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SEND coordinators liaise with parents & professionals.
- Parent workshops & training sessions.
- Collaboration with therapists, counsellors, and specialists.
- Community resource guides for families.

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“Sharing a clear understanding of a child’s special educational needs (SEND) between parents, teachers, and professionals is crucial. It ensures consistent support, improves learning outcomes, and promotes the child’s wellbeing.”

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Ways to Share Understanding

Regular Meetings: Parent-teacher meetings, IEP/EHCP reviews.

Communication Tools: Emails, online platforms, or home-school diaries.

Workshops & Training: Parent and staff training sessions on specific SEND needs.

Resource Sharing: Guides, tip sheets, and recommended strategies for home and school.

Collaborative Planning: Joint goal setting and progress reviews.

Benefits for the Child

Feels supported and understood in all environments.

Improves learning, confidence, and social skills.

Reduces anxiety from inconsistent approaches.

Encourages independence with clear, consistent strategies.

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“Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) require collaboration between schools, families, and the community. Effective communication and shared support improve learning, wellbeing, and opportunities for children.”

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school parents and children holding hands

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- Parents participate in IEP/EHCP planning.
- Encouraged to join support groups/workshops.
- Provided strategies to support learning at home.

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- Local charities, social services, specialist organizations.
- Therapy, extracurricular programs, mentoring.
- Online forums & networks for advice.

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Map or network connecting families to services. 

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Challenges: Communication barriers, cultural differences, accessibility issues.
Solutions: Regular updates, translators, flexible meetings, online platforms.

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Table or “Problem ↔ Solution” infographic

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“With regular school-parent meetings and community support, my confidence and learning to help my child have improved significantly.”

Positive Parent Quotes — SEND Support Network

💛 “Since joining the new SEND support network, I finally feel heard and understood — we’re not alone anymore.”

🌈 “It’s amazing to share experiences with other parents who truly ‘get it’. The support has made such a difference for our whole family.”

🤝 “The workshops have given me the confidence to communicate better with teachers and support my child’s needs.”

🌟 “Before this network, I felt lost. Now I feel part of a community that celebrates every small success.”

💬 “Connecting with professionals and other families has helped us find new ways to help our child thrive.”

🌼 “It’s comforting to know there’s a space where I can ask questions without judgment — just understanding and support.”

💖 “The SEND network has brought hope and strength to our family. We’re learning, growing, and supporting each other.”

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- Collaboration improves outcomes for children with SEND.
- Strong networks reduce stress for families.
- Encourage ongoing communication, collaboration, and resource sharing.

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“Creative therapy workshops help parents support their children with SEND through art, crafts, music, and play. These sessions provide practical strategies, emotional support, and opportunities for family bonding.”

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Therapy Workshops for Parents of Children with SEND

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Therapy Workshops for Parents of Children with SEND

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1. Types of Creative Workshops

Arts & Crafts: Painting, clay modeling, sensory art activities for fine motor skills and self-expression.

Music & Movement: Rhythm exercises, singing, or movement to enhance communication, coordination, and emotional regulation.

Drama & Role-Play: Storytelling and role-play to develop social skills and confidence.

Sensory Play Activities: Workshops using textures, colors, and tactile experiences to support sensory processing.

2. Benefits for Parents and Children

Learn fun, hands-on ways to support learning and development at home.

Encourage children’s creativity, self-expression, and confidence.

Provides stress relief and relaxation for parents.

Promotes parent-child bonding through shared activities.

Opportunity to meet other parents and share ideas.

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Limited Involvement:
Many fathers had a limited role in their child’s SEND journey.

💭 Why?

Cultural expectations and traditional gender roles

Work and time pressures

Lack of confidence or awareness about SEND needs

🤝 Impact:
Mothers often became the main advocates, while fathers remained less engaged in school communication and support networks.

🌱 Moving Forward:
To build stronger family support, schools and communities should:
✨ Encourage father participation
✨ Offer inclusive SEND workshops
✨ Create open spaces for communication and shared understanding

💬 When fathers feel included, the whole family benefits.

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BBPCF is a group of parents/carers of children and young people (0-25 yrs) with SEND in Bedford Borough.

It works together with authorities (Education, Health, Social Care, etc.) to influence planning, delivery, and improvement of SEND services within the area.

Provides many ways for parent carers to get involved: surveys, focus groups, strategic boards, “coffee events”, drop-in sessions, workshops, peer support, etc.

It gives voice to lived experience—making sure feedback from families shapes real change.

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An example of a parents painting during our therapy workshops.

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A parents way to celebrate their SEND child through colours!