We work to together to support pupils aged 0 – 25 in accordance with the SEND Code of Practice 2015.
Does your young person have an EHCP or have health challenges relating to SEND?
Sensory Challenges
Monday 17 February
Toileting and Constipation
Tuesday 18 February
Restricted Eating and Dental Care
Wednesday 19 February
Sleep
Thursday 20 February
Time: Each session runs 11am - 1pm
Venue: Cherry Street, SEND & Sensory Hub Wolverhampton WV2 OQR
ADHD Parent Champions
The ADHD Parent Champions are parents to children with ADHD who aim to provide practical advice and emotional support to parents of children with a diagnosis of ADHD or those currently being assessed. They can offer one to one mentoring, group sessions or companionship at workshops/coffee mornings.
For more information, please email Rachel Watson at RWatson1@aatrust.co.uk
Parent Workshop: ADHD & Mental Health
An online workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of ADHD and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop offers an introduction to understanding ADHD and the opportunity to talk to other parents/carers.
- Date: Wednesday 2nd April
- Time: 10:00 – 12:00
- Location: Warstones Primary School
- Booking: Eventbrite
Helping Hands Black Country
Offer a Helping Hand to families where a little/young person has Autism/ADHD or being assessed, from across the Black Country. Support from the service offered includes:
- This Is Me: Understanding behaviour workshops – A 6 session workshop for parents/carers to explore and understand their child’s behaviour.
- Sharing Rooms – A monthly drop in meet and greet sessions.
To access the service parents/ carers can contact via email, one of the team will get back to you helpinghandsbc@family-action.org.uk
Parents Plus Children’s ADHD Programme
Meet other parents of children with ADHD in a supportive group to help your child reach their full potential. This is an 8 week programme for the parents of children aged 5-12. To find out more and to reserve your place, please email RWatson1@aatrust.co.uk or Amanda.Stevens@wolverhampton.gov.uk
An Introduction to ADHD
A workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of ADHDD and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop offers an introduction to understanding ADHD and the opportunity to talk to other parents/carers.
- Location: Dove Family Hub
- Date: 3 April, 2025
- Time: 10:30am - 11:30am
An Introduction to ADHD
An online workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of ADHDD and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop offers an introduction to understanding ADHD and the opportunity to talk to other parents/carers.
- Location: Online
- Date: 10 April, 2025
- Time: 9:30am - 11am
Friendship and Support group
Friendship group offering support to parents of children with Autism and/or ADHD. No diagnosis needed. The opportunity to meet other parents/carers, share experiences, support each other and to get advice. These sessions are run by the Autism and ADHD Parent Champions who can offer - group support, 1 to 1 mentoring and signposting to other services.
If group sessions aren't for you, we have the facilities for 1:1 conversations with a Parent Champion during these sessions.
- Location: Graiseley Family Hub
- Dates
- Wednesday 12 February, 10am - 12pm
- Friday 14 March, 12pm - 2pm
- Friday 11 April, 10am - 12pm
- Friday 16 May, 12pm - 2pm
- Wednesday 18 June, 10am - 12pm
- Monday 14 July, 12pm - 2pm
No need to book but for more information please email RWatson1@aatrust.co.uk
An Introduction to ADHD
A workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of ADHD and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop offers an introduction to understanding ADHD and the opportunity to talk to other parents/carers.
- Location: Bingley Family Hub
- Date: 19th June, 2025
- Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Online Introduction to ADHD
An online workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of ADHD and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop offers an introduction to understanding ADHD and the opportunity to talk to other parents/carers.
- Location: Online
- Date: 14th May, 2025
- Time: 12:30 - 2:00
Support Group for Parents/Carers of children with ASD
Would you like to talk to someone about ASD? If so, why not come to our coffee mornings and meet other parents of a child with ASD. We discuss ASD challenges, what support is available and have professional agencies attending.
Venue: Special Needs Early Years Service, Brickkiln Community, Centre, Cherry Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0QW
Time: 9:30am to 11:30am
2025
Thursday 6th March 2025
Thursday 10th April 2025
Thursday 22nd May 2025
Thursday 10th July 2025
For further information or if you wish to attend, please email EmbraceAutismWV@outlook.com
Parent/Guardian Workshops
Act for Autism
Provide inspirational and informative workshops for people involved in the autistic community, including parents. Workshops are delivered by professionals, parents and autistic advocates, all part of the Act for Autism Team. All workshops include the 3 C Pathway (Connect, Calm, Communicate) - a relational approach to supporting children and young people on the autistic spectrum.
Teachers and professionals can attend seminars and coaching (at a cost). Parents can access workshops online at no cost – simply call or email to find out more information.
Early Bird Plus
The Early Bird Plus programme is a fantastic 10 week programme from the National Autistic Society that aims to support the parents of Primary School aged (4-9 years) children with Autism and those on the pathway.
Expertly delivered by staff from the Wolverhampton Outreach Service and Tettenhall Wood School, the programme supports parents in understanding their child's diagnosis, exploring how their child experiences Autism and in building a support network for now and the future.
Parents are encouraged to attend alongside professionals from their child's school, so that consistency can be established across both settings.
There is no charge for the Early Bird Plus Course.
Please note that places are allocated on a first come first served basis with a maximum of 6 families per programme
To apply for a place on the programme please download a copy of the application form which can be found in the Downloads section and return it to: RWatson1@aatrust.co.uk
Teen Life
Teen Life is a programme for the parents of teenagers (aged 10 - 16) with autism and those on the pathway.
Written by the National Autistic Society and run by expert Autism practitioners from the Wolverhampton Outreach Service and Tettenhall Wood School, the programme aims to support parents in really understanding more about how autism is experienced by their teenagers. The 6-week course will help any parent or professional to develop and understand useful strategies to support an individual with autism through their teenage years.
Topics covered include: stress and anxiety, spending time with others, self esteem, intense interests, understanding your diagnosis and puberty.
There is no charge for the Teenlife course.
Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Places are limited to six families per programme.
To apply for a place on the programme please download a copy of the application form which can be found in the Downloads section and return it to: RWatson1@aatrust.co.uk
PEACE (eating disorders and autism)
PEACE is a pathway for eating disorders and autism developed from clinical experience.
This pathway offers support autistic people suffering with an eating disorder, their loved ones and their clinicians.
There is also a Blog that you can access.
Cerebra
They provide guides, factsheets and other resources which offer comprehensive and current information on a wide variety of issues – physical, social and legal – that parents and carers of children with brain conditions may be facing. The second link in this section will take parents directly to the parent factsheets.
Services available include a Sleep Advice Service, the Cerebra Innovation Centre, book and toy library and LEaP, an innovative problem-solving project that runs alongside their Legal Advice Service.
Autism Parent Champions
The APC's are parents to autistic children themselves and aim to provide practical advice and emotional support to parents of autistic children or children currently on the diagnostic pathway. They can offer one to one mentoring, group sessions or companionship at workshops/coffee mornings.
For more information, please email Rachel Watson at RWatson1@aatrust.co.uk
Factsheets
- Factsheet about Autism Assessment and Diagnosis in England
Includes the topics:
- What is autism?
- Why is a timely diagnosis so important?
- How do I request and prepare for an autism assessment?
- My child has been diagnosed with autism- what support are we entitled to?
- What can I do if I don’t agree with the decision? - Pre-diagnosis Resources Support Pack
Online Videos
- Facts about Autism
- Facts about Autism – for children
- An explanation of Autism for children from the book A Different Kind of Brilliant
- Autism is...?: Book reading
- What does it feel like to have Autism?: Nugget - STEM for Kids
- Tricky Friends (video for children/young people about healthy friendships)
Helping Hands Black Country
Offer a Helping Hand to families where a little/young person has Autism/ADHD or being assessed, from across the Black Country. Support from the service offered includes:
- This Is Me: Understanding behaviour workshops – A 6 session workshop for parents/carers to explore and understand their child’s behaviour.
- Sharing Rooms – A monthly drop in meet and greet sessions.
To access the service parents/ carers can contact via email, one of the team will get back to you helpinghandsbc@family-action.org.uk
An Introduction to Autism and Understanding Behaviour
An online workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of autism and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop will offer an introduction to understanding autism and also look at some of the underlying reasons for behaviour.
- Location: Online
- Date: 21 March 2025
- Time: 10am - 12pm
Autism and Understanding Behaviour
A workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of autism and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop will look at some of the underlying reasons for behaviour and will give families the opportunity to meet other parents/carers
- Location: Brick Kiln Family Hub
- Date: 27 March 2025
- Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Friendship and Support group
Friendship group offering support to parents of children with Autism and/or ADHD. No diagnosis needed. The opportunity to meet other parents/carers, share experiences, support each other and to get advice. These sessions are run by the Autism and ADHD Parent Champions who can offer - group support, 1 to 1 mentoring and signposting to other services.
If group sessions aren't for you, we have the facilities for 1:1 conversations with a Parent Champion during these sessions.
- Location: Graiseley Family Hub
- Dates:
- Friday 14 March, 12pm - 2pm
- Friday 11 April, 10am - 12pm
- Friday 16 May, 12pm - 2pm
- Wednesday 18 June, 10am - 12pm
- Monday 14 July, 12pm - 2pm
No need to book but for more information email RWatson1@aatrust.co.uk
An Introduction to Autism
A workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of autism and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop offers an introduction to understanding autism and the opportunity to talk to other parents/carers.
- Location: Bingley Family Hub
- Date: 8 May 2025
- Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Online Introduction to Autism
An online workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of autism and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop offers an introduction to understanding autism and the opportunity to talk to other parents/carers.
- Location: Online
- Date: 24th June 2025
- Time:12:30 - 2:00
Autism and Understanding Behaviour
A workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of autism and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop will look at some of the underlying reasons for behaviour and will give families the opportunity to meet other parents/carers
- Location: Bingley Family Hub
- Date: 12th June 2025
- Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Online Autism and Understanding Behaviour
An online workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of autism and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop will look at some of the underlying reasons for behaviour and will give families the opportunity to meet other parents/carers
- Location: Online
- Date: 8th July 2025
- Time: 12:30 - 2:00
Understanding your child’s behaviour
This guide is for parents who have a child with additional needs and who are worried about their child’s behaviour.
Occupational Therapists can support with this area if the behaviour is sensory based. Access to Occupational Therapy is through a referral from a health professional.
Parent Workshop: Responding to Behaviour & Supporting Regulation
An online workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of autism and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop will offer an introduction to understanding autism and also look at some of the underlying reasons for behaviour.
- Date: Thursday 20th March
- Time: 10:00 – 12:00
- Location: Warstones Primary School
- Booking: Eventbrite
An Introduction to Autism and Understanding Behaviour
An online workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of autism and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop will offer an introduction to understanding autism and also look at some of the underlying reasons for behaviour.
- Location: Online
- Date: 21 March, 2025
- Time: 10am - 12pm
Autism and Understanding Behaviour
A workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of autism and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop will look at some of the underlying reasons for behaviour and will give families the opportunity to meet other parents/carers
- Location: Brick Kiln Family Hub
- Date: 27 March, 2025
- Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Autism and Understanding Behaviour
A workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of autism and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop will look at some of the underlying reasons for behaviour and will give families the opportunity to meet other parents/carers
- Location: Bingley Family Hub
- Date: 12th June 2025
- Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Online Autism and Understanding Behaviour
An online workshop for families of children/young people with a diagnosis of autism and those currently undergoing assessment. This workshop will look at some of the underlying reasons for behaviour and will give families the opportunity to meet other parents/carers
- Location: Online
- Date: 8th July 2025
- Time: 12:30 - 2:00
Deaf Tutor - YouTube Channel
Our deaf tutor has a YouTube channel where she posts different signs pertinent to the current time of year eg Halloween. It is an ideal way to learn some simple sign language to use with your children and others.
There are currently no training sessions for this subject, but please check back soon.
Special Needs Early Years Service is a team of Specialist Teachers and Specialist Higher Level Teaching Assistants for more information please visit - Special Needs Early Years Service
This section also includes Resources to support at home.
We also offer Specialist Child Development Centre groups which may be identified for your child by a SNEYS staff member through the referral to the service.
Or you can view our YouTube channel which offers a central point of access for resources and training from the SEND Early Identification and Support Service in Wolverhampton.
City of Wolverhampton support
Wolverhampton Under 5s ASD Pathway Keyworker Parent Drop-In sessions
For parents and carers whose child has been accepted at the Wolverhampton's under Fives diagnostic panel for Autism the following drop-in sessions can be attended.
For parents of children who have already received a diagnosis of Autism, through the Under 5’s Autism panel, please contact SpecialNeeds.EarlyYears@wolverhampton.gov.uk for details on how to access post diagnostic parent workshops.
For more information please view the Resources Pack for Parents and Carers .
National support
Rising To The Challenge - The Early Years 2024
Hosted by Autism West Midlands and Kerry.
- Understanding Autism
- 12 November 2024, 10am
- Register for free
- Supporting Social Communication
- 19 November 2024, 10am
- Register for free
- Autism and Sensory
- 26 November 2024, 10am
- Register for free
- Autism and Behaviour
- 3 December 2024, 10am
- Register for free
- Autism and Food
- 10 December 2024, 10am
- Register for free
- Autism, Toileting and Sleep
- 17 December 2024, 10am
- Register for free
PEACE (eating disorders and autism)
PEACE is a pathway for eating disorders and autism developed from clinical experience.
This pathway offers support autistic people suffering with an eating disorder, their loved ones and their clinicians.
There is also a Blog that you can access.
Restricted diets
Specific advice for fussy eating.
Speech and language therapists can support with this area. Please refer to the section regarding Speech and Language therapy for information about how to access this service.
Parent Workshop: SEN Support with Wolverhampton Information Advice and Support Service
- Date: Thursday 5 June, 2025
- Time: 10am – 12pm
- Location: Warstones Primary School
- Booking: Eventbrite
Parent Workshop: Supporting Emotionally Based School Non Attendance
- Date: Thursday 15 May, 2025
- Time: 10am – 12pm
- Location: Warstones Primary School
- Booking: Eventbrite
The Solihull Approach
A digital platform which includes online advice for parents of children with additional needs. It is free for any parent with a Wolverhampton code, just use the unique code WOLVES1 to gain access. Topics include; understanding your child's mental health and well-being, understanding your child with additional needs and moving up to secondary school for children with additional needs.
Voice4Parents
Voice4Parents represents the voices of parents and carers of children and young people with SEND in Wolverhampton. They run monthly coffee mornings and a monthly autism café. Leisure activities are also occasionally run.
Information can be found on the Voice4Parents website or Facebook page or via email to : emma@voice4parents.co.uk
SEND Squad - SEND Families
Weekly themed activities in a calm, relaxed setting: Sensory room, Arts and crafts, SEND cricket (fortnightly), Board games & lego, Sensory activities, Scavenger hunt, Music, Cafe and SEND MMA.
All ages welcome, accompanied by an adult.
- Date: Every Saturday
- Time: 10am-12.30pm
- Location: The Way Youth Zone, School Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0NR
- Cost: 50p per person
Parent Workshop: Supporting Emotionally Based School Non Attendance
- Date: Thursday 15th May, 2025
- Time: 10:00 – 12:00
- Location: Warstones Primary School
- Booking: Eventbrite
SEND Coffee morning and information event
This event offers the opportunity to speak to other parents/carers and talk to various professionals who can offer information and support. We will be joined by the Outreach Team, Family Learning Team, Special Needs Early Years, WIASS, Wolverhampton Play Cafe, School nurses, Reach and Unite, Parent Coaching, Autism parent champions and more.
- Date: 3 June, 2025
- Time: 10am - 12pm
- Location: Graiseley Family Hub
- Booking: Eventbrite
Parent Workshop: SEN Support with Wolverhampton Information Advice and Support Service
- Date: Thursday 5th June, 2025
- Time: 10:00 – 12:00
- Location: Warstones Primary School
- Booking: Eventbrite
PDA Society
The Pathological Demand Avoidance Society provides information, support and training for people living and working with PDA. PDA individuals share characteristics with others on the spectrum and also have a distinct cluster of additional traits.
Helping your child to sleep
This document provides some standard approaches that can help all children, but these might need to be adapted for some disabled children, such as children with learning disabilities, ADHD and autism
Inspire can support with this area if the young person has a Learning Disability diagnosis. Access to inspire is through a referral from a health professional.
Makaton Level 1 training opportunity for parents and carers
- Dates: Thursday Mornings of 10 and 17 October
- Location: Brickkiln Community Centre, Cherry Street Wolverhampton, WV3 0QW
Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. It supports the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation of language and expression.
Level 1 training provides a practical introduction to the Makaton Language Programme.
IASS is offering parents and carers the opportunity to complete a free Level 1 workshop. This will be delivered over two mornings (totalling 6 hours) and will require you to attend both sessions in order to gain your certificate and participant manual.
Please express your interest by emailing Stacey at ias.service@wolverhampton.gov.uk
SEND Drop-in sessions
The chance to speak to a SEND professional and get advice and support on a 1:1 basis. To book an appointment please email RWatson1@aatrust.co.uk
- Whitmore Reans: 13 March, 12pm - 1:30pm
- Rocket Pool: 28 March, 12pm - 1:30pm
- Bingley Family Hub: Friday 2 May, 11.30 - 12.30pm
- Phone appointments: Wednesday 21 May, 12.30 - 1.30pm
- Graiseley Family Hub: Wednesday 18 June, 12 noon - 1pm
- Cherry St, SEND & Sensory Hub: Thursday 3 July, 9am -10am
Parent Coffee Morning: Supporting Children with Physical Disabilities
Date: Wednesday 30th April
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Location: Warstones Primary School
Booking: Eventbrite
Anxiety disorders in children: Top tips for Parents
A video for parents and carers sharing top tips to support children experiencing anxiety.
CAMHS Parent/Carer Workshops
Come and join our Parent/Carer Workshops, run by Black Country CAMHS services (on Zoom for 1.5 hours)! Groups held 12pm - 1.30pm. We know that suffering from mental health difficulties does not only affect the person struggling, but also the family around them. Parenting a child/young person with mental health difficulties can create additional challenges for parents.
We are running workshops exploring a range of difficulties that children/young people may experience, that can impact their emotional wellbeing.
10.07.24 - Trauma and Attachment
11.09.24 - Autistic Spectrum Conditions
23.10.24 - Speech and Language
20.11.24 - Depression / Low Mood
18.12.24 - Anxiety / OCD
15.01.25 - Self-harm
12.02.25 - Anger / Conduct difficulties
12.03.25 - Anxiety
To register your interest telephone Andrea Ehgartner on 01922 607400.
KOOTH
An online digital counselling service for young people aged 11-18.
Web: www.kooth.com
The Mix Helpline
Tel: 0808 808 4994
Crisis message service
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Text: THEMIX to 85258
www.BASE25.org
Base 25 have a MiChoice, Emotional Wellbeing Service for young people who have a Wolverhampton GP, address or school. They have recently begun group sessions for SEMH for 6/7 young people and their parent at a time. Referral is via a referral form completed on their website. These are then triaged to find the most suitable support for your child’s needs.
Sensory needs support
Provides sensory needs support, but it also has valuable resources on motor activities, Aspergers and autism from an Occupational Therapy perspective.
Supporting Sensory Differences
This workshop will offer a basic introduction to sensory processing and think about some of the challenges children face. We will discuss over and under sensitivity and how this can impact on their daily life. We will also think about some practical strategies you can implement at home to support your child
- Location: Bingley Family Hub
- Date: 17th July 2025
- Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Online Supporting Sensory Differences
This online workshop will offer a basic introduction to sensory processing and think about some of the challenges children face. We will discuss over and under sensitivity and how this can impact on their daily life. We will also think about some practical strategies you can implement at home to support your child.
- Location: Online
- Date: 22nd May 2025
- Time: 12:30 - 2:00
There are currently no training sessions for this subject, but please check back soon.
Parent Pathways
Parent Pathways is a series of free, online sessions for parents and carers of children and young people with vision impairment. The aim of Parent Pathways is to provide information and signposting on a range of topics and give families the chance to meet and share experiences in a safe, welcoming environment.
Each Parent Pathways series is split into different areas:
First Steps is a 2-week course, covering point of diagnosis information.
‘Focus on’ sessions are one-off, and topic based:
- Education
- Family Finances
- Play and social development
Parents/Carers can choose the sessions that are most relevant to them from the a range of dates in our Event Calendar.
To find out more and book, visit www.rnib.org.uk/pathways
Coming soon...
The SEND Early Identification and Support Services coordinate our training offer through Wolverhampton School Business Services (WVES).
Here you will find the full range of professional development opportunities on offer alongside booking options. We have training that is suitable for senior leaders, SENCOs, teachers, specialist TAs and other professionals working with children with a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in early years, primary and secondary schools.
Information and booking options are available by visiting Wolverhampton Education Services.
Our YouTube channel SEND Early Identification and Support Services - YouTube also offers a central point of access for resources, information and training.
If you wish to contact the Outreach team email: outreach@wolverhampton.gov.uk
If you wish to contact the Specialist Learning Support team, please email: sls@wolverhampton.gov.uk
If you wish to contact the Special Needs Early Years service please email: specialneeds.earlyyears@wolverhampton.gov.uk
If you wish to contact the Sensory Inclusion Service, please email SIS@wolverhampton.gov.uk