Spring 2024 Meet and Chat SEND drop-in sessions hosted by Early Help
During March and April 2024, Early Help once again hosted a cluster of SEND drop-ins across the county. Six SEND sessions ran in a range of settings including at our Oswestry and Shrewsbury Early Help Family Hubs, a community information drop-in at Highley Library, and at St Peter’s Primary School in Wem. These were attended by sixteen parent carers who were able to speak with a range of professionals, including members of the SEN team, the designated and associate clinical officers for SEND, a BeeU assistant psychologist, neurodiversity practitioners, members of our Early Help team and representatives from PACC. Autism West Midlands and SEND IASS were in attendance at some of the sessions.
The theme of the spring sessions was neurodiversity. Twelve of the parent carers who attended spoke with the BeeU assistant psychologist, and chats with SEN team representatives were also popular. 31% of parent carers were signposted to make further contact with PACC to find more information out about their Buddies group, Healthy Lives programme and the further community support they offer. These spring sessions saw an increased number of families who were already being supported by targeted early help attending, showing an increased awareness and understanding of SEND by our Targeted Early Help team.
Feedback from parent carers has been limited, but those who have responded have rated the sessions 5 out 5 for being informative, and all said they would recommend attending future drop-in sessions to others.
The BeeU assistant psychologist said that it has enabled them to speak to a good number of parent carers, and professionals who liaised with them have gained a better understanding of BeeU pathways. The SEN team continue to enjoy attending the sessions, enabling them to meet face to face with parent carers, and in some cases children and young people.
As we move to business as normal with our Early Help service, we plan to continue to hold these sessions regularly across the county. What this space for locations, dates and times.
Related links and information
- Shropshire Council Parenting Team
- Parent and Carer Council Shropshire (PACC) - PACC (PACC Shropshire) is a local parent carer forum and promotes the participation of parent carers in the planning and delivery of services for children and young people (0-25 years) with disabilities or additional needs in Shropshire
- Shropshire Information Advice and Support Service - provides information, advice and support to parents and carers of children aged 0 to 25, and young people aged 16 to 25 who have, or may have, special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
- Autism West Midlands - funded by Shropshire Council. Families must live in the Shropshire Council area, and have children under 18 years old, with autism/autistic traits. An autism diagnosis is not needed.
- Shropshire Family Information Service - provides free information, advice and support on all aspects of family life. Whether you're expecting a baby or have young children or teenagers, we can support you and any carer or other family member involved. Contact us at shropshireFIS@shropshire.gov.uk or on 01743 254400.
- Healthier Together - provides information for parent carers on a range of health information, including SEND and neurodiversity guidance.
- Children's Speech and Language Therapy