Wokingham Borough Connect
 Welcome to the March 2025 edition of the SENCO newsletter. This edition includes:
- Update from Helen Jackson-Brench, Area SENCO
- Training opportunities
- Invitation to the Wokingham World Autism Awareness Day
- Changes to the Wokingham Directory
- Audit of SEN Information Reports
- Update from SEND Voices
Update from Helen Jackson-Brench, Area SENCO
I hope you all had a lovely half term and that the first week back has gone well.
Work on the new Ordinarily Available Provision guidance is picking up pace. The first draft is complete and has been sent to members of the working party and other agencies for comment. We are looking forward to sharing the completed guidance with you at the SENCO Network Meeting on 30 April. You would have received a calendar invitation to this event - please do hold this date.
On 20 January, Soraya and Brigitte from the EP Service delivered a training session on Neuro-Affirming Language. It was informative and thought-provoking and afterwards schools were given access to a training presentation that they can use with staff in their own settings (available in the password protected area of the SENCO Hub). Soraya will be leading a second session in May on ‘Supporting children’s social experiences and connections in a neuro-affirming way.’ See below for details.
This year, for the first time, we have offered a SENCO Induction Course for anyone new or nearly new to the role. Our current group will be attending session five out of six this week. It’s been a great opportunity to network and share good practice whilst delving into different elements of the SENCO role. Next year, we will be offering the programme again and will be happy to include any experienced SENCOs who would like to refresh themselves on different aspects of the role.
I look forward to seeing you at the next SENCO network meeting on 18 March.
 Training opportunities
SENCO Network Meetings:
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Tuesday 18 March, 3.30pm (online) – this will include updates from CYPIT and the Sensory Consortium Service and information about our new SEND and Inclusion Strategy
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Wednesday 30 April, 3.30pm (in person at St Crispin’s) – we will be launching the new WBC Ordinarily Available Provision guidance at this event
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Tuesday 20 May, 3.30pm (online) – Supporting children’s social experiences and connections in a neuro-affirming way. A calendar invite will follow
ASSIST workshops
ASSIST is offering a number of workshops to parents, carers, autistic individuals and professionals. This term, they are offering the following:
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Tuesday 11 March, 9.30am – Supporting autistic individuals to understand and self-manage emotions and feelings (including anger)
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Tuesday 1 April, 9.30am - 12pm (in person) – Supporting siblings
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Tuesday 29 April, 9.30am - 12pm (in person) – Creating and using visual supports including social scripts, drawing whilst talking
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Tuesday 6 May, 7pm (online) – Supporting autistic individuals to understand and self-manage emotions and feelings (including anger)
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Tuesday 13 May, 9.30am - 12pm (in person) – Autism specific workshop on sexual development and puberty
To find out more about these workshops or book a place, please contact us by emailing ASSISTWorkshops@wokingham.gov.uk.
Other courses
Details of other courses available can be found on the Events section of the Wokingham School's Hub.
You are all invited to the Wokingham World Autism Awareness Day on Wednesday 2 April, from 2pm to 7pm, at the Oakwood Centre in Woodley.
Everyone is welcome. Book your free ticket online and drop in at any time that suits you.
On the day, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Learn more about the All-age Autism Strategy and take part in action planning
- Find out about local support, services and activities for neurodivergent people and their families, directly from local charities and community and statutory organisations
- Participate in workshops to learn more about autism, including communication and sensory differences
- Join activities, including Brickies lego – fun for all ages!
The event is hosted by The Autism Partnership made up of organisations, groups and individuals in Wokingham Borough. Together we develop plans and drive progress, led by the local autistic community and their families.
We’re running a competition to design a logo for the Autism Partnership. It’s open to all who live, go to school or work in the borough. Visit our website to find out more and take part.
Updated school pages on SEND Local Offer Directory
Changes have been made to each school’s webpage on the SEND Local Offer Directory.
We have listened to feedback and want these pages to be simpler for families to navigate and simpler for you to update.
Each page now contains key information about each school and a link to the school’s website and SEN information report.
The secondary school pages are completed, and the primary school pages are in the process of being updated.
Schools with resource bases and special schools
We have also updated each webpage for our Wokingham Borough's special schools and made it easier for families to see which mainstream schools have resource bases.
If your school has a resource base or SEND unit, please ensure the information on your website about this provision is up to date.
If you need any advice about this, feel free to contact Julia Bedser at julia.bedser@wokingham.gov.uk.
Audit of SEN Information Reports
As the new Wokingham Directory includes a link to each school’s SEN Information Report, the Area SENCO team will be looking at each school’s website to check that there is an up-to-date report available.
The Code of Practice states that schools must publish an SEN information report. It should be updated annually and any changes to the information occurring during the year should be updated as soon as possible.
If we are unable to find an up-to-date report on the school website, we will drop you an email to find out if you are working on it and offer support if required. If you would like advice in the meantime, please do get in touch.
A reminder that the information in the report should be easily accessible by young people and parents/carers. It should set out in clear, straightforward language and accurately reflect current practice in your school. It must also include information about where WBC’s Local Offer is published. We will upload some examples of accessible format onto the SENCO Hub over the coming weeks.
You can find out more about the information that must be included in the report in section 6.79 of the SEND Code of Practice.
Update from SEND Voices
SEND Voices have updated the following guides.
The SEND Local Offer Guide gives you information about some of the organisations and services locally that can provide activities, help, information and support to families of children/young people aged 0-25 years with any Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND).
The SEND Guide for parents is a quick and easy guide for parents and carers of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, particularly those starting on a SEND journey. You can click on the website links in the online version, and it will take you to the relevant webpage for more information.
Please share these with your families. Printed copies of both booklets are also available. If you would like to receive any, please email to info@sendvoiceswokingham.org.uk.
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