SEND news and updates
A Team Voices
A Team voices will support young adults aged 11-18 living with Autism/ADHD to build participation skills, develop their voice and feel empowered to participate in decision making at a local level.
The group will work together to share views and experiences to create positive change for members and other young adults like themselves living with autism, allowing them a voice and opportunity to potentially change the way people and services view them. A Team Voices will provide a space for young people living with Neurodevelopmental conditions to support one another, plan and lead their own projects, events and campaigns.
- Where? The A-Team Hub, Trafford House, Platt Fold St, Leigh WN7 1JH
- When? Every Tuesday
- What time? 5pm – 6:30pm.
If you would like to get involved, you can call 01942 316072 or email caroline@leighcommunitytrust.co.uk with any questions or enquiries.
National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) Time To Talk Next Steps
As we enter 2023 too many young people with additional support needs lack confidence and ideas about their future. With funding from the National Lottery Community Fund until 2024, Time to Talk Next Steps is already changing lives.
Our experienced team work with young people across England (with a further pilot in Scotland) to provide virtual 1:1 support to build confidence and help navigate life's challenges.
We work without labels. Young people don't need to have a diagnosis or Education Health and Care Plan. We also provide support to parents and carers through our partnership with Contact.
We welcome direct requests from parents/carers and professionals and always ask that young people are aware of a request made on their behalf. If you know a young person who would benefit get in touch.
Access to work scheme - support for individuals with a disability or health condition
Access to Work is a government scheme that can pay for extra support to help individuals start or stay in work. The support that individuals are offered will be based on their needs and could include a grant to help cover the costs of practical support in the workplace. It may pay for additional support on top of any reasonable adjustments an individual has agreed with their employer.
It is available for those with health conditions (either mental or physical), or a disability that affects individuals at work. An Access to Work grant does not need to be paid back and could pay for a range of different support that an individual may need, including:
- Support workers to help the individual
- Specialist equipment to make working easier
- Help with the cost of travel to work and back
- Mental health support
You can check your eligibility and apply for Access to Work on the GOV.UK website (external link). The Department for Work and Pensions has produced an easy-read factsheet (external link) to help raise awareness and also have a YouTube sign channel (external link) containing a range of informative videos.
Healthy Start Scheme - Help to buy food and milk
If you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or you have at least one child that’s under 4 as well as receiving benefits then you may be eligible for the NHS Healthy Start Scheme.
Disability Cost of Living payment toolkit – reminder
Over the next few weeks, six million disabled people in the UK will receive a one-off £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment as part of the government’s Help for Households Support. Those who had confirmed payment of their disability benefit for 25 May will receive the £150 automatically by their usual payment method.
The Department for Work and Pensions has produced a Disability Cost of Living Payment toolkit to help councils to communicate the Disability Cost of Living Payment with a range of resources such as easy read information sheets, suggested newsletter and social media copy, a frequently asked questions document, a British Sign Language (BSL) information video and wider Help for Households information:
Wigan and Leigh Neurodevelopmental Focus Group
Across Wigan Borough all partners including health, the local authority, education, parent carers, and the voluntary sector, are working together to review the Neurodevelopmental offer for our children and young people.
We're meeting once a month to discuss how services can be improved in Wigan for parent carers of children and young people aged 25 and below.
We'll be looking at how you get referred, the support you can expect along the way and how we communicate with you. This will support positive outcomes and ensure you're provided with the right support when you need it.
Keep checking this page for updates and information on services available, how to access them and what support we can offer.
Wigan Tourette and Tics Support Group
This group offers peer to peer support for parents and carers of children with tics or Tourette syndrome. Families are welcome who have not been diagnosed.
- Where? Wigan SEND Hub, Ashland House, Ince-in-Makerfield, Wigan
- When? 1st Tuesday of the month during term time
- What time? 10am - 11am.
Wigan Parent Carer Forum Coffee Mornings
Drop-in coffee mornings for parent carers of children with SEND with the opportunity to speak with a range of professionals and meet other parent carers. All coffee mornings are held on Tuesdays.
- Where? Ashland House, Ince-in-Makerfield, Wigan
- When? 3rd Tuesday of the month from January 2023
- What time? 10am-11am.
Embrace behaviour support sessions
Monthly support group for parents and carers to explore and share different strategies, approaches, ideas and information.
- Where? Wigan Youth Zone, Parson’s Walk, Wigan WN1 1RU
- When? These events are currently being held on the last Monday of each month, 6pm-8pm.
For more information please contact Andy on 01942 233323. Please note that you are asked not to bring children to the sessions
Autism awareness and workshops
A full programme of online training for parents and carers of children and young people with autism is available.
Neurodevelopmental Pathway drop-in sessions are held in various venues across the borough, giving parents and carers the opportunity to speak to professionals.
North West SEND Regional Network
This is a partnership of local, regional and national organisations and groups supporting children and young people with SEND and their families.
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Feedback
We are always looking for feedback on the content of the Local Offer. We are required to report on any feedback that we receive and what we have done in response to it. You can find a link to our latest report above.