Our Special Educational Needs (SEN) policy details our aims and objectives for children if they have a learning difficulty and how we record, monitor and review each child.  

This guide has been put together with parent carers (Reading Families Forum) in partnership with other services, to help families access information on local SEND services for children, young people with additional needs. SEND Guide for Parent Carers | Reading Services Guide the guide can also be viewed in web format. 

It’s that time of the year again! SEND Local Offer needs your feedback…..

Let us know what you like, what you want improved, or just keep as it is!

This will help us further improve the information, accessibility, usage and will assist us in

developing and improving Reading’s SEND Local Offer working in partnership with parent carers, children,

young people and practitioners.

Please spare a few minutes to complete this short survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RDGSENDLO2021

Survey ends on Friday 5^th November 2021, the results will be published on the SEND Local Offer.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey.

Please find attached the Summer 2021 (Issue 26th) of the SEND Local Offer Newsletter Summer 2021

Support, friendship and play for children with special needs and their families

What’s on at the centre?

What we do…

Swings & Smiles is a place to play for children with special needs and their families. It offers a unique environment where the whole family feels supported and where they can spend quality time together. Our services include play sessions, sibling support and outreach.

Swings & Smiles provides activities for children and young people aged 0-19 years old with a wide range of disabilities and special needs to be able to enjoy playing together without the pressures often experienced in wider community settings. 

We support the whole family including parents, carers, the child with special needs, brothers, sisters and grandparents. Our support is hugely varied and depends on the needs of the family, we will tailor support to individual need. Swings & Smiles also welcomes adults with disabilities who may benefit from this type of environment and visits from community groups and respite providers.

We're open seven days a week and throughout term times and school holidays. 

Play sessions, youth club, out and about in the community, outreach in schools, groups or individual sessions.

To see session information please click on the link https://www.swingsandsmiles.co.uk/our-sessions

To find out more and see our flyers click on the link to the SEND Local Offer Swings & Smiles | Reading Services Guide (openobjects.com)

SEND Short Breaks October Half Term

The following services are offering short breaks, for children and young people with additional needs, living in the Reading Borough area. Please contact the service directly to book a place.

Chance to Dance Stars CIC - SEND Activity Days

25^th – 27^th October 2021

Dance & Drama Activity days, lots of fun. There is a charge of £20 per session.

Ages 5+

Please click on the link for further information and booking details:

SEND Short Breaks October Half Term- Chance to Dance Stars CIC - SEND Activity Days | Reading Services Guide (openobjects.com)

Multi sports camps. Delivered by RFC Community Trust

25^th – 27^th October 2021

A mutlsports camp taking place at The Avenue School. The camps will take place on the 25th/26th/27th October from 10:30 - 14:00. Qualified staff from RFC will put on mutlisport activities alongside specialist sports such as Boccia and Kurling througout the 3 days. There is a charge of £20 per day.

Please click on the link for further information and booking details:

Ages 8-16

SEND Short Breaks October Half term - Multi sports camps. Delivered by RFC Community Trust | Reading Services Guide (openobjects.com)

Make Sense Theatre

27^th – 29^th October 2021

Drama and multi sensory theatre workshops for October Half-Term at The Avenue School, Conwy Close, Tilehurst, RG30 4BZ.

There will be a booking charge of £20 per workshop for all attendees, including those living in Reading Borough.

Please click on the link for further information and booking details:

Ages 5-18 (varies according to activity).

SEND Short Breaks October Half Term - Make Sense Theatre | Reading Services Guide (openobjects.com)

Please see below link to the new SEND Guide for Parent Carers. This is a  quick and easy guide for parent carers of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

This guide has been put together with parent carers (Reading Families Forum) in partnership with other services, to help families access information on local SEND services for children, young people with additional needs. SEND Guide for Parent Carers | Reading Services Guide the guide can also be viewed in web format. Please share this information with other families, who may benefit from accessing the guide.

Max Card

The Max Card is the UK's leading discount card for foster families and families of children with additional needs.  Families can use their Max Card at venues across the UK to get free or discounted admission.

The scheme is designed to help families save money on great days out at castles, zoos, bowling alleys, trampoline parks and many more.

Max Card works with Local Authorities and selected charities, who administer the cards to eligible families in their areas.

Apply for the Max card here: Max Card

Children and Young People's Disability Register: http://search3.openobjects.com/kb5/reading/directory/dcr.page

Sent on behalf of Wellbeing Team, Reading Borough Council

Many people are family carers and support someone who relies on them to collect shopping, prescriptions and other essential items. You may not identify yourself as a carer because you are firstly a parent, a wife, husband, daughter, son, grandchild, friend or neighbour.

Reading Mencap have produced The Reading Family Carers Card it’s available to carers for FREE and it will identify you as a family carer in order to help shorten the time you might have to spend queueing for a shop, a pharmacy or even a health appointment. It is supported by Reading Borough Council.

Please click on the link below to the Reading Services Guide information page about the Reading Families Carers Card and feel free to share this information with your networks and contacts:

https://servicesguide.reading.gov.uk/kb5/reading/directory/advice.page?id=FiM1gU0NzYk