Local Offer Newsletters, Parent information and courses, SEND Short Breaks

With the Easter holiday approaching we have some fantastic short breaks, activities and support services included in issue 40 of the SEND Local Offer newsletter, it’s a bumper issue again! The ‘blogs’ remain popular with parent carers and young people, and we have had some great feedback, stating the blogs provide a connection, and helps families understand better the roles of the services. 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.

We continue to take the service into the community to support and inform families, attending the Special United (Me2) events, Reading Families Forum Transition event, talks at the early years SENCO event, attending the Parenting Special Children preparing for adulthood group and the Living well with Autism course. Young people and families have really valued our attendance, 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. We are 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.

Best Start in Life Family Hubs are being launched in Reading, first one to open in South Reading on Thursday 19th March. The digital information on Family Hubs will be available on the Reading Services Guide, alongside the Family Information Service and SEND Local Offer, keeping all the information on one place for parent carers to access, more information will be provided in the summer newsletter. Further information can also be found in Andrea King, blog.

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. The SEND Local Offer Annual Report and Survey 2025 has been published on the SEND Local Offer, 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 during 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 and keep visiting the SEND Local Offer for ongoing updates on local services www.readingsendlocaloffer.org

Maryam Makki, Family Information Service Manager (including the SEND Local Offer)

Reading’s Local Offer provides children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and their families, information about what support is available in the local area. It helps parents, carers and young people clearly see and access the range of services that they may need. Visit www.readingsendlocaloffer.org Email localoffer@reading.gov.uk Call on 0118 9373777 (option 2), Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

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 Short Breaks - Easter Holiday 2026

Please use the links below to book your short breaks

Reading Play

SEND Short Breaks Easter 2026 - Reading Educational Play and Support Team

Chance to Dance

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

Make Sense Theatre

SEND Short Breaks - Make Sense Theatre - Easter holiday clubs 2026

Reading FC Play Camp

SEND Short Breaks - Easter Holidays - Reading FC SEND Play Camp

Reading FC Sports Camp

SEND Short Breaks - Easter Holidays - Reading FC SEND Sports Camp

You can also view Reading SEND Short Breaks here 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

Local Offer Newsletters, Parent information and courses, SEND Short Breaks

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