SEND Early Identification and Support Services

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: Understanding ADHD with Amanda Moran

• Date: 27 November
• Time: 10:00 – 12:00
• Location: Warstones Primary School
• Booking: Eventbrite

Introduction to ADHD Workshop

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.

• Date: 28 November
• Time: 10am - 12pm 
• Location: Low Hill Family Hub
• Booking: Eventbrite

Introduction to ADHD online workshop

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: 18 December
• Time: 12pm - 2pm
• Location: Online
• Booking: Eventbrite

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. For the parents of children aged 5-12. To find out more, join our information session on Friday 15 November 2024, 9.30 –11.30am at Graiseley Family Hub (Pool Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4NE). The programme runs every Friday morning from 22 November 2024 to 7 February 2025 (excluding school holidays). For more information and to reserve your place, please email RWatson1@aatrust.co.uk or Amanda.Stevens@wolverhampton.gov.uk

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

2024
Thursday 5th December 2024

2025
Thursday 16th January 2025
Thursday 13th February 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.

Find out more

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

Introduction to Autism & Understanding behaviour online workshop

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: 12 December
• Time: 9:30am - 12pm
• Location: Online
• Booking: Eventbrite

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

• Website
• Parent factsheets

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

Understanding behaviour workshop

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 offer tips to support emotional regulation. 

• Date: 13 November
• Time: 10am - 12pm
• Location: Low Hill Family Hub
• Booking: Eventbrite

Introduction to Autism & Understanding behaviour online workshop

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: 12 December
• Time: 9:30am - 12pm
• Location: Online
• Booking: Eventbrite

Understanding your child’s behaviour

• Guidance

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

BSL Course: 10/10/24 - 6/2/25

This engaging 15 Week course is designed for beginners to learn basic British Sign Language (BSL) in a relaxed and friendly environment. This course will be led by a Deaf Tutor and qualified BSL user. No formal qualification will be given at the end of this course.

• When: Every term-time Thursday, 1pm-2pm or 4:30pm-5:30pm
• Where: Brickkiln Community Centre, Cherry Street, WV3 0QW
• Cost: FREE
• Booking: This is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to book your place email: danielle.smith@wolverhampton.gov.uk

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.

Parent Workshop: Supporting communication

• Date: Wednesday 22nd January
• Time: 10:00 – 12:00
• Location: Warstones Primary School
• Booking: Eventbrite  

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.

Parent Workshop: Early Years Support

• Date: Wednesday 26 February
• Time: 10am – 12pm
• Location: Warstones Primary School
• Booking: Eventbrite  

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 5th June
• Time: 10:00 – 12:00
• Location: Warstones Primary School
• Booking: Eventbrite

Parent Workshop: Supporting Emotionally Based School Non Attendance

• Date: Thursday 14th November
• Time: 10:00 – 12:00
• Location: Warstones Primary School
• Booking: Eventbrite

Parent Workshop: Supporting Emotionally Based School Non Attendance

• Date: Thursday 15th May
• Time: 10:00 – 12:00
• 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.

• The Solihull Approach

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 with Michelle Dudley

• Date: 14 November
• Time: 10:00 – 12:00
• Venue: 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: 27 Feb, 2025
• Time: 10am - 12pm
• Location: Graiseley Family Hub
• Booking: Eventbrite

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

SEND Drop-in sessions

The chance to speak to a SEND professional and get advice and support on a 1:1 basis. There is no need to book but please email RWatson1@aatrust.co.uk to arrange a phone appointment. 

• Dove Family Hub: 21st November 2024, 11am – 1pm
• Whitmore Reans Family Hub: 4th December 2024, 9am – 11am

PDA Society

• Website

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

• Guidance

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 

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.

Watch the video

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.

Parent Workshop: Understanding and supporting sensory sensitivities with Jade Calleja-Reader

• Date: 11 December
• Time: 10:00 – 12:00
• Venue: Warstones Primary School 
• Booking: Eventbrite

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...