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Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) Support

West Sussex Local Offer   The West Sussex Local Offer helps you find information about local services, support and events for children and young people aged 0-25 years who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). You can also find childcare via the West Sussex Family Information Services website.

SENDIAS West Sussex SENDIAS (SEND Information, Advice and Support) Service provides information, advice and support to children and young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and to their parent-carers.

West Sussex Parent Carer Forum is a local charity that supports parents and carers of children and young people (aged 0-25 years) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).  Providing information, training and support.

Reaching Families  A parent-carer led charity, which aims to support parents and families of young people with special educational needs and disabilities in their daily live, through the delivery of information, training and peer support.  Animations - Reaching Families have designed a number of animations on various issues related to children with SEND including: Making Sense of Challenging Behaviour; Making Sense of Sensory Issues; Handling Stress and Building Resilience; Mindfulness; range of videos about coronavirus.  During the coronavirus pandemic Reaching Families have been running successful Live Chats on Facebook and compiling a summary video of the issues they covered.  Videos include: Making sense of Anxiety; Making Sense of Home Education; Top Ten Survival Strategies; Making Sense of Challenging Behaviour; Making Sense of Sensory Processing Issues; Making Sense of Issues around Food; Making Sense of Supporting Siblings of Children with SEND.  See below and bottom of the page for available training during the Spring Term 2022.

Training with Reaching Families

Understanding ADHD
Thursday 10th February - 10.30am

Understanding Autism
Wednesday 16th February - 10.30am

Aspens Provide care and support over the South East of England to help people living with disabilities, complex needs and autism.

Kangaroos Registered disability charity based in Mid Sussex providing a range of fun, inclusive social and leisure activities in our local community all year round for children and young adults with learning disabilities and additional needs.

Short Breaks provides fun, leisure and social activities for children and young people with addition needs and disabilities outside the school day. This enables them to try new experiences, learn new skills, develop confidence and have fun!

Amaze a charity that gives information, advice and support to families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brighton & Hove and Sussex.  Amaze includes the West Sussex Disability Register and runs the Compass Card scheme.  It includes the West Sussex Disability Register.  The Disability Register is for 0 to 25 year olds who have an EHC plan in school/college or are eligible for DLA/PIP. Other children and young people, who have a disability that has a major effect on their daily living, may also be eligible.  Data from the Register is used to inform and shape SEND services.  When families register (for free) on the Compass scheme they receive a discount card giving access to leisure activities for local disabled children and young people (at 300+ venues in non-Covid times).

National Autistic Society is the Uk's leading charity for people on the autistic spectrum and their families.  Including information about social stories and comic strip conversations.

Sensory Integration Education help parents and carers better recognise, understand and manage sensory needs at home.

Jigsaw Occupational Therapy Limited is a specialist provider for children and young people living in the South East of England. 

Youth Voices Forum is about young people having a say, and working with services as the experts on their own lives. There are lots of different ways to take part.

Net Aware has partnered with Ambitious about Autism to bring online safety tips, advice and activities specifically for parents and carers of children with SEND.  Net Aware spoke to parents of children with a range of special educational needs such as dyslexia, autism and speech and language difficulties to inform their website.

Widgit symbols can be used to support communication for routines, behaviour and new vocabulary to ensure that children have a voice and can access the world around them.  Widigt have created a COVID-19 Support set of resources to support parents and educators. They include specific Coronavirus symbols and social stories and some inclusive ‘Boredom Buster’ activity sheets in a variety of topics. They also offer a 21-day free trial of the software if you need more.

West Sussex Educational Psychologist Consultation West Sussex Educational Psychology Service is offering the opportunity for parents to speak with an Educational Psychologist about a child or young person.  Educational Psychologists are professionals concerned with the development, learning and social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people. Calls can be requested where there is a question or concern about learning or behaviour as well as worries about wellbeing and emotions.

Sibs the only UK charity for children and adults who are growing up with or have grown up with a disabled brother or sister.  Providing information, support and training on sibling issues for adult siblings, young siblings, parents and professionals.

Young Carers offer support, information and advice for carers aged under 18.  Young Carers are children and young people under 18 years old, who look after a member of the family who is sick, disabled, has mental health problems or is misusing drugs or alcohol.

Speechlink Parent Portal for parents and carers of children with speech and language difficulties. 

Courses and training

Reaching Families