51% of parents say Christmas is a stressful time. Stress can lead to conflict, and with 13% of children in Somerset likely to live in families where parents struggle with unhealthy conflict, every little bit of help can make an…

You have the potential to make a difference to the life of vulnerable young person and change a child’s story, in a rewarding paid role as a Somerset foster carer. This is the powerful and emotive message behind a short…

Hello and welcome to the November edition of SEND News- it is full of insights, updates and opportunities to take part! I think Erin has done a better job than I could in introducing this newsletter through her moving poem,…

Erin, who is a supported employee with Somerset Council working with HR Admin and Payroll, has shared a very powerful poem she crafted about her experience of living with a disability. You can read the poem below: I never had…

It is important that every child and young person knows what activities and support are available in Somerset. The My Important Stuff document gives children and young people a way to keep and share significant information with key people in their…

On November the 9th, a group of professionals and volunteers from all over Somerset came together to take part in a full-day, in-person workshop, hosted by The Somerset Parent Carer Forum with help from Engagement and Participation from Somerset Council.…

The Somerset Parent Carer Forum have created a range of fantastic workshops based on topics parents have expressed would be helpful – Workshops for Information, Support and Education (WISE). All the workshops are delivered or co-delivered by someone with lived experience of…

Our Local Offer live events were run virtually from Tuesday 3rd to Friday 6th October 2023 on Microsoft Teams. From sessions on dyslexia, ADHD and EHCP Myth busting, to support available in Somerset, lots of sessions and workshops were held…

The Community Inclusion and Activity Team’s Christmas Calendar is now available! Exciting inclusive activities include festive arts and crafts, presents from Santa, activity packs, woodland fun day and more. For ALL children and young people in Somerset with a disability…

Interactive ‘magic’ projectors have over 100 games and activities which have been designed by professionals to support children and adults who may be living with autism or learning difficulties. Available at Taunton; Bridgwater; Yeovil; Chard and Frome Libraries, anyone can…

Connect Somerset is about all professionals and community groups working together to help families and residents to improve their lives. It is a partnership between Somerset Council, Somerset NHS, Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprises, and Schools, Colleges and Early…

The much talked about Hill View Academy, a specialist free school for children with Social and Emotional Mental Health Needs or Speech, Language and communication needs in South Somerset, is continuing to take shape. Somerset Council Members and Officers recently…

20th November 2023 marks UNICEF’s World Children’s Day: “World Children’s Day is a day to celebrate the power of children to change the world.” UNICEF reminds us that all children have a right to a voice. For some of our…

It was a fantastic day at the recent Somerset ELSA Conference which was held on 12th October at Taunton Racecourse. Around 120 ELSAs attended to hear from a range of professionals about topics relevant to emotional literacy. The day started…

Young Carers in Schools is a free initiative that makes it as easy as possible for schools to support young carers and awards good practice. Run jointly by The Children’s Society and Carers Trust, the Young Carers in Schools (YCiS)…

Healthwatch Somerset are holding an online showcase with a question-and-answer session on their latest report ‘Reaching out: Looking at mental health support for young people in Somerset’. Read the full report, which includes case studies and comments from young people…

A new campaign aims to raise the profile of lesser-known types of domestic abuse and encourage those who may not realise they are being abused to come forward for support and advice. Launching on White Ribbon Day and at the…

There is still time to have your say on some of the ways education is funded within Somerset Council! The consultation focuses on three areas, and we need your help: Funding for early years settings, which includes day nurseries, pre-schools…

Hello and welcome to the October edition of SEND News! We hope you are enjoying our new editions of the SEND Newsletter. We are continually working to improve the content we share, so that it is built around you, and…

We started off this month’s meeting with an update on how everyone was and what they have been doing. This was important because we haven’t seen each other in a while. We also had the opportunity to meet Claire Winter,…