Sunshine Support

Sunshine Support An award winning Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) and ALN (Additional Learning Needs) Consultancy
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Please make an appointment before visiting our community hub as we all work in a hybrid fashion and also have scheduled events that use our space exclusively.

Many parents notice differences in the early years.Speech delays.Sensory sensitivities.A strong need for routine.Or play...
20/04/2026

Many parents notice differences in the early years.

Speech delays.
Sensory sensitivities.
A strong need for routine.
Or play that looks a little different to other children.

Understanding these early signs can make a huge difference to how children are supported as they grow.

Our Autism in Early Years webinar explores these patterns and what they might mean.

It is nearly time to begin, so if you have been thinking about joining, now is a good moment.

Details are here:
http://sunshine-support.eventbrite.com/

20/04/2026

“Behaviour that challenges… they’re just being manipulative, right?”

Wrong.

Most of the time, behaviour is communication.
An expression of need.
A sign that something isn’t quite right underneath.

If we miss that… we miss the chance to truly help.

Kelly Jarvis is breaking this down in her upcoming webinar, helping you understand what’s really going on and what to do next.

⚠️ Tickets are selling fast for this one.

🎟 Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1968153537211

If you’re on Instagram, comment BEHAVIOUR and we’ll send you the link.

Sometimes the bravest thing a child does is say “I can’t.”We often celebrate resilience as pushing through.  But for som...
20/04/2026

Sometimes the bravest thing a child does is say “I can’t.”

We often celebrate resilience as pushing through. But for some children, continuing to attend school while overwhelmed can be damaging.

When a child finally says they cannot do it anymore, it is not always weakness.

Sometimes it is the moment their nervous system is trying to protect them.

That moment deserves curiosity, not punishment.

It deserves understanding, not shame.

If you are navigating this with your child right now, please be gentle with yourself. You are doing far more than you realise.





Calling all Teachers… this is the one everyone’s been asking for!So many EHCPs just aren’t bringing in the funding child...
19/04/2026

Calling all Teachers… this is the one everyone’s been asking for!

So many EHCPs just aren’t bringing in the funding children actually need… and schools are left trying to make it work anyway.

This session shows you exactly how to fix that, and it’s delivered by our dedicated educational team - for teachers by teachers at our SEND Training Institute.

🎟️ Book now for Wednesday 22nd April before it fills (we have just a handful of tickets left):
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1561987068369

Coming up this week...
19/04/2026

Coming up this week...

No April fools here - this is all genuinely happening at Sunshine during April... Come join us! We're waiting for you ☀️

☀️ 2nd - ADHD in Children webinar
Read more: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1952719790459

☀️ 9th - Autism in Women & Girls webinar
Read more: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1856988696179

☀️ 16th - Masking and Burnout webinar
Read more: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1963183880835

☀️ 21st - SEND Advice Clinic - included in your Sunshine Academy membership.
Book your place here: https://forms.office.com/e/EPgg41LpaK

☀️ 22nd - For SENCOs: Maximising Your EHCP Funding webinar with SEND Training Institute
Read more: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1561987068369

☀️23rd - Autism in Early Years webinar
Read more: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1968520803715

☕ All Cuppa&Chat sessions - https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/cuppachat-sessions-3847953

We hope to see you there!

One of the hardest parts of being a SEND parent is trying to get clear, factual information about your child’s situation...
19/04/2026

One of the hardest parts of being a SEND parent is trying to get clear, factual information about your child’s situation.

❌Not generic advice.
❌Not vague reassurance.
✅But actual answers about your child, your case, your next step.

And yet so many parents find themselves stuck in a fog of uncertainty. 😩

💔Emails that go unanswered.
💔Meetings that raise more questions than they answer.
💔Professionals who say, “We’ll have to look into that.”
💔Local authorities who simply… don’t respond.

Parents often spend hours searching online, trying to piece together fragments of information, wondering if they’ve misunderstood something important.

All the while carrying that quiet fear:

“What if I get this wrong for my child?” 🫣

It’s exhausting.💤

And it leaves many families feeling lost, unsupported and completely overwhelmed.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀.

A space where parents can come with their real questions, about their real situations, and speak directly with experts who understand SEND law, systems and strategy.

☀️No guesswork.
☀️No vague answers.
☀️Just clear, practical guidance.

These clinics are included as part of your Sunshine Academy membership, and you can dip in and out whenever you need support.

Our next clinic is on 21st April at 7pm, online.

We keep them small on purpose, limiting them to just 10 people, so everyone has the chance to ask questions.

And right now there are only a few spaces remaining.

You can book your slot here:
https://forms.office.com/e/EPgg41LpaK

Because SEND parents should never have to navigate this system alone.





Saturday Night Funny time 🎬If your life right now were a film title, what would it be?I’ll start…Mine is currently Dumb ...
18/04/2026

Saturday Night Funny time 🎬

If your life right now were a film title, what would it be?

I’ll start…

Mine is currently Dumb and Dumber as I navigate a SEND appeal where nobody seems to be talking sense 😅

Drop your film title below.

Bonus points if it’s painfully accurate.

And if someone else’s makes you laugh… give them a like or reply. We could all do with the giggle tonight 💛

There’s a moment many SEND parents experience.The moment you meet another parent who just gets it.Suddenly you don’t hav...
18/04/2026

There’s a moment many SEND parents experience.

The moment you meet another parent who just gets it.

Suddenly you don’t have to explain the acronyms.
You don’t have to justify your worries.

You’re simply understood.

SEND parenting can feel incredibly isolating, but connecting with others on a similar path can make such a difference.

Advice is shared.
Experiences are validated.
And the weight many parents carry alone becomes a little lighter.

That’s why we created Cuppa & Chat nearly nine years ago.

Friendly, informal sessions where SEND parents can connect online or in person.

They’re always free.

You can join us here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/cuppachat-sessions-3847953

Some headaches sit behind your eyes.Some sit at the back of your head.But EHCP headaches?They manage to take over the 𝗲𝗻...
18/04/2026

Some headaches sit behind your eyes.

Some sit at the back of your head.

But EHCP headaches?

They manage to take over the 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴.

The kind where you’re juggling paperwork, meetings, emails, reports… and somehow still trying to remember what day it is.

If you know, you know.😜

Tag a friend who might also be experiencing a full head EHCP headache right now. They deserve to know they’re not the only one.





A family came to us with a worry many parents will recognise.Their daughter had worked incredibly hard to rebuild her co...
17/04/2026

A family came to us with a worry many parents will recognise.

Their daughter had worked incredibly hard to rebuild her confidence at school after a period of serious mental health struggles. With the right support around her, she had made amazing progress.

But when it came to her Year 11 phase transfer review, the Local Authority suggested something familiar.

Because she was doing well, they felt she might not “require” the full time 1 to 1 support anymore.

Her mum knew the truth.
She was doing well because the support was right.

Jess Thomsett helped the family gather the evidence and bring everyone together. The current school, the proposed next setting, the Local Authority, and most importantly the young person herself.

And she spoke brilliantly about what she needs to continue thriving.

Together we made the case that the provision should remain in place, with a review later down the line once she has settled into the next stage of education.

In the meeting itself, the Local Authority agreed.

Full time 1 to 1 support will continue.

Sometimes progress is used as a reason to remove support. This time, it was recognised as proof that the support was working.

A wonderful outcome for a determined young person and a family who stood firmly beside her.

Wishing everyone a calm and hopeful weekend ahead. If you ever need any help, just message us.

17/04/2026

OCD is so often misunderstood 😢

It’s not about being tidy or organised.
It’s intrusive thoughts that don’t feel like your own… and the compulsions that follow just to get a moment of relief.

For children, it can be confusing.
For parents, it can be heartbreaking.

If this feels familiar, this webinar will help you understand what’s really going on and how to support.

🎟 Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980867416767

If you’re on Instagram, comment OCD and we’ll send you the link.

Sometimes parents notice little things in the early years.A child who prefers lining toys up rather than playing with th...
17/04/2026

Sometimes parents notice little things in the early years.

A child who prefers lining toys up rather than playing with them.
A child who struggles with certain textures or fabrics.
A child who seems overwhelmed by noise, or who finds transitions particularly difficult.
A child who speaks later than expected, or who appears to live very happily in their own world.

Often these moments are brushed aside with “they’ll grow out of it”.

And sometimes they do.

But sometimes those early differences are simply the first signs of a child experiencing the world in a different way.

Understanding these patterns early does not mean labelling a child. It means noticing them. It means responding with curiosity rather than concern. And most importantly, it means being able to support children in ways that protect their confidence, wellbeing and development.

The early years are such an important window for understanding how a child experiences the world.

If this is something you are navigating right now, we explore these early presentations gently and in much more depth in our Autism in Early Years session.

You can read more about it here if it would be helpful:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1968520803715

Address

Chapman House, The Derby Conference Centre Limited, London Road, Alvaston
Derby
DE248UX

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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