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!), 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.
There have been some key areas of work:
- PINS - Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools
- Early Identification & Support for Neurodivergent Children & Young People
- New Ordinarily Available Provision – Supporting All Learners in Mainstream Schools
- Termly Feedback From Families
- SAVE the DATE! - Local Offer Live 2025 Family Information & Fun Day - Saturday 18th October. More information to follow soon!
Below, you'll find more details about each of these areas of work, other projects we've been involved in, and key dates for the next academic year.
We wish you and your families a wonderful summer!
PINS - Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools
We're very grateful to the 791 parent & carers who completed our PINS Parent Survey or joined one of the 22 engagement sessions at PINS schools - we really value your input and look forward to seeing more of you next term. We are now working closely with Wokingham Borough Council and Health partners to make sure the key themes from the survey and parent sessions help shape the support that will be commissioned and rolled out across PINS schools from September.
You can view the results of the PINS Parent Survey here:
PINS Parent Survey June 2025
Early Identification & Support for Neurodivergent Children & Young People
On Monday 7th July we were joined by Andrea King (Strategic Lead for Berkshire Neurodiverse Transformation) and Miranda Walcott (Designated Clinical Officer for SEND, 0–25, BOB ICB), who shared updates on the Berkshire-wide Neuro-Inclusive Early Help System Transformation Programme. Families had the chance to ask questions, share their experiences, and help shape a system that works better for children, young people, and families in Wokingham Borough.
The slides and Q&A's from the session are available on our website here: Rethinking Early Support for Neurodivergent Children & Young People
New Ordinarily Available Provision – Supporting All Learners in Mainstream Schools
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Tuesday 8th and Thursday 10th July for the sessions on the new Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) – the inclusive support available to all learners in mainstream schools. Helen Jackson-Brench, Area SENCO from Wokingham Borough Council shared information and answered families questions during the sessions.
Session slides, Q&As and link to the OAP are available on our website here: New Ordinarily Available Provision
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 September. You can read the report here:
Termly Feedback from Families – Summer 2025 report.
Other Highlights This Half Term
Here's what else we've been working on to support and improve local SEND services:
- Attended key meetings: SEND Strategic Partnership Board, SEND Assurance Board and SEND Early Years Partnership Steering Group
- Launched our Wokingham Borough Annual SEND Survey - Closing date extended to 31st July
- Took part in a Parent Support Group mapping and Early Years/ Best Start for LIfe workshop.
- Involved with updating the Co-production Charter and review of the SEND Local Offer webpages
- Hosted a Drop-in & Chat session and attended the Wokingham Carers Week Information event to connect with families.
- Attended the Berkshire Neuro Inclusive Early Help System Change workshop and meetings with other Berkshire forums.
- Hosted the SEN Support In School & Communication training with SENDIASS.
- Presented the Short Breaks Service Redesign Survey results - thank you to everyone who completed this survey
- Supported parents at SENDIASS drop-ins.
- Attended the South East 19 NNPCF Region conference - feeding back on what is meant by 'Inclusion', Supporting Children & Yloung People in the SEND system and the SEND Reforms.
Dates for Next Half-Term
SENDIASS Training sessions we are hosting via Zoom:
EHCPs Annual Reviews ~ A Parent's Guide
Monday 22nd September - 7.00 - 8.30pm
SEND Support in School ~ A Parent's Guide
Wednesday 15th October - 10.00 - 11.30am
SAVE the DATE!
Local Offer Live 2025 - 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!
Event details:
Saturday 18th October @ St Crispin's School Sport Hub
10:30am–12:30pm or 1:00pm–3:00pm
More details and booking information will be shared soon.Keep an eye on our website, we will be updating it with more information about all of our events and training courses.
SVW Events.
Summer Working Hours
We will be working reduced hours over the summer holidays and it may take us a bit longer than normal to respond, but we will get back to you as soon as we can.
