SEND Info Event February 26 - Pre-Event Booklet Info

The Wiltshire Parent Carer Council WPCC SEND Information Event

The Civic Centre, Trowbridge th

Friday 6 February 2026

ATTENDEE PRE-EVENT INFORMATION PACK

CONTENTS

Overview of Event

Page 3-4

Information about Stands

Page 5-10

Why this Event is in Trowbridge

Page 11

Why this Event is not in the Evening

Page 12

If Your Plans or Availability Change

Page 13

Our Previous Information Event

Page 14

How to Book

Page 15

OVERVIEW OF FEBRUARY INFORMATION EVENT Where and When!

The event is being held on Friday 6th February 2026, at The Civic Centre, Trowbridge from 10.00am - 2.00pm (arrival and registration is from 9.30am).

Here is what you can look forward to on the day...

Information Stands from over 40 different services!

We are expecting over 40 services and providers to attend and promote information about the services and support they offer. This will be in our popular Market Place, where you will be able to walk amongst the information stands, talk to providers and find out more about what may be on offer to support your child or young person. See pages 5 to 9 for a flavour of what we have instore already - more providers are booking stands all the time, so expect to see more on the day than we can promote in this advance booklet.

FREE Tea, Coffee & Cakes for attendees!

There will be a refreshment area open throughout the event, so that all attendees can take a rare opportunity to sit with a free cup of tea or coffee and cake while chatting with other parent carers, helping you to realise that you are not alone and enabling you to meet other people who understand what it is like to be a parent carer.

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OVERVIEW OF FEBRUARY INFORMATION EVENT Opening Presentation - Information/Service Update Now a regular feature of our Information Events, the Welcome, Housekeeping and overview of the day will be followed by a short information/service update presentation.

Service Update Developments in Mental Health Support Teams. This update will give attendees an overview of how Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in schools are evolving and adapting to better meet the needs of children and young people with SEND in Wiltshire.

This update will highlight recent improvements and new initiatives aimed at early identification and tailored support. Attendees will hear about what this means in practical terms, including how MHSTs should be working within schools, how they collaborate with families, and what types of interventions or early support they can offer.

Information Workshop Session!

There will be an Information Workshop that will be repeated twice in the day.

Emotional Wellbeing and Early Mental Health Support Workshop This SEND emotional wellbeing and early mental health support workshop for parent carers aims to offer a practical session focused: •

on recognising early signs that a child may need additional support

•

understanding what early help looks like in practice,

how children and young people’s mental health services can work alongside families Through the workshop, we will look at exploring common indicators of emerging needs, such as changes in behaviour, communication, or difficulties in engaging with school, then guide parents through simple strategies to try at home.

This workshop, facilitated by colleagues from the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services in partnership with Wiltshire Council officers, will explain how they support children’s mental health, what referrals involve, and how they collaborate with schools and families.

Throughout the session, there would be opportunities for question, and takeaway tips and strategies to help parents feel more confident and supported.

(Limited spaces available - first come first served) 4

MARKET PLACE STANDS Organisation

Information

Age range

Wiltshire Parent Carer Council (WPCC)

Signposting and support for parent carers of young people aged 0 - 25.

0 - 25

Wiltshire Libraries

Wiltshire Council public libraries provide services for all ages, abilities and needs: access to books, eBooks, audiobooks and digital resources, alongside free Wi-Fi and computer use. They support learning, wellbeing and community connection through events and reading groups, plus offer services for those with additional needs.

0 - 25

Wiltshire Council Integrated Front Door Young Carers Service

We receive referrals from professionals and parents for children and young people who help care for a family member with an illness, disability, mental health condition, or substance misuse issue. As Young Carer Assessors, our role is to carry out assessments to understand their caring responsibilities and the impact on their wellbeing, education and social life. Our aim is to make sure young carers have the right support in place - whether that’s emotional help, practical resources, or signposting to specialist services. We work closely with families, schools and partner agencies to reduce stress and ensure young carers can thrive both at home and in their own lives.

5 - 17

SEND Transport

Provide home to school transport for students with EHCPs.

4 - 25

Barnardo’s

Short breaks activity clubs and youth clubs for children and young people with SEND

6 - 18

Community Connecting and WEST

Community and employment service

14 - 25

Brandon Trust

Supported living, supporting people to live independently

18 - 65+

Spurgeons (Family Hubs)

Wiltshire Family Hubs is passionate in their support alongside all Wiltshire Families who have children age 0 19 years or to 25 years with SEND. We can help with a strong listening space, 1:1 family support and parenting workshops, along with an accessible 24 hr digital hub.

0 - 25

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MARKET PLACE STANDS Organisation

Information

Age Range

Shaw Trust Palmer Gardens

We provide meaningful work-based activities and vocational training for adults with learning and/ or physical disabilities in horticulture, retail and hospitality. Our day opportunities programme is open to anyone over the age of 18 with no upper age limit and is open ended. We can work with individuals towards specific goals whether their long-term plan is to find employment or not. Everything we do has a social emphasis meaning that Palmer Gardens is a great place to catch up and make friends whilst benefitting from time spent outside with nature. In addition to our Day Opportunities programme, we also offer a Supported Internship for individuals aged 16-24 with an EHCP. This is run in conjunction with Somerset Skills and Learning and will help individuals gain real work experience with the opportunity to work in the garden, shop and café with support of our on-site job coaches.

18+

SEND Local Offer

The first place to look for services, support and information about additional needs for those 0 to 25 in Wiltshire.

0 - 25

Wiltshire Portage

“Wiltshire Portage provides a specialist home educational service for children (birth to school entry) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We provide step-bystep individualised educational play programmes to support developmental progress. Portage also supports children and families’ participation and inclusion in their community.”

0-4

Family Action - Wiltshire SENDIASS

Wiltshire SENDIASS is a free, impartial and confidential, Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) information, advice, and support service for young people with SEND and their parents/carers.

0 - 25

Warm and Safe Wiltshire

We offer free advice and support - grants for broken heating systems ,vouchers to help you pay your bills other grants you may be entitled to.

All Ages

National Deaf Children's Society

We’re the National Deaf Children’s Society, the charity for deaf children with any level of hearing loss. We believe nothing should hold deaf children back. Meet your local Community Connector and find out what support is available in Wiltshire.

0 - 25

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MARKET PLACE STANDS Organisation

Age range

Information

Forward Carers is delighted to bring together a range of online resources to assist you in your caring role. If you’re Forward Carers caring for someone in Wiltshire, you can access our Benefits Carer Friendly Calculator to see what you may be entitled to, register for a Wiltshire Carers ID Card, access online support groups and self-refer for help from local services Stepping Stones is an independent charity supporting children aged between birth and four who have special needs. We have a contract with Wiltshire Council to provide a District Specialist Centre service. We cover the West Wiltshire Area – Trowbridge, Melksham, Westbury, Warminster, Bradford on Stepping Stones Avon and all the surrounding villages. Our focus is to help District children who present with delayed development access timely Specialist Centre therapy and support to make progress. Children are usually referred to us by a Paediatrician, Health Visitor or other professional however parents can self refer. Some children may have a diagnosed condition but all children supported by Stepping Stones present with developmental delay and difficulties in acquiring skills other children take for granted.

Employ My Ability provides a unique environment of Employ My hospitality, land based skills and retail facilities that help Ability students with learning disabilities.

We are a Specialist College for young people with additional Fairfield College needs; we are a registered Charity, with flexible residential, day and weekend courses on offer How does Rainbow Trust help? When a child has a serious illness, family life is turned upside down and time becomes more precious than ever. Rainbow Trust pairs each family with an expert Family Support Worker who enables them to make the most of time together, giving them practical and emotional support, whenever they need it, for as long as is needed. We support the whole family including parents, Rainbow Trust carers, the unwell child, brothers, sisters and grandparents.

Children's Support is hugely varied and depends on the needs of the Charity family. It can include: listening to a family’s fears and anxieties helping to explain illnesses, diagnoses and treatments keeping a seriously ill child company during hospital stays driving families to medical appointments to help save time and money organising fun activities to help sick children, their brothers and sisters support through bereavement and grief.

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10 - 18 & 18+

0-4

16 - 25

16 - 24

0 - 18

MARKET PLACE STANDS Organisation

Information

Age range

Family and Community Learning

We offer a range of free courses that help learners develop new skills and achieve goals. After learning with us, you can move on to further study, qualifications, jobs and volunteering.

Family and Community Learning includes online and community-based courses designed to support adults in the community. Course support gaining new skills, you can reconnect with learning, progress to formal courses, support your children

19+

Ruksak45218

Wiltshire not-for-profit CIO charity serving the needs of Wiltshire residents.

All Ages

We support all unpaid carers, including parent carers.

All Adult Carers

Wiltshire Fostering

Wiltshire Fostering are our local council fostering team and work to recruit, train and support foster carers across the county.

0 - 18

Zone Club Wiltshire Music Centre

Zone Club is a monthly creative project for disabled young adults aged 16+ based at Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon

16+

Carers Together Wiltshire

Area Boards are a way of working to bring local decisionmaking into the heart of the community. There are 18 Area Boards across Wiltshire, with each one holding delegated powers and devolved budgets to facilitate community action at Wiltshire a local level. Area boards exist to work alongside other Council: organisations to make things happen in the community. These Engagement groups can include town and parish councils, voluntary and and Partnerships community groups, youth organisations, sports clubs and Team (Area local charities. Area boards wouldn't be able to achieve what Boards) they do without these partners working on the ground with them. The Area Boards host regular business meetings, engagement activities, events, surveys and working groups to stimulate and support local community action.

Nova Sports

Nova Sports is a not-for-profit organisation who deliver highquality, inclusive sport to people with disabilities in Bath, Bristol, Wiltshire and Somerset. They set up clubs, run holiday activities and deliver in schools.

8

0 - 99

4+

MARKET PLACE STANDS Organisation

Information

Age range

Community Catalysts

Community Catalysts is a social enterprise working across the UK to try to make sure that people who need care and support to live their lives can get help in ways, times and places that suit them, with real choice of attractive local options. We help local people use their energies and talents to form sustainable community enterprises that can support other local people, creating jobs and volunteering opportunities.

18+

Wiltshire Council Sport & Physical Activity Team

Our Sport and Physical Activity Team works to make being active accessible for everyone. Through the Inclusive Activities programme, we create opportunities for children, young people, and adults with special educational needs and/ or disabilities to enjoy a more active lifestyle. A wide range of activities is offered across the county, ensuring there’s something for everyone to get involved in.

0 - 90+

Open Story Tellers

Bespoke creative and person centred support - Creative Day Service and Bespoke EHCP programmes

18+

Home Start North Wiltshire

Being a parent to young children has never been easy. It can bring the most delightful joy, and can also be lonely, frustrating, heartbreaking and overwhelming. With the right support, things can get easier, making day-to-day life and children’s futures so much brighter. Our compassionate, nonjudgemental services are delivered through weekly volunteer home visiting, and parent and child groups. All of our support is free, confidential, and open to families with at least one child under five years old.

0-5

Wiltshire Parent Carer Council ND Advice Line

Parents and carers can call the WPCC’s Neurodevelopmental Information (NDI) telephone advice line to discuss queries about autism and ADHD support, ND assessment and The Needs Led Approach.

0 - 18

Wiltshire Council: SEND Service

Statutory SEND and Preparation for Adulthood

0 - 25

9

MARKET PLACE STANDS Organisation

Information

Age range

Kay-OSS Events

Events with SEN at the heart of planning. From creating items and messy stay & play sessions, to full steam ahead soft play sessions, magicians and grotto’s and many opportunities in between. Running during the school holidays and occasional weekends. We have a variety of sessions to come along to, currently held at Trowbridge, Westwood, Bowerhill, and Funways in Warminster. We hope to add some new locations very soon. Come along for a judgement free area for children/ young adults as well as for the parents & carers.

2 - 16+

The Rise Trust

The RISE Trust provides services for children and young people in need. We have youth services, safe spaces and youth clubs in the towns of North Wiltshire. We are no the Wiltshire WAP for alternative provision focusing on mentoring, wellbeing and trauma recovery. Building trusting relationships with young person is key so we can understand, promote their uniqueness and give them a voice. Understanding the young person is key to our provision, meeting them at their starting point and reducing barriers by understanding each individual.

5 - 18

SAS Mentoring

SAS Mentoring is a service that specialises in 1-2-1 support, tutoring, work experience, physical and emotional development, as well as community integration and preparation for working life. A large focus of our work is helping young people who have social, emotional and mental health needs and EBSA, as well as all those struggling to find their own place within the community. We specialise in building relationships with our young people and providing opportunities to experience regular successes

5 - 18

The Bridge AP

The Bridge is an alternative provision for young people with a range complex needs and those who have been unable to access a mainstream classroom environment. We support a variety of learners, including those who need time out from their home school, who have been or are at risk of permanent exclusion and those awaiting a specialist school placement.

We work with young people who have a wide range of barriers and difficulties including ADHD, SEMH, ASC, sensory issues, trauma and learning difficulties. As part of this work, we also support young people who have behavioural concerns and difficulties with their mental health.

5 - 18

10

MARKET PLACE STANDS Organisation

Information

Age range

Wiltshire Centre For Independent Living

We believe in a world where disabled people can live freely, make their own decisions, and enjoy the same rights as everyone else. Our Mission We’re here to provide the support and services needed to turn that vision into reality. Whether you live or work in Wiltshire, we’re here to help. We offer a wide range of services, advice, and training for individuals, professionals, and organisations interested in disabilityrelated support.

5 - 99+

Wiltshire Council Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and Mental Capacity Team (MCA)

Providing support, advice and training for social care staff across the Council in relation to the MCA and supporting providers in meeting the relevant legal requirements for the DoLS and MCA. Undertaking Supervisory Body functions for the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, completing relevant assessments, granting and monitoring authorisations and ensuring the rights of people deprived of their liberty are upheld.

Wiltshire Educational Psychology Service

Educational Psychologists (EPs) work collaboratively with young people and the adults who know them best to help identify their strengths and needs and to plan ways forward.

0 - 25

HCRG Care Group

Representatives from HCRG Care Group will be available to answer any questions you may have regarding Wiltshire Community

0 - 18

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16+ for MCA & 18+ for DoLS

WHY DON’T YOU HOLD THIS EVENT IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF WILTSHIRE? We are sometimes asked by parent carers why we hold our big information events in just one location. In the past, this has typically been Devizes or Trowbridge.

We recognise that holding our large information events in one location may mean some parent carers having to travel to attend and we apologise for any inconvenience. We take the decision to hold large information events in one location, as centrally located in Wiltshire as possible, for a number of reasons: •

it costs on average at least £2,500 to host one of these events and we simply don't have the financial resources to repeat these events across the county; even events on a smaller scale, as the cost would not be sufficiently less.

•

these events require the commitment from a large number of professionals and we would be unable to secure their time for several events.

•

we sometimes have to pay for external keynote speakers and facilitators who typically charge in the region of £350 to £450 per day; repeating these events would significantly increase these costs.

People who have attended previous WPCC events at the Civic Centre have told us in their evaluations that parking was better, the venue was brighter and more modern, the layout of the venue meant it felt more accessible, and capacity means we can host more information stands in the Market Place without it feeling too crowded, as was highlighted in feedback from our event in November 2025 at the Corn Exchange.

The Civic Centre is a 10 minute walk from Trowbridge train station which has regular trains from towns including, Salisbury, Warminster, Westbury and Chippenham.

We thank you for your understanding, and as always, we will pay parent carers' travel, car parking and childcare expenses.

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WHY IS THE EVENT NOT IN THE EVENING OR AT THE WEEKEND? One or two parent carers have asked why WPCC information events take place during the day and do not take place or are repeated in the evening or at the weekend; the WPCC Steering Group has considered and discussed this, and it has also been discussed with WPCC staff.

The WPCC Steering Group has made the decision not to hold or repeat its information events in the evening or at weekends. This is to respect the demands on WPCC staff and volunteers, most of whom are parent carers and would not be able to commit additional time due to their caring responsibilities. Additionally, it is unlikely that many professional colleagues would be able to commit additional time on top of their normal working day, and many are also carers. Venues often cost more in the evening and at weekends and this would have a significant impact on what the WPCC could offer. Repeating events of this scale would not be financially feasible for the WPCC.

We are sorry if this is inconvenient to some parent carers. We would encourage parent carers who wish to attend our information events to speak to their employer as many are open to considering the needs of carers. Carers’ UK explains on its website that people have the right to request flexible working if you are an employee with 26 weeks (six months) continuous employment at the time you make an application.

Your employer might also be agreeable to you attending one of the WPCC information events for just an hour.

Some parent carers attend our events in a professional capacity in representation of their work place. This creates an opportunity of benefiting the place where the parent carer works as they not only represent their place of work by attending and networking with others, but also take information back to their work place to share with colleagues.

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IF YOUR PLANS OR AVAILABILITY CHANGE We often have a number of people book to attend our events who don’t attend on the day. Some attendees kindly let us know if they are going to be unable to make it; we are very grateful to them and we appreciate the unexpected can happen.

Catering for large numbers of people who don’t make it on the day and don’t let us know they are unable to attend, is both wasteful and expensive and we want to do all we can to avoid this.

We appreciate that sometimes things happen that make it impossible to let us know, but we politely ask that if you have booked and you know you are not going to be able to attend, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can amend our catering numbers.

Thank you

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WHAT DID PEOPLE SAY ABOUT OUR LAST EVENT?

“Got to meet a host of key services and found out information that I didn't already know”

“Everybody was very welcoming and gave me lots information”

“Just a big thank you for arranging such an informative event. It was really good to talk face to face with providers and experts!”

“So much information.

Everyone was really friendly and engaging”

“Another absolutely awesome event.

Thank you.

So great to be able to find out about so many options and services in one place”

“Lots of info in one place. Everybody chatty, helpful and approachable.

Enough information but not overwhelming”

“Really useful and a welcoming, friendly environment fostered by the workshop lead encouraged participation - great session, thank you”

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“Great layout, lots of relevant stalls, great to meet providers and ask lots of questions rather than just scroll through a website”

We hope you have found this Pre-Event Information Pack helpful and informative.

Please remember to book early, as places are limited.

Booking closes on Sunday 1st February 2026 To book your place to attend the event, simply click: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WPCC-Info-Event-Feb2026

We very much look forward to you joining us on Friday 6th February 2025 at The Civic Centre, Trowbridge.

If you find nearer the time that you are unable to attend, please let us know so that your place can be offered to someone else.

This also helps us not to over-cater and thereby not waste food or spend more of our funding on this event than necessary.

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