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Hello and welcome to the Short Breaks Newsletter
Please do share this newsletter with any families with children or young people with SEND.
With Oct half-term coming up I have included some information about SEN friendly days out for the whole family to enjoy as well as detai reminder about BFC short break support.
I have also included information about upcoming workshops and courses from Parenting Special Children.
Also look out for the details about the Dogs for Good open evening on Thurs 30th Nov.
If you have any short break enquiries or would like a chat about what support is available for children, young people and their families please do get in touch with me on 01344 352733 or email me at
short.breaks@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Kind regards
Becky Durrant
Short Breaks Co-ordinator
Chance to Dance Stars CIC will provide activities for young people with disabilities to have new experiences with dance, singing and drama, to have fun and to build upon social and physical needs.
🩰 Dance 🎵Singing 🎭 Drama
They have 2 Halloween dance workshops at Martins Heron Community Centre:
10 - 15 years - 9:15am to 11:45am
16 + - 12pm to 3pm
Book here:
Our schedule | Chance to Dance Stars CIC | Powered by ClassForKids
 
Building for the Future is a Wokingham based, parent led charity providing activities, support and therapy for children with disabilities and/or additional needs and their families.
They are based at Our House, a fully accessible play centre, where families can meet, and all children are celebrated. They are open and running Stay and Play sessions in half-term but dates were not finalised attime of sending this newsletter.
Please contact them directly:
Tel: 07967 105842
Email: admin@bftf.org.uk
Web: https://www.bftf.org.uk/
Camp Mohawk is a multi-functional day centre for children with special needs and their families, set in 5 acres of beautiful countryside, just outside Wargrave, Berkshire. Throughout the year the centre provides a range of activities, facilities and natural space to encourage children with a variety of special needs to play, socialise and learn in a secure and caring environment.
They are generally open to families during school holidays and on Saturdays throughout term-time. For dates please go to their Calendar
To access Camp Mohawk families need to register first. Registration is open to any family who have a child or dependent with a special need or disability. Any members of your immediate family are welcome to come and visit. Please see details on their website.
If you have any queries please contact kate.kent@campmohawk.org.uk
Tel: 0118 940 4045
Email: info@campmohawk.org.uk
Web: https://www.campmohawk.org.uk
TVAP provide specialist indoor and outdoor play, recreational and learning facilities, are available to all children, teenagers and adults with special needs, whether they have a physical or learning disability, a sensory impairment, behavioural difficulties or autism. They provide unique support to its users, siblings, families and carers, including respite and advisory services.
Book a session over half-term by contacting TVAP below
Tel: 01628 628599
Email: theplayground@tvap.co.uk
Web: https://www.tvap.co.uk
 Swings & Smiles offers support for disabled children and their families in a unique and accessible environment. Their services include respite, family play sessions, youth clubs, sibling support and outreach.
Swings & Smiles provides activities for children and young people aged 0-18 years old with a wide range of disabilities and special needs. They provide opportunities to enjoy playing together without the pressures often experienced in wider community settings and support the whole family including parents, carers, the disabled child, brothers, sisters and grandparents.
Book a session over half-term by contacting Swings and Smiles
Tel: 01635 285170
Email: office@swingsandsmiles.co.uk
Web: Book a session | Swings & Smiles (swingsandsmiles.co.uk)
Thomley is an activity centre for people with disabilities and their families/carers. It has the skills, experience and expertise in providing a wide range of active and creative activities/workshops contributing to the development of social and general life skills to enhance the physical/emotional well-being of people with disabilities throughout their lives.
Tel: 01844 338380
Email: enquiries@thomley.org.uk
Web: https://thomley.org.uk
Parenting Special Children are running the following events face-to-face or online via Zoom. They are free for Berkshire families or at a nominal cost. Some events have a small number of tickets available for non-Berkshire families. Please click on the highlighted event title for further information and to book.
Teens ADHD Workshop: Berkshire East This workshop is suitable for Berkshire East parents/carers* who have previously attended ADHD training, for example PSC’s ADHD Course or ADHD Pre and Post Assessment workshop series. Please do not book if you have no previous ADHD training as we will have to cancel your booking. *Families registered with a Berkshire East NHS GP surgery or living in the Boroughs of Ascot, Bracknell Forest, Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead. Wednesday 10th October, 7-9pm, Zoom.
ADHD and Medication Two linked workshops for all parents/carers (no geographical restrictions) delivered by a Berkshire CAMHS Consultant. Wednesday 11th and 18th October (2 linked sessions), 7-8:30 pm, Zoom
The A Team: Awesome Autism/ADHD: Visit to 'High Score' For Autistic and/or ADHD girls (age 8-18) who live, or attend a school, in Berkshire. We have a few tickets for non-Berkshire girls. This event is also open to siblings. One parent/carer per family must also attend. Saturday 14th October, 10-11am, High Score Gaming Arcade, Newbury. (Bookings will open Monday 2nd October). Future dates: 25th Nov, TBC Dec. (Bookings will open soon).
Dads and Male Carers Support Group A support group for Berkshire birth fathers and male carers (adoptive parents, foster carers and kinship carers) who are parenting/caring for children who have experienced developmental trauma and/or have special needs. We have a limited number of places available for non-Berkshire parents/carers. Monday 16th October, 7.30-9.30pm, Lower Earley Baptist Church. (Bookings will open soon). Future dates: 20th Nov, TBC Dec
Sensory Processing Workshop: Berkshire East For parent/carers of children and young people with Sensory Processing difficulties, who are registered with a Berkshire East NHS GP surgery or living in the Boroughs of Ascot, Bracknell Forest, Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead. Your child does not need to have received a diagnosis for you to attend this workshop. Tuesday 7th November, 7-8.30pm, Zoom
Under 5’s Autism Course: Berkshire East A course for parents/carers with a child under 5, registered with a Berkshire East NHS GP surgery or living in the Boroughs of Ascot, Bracknell Forest, Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead. Wednesday 8th, 15th, 22nd November (3 linked sessions), 7-8.30pm, Zoom
Interoception Workshop For parents/carers of children and young people who have difficulties with the lesser-known sense of Interoception (an aspect of sensory processing). This sense helps you to understand and feel what’s going on inside your body. Those who struggle with the interoceptive sense may have trouble knowing when they feel tired, hungry, full, thirsty, hot or cold. Having trouble with this sense can also make self-regulation a challenge. The child/young person does not need to have received a diagnosis for you to attend this workshop. Tuesday 5th December, 7-8.30pm, Zoom
ON DEMAND PRESENTATIONS
Sleep Tips for Children and Young People (age 8+)
A 12 minute presentation for children and young people (age 8+). Available to view on demand. £2 per download.
Sleep Tips for Teens
A 40 minute presentation for teenagers who struggle with their sleep. Available to view on demand. £4 per download
PSC contact details
Helpline and Diagnosis Support Service (Tue to Thur 9.30am – 2.30pm)
Tel: 0118 9863532, email: helpline@parentingspecialchildren.co.uk
Trauma and Attachment Service
Tel: 07557 102623, email: tas@parentingspecialchildren.co.uk
Sleep Service Email: sleep@parentingspecialchildren.co.uk
Community Support Groups
Tel: 07810 689679, email: supportgroups@parentingspecialchildren.co.uk
For any other enquiries please email admin@parentingspecialchildren.co.uk
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The SEND strategy defines our ambition for SEND to support children and young people to achieve their educational and life outcomes. It describes what children, young people, families and professionals consider to be the most important improvement areas for SEND in Bracknell Forest between 2023 and 2026.
The document has been co-produced with a wide range of people including parents, carers and young people; early years, school and college leaders; as well as professionals from education, health, SEND, third sector and care.
It was developed following a series of community events held in person and virtually, online surveys, facilitated group discussions and one-to-one interviews.
Read BFC SEND Strategy
To help parents/carers make decisions about the most suitable short break activities or service to suit the needs of their family/child/young person, there are three categories of services:
- Universal
- Targeted
- Specialist and Crisis Intervention - available when families are open to Children's Social Care.
This newsletter will explain the Universal and Targeted offerings that are available to all families in the BFC Borough.
What is the Local Offer?
The Local Offer helps children and young people with special educational needs and / or disabilities (SEND) and their families to make informed choices about the support and services they receive. It does this by gathering together all the information that families may need in one place. The Local Offer will continue to develop and grow as more provision, guidance and information is added. Changes will also be made as it responds to local need.
Where can you find the Local Offer?
Please click here.....
What does the Local Offer include?:
Health and social care services
Education and transitions
Childcare and people who look after you
Post 16
Short breaks, activities and things to do
Advice and support services
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Families can use their Max Card at venues across the UK to get free or discounted admission. The scheme is designed to help families save money on great days out at castles, zoos, bowling alleys, trampoline parks and many more.
See here for more details https://mymaxcard.co.uk/about-us/
The Max Card can be provided to children and young people, living in Bracknell Forest, with additional needs, whether it is a physical, sensory, or a learning disability.
There is no cost to families for this card; if you require a second card for a parent not living at home then please let us know. Cards are renewed every 2 years and you will be required to complete a new form.
For an application form please email Short Breaks Co-ordinator on short.breaks@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
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The Short Breaks Inclusion Fund is designed to support children and young people with disabilities to access play and leisure activities within universal and mainstream settings by funding 1:1 support. Children accessing these settings would typically require minimal supervision and have mild to moderate learning difficulties and may need some initial support to build confidence.
Families pay the activity cost and the Inclusion Fund will pay for additional identified needs such as a one to one support worker. The priority for this scheme is to support access to out-of-school activities and/or holiday activities, such as guides, karate, dance, youth club or a holiday club.
This support can be provided for up to one day per week during the school holidays in line with our targeted provisions or once a week for a regular after-school activity
If you have a query or would like more information, please contact Becky Durrant Short Breaks Co-ordinator on 01344 352733 or email short.breaks@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
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The Council commissions a charity called Kids to provide a targeted Saturday and Holiday Club tailored to the children and young people with disabilities who have moderate to high needs and require significant support.
Eligibility for Kids is assessed through a home visit with parents/carers and child or young person by the Kids Play and Leisure Senior Practitioner to create a care portfolio for each child and ensure their identified needs can be met. It is determined in line with the commissioned contract and based on factors such as age, type of disability, level of support needs, peer group availability and potential risks.
Sessions run from 10am to 4pm and the scheme offers a variety of activities including, swimming, bowling, trips out and centre days with cooking, arts and crafts, trips to the park, messy play
Bracknell Forest Council subsidises the play and leisure scheme. The parental contribution is £20 per session. Parents/carers can self-refer to Kids, there is no need to come through the Short Break Service. Please contact Maddie Brooker, Senior Practitioner at Kids on 01344 453266 or email maddie.brooker@kids.org.uk
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