Wokingham Borough Connect
Alongside our SEND Local Offer webpages and our Local Offer Directory, this half-termly newsletter brings news and updates about what's on offer locally for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), directly to your inbox.
This issue includes:
- An update from Jamie Conran, Head of SEND
- Details of upcoming workshops and drop in events
- Activities for the school holidays
 Update from Jamie, Head of SEND
SEND Team
In the previous SEND Local Offer newsletter, I explained we were reorganising our SEND Team and introducing some new roles and ways of working. Part of the reason for this was to support the team to meet the rapidly increasing demand over the past couple of years, as well listening to feedback from families about how our service was working.
The SEND Service page on the Local Offer has been updated to explain the new structure and roles. It will mean a SEND Casework Practitioner works with a family for the entire EHCP process, from the EHC needs assessment through to annual reviews. It also means all mainstream and specialist schools in the borough will have a SEND Casework Practitioner linked to their school.
We have expanded our team, and so we have recruited additional interim staff to fill these roles while we recruit permanent staff. We have had a really positive response to our recruitment campaign, and we have new permanent staff beginning in January 2025 (some roles will start slightly later due to notice periods but will be covered by interim staff).
This is the start of a new and exciting period for our SEND Team and we truly believe that this way of working will have a positive impact on the experience of the SEND system for families.
There will be lots of training for new starters as they embed in our team, and we kindly ask that you bear with us while they find their feet. We will continue to keep families posted through this newsletter as well as through SEND Voices (the parent carer forum for Wokingham Borough) and our Local Offer webpages.
EHCP mediation and appeals
 Plans for new Post-16 SEND Hub
The old Wokingham Library on Denmark Street is set to get a new lease of life as we reveal proposed plans for a Post-16 SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) Hub based at the site.
At a meeting next week, a decision will be made whether to open Post-16 SEND Hub at the site with spaces for 40 young people to continue their education and training within the borough, delivering better outcomes for young people and saving us over £1 million a year.
Teaching would include core foundation skills such as English and maths, access to work training, independent living skills and vocational courses, with a planned opening to the first cohort of students in 2026.
There is an immediate and pressing need to create additional post-16 SEND spaces in the borough, with an anticipated increase of 22.4 per cent between the 2023/24 and 2028/29 school year.
The hub will offer young people opportunities to continue their education and build connections close to their homes and communities, with the town centre location offering good transport links and excellent access to local employers.
 Life skills for teenagers with autism
Local charity ASD Family Help are running a series of sessions for 15 to 19 year olds called the Safer Me Project. The project is aimed at teens who are neurodiverse and want to meet others in safe and welcoming spaces, while learning new things.
The monthly sessions will cover topics such as:
- Healthy relationships
- Community safety and travel training
- Behaviour and communication
- Money, online and sexual safety
- Alcohol, drugs, health and wellbeing
Sessions will take place in Wokingham and there will also be days out around Wokingham, Reading and Bracknell to support with travel training using local buses and trains.
There is a choice of dates, with the project running from December to March and also from March to June. More details and booking information can be found on the Eventbrite website.
 Wellbeing video created by young people
Young Mental Health Champions from local charity Me2 Club have created a video to support young people with their mental wellbeing.
The video focuses on five steps to mental wellbeing, recommended by the NHS.
You can watch the video, called Never Alone, on Me2 Club's YouTube channel.
Our SEND Local Offer webpages also contain information on mental health support for children and young people with SEND.
 Drop in event for carers
Wokingham Carers Partnership are putting on an event on Friday 22 November to mark Carers Rights Day.
The event in Woodley will offer support and advice to those who care for a child or adult, who could not manage without their help.
Carers will be able to speak to local organisations in the borough, as well as get advice from our adult social care Direct Payments Team and Preparing for Adulthood Team.
The event will run from 3.30 to 7pm at the Oakwood Centre, Woodley. There is no need to book, just drop in. If you have questions or need further information please email admin@promiseinclusion.org
 Online support for parents and carers
Autism Central is a programme funded by the NHS to provide free education and coaching to families.
The online workshops and drop ins are led by parents and carers of autistic people, who have been trained to share their knowledge and experience with others. Upcoming workshops include:
- Managing anxiety
- Navigating family events, holidays and days out
- Sensory processing
- Demand avoidance
- Getting extra help at school
Autism Central is delivered through regional hubs. Find out more about the South East Hub and see the upcoming workshops on the Autism Central website.
 Update from SEND Voices Wokingham
SEND Voices Wokingham is the independent parent carer forum for Wokingham Borough. It gives families a voice and opportunities to participate in developing local SEND services.
SEND Voices would like to thank those who joined them on 23 October to hear an update from Wokingham Borough Council and Health on SEND improvements.
The slides and answers to questions raised at the event are available on the SEND Voices website.
Dates for your diary
Drop in and chat at Kore Cafe
SEND Voices would like to invite families to come and have a tea, coffee or soft drink on them, at the Kore Cafe on Tuesday 26 November, from 11 to 1pm.
The Kore Cafe is run by hospitality students from Addington School, at St James Church Centre, Woodley, RG5 3LH.
Members will also be able to collect a Max Card, a UK discount card for families of children and young people with SEND. More details about SEND Voices membership and the Max Card can be found on the SEND Voices website.
SEND Service drop ins
Jamie and Sally from the council’s SEND Service will be holding drop in sessions on Thursday 5 December, to offer support to families about individual cases. Families can book a 20 minute session, either:
SENDIASS will also be available to support families at the in person sessions, if families request this.
These sessions are booked via SEND Voices. More details and booking information can be found on the SEND Voices website.
 Activities during the school holidays
Stay and play sessions at Our House
Local charity Building for the Future are offering two stay and play sessions during the school holidays at their accessible play centre, Our House, in Wokingham.
The facilities include a soft-play area, sensory room, teen chill-out zone, toys for all ages, an outdoor space and a parents’ room. They also have an accessible bathroom with hoist and full size change table.
The sessions are Friday 27 December 1 to 3pm and Thursday 2 January 11am to 2pm.
For more details, visit their listing on the Local Offer Directory.
Trampolining sessions
Jump In Adventure Park in Camberley offer trampolining sessions for those looking for activities in a calmer environment. The sessions have fewer people, no music and softer lighting. During the holidays, there is a session on Monday 23 December at 6pm. Booking information can be found on the Jump In website.
Indoor climbing sessions
Dinton Pastures Country Park offer quieter climbing sessions on their indoor climbing wall, with less crowds, and no music. During the holidays, there are sessions across the afternoon on Thursday 2 January. Booking information can be found on the Dinton Pastures website.
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