Reading Directory SEND Local Offer Newsletter Winter 2025 - Issue 39

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Blogs

Early Years - Under 5's information & activities

What’s On – Short breaks, holiday Clubs & Childcare

What’s on - Clubs, Groups & General Activities

It's all about the holidays!

What’s on events and workshops

SEND Family Support

16-25 Preparation for Adulthood

Counselling – Mental health support

National Organisation Supporting SEND

Feedback

With the Christmas holiday approaching we have some fantastic short breaks, activities and support services included in issue 39 of the SEND Local Offer newsletter, it’s a bumper issue!  We have taken on feedback from parent carers, on how much they enjoy reading the ‘blogs’ therefore we have included more in this edition covering topics raised by parent carers and young people, and blogs from local services supporting families in Reading.

The team have also been out and about, taking the SEND Local Offer in to the community, attending the Special United (Me2) events, Reading Families Forum AGM, attending school transition events and the Living well with Autism course run by Jackie Perrin. young people and families have really valued our attendance in sharing information about key support and services available in Reading. Taking the service to the heart of the community where it’s most needed is vital. The team is planning more outreach work during 2026, so look out for us at community events, and please do ‘follow’ us on Facebook where we post lots of information for parent carers.

Engagement and working in partnership with parent carers are an important part of delivering the SEND Local Offer, and we continue to work with parent carers through Reading Families Forum, Parenting Special Children, Autism Berkshire other local SEND organisations in Reading to develop and maintain high quality information for local families. We ran the SEND Local Offer annual survey during October, and have had 130 completed forms, huge thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey. Outcomes and actions taken from the survey will be published on the feedback and consultation page in January 2026 - Reading Directory | Local Offer Feedback & Consultations

We would really welcome feedback on the newsletter, to help us improve the content, look and feel etc. please feel free to email us any suggestions localoffer@reading.gov.uk

Click here to view the newsletter 

The newsletter will be updated with new activities, events and workshop until the end of the Christmas holidays. 

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.

Please see below short breaks available during the Christmas holidays. If you would like to book a place for you child/ren young person, please contact the short breaks provider directly. Thank you.

Reading Play SEND December Holiday Short Break Sessions: 29th December 2025 - Session one 10am – 12pm Age 5 to 7 years; Session two 2pm to 4pm – Age 8 to 12 years. Please use the following link for more details, use the link to find out more Reading Directory | SEND December Holiday Short Breaks Sessions - Reading Play

SEND Short Breaks -Chance to Dance Stars CIC - Dance and Multi Activity Program (includes half terms & holidays) for more details on dates and times please use the following link, use the link to find out more  Reading Directory | SEND Short Breaks -Chance to Dance Stars CIC - Dance and Multi Activity Program (includes half terms & holidays)

Make Sense Theatre - December SEND Short Breaks Holiday Clubs

SEND specific holiday clubs rooted in creativity and play. Session on 22^nd December 23^rd  December, 2^nd January 2026

Use the link to find out more Reading Directory | Make Sense Theatre - December SEND Short Breaks Holiday Clubs

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