SEND 2024 Thematic Visit Surveys

Following the Thematic Review that has taken place

• View the Preparation for adulthood arrangements in local areas: a thematic review (external link).

Area SEND inspection explained - information for parents and carers

We have developed information for parents around what this is, and how to be involved.

• View more information on the SEND priority plan and useful information webpage.

Feedback

We are always looking for feedback on the content on the Local Offer. We are required by The Children and Families Act 2014 to report on any feedback that we receive and what we have done in response to it. To get involved, give us your feedback and comments on our website and be part of the improvements to these pages and offer.

• View our report on feedback we've received about our Local Offer from January 2024 to December 2024
• View our report on feedback we've received about our Local Offer from September 2022 to October 2023
• View our report on feedback we've received about our Local Offer from September 2021 - October 2022.

Family Hubs

Family Hubs are a new way of bringing together all the support a family may need, from pregnancy through to young people turning 19 (or 25 if they have a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND)). Family hubs will operate as a network of services within your neighbourhood to provide accessible and connected services and support to all families. These services will work together to provide high quality support for the whole family, so that children, young people, and families will get the right help at the right time.

Riding the Rapids Teenage course

Riding the Rapids is a free course for parents and carers of children who have a diagnosis of Autism, severe learning disabilities or complex physical disabilities. The course aims to help parents to understand and manage challenging behaviour shown by their child.

Research shows that parents and carers who attend Riding the Rapids can:

• Make effective changes to their child’s behaviour
• Increase their coping skills and confidence in dealing with behaviour.

The course takes place for two hours and runs for twelve weeks. Each weekly session covers a different aspect of understanding and managing the behaviour of children with Autism or another disability. There are primary age and teenage courses available.

Contact [email protected] for more information.

Understanding your child – Solihull Approach course

This is a free nine-week course to help:

• Understand your child’s behaviour and how they communicate
• Recognise how your child is feeling
• Reduce the difficulties you face in everyday life
• Improve how you communicate with your child
• Understand the importance of play
• Develop good routines and boundaries
• Improve relationships between you and child for a happier and calmer home.

Contact [email protected] for more information.

Parental Relationship Drop In

For parents together or separated experiencing issues in their relationship which could impact on family life.

This session is open to parents and professionals and can be accessed face to face or via Microsoft Teams.

Contact [email protected] for more information.

Free webinar: Spotlight on supported internships

This free recorded webinar is particularly designed for parent/carers of young people with additional support needs, and/or SEND, and for young people who are moving into adult life and are interested in employment.

It was organised by the national Internships Work programme, funded by the Department of Education, in partnership with the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) and Family Fund. families and want to know your thoughts on services.

• Find out more about the webinar on the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi), watch the recording and view the resources online (external link)

ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity - A Teenager’s Guide to ADHD

In partnership with NHS London and young people, ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity have produced a strength-based guide to living successfully with ADHD for teenagers. It discusses staying well, achieving in education, managing relationships and more.

• Download your free copy of A Teenager’s Guide to ADHD here.

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? Leigh Youth Hub, Leigh Sports Village, Sale Way, Leigh, WN7 4JY
• When? Every Friday
• What time? 4:30pm – 5:30pm.

If you would like to get involved, you can call 01942 316072 or email [email protected] with any questions or enquiries.

Leigh Youth Hub

Leigh Youth Hub now offer a monthly session for young people aged 11-18 with additional needs and disabilities. The session is full of variety for young people who may find our open access sessions overstimulating. We offer gaming, arts & crafts, Lego, messy play, the use of our immersive room & more. Our session runs one Friday per month and are advertised via our social media channels at the beginning of each month. The session is delivered in partnership with A-Team Hub Booking is essential and on a first come first serve basis so get in touch via DM on social media or email [email protected].

All young people will need to complete an All About Me form prior to booking being accepted and young people in need of 1:1 support must attend sessions with a PA.

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.

• Find out more about the Healthy Start scheme, whether you are eligible and how to apply on the NHS Healthy Start website (external link).
• You can also ring the NHS Healthy Start contact centre on 0300 330 7010 for more information.

Wigan Parent Carer Forum (PCF)

Our strategic partners at Wigan Parent Carer Forum have a range of drop-ins, groups and sessions for you to get involved in.

They offer coffee mornings, focused sessions, and drop-ins with themselves and services to support parents/carers. These sessions vary, so please check the Wigan Parent Carer Forum website to find out more, and when they are happening. But here are some examples for you to look at:

Wigan and Leigh Neurodevelopmental Focus Group

They meet once a month to discuss how services can be improved in Wigan for parent carers of children and young people aged 25 and below with SEND.

They look 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.

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 term-time only.

• Where? Parent Carer Forum, Ashland House, Ince-in-Makerfield, Wigan
• When? 3rd Tuesday of the month from January 2023
• What time? 10am-11am.

For more information and to find out more information on what they have, please visit the Parent Carer Forum (external link).

Embrace behaviour support sessions

Embrace offer Behaviour support sessions via either a workshop or an informal group held monthly. 

The Behaviour Support Workshops (external link) are open to parents and carers across the Wigan borough. 

The Behaviour Support Circles (external link) are informal sessions for parent/carers   to explore and share different strategies, approaches, ideas and information.

Embrace Adventure Group

Embrace have up to 15 places to support young people aged 14-18 years old build friendships, learn skills and be challenged! Each group lasts 1 year and a new cohort will start again in September 2024.

• Where? The majority of the weekly sessions will run from: Hidden Gem Café,
  Platt Bridge Community Zone, 81 Ribble Road, Platt Bridge, Wigan, WN2 5EG. However, this will vary depending on the weekly activities. (in the Wigan Borough)
• When? Tuesdays from 6pm - 8pm

For more information please visit the Embrace website (external link).

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.

• Find out more about the Autism training and workshops available.

SEND Network

This is a partnership of local, regional and national organisations and groups supporting children and young people with SEND and their families.

• Find out more about the SEND Network and view their newsletter (external link).