Thank You for Your Support
Now we are at the end of another academic year, we want to thank you for your continued support. Whether you filled out our Annual SEND Survey (there is still time if you haven't - closing date Friday 31st July!), joined a focus group, or shared your experiences in other ways, your input has been vital in making sure parent carers' voices are heard as we work to improve SEND services across the Borough.
A Busy Term Shaping the Future of SEND Services
This term, two major areas of work have been a key focus for SEND Voices Wokingham as we continue to represent the experiences of local families and influence improvements across the SEND system.
Area SEND Priority Action Plan
Wokingham's Area SEND Priority Action Plan has been developed in response to the findings of the joint Ofsted and CQC Area SEND Inspection. The plan focuses on addressing the most urgent areas for improvement, including:
- Improving wheelchair services.
- Developing a robust Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA).
- Improving the quality and timeliness of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
You can read the full plan on the Wokingham Area SEND Priority Action Plan page.
The SEND Area Improvement Board now has an independent Chair and, alongside the Area SEND Assurance Board, will meet monthly to monitor progress against the plan. SEND Voices Wokingham has representatives on both boards to ensure the experiences and feedback of local families continue to shape improvements.
Local Area SEND Reform Plan
Wokingham Borough's Local Area SEND Reform Plan was formally approved and submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) on 19 June. The plan sets out how Wokingham will develop a more inclusive SEND system and is supported by a Government funding agreement to increase local provision and address financial pressures.
The key principles of the Reform Plan are:
- Needs-led support – ensuring children and young people receive support based on their individual needs, rather than waiting for a formal diagnosis.
- Inclusive mainstream education – enabling more children to learn in their local community alongside their peers.
- Early intervention – identifying needs early and delivering consistent, high-quality support across education, health and social care.
- Trust and fairness – creating a more transparent and equitable system that works better for families.
Details of Wokingham's Reform Plan were shared with families during the WBC & Health Update for Families on 2 June, with a further update presented to the Schools Forum on 8 July. We will share details of the final plan as soon as it is available.
Keeping Families Involved
Over the coming months, we will be working closely with the Area SEND Partnership to develop regular communications for families and ensure there are meaningful opportunities to help shape both the Priority Action Plan and the SEND Reform Programme.
This will include regular update sessions with Wokingham Borough Council and Health representatives, both in person and online, so families can hear about progress, ask questions, and continue to influence improvements.
To learn more about how the Area SEND Partnership Boards work, who is involved, and to read the latest meeting minutes, visit the:SEND boards: how partners work together page
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 next week. You can read the report here: Termly Feedback from Families – Summer 2026 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 Priority Action Plan, SEND Area Improvement Board, SEND Assurance Board, Wokingham Wellbeing Board, Children & Young Peoples Partnership Board, Best Start Early Help Steering Group, Wokingham Autism Joint Planning Group, Berkshire Neurodivergent Transformation Programme Board and Operational Meeting
- Hosted our SEND Coffee Morning alongside the SENDIASS drop-in sessions every fortnight at Wokingham Youth Centre
- Supported the development of a practical Masking Toolkit to help schools and professionals better recognise and respond to masking
- Hosted the Preparing for Adulthood, SEN Support in School and EHCP Annual Review training for parent carers in partnership with SENDIASS
Dates for Next Half-Term
SEND Coffee Mornings & SENDIASS Drop-ins - TEMPORARY VENUE CHANGE!
Due to building work at Wokingham Youth Centre, from SEPTEMBER our fortnightly Coffee Mornings, which run alongside the SENDIASS Drop-in Sessions, will be moving to:
FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North, Finchampstead, Wokingham RG40 4ES
Time: 12.00pm – 2.00pm
We look forward to welcoming you to our temporary venue while the building work is taking place.
Come along for a cuppa, a chat, and the opportunity to connect with other local parent carers. SEND Voices Wokingham will be there to offer information and signposting in an informal, friendly environment.
You can also speak one-to-one with a SENDIASS Advisor for independent information, advice and support on SEND matters. No appointment is necessary – sessions operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with appointments typically lasting around 20 minutes.
Upcoming Coffee Morning & SENDIASS Drop-in Dates
- September: 8 & 22 September
- October: 6 & 20 October
- November: 3 & 17 November
- December: 1 & 15 December
Time: 12.00pm – 2.00pm (all dates are a Tuesday)
SAVE the DATE!
Local Offer Live 2026 - Family Information & Fun Day
Local Offer Live is a free event for families in Wokingham Borough who have a child or young person aged 0–25 with any Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).
Come along to find out more about local support, services, and activities. There will be information stands where parents and carers can speak directly with local organisations – including Wokingham Borough Council and Health services – to get advice and learn about what's available for their family.
To keep things fun for everyone, there will also be children's activities, plus refreshments including tea, coffee, squash, and cake!
Saturday 10th October at St Crispin's School Sport Hub
10:30am–12:30pm or 1:00pm–3:00pm
More details and booking information will be shared soon.
SENDIASS Training sessions we are hosting via Zoom:
EHCPs Annual Reviews ~ A Parent's Guide
Tuesday 29th September - 10.00 - 11.30am
EHCPs Process ~ A Parent's Guide
(for those going through the EHCP process for the first time)
Tuesday 20th October - 7.00 - 8.30pm
Preparing for Adulthood
Tuesday 10th November - 7.00 - 8.30pm
SEN Support In School ~ A Parent's Guide
Thursday 26th November - 10.00 - 11.30am
Please email:lnfo@sendvoiceswokingham.org.uk to book a place, stating which course you would like to attend.
Keep an eye on our event page, we will be updating it with more information about all of our events and training courses.
Summer Working Hours
We will be working reduced hours over the summer holidays and it may take us longer than normal to respond, but we will get back to you as soon as we can.
