- 'Preparation for Adulthood' is the next topic for the Parents' Forum spotlight on Thursday, 25 June (10am - 12 noon) at the Mayfield Centre (BD5). Book here.
- Carers week drop-in event, 11 June (11am - 2pm). Airedale Shopping Centre. Activities, refreshments, wellbeing support and information for carers.
- The next SEND One plan event will be on Thursday, 2 July (10am-12pm) at Shipley library. To book, email here.
- Parents Forum for Bradford and Airedale are recruiting for a paid post of 'Parent Carer Network Lead' this is a part-time, fixed term role. Deadline 5 June, 2026. For info, email here.
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SENDIASS have pre-recorded a range of workshops/webinars for parents, carers and young people. Videos are available here.
- A free family cycling event will take place on Sunday 7 June, (11am – 3pm) at Wyke Community Sports Village. Read more. No booking required, just turn up on the day. Read more.
- SEND drop-in events on Weds 17 June (8.30am - 10.30am) at Green Lane primary school and then (2pm - 4pm) at Westbourne primary school. Read more.
- The Down Syndrome Training and Support Service is running an online toilet training workshop here, and sleep workshop here.
- SENDIASS in-person tribunal workshop - advice for parents or carers or young people. Tuesday, June 23 (1pm - 4pm). Read more.
- Free road safety drop-in event on Thursday, 21 May (1pm - 4pm) at Airedale Shopping Centre in Keighley. Arts and crafts, reaction timer, ramp demonstration and bike activities. Read more.
- Lots of dates available for a free health checks in Keighley, including a dedicated women-only session. All events are free and open to everyone. Find out more.
- The friends of Bradford Beck have a summer of free guided walks planned. The first walk will take place on Saturday 27, June (10am - 12.30pm) - find out more.
- Join the Canal and River trust on Monday, 25 May (10.30am - 1.30pm) for a 3.5 mile walk from Bingley to East Riddlesden Hall. Book your place here.
Join us in-between our monthly newsletters for all the latest news from across Bradford district. Follow our Local Offer Facebook page.
SEND White paper consultation closes
The SEND consultation on the proposals to reform the SEND system in England has closed. You can read the schools white paper and/or summary documents for parents and carers, here). These responses will now be reviewed by the Government.
Here in Bradford we are ensuring work continues to reflect the needs of local families in partnership with local organisations, parents, carers and young people and will continue to update you through this newsletter, our Local Offer Facebook page and SEND One plan events.
This month, our SEND Youth Forum have been engaged in a regional meeting to discuss the Reforms, and our SEND Ambassadors along with wider network of parent/carer groups have met with leaders to discuss the changes. An update on the SEND reforms can be found here.
To hear more about the SEND Reforms, next steps and the wider SEND One Plan work come along to the next One Plan event on Thursday, 2 July (10am-12pm) at Shipley library. This is a great opportunity to hear from Bradford Council's SEND service and ask any questions. To book, email: supportnews@PFBA.org.uk
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A new, sensory room designed for children of all ages has been built at Reevy Hill family hub. The room is fully equipped with a fantastic range of new sensory features, including a bubble tube, UV lights, a motion chair, and hands‑on tactile displays. A new sound system has also been installed, allowing families to connect music and sounds to the equipment for a fully immersive experience.
The sensory room can be booked by families (Monday to Friday) by contacting, Reevy Hill Family Hub on: 01274 434940
The team look forward to welcoming you and your family to enjoy this wonderful new space.
Half-term fun in Bradford district (round-up)
 A photo showing two boys learning cookery together.
As the holidays approach, we've created a round-up of family friendly activities taking place across Bradford district this half-term. Many of our local parent/carer support groups will also have their own activities planned. You can find a list of local parent/carer support groups here.
From making burgers, to stir-fry to pizzas. There's a whole range of free cookery classes for children taking place during half-term at Darley Street market. Book your space.
A week of free family activities to celebrate the new exhibition, Setting the Stage: 70 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest. On Saturday 30 May, live British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation will be available all day. Read more.
Bradford Cathedral - family activities (Tuesday 26, May)
Bradford Cathedral will be holding free family activities based around animals and nature, with lots of crafts, colouring and quizzes. There will also be the opportunity to make a Father's Day card, as well as family-friendly guided tours on offer. Spaces are available at the 1pm session - book here.
Bee trail - East Riddlesden Hall, Keighley
Follow the trail around the gardens and discover some amazing facts about these striped pollinators. Try out the six bee inspired activities in the gardens. No booking needed, but entry costs apply. Read more.
Ilkley Lido is now open for the summer season!
The warm weather is finally here and Ilkley Lido provides the perfect spot to stay cool and swim in this beautiful outdoor setting. Find booking information and timings here.
From a free family Eid al Adha celebration, to making Islamic art, to model engineering. Explore lots of things to do with Bradford Museums and Galleries here.
The funfair runs at Peel Park, from Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May, open daily from 1.30pm to 8.30 pm. Entry is free, but rides start from £2. Read more here.
 A photo showing members of the BradStarz youth voice group.
Bradford Council’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Youth Voice group BradStarz are celebrating their contribution to a policy change to disabled person's travel across West Yorkshire.
Currently, disabled person’s bus passes do not allow free travel before 9.30am on weekdays for pass holders. BradStarz's raised the question "Why can't we use our bus passes before 9.30am?" and their discussions led to sharing experiences, such as, "I can't use my pass to get to college or work."
BradStarz met with young people from Bradford’s School of Rock and Media (SORM), Coleman Training Development, and 97 other young people with SEND across the Bradford district to hear their views and experiences.
Using this collective voice the group wrote to METRO and met with representatives from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, including Mayor Tracy Brabin. Following this, and subsequent meetings, the Local Authority and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority agreed changes to the policy.
The new policy, which rolls out across the Wakefield district in May, 2026 will see disabled bus card holders being allowed to use their passes at any time of day. The plan is for this to extend to the rest of West Yorkshire in 2027, as part of West Yorkshire’s new integrated public transport system.
 A graphic showing the Local Offer branding with the Family Hubs logo along with 'Best Start in Life' and the text 'SEND support in Bradford district's Family Hubs.'
SEND 'Life Admin' session (parent-volunteer led)
A friendly drop-in for families with a child with special education needs and/or disabilities. Run with support from a parent-volunteer with lived experience, the session will focus on helping you with paperwork, forms and admin - with a cuppa and a chat.
- 11 June (10am - 12 noon) - Bradford East Family Hub (Barkerend).
Emotionally Based School Avoidance
Led by the friendly and supportive Educational Psychologist team, you’ll find a safe space to share and listen to other parents and get ideas to help. Sessions run on Wednesdays and you need to attend all four sessions. To book, e-mail: EBSA@bradford.gov.uk
- 10 June - 1 July (1pm - 2.30pm) at Bradford South Family Hub (Reevy)
SEND toilet training workshops
The special needs and public health school nursing team can provide support around toilet training at these workshops. All sessions run between 9.30am - 11.30am. To book, send your name, your child's name and school, your contact number and the date you wish to attend to: sendtoilettraining@bdct.nhs.uk
- 29 May - online session.
- 8 June - Bradford East Family Hub (Barkerend)
- 29 June - Bradford South Family Hub (TFD)
Bradford Stronger Together: Cook and Eat
A relaxing space for parents to cook, eat, and socialise together. Follow Bradford Stronger Together on Facebook here.
- 11 June (10am to 11.30am) - Bradford West Family Hub (Farcliffe)
SEND parent/carer's coffee mornings
Open to all families to come along and meet together.
- 29 June (10.30am to 12 noon) - Bradford East Family Hub (Barkerend)
- 4 June (9.15am - 10.15am) - Fagley Primary school, BD2 3PU.
For further Information about all groups, visit the Family Hub's timetables (SEND activities highlighted in Orange).
Carers' Resource - support for parents, carers and young people
 A photo showing a young boy with special educational needs with his dad.
Carers’ Resource are a charity supporting unpaid carers, including parent carers and young carers in Bradford district. They offer guidance on carers’ rights and the services that may be available, along with one-to-one support. They also provide opportunities to connect with other parent carers, through groups and events, helping carers share experiences and feel less alone.
Support is also available for children and young people who have caring responsibilities. The Young Carers service supports children and young people who have caring responsibilities at home, offering tailored help, mentoring, groups and activities, a safe space to meet others in similar situations.
Together, these services help ensure that both parents and young people in caring roles are seen and supported.
If you would like to find out more, contact Carers’ Resource on 01274 449660 or visit Carers' Resource.
Did you know? Under the Care Act 2014, parent carers may be entitled to a carer’s assessment. This is a chance to talk about how caring affects your day-to-day life and wellbeing, and to look at what support could make things easier for you.
New young people’s group wants to hear views about health and care data
A local NHS organisation is recruiting young people between 16 and 24 to help them collect views about data and how it’s used in health and care research. The young people’s group will meet once a month, usually online, and is a forum for young people to discuss how health and care data is used. The group is a great place for any young person interested in careers in health, data, or research to find out more. Sessions will be friendly and informal, and each young person is reimbursed £30 each time they attend.
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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