areas for improvement, is available in the PINS Autumn Term Report.This report is also being shared with the team working on the Berkshire Neurodivergent Transformation Programme, helping to ensure that parent carer voices are central to this work.

Your Feedback Matters

A big thank you to all the families who shared feedback this term. This will be presented to the Wokingham Area SEND Assurance Board when it meets again in January. You can read the report here:
Termly Feedback from Families – Autumn 2025 report

Highlights of our Recent Work

Here are some of the other ways we've been supporting and influencing local SEND services:

• Attended key meetings, including the SEND Strategic Partnership Board, SEND Assurance Board, and SEND Early Years Partnership Steering Group
• Joined Holt School's SEND Parents' Evening to talk with families about our work
• Took part in a Wokingham planning event for the Berkshire Neurodivergent Transformation Programme, as well as Board meetings and sessions with other local parent carer forums
• Hosted EHCP Process and Preparing for Adulthood training in partnership with SENDIASS
• Attended a workshop focused on the development of Early Help Hubs and the parent support offer

Dates for Next Half-Term

Zoom Update with WBC & Health on SEND Improvements

We will be joined by representatives from Wokingham Borough Council (SEND, Social Care and Commissioning teams) as well as representative from Health.The session will include an update on:

• Early Help & Family Hubs
• Wokingham Post-16 Hub
• Neurodiversity Transformation Project

Focus Groups - The Proposed re-design of Social Care Teams within Children's Services

In January, we will be holding two focus groups with Estelle Kellaway, WBC Service Director for Family Help and Safeguarding, and Jo Dixon, Participation Manager. These sessions will give parents and carers the opportunity to share their views on the proposed redesign of the Social Care teams within Children's Services and what this could mean for families.More details will be shared very soon.


SEND Coffee Mornings & SENDIASS Drop-ins

From January we will be hosting a coffee morning alongside the SENDIASS drop-in sessions every fortnight at Wokingham Youth Centre, 35 Reading Road, Wokingham RG41 1EG from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

SEND Voices Wokingham will be there to offer a cuppa, a chat and opportunity to connect with other families.Parents and carers can also speak one-to-one with a SENDIASS advisor. No appointment is needed - sessions run on a first-come, first-served basis, with appointments usually lasting around 20 minutes.Dates for the Spring and Summer Terms are listed below:

• Tuesday 13th January
• Friday 30th January
• Tuesday 10th February
• Friday 27th February
• Tuesday 10th March
• Friday 27th March

SENDIASS Training sessions (via Zoom)

• EHCPs Annual Reviews ~ A Parent's Guide
Tuesday 20th January - 10.00 -11.30am

• SEND Support in School ~ A Parent's Guide
Wednesday 11th February - 7.00 - 8.30pm

These FREE training courses for Wokingham Borough parent carers will be run by the team from Wokingham SENDIASS via Zoom.

Please email:lnfo@sendvoiceswokingham.org.uk to book a place