Welcome to the latest edition of Shropshire's SEND newsletter, co-produced by Shropshire Council's SEND Local Offer, Shropshire's Parent Carer Council (PACC) and NHS Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.
The newsletter aims to provide easy access to key information for SEND families.
Please do continue to provide feedback on this newsletter, we want this to work for you and we are keen to hear what you think of it, and what articles you'd like to see in future editions. You can email us your thoughts at Local.Offer@Shropshire.gov.uk
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The Witherslack Group are a great resource of support, advice, and guidance for parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs (SEN), as well as for professionals working within the SEN sector.
Closely collaborating with SEN professionals share their experience and expertise built an extensive library of SEN resources offering a range of advice and support and which is available in their knowledge hub SEN Support, Advice and Resources - Witherslack Group
They have also developed a range of support packs include understanding ADHD, Autism and EHCPs, there packs to support siblings of SEN children, the early years, children’s mental health support, and many more. Well worth a look. You can find the support packs here SEN Support Packs - Witherslack Group Advice & Support Resources
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A young carer is a young person aged from 5 to 17 years of age who helps to look after (or ‘care’ for) a family member who has a physical disability, mental illness, or alcohol/drug addiction. There are around 650 known young carers in Shropshire, but there are probably lots more children and young people who are caring, but just see this as being part of a family.
Helping to look after or ‘care’ for someone can be rewarding, but tiring too. It can affect schoolwork and seeing friends, and knowing who you can speak to is really important.
Young carers may:
- Feel lonely or not be able to join clubs or after school play dates
- Feel tired from having too much to do
- Worry about time to do homework
- Feel worried about fitting everything into the day – caring, school, homework
- Feel they don’t fit in – they feel different to other young people
- Being bullied at school
Young carers tell us they want to be treated like any other child or young person.
The Shropshire Young Carers service holds monthly young carer groups across the county and hosts various activities during school holidays. We aim for the young carers to have fun, do crafts and games, but also relax with other young people who will relate to their own situation. Our focus is respite and support for young carers.
You can find out more about the Young Carers service on the Early Help website.
To refer a young person to the Young Carers service please head to the children’s portal and through the Requesting Help and Support for Children/Families option. The Portal can be found here Shropshire Council Early Help Portal
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Open access clinics run by Health Visitors take place throughout Shropshire. They offer parents the chance to get their baby weighed but also to access information, advice and support on a range of topics, including:
- Infant feeding and breastfeeding advice
- Child development
- Emotional health and wellbeing
- Parenting and local support groups
- Behaviour
- Sleep
You can find out where they are and when they run by clicking on the Shropshire Family Information Service Directory
Parents who would like support but are unable to get to a session, can also get help by calling 0333 358 3654 or texting the team on 07520 635212.
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Shropshire’s new Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) document is now available. Although it is mainly written for schools, families may also find it useful.
The document describes the kinds of support, adjustments and strategies that schools should usually be able to provide for children and young people with SEND through SEN Support. This means support that can often be put in place without needing an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
For parents and carers, it can be a helpful starting point when talking with school about your child’s needs. It may help you understand what support should ordinarily be available, what is already in place, and what else could be tried if your child is finding things difficult.
Not every strategy will be right for every child, and support should always be based on individual need. However, the document can support conversations with school about what is working, what is not, and how support will be reviewed.
If you are concerned that your child’s needs are not being met in school, Shropshire SENDIASS can provide impartial information, advice and support to help you prepare for meetings, understand SEN Support, and consider possible next steps.
View the document and learn more about SEN support in schools here: https://www.shropshiresendiass.com/what-to-expect-from-school
Questions to ask school
Using the OAP document in conversations with school
You may find it helpful to ask:
- What do you see as my child’s main areas of need in school?
- Is my child receiving SEN Support? If so, what does that currently include?
- What adjustments or strategies are already in place?
- Are there approaches in the OAP guidance that might be relevant for my child?
- How is the support being monitored and reviewed?
- What difference is the support making to my child’s learning, wellbeing or attendance?
- What will happen next if my child is still struggling?
- When will we meet again to review support?
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We know that for some children and young people, wearing a school uniform can make them feel uncomfortable. There are a number of suppliers of sensory and adaptive school wear, and we wanted to share a few with you. We’ve also included links to a couple of sites that offer parent carers tips for supporting children with their new school uniform.
Sensory and Adaptive School wear
Top Tips for supporting children with their new school uniform
Families in Shropshire who are struggling with the cost of school uniform may also be able to get help from Little Stars through their Cool for School campaign. Little Stars provide clean, ready-to-wear, pre-loved school uniform and, when available, can also help with items such as bags, shoes and stationery.
You can make a referral for uniform support through Little Stars, or ask your school or another professional working with your family for help with a referral.
Cool for School ‑ Uniforms for Every Child
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The summer holidays are fast approaching, and Shropshire Council’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme is offering to make the holidays unforgettable for eligible children and young people! Fully funded by the Department for Education, the HAF Programme provides free holiday clubs and healthy meals to eligible families across the county from the 20th July to the 28th August and bookings are now open.
Children aged 4 to 16 who receive benefits-related free school meals, or are referred by professionals due to them experiencing financial hardship, can join exciting activities like sports, crafts, cooking, and outdoor games in community venues across the county.
Taking part in the activities is free for eligible children and young people and each session includes a nutritious meal, with plenty of opportunities to learn about healthy eating.
To check eligibility and to book, visit the HAF website . Eligible families will need a unique HAF code from their school or referral professional. All places must be booked in advance and eligibility checks will apply.
KIDS – the universal autism support service for Shropshire has some exciting events planned for young people aged 12-17 registered with All In Short Breaks over the summer holidays. No diagnosis is needed to access the support KIDS provide.
Join our relaxed, friendly, free group for parent carers of children with SEND. Connect with others, deepen your understanding of your child, and explore what’s going well and what you’d like to change. Small changes make big differences!
Upcoming Sessions (once a week over 10 weeks, excl. half terms and bank holidays)
- 22nd September 2026 from 5.00 to 7.00pm Online via MS Teams
- 25th September 2026 from 9.30 to 11.30am Online via MS Teams
SEND groups are for parent carers of children who may have special educational needs or disabilities. No formal diagnosis is needed.
What We’ll Talk About
- Communication and building confidence in your relationship with your child
- Exploring routines such as sleep and bedtime
- Understanding behaviour and emotional regulation
- Child development and ways you can support it
“I met others going through the same things. It really helped me feel less alone.”
“The group boosted my confidence as a parent.”
Want to Join Us?
Email: parenting.team@shropshire.gov.uk
Call: 01743 250950
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We all know how important a good night’s sleep is for your child’s growth and development. When children sleep well, it helps them do better at school, react more quickly, build stronger memories, and learn and solve problems more effectively. It can also help them stay healthier, feel less irritable, and manage their behaviour more positively.
There are many different factors that can affect your child’s sleep, and it can sometimes feel hard to know where to start. Join us to learn more, share experiences, and pick up helpful tips to support your child in getting the rest they need.
Upcoming Session (once a week over 5 weeks, excl. half terms and bank holidays)
12th November 2026 from 9.30 to 11.30am Virtually via MS Teams
The SEND groups are suitable for parents/carers of children who have special educational needs and disabilities, no formal diagnosis is needed to attend our groups.
What We’ll Talk About
- Benefits of good sleep for our health and emotional wellbeing
- Sleep and bedtime routines for the whole family
- Sleep diaries
- Nutrition and food and their impact on healthy sleep and bedtime routines
- Meet other parents/carers to share and discuss experiences
“It’s been eye opening to see how many different things can affect children’s sleep. I have learnt so much and now have new ideas to try out.”
“I feel more confident in bedtime routines, and less alone in the fact my child struggles with sleep”
Want to Join Us?
Email: parenting.team@shropshire.gov.uk
Call: 01743 250950
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Transitioning to secondary school can be a big step for any child, and even more so for those with additional needs. Whether your child is autistic, has ADHD, a learning or physical disability, experiences high anxiety, or simply finds change difficult, this short pathway is here to support both you and them. Building on ways to nurture emotional wellbeing, this pathway offers practical tools to strengthen communication and better understand your child’s needs during this important time.
You can access this learning here - Moving up to secondary school for children with additional needs - Togetherness Use access code: DARWIN18 to access the learning for free.
You may also find our resources for parents of children moving up to a new school useful to accompany this pathway. Explore our Moving up resources.
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Shropshire Council provides a range of Short Breaks services and the All-In short breaks are part of our early help offer for children and young people aged up to the age of 18 who live in Shropshire and have a disability or additional need that prevents them from accessing universal clubs and activities in their community. The aim of short breaks is to enable children and young people to have fun and take part in activities and social opportunities whilst giving parent carers some time away from their caring responsibilities. Short breaks can also support preparation for adulthood and help develop confidence away from the family home or support.
All In short breaks provide a range of opportunities such as horse riding, water-based sports, yoga, swimming, cycling, football, boxing, multi-racket sports and activities such as creative arts, dance, rock music and youth clubs.
Shropshire’s All In Programme provide a range of opportunities for children and young people with disabilities. All In short breaks are available for those up to their 18th birthday who cannot take part in the same activities as others their age without additional support. Find out more about the All In Programme
Shropshire Council are seeking the views and experiences of families who have a child with an All In membership and how they may benefit (or have benefitted in the past) from an All In short breaks, to inform discussion and development of the service. If this does not apply to you, we thank you for your interest but please do not fill out the survey.
We want to hear your views and experiences from the All In Short Breaks provision. Have your say
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My name is Kathryn Halford, and I am a Family Support Worker with the Disabled Children’s Team (DCT) in Shropshire Children’s Social Care. I joined the team in May 2025 and support children and young people aged 0 – 18 years who have complex needs and disabilities and their families across Shropshire.
I have worked with children and young people with SEND and their families throughout my working life. For a long time, I managed a nursery within a school in Wales which had a SEN hub where I was also an Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator for 3- & 4-year-olds. I have been a High-Level Teaching Assistant and have a degree in Child Development and Mental Health. My training and previous and current roles have given me a good understanding of the SEND community, the diverse needs of children and young people and how every child is unique, and how important it is for services and families to work together in partnership to meet the needs of children with SEND so that they can thrive and live their best lives. My passion has always been working with children and young people with SEND and seeing them as children first and foremost before their SEND. I strongly believe in Early Intervention and see that providing support at the earliest opportunity helps children and young people to progress.
I have also managed a safe house for men fleeing domestic abuse and their children which broadened my knowledge of safeguarding. Alongside this I delivered a programme in schools talking to children and young people about domestic abuse and its impact.
As a Family support Worker with DCT I work with children who have been identified as Children in Need under The Children Act 1989 due to their disability rather than there always being safeguarding needs and risks. I do support some children and families to manage safeguarding risks through Child in Need and Child Protection Plans and I also support children who are looked after by the Local Authority and in residential or foster care.
My role focuses on delivering the direct work with families set out in their social care plan to support the social worker who co-ordinates the plan to bring the children’s outcomes to life which includes helping disabled young people to prepare for a safe, happy and healthy transition into adulthood and independence. To achieve this, I spend a lot of my time building relationships not only with the family but with other practitioners to promote a holistic and creative approach to finding the best possible individualised package of support for each child and their family.
My work has a whole family approach including meeting the needs of parent carers and non-disabled siblings and empowering children and young people to have the same life opportunities as their non-disabled peers through me advocating for them.
Working in the Disabled Children’s Team in Shropshire has been the best job I have ever had. The way that the team connects to support each other and the families we support is invaluable. I feel like I make a real difference to families and the delight in a child’s face when they see you is priceless. Seeing even the smallest changes making a big difference is very rewarding.
The Disabled Children’s Team can be contacted via the Shropshire First Point of Contact on 03456789021.
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As you may know, it is a statutory requirement for the local area to have a SEND Local Offer which is the front door to SEND information, like an online hub, where parent carers can drop in and access the information they need. The SEND Local Offer which must provide clear, comprehensive, accessible, up-to-date information and be developed/reviewed with children, young people, families and providers.
In Shropshire we want to make sure that as many parent carers are involved in the SEND Local Offer as possible, continually reviewing and developing it, so that it meets the needs of the SEND community.
If you would like to be involved in short pieces of work or simply want to share your thoughts on what we need to work on, please email Local.Offer@Shropshire.gov.uk
You can also complete our short feedback form
Local offer website feedback | Shropshire Council
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During summer 2025, a group of young people from the Shropshire SEND Community joined PACC's Healthy Lives Programme and attended workshops with Rocking Horse Media.
The young people learnt about script writing, acting, film and sound and produced a short film they called The Spark. This video is an authentic depiction of the way young people with SEND feel treated and viewed in today’s society and how they feel that the majority of public spaces still do not adequately support their needs.
You can watch the video here.
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