SEND Local Offer Newsletter Summer 2025 (Issue 38) is here! Click here to view the newsletter

It’s here! The Summer edition of the new look SEND Local Offer Newsletter 2025. It’s packed with lots of information including blogs from:- Reading Directory | SEND Local Offer Newsletter Summer 2025 - Issue 38

• Blogs – Lara Patel, Executive Director Children’s Services, Andrea King, Strategic Transformation Lead for Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing & Families First Strategic Lead, Berkshire Neuro Diverse Preventative System Programme Lead, RISE Summer Edition, Victoria Andrews, Founder & Creator of Chance to Dance Stars, Millie Taff, Carers Lead, Transformation Team Directorate of Communities and Adult Social Care (DCASC) and Weronika Kowalczyk, Newest Member of Family Information service and SEND Local Offer Team.

• News items, what’s on/events available throughout the Summer holiday’s
• Early Years – updates from the sector
• What’s on, events and workshops
• Preparing for adulthood – 16-25 updates
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• National organisations supporting SEND
• 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.

We will continue to update the newsletter, as new events and activities are sent to us up until the end of August.

Information can also be found here SEND Local Offer - Newsletter | 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 funded by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC)

SEND Short Breaks.

Please click on the links for bookings and further information.

SEND Local Offer short breaks – October Half Term 2025 – Please book directly with provider.

SEND Short Breaks -Chance to Dance Stars CIC - Dance and Multi Activity Program (includes half terms & holidays)

Chance to Dance Stars CIC - SEND Dance Classes

Reading, Coley Park Classes 4 years to adult 

The classes are held at Coley Park Community Centre, 140 Wensley Road, Reading, RG1 6DW

Short breaks are available for Reading children aged 4 years to 18 years old. 

Reading Directory | SEND Short Breaks -Chance to Dance Stars CIC - Dance and Multi Activity Program (includes half terms & holidays)

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SEND Short Breaks - Reading Play - October 2025 Half Term

The Reading Educational Play and Support Team welcomes you to The Ranger Station as one of your SEND short break providers, we will be holding four sessions during autumn term. 

SEND Short Breaks - Reading Play - October 2025 Half Term

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SEND Short Breaks -Make Sense Theatre Holiday Clubs - October Half Term

SEND specific holiday clubs that are rooted in creativity and fun for children and teenagers aged 4-17.

October half term - Make Sense Theatre SEND Holiday Clubs

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SEND Short Breaks - October Half Term Holidays - Reading FC SEND Sports Camp

The camp is run by qualified coaches and support staff with experience in working with young people with disabilities. The coaches will use fun activities and specific games to cater for each child. Reading FC Community Trust work with local sports companies to plan detailed sport sessions for the children.

Reading Directory | SEND Short Breaks - October Half Term Holidays - Reading FC SEND Sports Camp

Short breaks information can be found on Reading’s SEND Local Offer - Reading Directory | SEND Short Breaks (all ability activities)

To unsubscribe or change your permissions you can always contact us at: fis@reading.gov.uk localoffer@reading.gov.uk

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