 A graphic with the words 'News' attached to a noticeboard.
- The Government has announced plans for an extra £200 million for a SEND teacher training programme.
- Bradford District NHS Care Trust's mental health support parent/carer online group - Tuesday, 10 February 10.30am or 7pm. Email here.
- The next parent/carer 'One Plan' engagement session is online on Friday, 13 March, (10am - 12pm). To book, email here. More about the SEND One Plan.
- All about apprenticeships, Sat 7 Feb (10am - 1pm) at Bradford College.
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Mind the Gap, Saturday 07 February, (12pm-4pm), Academy Open Day.
- Bradford SENDIASS service are welcoming volunteers.
- Free training about 'moving to secondary school for children with additional needs'. Quote code 'BDPARENTS' on the Togetherness website.
- Post-16 creative SEND options with Pinc College, Bradford campus Taster Day.
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Free Rap Workshop for children aged 10+ for National Storytelling Week. Tuesday 3 Feb. Manningham library, 4pm. Book here. More events (2 - 8 February) here.
- SNOOP charity has developed it's first Podcast which is LIVE on Spotify.
- Contact is offering Brighter Beginnings workshops, for families of children with SEND aged from birth to five. Sign up here.
- Time to Talk day event at City Library, Bradford, on Thurs 5 Feb, (12.30pm to 2.30pm). Drop-in to speak with a psychological wellbeing practitioner from the Bradford District and Craven NHS Talking Therapies.
- Free Stay and Play sessions for children (birth to five) with Bradford Museums and Galleries.
- Yorkshire Games Festival (11 - 22 Feb) National Science and Media Museum.
- There's still time to see Turner Prize (until Sunday, 22 Feb) at Cartwright Hall.
 A graphic showing the Local Offer branding with the Family Hubs logo and the text 'SEND support in Bradford district's Family Hubs.'
- Upcoming toilet training workshops, Tuesday 3 Feb (9.30 - 11.30am) at Bradford East Family Hub (Barkerend) and Wednesday 11 February (9.30 - 11.30am) at Keighley and Shipley Family Hub (Rainbow). To book, email here.
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Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) groups are delivered by the Educational Psychology team, upcoming dates: March 4, 11, 18, 25 at Bradford West Family Hub. (Farcliffe). *You will need to be able to attend all 4 sessions. Email here.
- Next SEND marketplace drop-in, 23 Feb (9.30-12.30) at Keighley and Shipley Family Hub (Rainbow).
- New Family Hub launched for Bradford West Family Hub (Bevan) (open to all) has a sensory area and SEND session.
- Education drop-ins for parents and carers of children aged 5 to 16 who attend, or have a place at a school in the Bradford District. Sessions are held weekly across Family Hubs (term time only).
- For further Information about all groups, visit the Family Hub's timetables (SEND activities highlighted in Orange).
- You can follow the FYI Facebook page, and sign up to the Family Hub's and Start for Life newsletter.
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Family Hubs SEND Marketplace events (drop-in)
Family Hubs across the district are launching new SEND Marketplace drop-in events. You can get advice, support and discuss any concerns you have with specialist services including Carer's Resource, SENDIASS, Bradford district's Local Offer and the Family Hub's Family Navigators. There will be support available on Autism/ADHD, finance/benefits, speech and language, relationship issues, sleeping difficulties, education and more.
Upcoming dates:
Children's Mental Health Week 2026 (9-15 February)
 Stock photos showing different children and young people with a Special Educational Need and/or disability.
Your children might be taking part in activities at school to mark Children's Mental Health Week, and Time to Talk Day on Thursday, 5 February. To support social, emotional and mental health the Local Offer has a One Minute Guide about using the Bradford district's first place to go for mental health support, Healthy Minds.
You can visit the Healthy Minds website directly, and watch the Healthy Minds Apprentices reels: 'Healthy Minds Explained' or give them a follow on Instagram or Tik Tok for their top tips.
The team at Healthy Minds have launched a quick guide to support while waiting for assessment, diagnosis or treatment, here.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) have also updated their information on the Local Offer website here.
Wellbeing parent/carer support group
 A text graphic saying that this group is a safe and welcoming space to explore wellbeing.
Bradford District NHS Care Trust’s mental health support team are holding an *online* parent and carer support group focusing on 'Give – Doing Good, Feeling Good' and will explore simple ways to strengthen communication, build trust, and maintain healthy relationships. You will discuss how small, everyday actions can make a big difference to emotional wellbeing at home.
Date: Tuesday 10, February 2026
Times: 10:30am – 12pm or 7pm – 8:30pm
Platform: *Microsoft Teams
To register your interest and to receive a joining link:
 A text graphic saying the Parents' Forum influence positive change for families.
The Parent's Forum discuss upcoming SEND reforms
In January, Julie Bruce, manager of the Bradford and Airedale Parents' Forum met Minister Gould with over 100 parent carer forums to discuss the upcoming SEND reforms.
The meeting was hosted by the National Network of Parent Carer Forums using the five key principles of the Department of Education SEND Reform: Early, Local, Fair, Effective and Shared. There were questions, and live discussions. Many parent carer forums shared their insight, lived experience, and, practical solutions that will feed directly back to the Minister to inform ongoing SEND reform work.
The Minister also acknowledged the challenge and constructive contribution of parent carer forums, recognising the strength and impact the collective parent carer voices have.
This highlights PFBA's work not just locally but also on a national scale, using the information shared by local families across the Bradford district.
The Parents’ Forum hold open forum meetings and other events during the year. If you register (free) you will receive updates about their events, a regular newsletter and blog posts. Register your details here.
Listen to 'Brad Starz' poetry in local libraries
 National Storytelling Week (2 - 8 February)
As part of National Storytelling week, Brad Starz, Bradford district's youth voice group are showcasing their own poetry in three local Bradford district libraries. You can drop-in (no booking needed) to listen to the young people reading out their own work through MP3 players supplied by the library in quiet listening pods.
Brad Starz poetry will be available to listen at:
- Keighley Library on Wednesday 4, February, 10am - 6pm
- Shipley Library on Friday 6 February, 10am - 4pm
- City Library on Saturday 7 February, 2pm - 8pm.
SNOOP Charity Podcasts – New for 2026
 A stock image of a young person with headphones on speaking into a microphone. Text says 'have a listen!'
Our local Bradford district SNOOP charity has developed it's first Podcast which is LIVE on Spotify. It has been developed by SNOOP's young adults service. It is the first in a series of six podcasts about ‘traditions’ and what they mean to the young people. The group will also be posting podcasts on issues that matter to them as adults with learning disabilities or who are neurodivergent. There will also be discussions on the importance of health as part of Preparation for Adulthood.
Spread the word about SEND news!
If you've been forwarded this newsletter, you can sign up or share the link with friends and family to receive this newsletter straight to your inbox. You can also 'like' our Bradford Local Offer Facebook page. for all the latest news and info.
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