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In this issue:
So the end of 2025 is almost upon us, and it seems to have flown by. The only bonus of this is that I get to enjoy one of my all-time favourite Christmas films again - 'Klaus' - which always makes me happy.
The Christmas holiday is always referred to as being centred around the children, which is fortunately what our focus is all year!
Whilst 2025 has certainly presented a number of challenges across SEN, it's great to see young people involved in some really positive developments in the past few weeks.
The Supported Internship programme at UHCW has recently celebrated its 10 year-anniversary, including hearing from a number of young people who have gained employment at the hospital.
Meanwhile, our 'Strong Voices Coventry' group - with representatives from all of Coventry's secondary specialist schools and colleges - have been informing council SEND leads about what they would consider to be an effective SEND Strategy for Coventry.
These are great examples of young people being actively involved in both their own development and for the wider community. If you know of any inspirational stories, we'd love to include them on our website for Coventry young people.
Just drop us an email at sendnews@coventry.gov.uk
Wishing you all a peaceful holiday.
Chris Firth,
SENDIASS Manager
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Celebrating 10 years of Supported Internships
An event to celebrate the 10-year anniversary since the launch of the Changing Futures Together – Supported Internship programme took place at University Hospital in November.
The programme is a collaboration between Coventry City Council and UHCW which helps young people with Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND), between the ages of 16- to 24- years old, transition from education to employment.
The event heard first-hand from interns past and present, their families and work-based mentors – all speaking about the positive impact the programme has had on their lives.
UHCW's Chief People Officer, Donna Griffiths said:
"Over the past 10 years - working together with Coventry City Council, local schools and colleges and our partners at Mitie and ISS, it’s been our pleasure and our privilege to welcome 90 interns into our organisation.
It’s also been great to see those colleagues flourish and grow. Over the last 12 months, 81% of the interns progressed into employment.
Behind every single one of those numbers is a person, and it’s brilliant that we are helping people to change their lives by working together."
Look out for more exciting supported internship news in 2026!
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Coventry Alternative Provision
SENDIASS' popular information sessions recently invited the Coventry Alternative Provision (CAP) team to talk about all that can be accessed through the CAP programme.
CAP offers a wide range of short, medium and long-term educational programmes that young people can access through their school or EHCP.
A good example of the type of courses on offer is Wild Earth's Stepping Stones programme. This is a 6-week allotment-based outdoor learning programme supporting improved confidence, resilience, teamwork, and mental health and wellbeing. Nature connection is the platform used to build self-esteem through positive connection with self, others and the environment.
If your young person is struggling to access their education, CAP may be part of the solution!
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Letters to Santa
This year Santa will be replying to Royal Mail Christmas letters in BSL or by sending a Braille reply.
This can be arranged by customers emailing santamail@royalmail.com.
Just make sure that your child's letter reaches Santa by Wednesday 10 December.
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Support group for families of children with Down Syndrome
Do you know about Archie’s Smile?
Archie's Smile offers weekly support group sessions, early learning experiences tailored to the developmental needs of children with Down Syndrome, pre and post birth counselling for parents, and specialist speech and language provision.
Find out more and get contact details from the 'Archie's Smile' Facebook page.
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Coventry Children's Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Feedback Survey
Coventry City Council are gathering feedback on how emotional wellbeing and mental health services are working and how they can develop them based on your feedback.
If you are:
- under the age of 25
- a parent or carer
- a professional working with Children and Young People
Complete the survey by scanning the QR code or visiting the Coventry Children's Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Feedback survey.
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EasyPeasy app - new SEN resources
If your child has additional needs—or you simply want more support with their development—EasyPeasy are offering a range of SEN resources:
- practical, bitesize tips
- calming, play-based activities
- filters to help you find what’s right for your child
- co-created with parents, practitioners, and experts
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Makaton story time sessions
Did you know Willenhall Library hold a Makaton story time session every month?
This month the session is: a 'Festive Makaton Storytime', sharing books 'Hetty's Hannukah' and Pip and Posey's Christmas Tree'.
All are welcome to these free sessions which are Makaton sign assisted.
Saturday 20 December, 11.30am to 12pm, Willenhall Library, Hagard Community Space, Remembrance Road, Coventry, CV3 3DG.
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'Changing the Future': Christmas Wellness Day & Santa Experience
This session aims to replace overwhelm with joy, through offering a calm sensory friendly Santa Experience where children can meet Santa without pressure — just warmth, patience, and smiles.
Date: Saturday 13 December 2025
Time: 11am to 2pm
Venue: Coventry CV4 (full address sent with booking).
For more details and to book contact: abbie@changingthefuture.co.uk
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New inclusive Dance sessions for children with SEND
Ladybug Lodge have joined forces with 'Off-Balance Dance' to provide a new set of dance classes, specifically for children who have SEND.
Sessions are available for those age 4 to 21 in both 1-to-1 and group sessions!
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HAF December Holiday Activities
Have you booked yet?
HAF offer a range of free, fun activities, with a meal included, for children who receive benefits-related free school meals.
The HAF activities can be filtered by the following categories:
- ‘Universal Provision with SEND Support’
- ‘Specialist SEND Provision’
- ‘Universal provision’
Visit the HAF website to see what's on. If you have any further questions or queries about bookings, please contact HAF@coventry.gov.uk.
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Ladybug Lodge December Holiday Activities
Ladybug Lodge are running a number of activities this December half term for children who have SEND.
Activities include: Santa's Grotto, 'Stay and Play' and a 'Birthday Party'.
Session venues may vary, please check individual details on the Christmas Provision booking webpage.
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Phoebe's Green Christmas! Free festive digital sensory show
Award-winning inclusive theatre company 'Embracing Arts' have produced a free festive digital sensory show 'Phoebe’s Green Christmas'!
The show is designed specifically for neurodiverse children, those labelled PMLD and children with life-limiting illness to enjoy at home, in school, in hospice and hospital, or wherever they feel most comfortable.
Phoebe’s Green Christmas promises to provide meaningful, accessible entertainment to all this Christmas, so expect lots of music, puppetry, sensory stimuli and festive cheer!
Registration to receive the show is now open. The show will be available to view from 3 November 2025 until 9 January 2026.
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Coventry Family Hub Holiday Activities
Looking for something fun and festive to do over the holidays?
Coventry Family Hubs have a full line-up of Christmas activities to keep little ones busy, creative, and full of festive cheer!
Visit the Coventry Family Hub website to view the activity programme.
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Art for All
Do you know about the Art for All sessions for children and young people with SEND aged 8+?
A series of workshops with guest artists covering a mixture of art forms including dance, drama, illustrations and art.
Every Tuesday, term-time only, at Aspire Family Hub (Humber Avenue, CV1 2SF)
For more information contact: LynneBarton@entrustcarepartnership.org.uk
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The Wave 'Quiet Time' sessions
Experience a fun-filled, calm and relaxing environment with no music, sensory toys in the lazy river as well as accessible changing facilities. All slides are available for this session.
Ideal for families and individuals who have complex needs and disabilities.
The next sessions are on:
- Saturday 20 December 4pm to 6pm
- Saturday 3 January 4pm to 6pm
The Wave offers accessible facilities for disabled customers through their commitment to providing 'Access for All' in and around their centres. Discounted 'disability tickets' are available for eligible customers.
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SENDIASS: Events
You can find information on our website about various groups, events and activities for children with SEND across the city, as well as details for Coventry Family Information Service and Coventry Rocks who also offer a wealth of information on activities and events in Coventry.
New for 2026
We are excited to inform you that in January 2026 we will be bringing you a brand new online parents information session on 'Factors for Extended Non-Attendance at School and Related Processes’.
We believe this is a subject that will interest a lot of parents/carers and hope it will provide valuable information to help families of children and young people in Coventry struggling to access School.
This session will be added to our website in the new year so look out for this.
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The Coventry Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Local Offer brings together information for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.
The SEND Local Offer will cover services available to the public across education, health and social care:
Education: such as nurseries, playgroups, schools and colleges as well as support services like Educational Psychology and SEN services
Health: children's and adult services including GPs, therapists and hospital services
Social care: such as short break services and children's and adult disability services.
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www.coventryfamilies.co.uk is a website which can help you find information and support from a wide variety of services in the Coventry area for children and young people from 0-25yrs, including information around SEND.
The portals ‘children link’ can direct families to useful information on a range of topics related to children’s care, health and development as well as navigating families to the 'Coventry Information Directory' (via the ‘childcare’ tab) for information about childcare, activities and events across the city.
If you would prefer to speak to someone directly, Coventry’s Family Hubs can provide advice and support at their friendly locations across the city. You can find your nearest Family Hub at www.coventry.gov.uk/familyhubs
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A booklet providing useful information about services and support available for those who are diagnosed or who self-identify as neurodivergent, and those who care for and support them.
Access the booklet via the Dimensions webpage.
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Rise is a family of NHS-led services providing emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people in Coventry and Warwickshire.
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Coventry Families Digital offer provides a range of information, advice and services on adult help, including financial support, health, housing and domestic abuse.
‘Coventry Families Digital offer: ‘Help for adults’
More on 'Domestic Abuse'...
'Safe to Talk' - Coventry City Council's Domestic Abuse Website
If you need advice or support go to Safe to Talk, Coventry City Council’s Domestic Abuse website.
Here you will find information on services for survivors, children/young people and those who want to change their behaviour.
There is support around honour-based abuse, forced marriage and FGM. Anyone including professionals can call 0800 111 4998 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday or 10am to 1pm Saturday and Sunday.
You can find details for 'Safe to Talk' above via the ‘Adult help and wellbeing - Coventry Families Digital offer: Help for Adults: Domestic Abuse’.
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Coventry Citizens Advice provides a range of free, confidential advice, including housing, benefits and debt.
You can contact them via their Advice Line: 0800 144 88 48
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If you have any comments or wish to contribute something to the next bulletin, please let us know by contacting us sendnews@coventry.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can keep up to date through SEND IASS's;
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