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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.
 Inclusive support for all learners in schools
We've just launched our new Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) guidance.
It explains the inclusive support that should be available to all learners in mainstream schools.
We’re proud that partners in our borough have worked together to create this guidance, including:
- SENCOs (Special Educational Needs Coordinators)
- Headteachers
- Educational psychologists
- Advisory and outreach services
- Health professionals
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SEND Voices Wokingham (the borough's parent carer forum)
- Staff from Wokingham Borough Council
Read the Ordinarily Available Provision guidance on the Local Offer.
Find out more
SEND Voices Wokingham are hosting Zoom sessions with Helen, our Area SENCO, to share more about what the OAP means for schools, families and young people. There is a choice of two sessions:
- Tuesday 8 July, 7pm to 8pm
- Thursday 10 July, 10am to 11am
To book, email info@sendvoiceswokingham.org.uk
 Celebrate autism at the ASSIST summer fete
ASSIST is our council's specialist service that works with families and providers to help autistic children and young people.
Young people from ASSIST clubs would like to invite you to afternoon tea and a summer fete.
There will be games, crafts, activities and an opportunity to meet other families and young people.
- Saturday 12 July
- 1pm to 4pm
- Woodley Airfield Centre, RG5 4UX
 Garden Explorers: free SEND holiday club
Garden Explorers is a holiday club run by Reading charity Thrive. It is open to children and young people:
- aged 11 to 17 years
- with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or in the process of getting one
Children and young people will be able to engage in nature, socialise with each other and gain new skills.
The summer holiday sessions start on Monday 28 July 2025. They are free to attend and need to be pre-booked.
Find out more on Thrive's website.
 Take part in SEND Voices Wokingham's survey
Wokingham Borough's independent parent carer forum, SEND Voices Wokingham, run an annual survey to understand where special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services are working well and where improvements still need to be made.
Their survey is open to all families who live in Wokingham Borough with a child aged up to 25 years with any SEND, with or without a diagnosis.
There is also the option to be entered into a draw to win one of five £20 Amazon vouchers.
The survey will run until Friday 25 July.
The feedback from families about their lived experiences is so important for SEND Voices Wokingham to help improve SEND services in Wokingham Borough. They will use the answers from the survey to prioritise their work and to make sure they are the areas that are most important to families.
Complete the survey on the SEND Voices Wokingham website.
Become a member
Membership for SEND Voices Wokingham is free. Members are also eligible for a free Max Card, great for days out over the Summer holidays.
Find out how to become a member.
 ADHD workshop with a focus on supporting girls
The charity Sangeet Foundation is hosting an ADHD workshop in Wokingham, aimed at young adults, parents, educators and professionals.
The event aims to increase understanding of ADHD through discussions with panellists and practical guidance. There will also be a special focus on supporting girls and women.
- Saturday 19 July
- 2pm to 6.30pm
- Woosehill Community Centre, Wokingham, RG41 3DA
Book your ticket online.
 CAN Network newsletter gets a new look!
The CAN (Children with Additional Needs) Network is an information and support service for families and carers of children and young people with additional needs, aged up to 25.
The network has just relaunched its newsletter, with lots of ideas to keep children and young people busy during the summer holidays.
Read the newsletter and sign up to receive future issues.
Get a CAN Card
The CAN Network also maintains our council’s Children with Disabilities Register. This is a voluntary, confidential list of information about children with diagnosed disabilities in Wokingham Borough.
The information is used anonymously to help plan and improve future services.
Those eligible to join the Children with Disabilities Register can receive a free CAN card. The card is accepted by many local attractions as proof for concessions or free carer tickets.
 Explore local autism support
Earlier this year we celebrated World Autism Awareness Day and launched the All-age Autism Strategy, alongside stalls sharing information, advice and support.
You can find out more about support available in the borough on this webpage, including a downloadable pack with webpage links to all the stalls who took part in the event.
If you aren't sure where to start, get in touch with ASD Family Help who can help you find what you're looking for.
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