Hi, I’m Alice Crockett and I’m the Young Person’s Champion for Somerset’s SEND Local Offer. I have been in this role since the beginning of September. I make sure Somerset’s SEND Local Offer helps young people. This includes helping services…

With our next meeting being 13 of May, we wanted to share with you something amazing Gaby, our SEND YPC, has done this week! She was invited to give a presentation to a group of new SENCOs. We are very…

Deaf Awareness Week took place on the 1-7 of May. The theme this year was Access to Communication, to encourage individuals, organizations, and governments to work together to create a more inclusive society where deaf individuals have the same access…

With a lull in the Bank Holidays, the Community Inclusion and Activity Team (CIA Team) are holding their monthly family drop in club at Mendip School on Saturday 13 of May from 10am to 1pm. It will cost three pounds…

Managing change can be tricky for all of us, but for our children with SEND and their families it can be even more challenging.  Some of the biggest changes (and challenges) our children face in the early years can be…

Who is it for? Designed specifically for SENCOs, this free webinar provides an opportunity to improve knowledge and raise awareness of annual health checks; what they are, who is entitled to them and how they can help the young people…

The next discussion group is taking place on Wednesday 14 June at 1.30-3.30pm and will include: Presentation on Autism and Masking -Charlotte Owens, Clinical Lead Paediatric Occupational Therapist Re-visiting the Pre-assessment pathway and related documents (including Next Steps Form) Case Discussions (please…

A year-long project to make Somerset more accessible for Disabled people was launched on 1 April 2023. Accessible Somerset is an ambitious project which will ask Disabled people how their life could be improved in various areas. The project is…

The brand-new video from the Autistic Young Experts explains Why Autism is a Difference not a Deficit. While there may be some shared characteristics, every autistic person is unique, with their own strengths, differences and needs. You can view the…

Did you know the Local Offer has a wealth of video resources? Sessions and workshops are often held live online with different services and are available on video if you missed them. This is a great way to learn more…

The Council for Disabled Children have created a free Social Care and SEND online course, and is aimed at practitioners in the Social Care and SEND. It has two modules covering the role of social care within the SEND system and…

This free Awareness Training for Parents, Carers and Family Members in Somerset, educates about self harm and how to help children and young people in distress. You can book on via the links below. Wednesday 7th June 2023 10:30am –…

Parenting children and young adults can be hard. With news stories and social media influencing how safe we feel our children are and the risks they may face in today’s climate, at times it can be scary and overwhelming. Join…

Did you know the Local Offer has a wealth of video resources? Sessions and workshops are often held live online with different services and are available on video if you missed them. This is a great way to learn more…

Welcome,  I am delighted to introduce the latest edition of SEND News and hope that all our readers have enjoyed a lovely Easter.    This month’s edition is packed with information, updates, and a number of dates for events, with a…

The Unstoppables meeting this month was a little more full than last month. We had 3 new young people come to see what the Unstoppables were about and become members. We started the day by getting to know everyone in…

From the 1 April – 30 April we celebrate World Autism Month. Following World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, you can continue celebrating autism awareness and information to mark the month. Why not start with some published guest blogs?…

On Wednesday 5 July the NHS is celebrating a big birthday – an amazing 75 years old! While a lot has changed over the past seven decades, the NHS has remained a constant in all our lives – a true…

The Community Inclusion and Activity Team (CIAT) support families who have children with disabilities and/or additional needs by providing information, signposting, and support with accessing clubs and activities in their local community.   The CIAT spring activity calendar is now live…

Welcome to the Spring edition of the Somerset SENDIAS (Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support) newsletter for 2023! The SENDIAS Team provides free impartial, confidential information, advice and support about education, health and social care for children,…