NEW LOOK! SEND Local Offer Newsletter Spring 2024 (Issue 34) - Click here

It’s here! The Spring edition of the new look SEND Local Offer Newsletter 2024. It’s packed with lots of information including blogs from:-

• Blog - Lara Patel Executive Director Children’s Services
• Blog - Dr Roxanna Glennon, Head of Service and Strategic Lead for SEND - New Early Intervention Funding

• News items, what’s on/events available throughout the Easter holiday’s
• Early Years – updates from the sector
• Preparing for adulthood – 16-25 updates
• Short breaks, support services and much more…  please remember, this is just a snapshot of the wealth of information that can be found on the www.readingsendlocaloffer.org   

Please feel free to give us feedback on this latest edition, all suggestions are welcomed! If there are any topics you would like us to include in the next newsletter, please do let us know.

Information can also be found here SEND Local Offer - Newsletter | Reading Services Guide

Short Breaks for the Easter Holidays can be found here - SEND Short Breaks (all ability activities & overnight breaks) | Reading Services Guide

SEND Local Offer 16+ Guide - SEND Local Offer 16+ Guide | Reading Services Guide

Please keep visiting the SEND Local Offer for updates on local services www.readingsendlocaloffer.org

• Parenting Special Children have a number of workshops and events coming up. For more details go to:  parentingspecialchildren.co.uk

• The national charity Contact have a number of virtual workshops for families of children with additional needs from finances, educational support and handling meetings effectively as a parent. See for more details Family workshops | Contact

• The Reading Family Carers Card

Many people are family carers and support someone who relies on them to collect shopping, prescriptions and other essential items. You may not identify yourself as a carer because you are firstly a parent, a wife, husband, daughter, son, grandchild, friend or neighbour.

Reading Mencap have produced The Reading Family Carers Card it’s available to carers for FREE and it will identify you as a family carer in order to help shorten the time you might have to spend queueing for a shop, a pharmacy or even a health appointment. It is supported by Reading Borough Council.

Please click on the link below to the Reading Services Guide information page about the Reading Families Carers Card.

https://servicesguide.reading.gov.uk/kb5/reading/directory/advice.page?id=FiM1gU0NzYk

• Reading Information, Advice & Support Service for SEND (Reading IASS) 

This service was formerly called the Parent Partnership Service. It offers free confidential and impartial advice and support to Reading parents and carers who have children (up to the age of 25) with special educational needs or disability. Here is a link to their website where you can find further information.          https://www.readingiass.org/                      

Reading Short Breaks are part funded by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC)

*Please contact individual providers with questions and to book*

SEND Short Breaks – Easter Holiday’s (funded by BFfC)

Please see below SEND Short Breaks available for children and young people in Reading, during the Easter holiday’s

SEND Short Breaks Easter Holiday Sessions - Reading Play

Reading Play welcomes you to The Ranger Station as your SEND half term provider, we will be holding two sessions on the 9th and 11th April 2024.  

Each short break day will consist of 2 sessions, unique activity themes for each session like seasonal arts and crafts where young people can take home their work and crafts.  Young people will all have access to mini golf, climbing tree, low ropes, archery and more.  Each session is 2.5 hours with 8 spaces per session.

Further information and how to book a place can be found here Reading Directory | SEND Short Breaks Easter Holiday Sessions

Reading Play Education Play and Support, Communications & Bookings Officer 01189373283E- reading.play@reading.gov.uk

SEND Short Breaks -Chance to Dance Stars CIC - Dance and Multi Activity Program

Short breaks are available for Reading children aged 5 years to 18 years old. 

We cater for children 5 years to 25 years at all our activities. (discounted short breaks not available for 19-25yrs)

Chance to Dance Stars CIC will provide group activities for children & young people with disabilities to have new experiences with sport and dance, to have fun and to build upon social and physical needs.  

*Note* Cost - £20 per day for anyone outside of Reading. 

Reading Residents - Session are partial funded by Brighter Futures for Children. You receive a 50% discount only paying £10 per day. Don't forget to enter your discount code: EQN344. Proof of residence will be required in booking.  If your child requires 1:1 you must contact Vicky before booking on sendanceclub@hotmail.com or 07736343570 

Time 10am till 2pm (sometimes we have to run 9am till 1pm)  - Location – Reading. Activities can vary week by week. We will always ask for your feedback. 

Sports, dance, drama, singing, arts and crafts, table top games, zumba kids, generation pound, yoga, gymnastics, sensory and messy play. 

Further information can be found here Reading Directory | SEND Short Breaks -Chance to Dance Stars CIC - Dance and Multi Activity Program

SEND Easter Holidays 2024 - Short Breaks - Holiday Clubs - Make Sense Theatre

Make/Sense Theatre will be running our ever popular Easter holiday clubs once again this April! 

Our different sessions cater for young people aged 4-25+ and are designed in a way to ensure that we are fully inclusive, giving all young people with SEN the opportunity to attend. We will be running our Primary Sensory, Secondary Sensory and MLD groups over the first week of the Easter holidays (Tuesday 2nd April - Friday 5th April).  Reading Directory | SEND Easter Holidays 2024 - Short Breaks - Holiday Clubs

SEND Easter Holidays 2024 - Short Breaks – Reading FC –

will be offering short breaks – awaiting information from Reading FC. Please check the SEND Local Offer later this week - Reading Directory | SEND Short Breaks (all ability activities & overnight breaks)

Holiday Activities and Food scheme (HAF)

Brighter Futures for Children co-ordinates the Holiday Activities and Food scheme on behalf of Reading Borough Council, funded by the Department for Education.

Please note: HAF registration is only open to children eligible for pupil premium free school meals.

Further information and booking details please click on the link Holiday Activities and Food scheme (HAF) - Brighter Futures For Children

Link to Short Breaks page Reading Directory | SEND Short Breaks (all ability activities & overnight breaks)

For parent carers who need information on childcare, holiday clubs, childminders etc for the school holiday – www.readingfis.org/childcare