SEND news and updates
SEND Thematic Visit Surveys
Under the SEND Inspection Framework, Wigan Borough has been chosen to receive a thematic visit of our preparation for adulthood arrangements by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). As part of this visit, Ofsted are asking for you to share your views through this survey There are links below to two surveys, one for Children and Young People and one for Parents/Carers and Professionals. The deadline for responses is Thursday 4th July.
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.
Wigan Central Family Hub
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.
Our first Family Hub was launched on the 14th October 2023. Families are welcome to visit and see what services there are on offer to advise and support.
- Where? The Meadows, Ridyard Street, Wigan.
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 Parentingsupport@wigan.gov.uk 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 Parentingsupport@wigan.gov.uk 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 k.cheetham@wigan.gov.uk for more information.
Area SEND inspection explained - information for parents and carers
The government has published guides for parents, carers, children and young people about inspections of local services for children and young people with SEND.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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? 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 please contact Parent Carer Forum via their website or social media.
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.
SEND Network
This is a partnership of local, regional and national organisations and groups supporting children and young people with SEND and their families.