As we come to the end of the first half of the Spring Term here's an update on our activities and what's to come next half-term.
Update on the Wokingham Area SEND Inspection (Ofsted/CQC)
As part of the recent Ar
ea SEND inspection, Ofsted inspectors Jo Petch (Lead HMI) and Hariett Doran (Lead CQC Inspector) met online with SEND Voices Wokingham to hear directly about families lived experiences.
We shared a wide range of feedback gathered from our Annual Survey, termly family feedback, and other surveys (including part-time timetables, alternative provision, short breaks, and home-to-school transport), as well as insights from our wider engagement sessions.
A presentation summarising this feedback was shared with the inspectors, and we would like to thank all the families who contributed their experiences and completed the parent survey. SEND Inspection Presentation to Inspectors
The inspection concluded on Friday 30 January. The inspectors will publish an overall judgement for the Wokingham local area SEND partnership, reflecting how effectively services support children and young people with SEND. The final report is expected around two months after the inspection, and we will share it as soon as it is available.
To learn more about how Area SEND inspections work, parents and carers can watch the Area SEND Inspection Information for Parents & Carers video from Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Slides & Q&As from Zoom update on SEND Improvements with WBC & Health 19th January '26
Thank you to all the families who joined us on the 19th January to hear an update from Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) and Health on local SEND improvements.
The slides presented and the Q&As raised at the event are here:
Zoom Update Slides: Best Start Family Hub Update/ Post 16 Hub and New Special Free Schools - Options Appraisal
Q&As 19th January 2026: SEND Update for Families with WBC & Health 19th January 2026
A snapshot of what was discussed included:
Early Help & Family Hubs Wokingham Post-16 Hub Neurodiversity Transformation Project An update to the 2 new special free schools planned for Wokingham
Questions from families included:
More information about the Post-16 Hub
Opening dates for primary & secondary SEND Units and Resource Bases SEND Team communications Concerns about the high number or refusals to assess for EHCP's and private reports not being accepted ADHD Waiting list when child turns 18
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, SEND Best Start Early Help Steering Group and the WBC Childrens Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee Hosted our SEND Coffee Morning alongside the SENDIASS drop-in sessions every fortnight at Wokingham Youth Centre
Continued our PINS Parent Engagement sessions and working with Health and Wokingham Borough Council to ensure the right support is commissioned to help 30 mainstream primary schools improve inclusion for neurodiverse children Attended the Berkshire Neurodivergent Transformation Programme Board meeting and shared our PINS Autumn Term Feedback Continue to raise concerns about wheelchair services.
Hosted the SEND Support In Shools training for parent carers in partnership with SENDIASS Attended the NNPCF Conference and South East 19 NNPCF Regional Meeting. Contributed to various NNPCF discussions in preparation for the Schools White Paper and SEND Reforms. Attended the WBC SEND Conference
Dates for Next Half-Term
SEND Coffee Mornings & SENDIASS Drop-ins
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 next half-term:
Friday 27th February Tuesday 10th March Friday 27th March
EHCP Process ~ A Parent's Guide (for those going through the EHCP process for the first time)
Tuesday 17th March 7.00 - 8.30pm
EHCPs Annual Reviews ~ A Parent's Guide
Tuesday 24th March - 10.00 -11.30am
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
SVW Events.
