If you have a prepaid Targeted Short Breaks (TSB) card, please note you have until 31st March 2026 to spend all remaining funds on the card from the 2025-26 allowance. Unspent funds cannot be carried over into 2026-27.
You can check the balance on your card using an ATM (cash machine) and your PIN - you cannot withdraw cash.
Existing cardholders will be contacted by email shortly with confirmation of arrangements for the 2026-27 allowance. Look out for an email from the team - please remember to check your spam / junk folder.
The process for new applicants will re-open soon and we will post on our SEND Local Offer Facebook page when applications go live.
Find out more about the scheme on our Targeted Short Breaks Allowance webpage.
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Herefordshire’s schools are seeing a growing range of needs in their pupils, including social and emotional challenges, communication differences and varied learning profiles. To ensure every child receives the right support at the right time, Herefordshire Council has expanded the Inclusion Outreach Service.
This service has been shaped by what schools told us they needed—but most importantly, it is designed to benefit children and their families. Parents want to know that concerns will be responded to quickly, that professionals work closely together, and that support in school is practical, consistent and effective. That is exactly what this service aims to deliver.
The team includes specialist advisory teachers and skilled Intervention Specialists who work across three areas of need:
- Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
- Communication and Interaction
- Cognition and Learning
Support will be accessed through a simple referral route so that help can be put in place without unnecessary delays.
A key feature of the model is the hands‑on role of Intervention Specialists. They will:
- Work directly with children in their classrooms
- Model strategies so staff feel confident using them
- Provide short-term, targeted support for individual pupils or small groups
- Offer rapid help when schools need immediate input
This means that support is not just discussed—it is actively put into practice, helping children feel more confident, included and understood in their daily school experience.
At its core, this service reflects Herefordshire’s belief that every child deserves to feel included, supported and able to succeed. Without timely support, some pupils may struggle, disengage or miss out on learning opportunities. The Inclusion Outreach Service aims to prevent this by offering consistent, practical help that makes a real difference.
As inclusion expert Diane Richler reminds us:
“Inclusion is not about helping people fit into existing systems—it is about transforming those systems so they work better for everyone.”
This service is a step towards exactly that: supporting schools, empowering staff and ensuring that every child in Herefordshire has the chance to thrive.
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If your child is waiting for an ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or autism assessment, you can ask their GP to refer them through Right to Choose. This allows you to choose an NHS‑approved provider at the point of referral or where waiting times are longer than 18 weeks. Only GPs can make these referrals.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) has accredited some providers for ADHD and autism assessment for children and young people living in Herefordshire. Choosing an accredited provider helps ensure the assessment is high‑quality and accepted by local NHS services. Accredited providers must follow national guidelines.
Find out more on our website.
What is SENDIASS?
SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs/Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service) provides FREE, impartial and confidential information, advice and support on all matters relating to children and young people (0-25) who have or may have SEND.
They can help you if:
- You have concerns about your child’s progress or development
- You would like to know more about the support available for children with SEND and their families
- You would like to know more about Herefordshire’s SEND policies and procedures
- You need information and guidance on the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process
Contact them :
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:00pm
Call: 01432 260955
(24 hour answering machine service is available)
Email: SENDIASS@herefordshire.gov.uk
Or visit their website www.hwsendiass.co.uk for information and resources.
SENDIASS support for young people
Sammy, Herefordshire SENDIASS Young Person Advisor, joins the Youth Employment Hub in Hereford on the last two Tuesdays of every month. She is available to meet with young people with SEND to offer careers advice and impartial information, advice and support on all matters relating to Special Educational Needs/ Disabilities (SEND).
Young People can book an appointment with Sammy by completing the Youth Employment Hub referral form on their webpage or by contacting SENDIASS directly on sendiass@herefordshire.gov.uk
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In recent weeks, PCV parent representatives have participated in several meetings that have a direct impact on families with children and young people with SEND in Herefordshire. Parent representatives play a crucial role in ensuring that local families are heard and actively involved in shaping SEND services. They do this by:
- Listening to Families– Collecting experiences to identify needs
- Bringing Parent Voice into Meetings – Reflecting lived experiences
- Providing Peer Support – Offering empathy, reassurance, and guidance
- Improving Services – Assessing pathways and resources
- Sharing Information – Clarifying processes and directing families to resources
Get Involved! Amplify Your Voice
Your experiences are essential for shaping SEND services in Herefordshire
- Share your experiences – including transitions, EHCPs, and school-related issues
- Participate in consultations - reviewing proposals and changes
- Join a working group – focus areas include early years, transitions, and preparing for adulthood
- Attend a coffee morning - share your views, meet other parents
- Help spread the word – encourage other parents to connect with PCV
Visit the PCV Herefordshire website or connect with them on Facebook.
Stay and Play - Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH)
Is your child being supported by our Early Years Inclusion Team for their social, emotional and mental health needs? If so, the team are running another stay and play designed especially for children who need a little bit of extra help to manage their emotions.
The session will take place on Thursday 19th February, 10.30am - 12noon at Ledbury Children's Centre (HR8 2BE).
The session is a chance for parents and carers to connect with other families. Professionals and practitioners will also be on hand to discuss ideas and strategies to support parents and carers and their child both at home and when out in the community.
To attend the session, you must pre-book by contacting Kim Lerigo - email kim.lerigo@herefordshire.gov.uk or call 07792 880134.
Parent Coffee Morning at the Child Development Centre
If your preschool aged child has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition, we would like to invite you to a coffee morning at the Child Development Centre (CDC) on Ross Road, Hereford (HR2 7RL).
Friday 13th February from 10am - 11.30am - children are welcome to attend with you.
This is an opportunity to chat to a range of professionals including a specialist Speech and Language Therapist, Outreach Support Teacher and Inclusion Support Officer, as well as to meet and chat to other parents.
Updated information for parent carers of early years children recently diagnosed with autism
We have recently updated our Early Years Autism (0 - 4 years) webpage to include all of the information that's usually provided when an early years child receives their diagnosis of autism. We recognise that it can be overwhelming to receive multiple leaflets, flyers, information sheets and documents and have collated it all online to make this information as accessible as possible. The webpage includes direct links to relevant information and sources of support so that you can find what you're looking for quickly and easily.
The newly updated page has been co-produced with Parent Carer Voice (PCV) and includes information and signposting including:
- What is autism?
- Local support available
- Other sources of support
- Important information to consider (Disability Living Allowance, Blue Badge, online workshops etc)
We hope you find the page useful and would welcome any feedback - you can email localoffer@herefordshire.gov.uk to let us know what you think.
Our Herefordshire SEND Local Offer Facebook page is the place to be if you want to know about SEND-friendly events and groups in Herefordshire.
As well as letting you know about fun activities for children and young people with SEND, we also signpost to parent carer workshops, useful information and advice and services that are there to help you and your family.
Follow us to keep up to date with everything SEND in Herefordshire.
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Looking for something on the Herefordshire SEND Local Offer website?
We have made it even easier for you. Shortcuts to information, advice and updates are now in one place on our Linktree which has shortcuts to the most popular pages of our SEND Local Offer.
Click on our new Linktree today and stay connected.
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Looking to do something fun with the kids this half term?
Talk Community are excited to announce that the Big HAF Day is coming on Wednesday 18 February!
Families feeling the pinch this winter are encouraged to book their place and enjoy a day exploring new activities, getting creative and having fun with the family! There will be a wide range of activities on offer, from face painting to coding, ceramics, martial arts, forest school and much more. The good news is, the event is fully-funded and this includes free tasty food for all attending too.
The Big HAF Day will take place at Whitecross School, Hereford on Wednesday 18 February, 10am – 2pm. For more information and to book your place, please visit the Talk Community Directory.
The Big HAF Day is funded by the Department for Education.
The Household Support Fund is continuing to support those that are hardest hit by the cost of living crisis.
If you or someone you live with uses specialist medical equipment and have high energy costs due to this, you could be eligible for up to £250 towards your energy bills.
This support is available to households with individuals, children or adults, who depend on high energy-consuming medical devices such as:
- Ventilators
- Dialysis machines
- Oxygen concentrators
- Feeding pumps
To apply, individuals can make a self-referral or be referred by a professional body. For more information or to apply please visit the Household Support Fund Page.
The Household Support Fund is funded through the Department of Work and Pensions
3Degreez already run fantastic SEN classes, Defuze, for primary aged children on Mondays after school.
They now have a specialist soft play session at Hinton Community Centre aimed at the youngest members of the community who have additional needs or those receiving early support.
This session offers a safe and welcoming space for little ones with additional needs to explore, play, and grow at their own pace. Using the soft play equipment in a fun, calm, and supportive environment with friendly team members on hand to help every step of the way.
This session also offers a lovely opportunity for parents and families to meet others in a similar situation. A really safe space to open up about your child’s needs in an environment that is all inclusive and very welcoming.
Suitable for Parent and Tots from babies through to 5 years.
💚Tuesday 10:30-11:15am
📍Hinton Community Centre
✔️£5, Pay As You Go & Class Passes available
📲Booking is via Bookwhen
Email the team or call with any questions.
💌theherefordhub@gmail.com
📞07792 254217
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Hereford and Worcester Dyslexia Association have published their first newsletter of the academic year. You can read the latest edition on their website: News - HWDA
This edition of the newsletter includes information about HWDA's work, their trustees and dates for the diary including their upcoming 50th anniversary event.
You can find out more about HWDA on their website.
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If you would like to contribute to the next edition of the SEND Newsletter, please get in touch by Friday 20th March 2026. We value your feedback and would love to hear what you think of the newsletter. To submit future content or share your views on this newsletter, please contact us by email: localoffer@herefordshire.gov.uk
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