Swindon SEND Families Voice

27/03/2026

Our team will be taking a break over the holidays. We hope you and your families have a lovely Easter.

We will be back on Monday 13th April.

If you need any support during the holidays, please see our page: The SEND Room.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSENDRoom

You can also find information on the Local Offer.
https://www.swindon.gov.uk/sendlocaloffer

26/03/2026

Over the Easter Holiday, our SEND Stay and Play will still be running on Thursday mornings.

We will also be running our SEND Social Club on Thursday 2nd April. This will be at the Punjabi Community Centre.

25/03/2026

SSFV would like to share the following comms;

They are currently looking for people to take part in a research project for Healthwatch BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire looking at how to better understand Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) by listening to more people and their experiences. This project is an updated expansion of Healthwatch BaNES ‘Parent Carers Experiences of Children with Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)’ 2023 report.

They are hoping to hear from young people from BSW aged 16-25, from parents and carers, and from people who work in services that support them.

Their views will help to answer our question of ‘How can services better listen to and respond to the experiences of young people with EBSA and their parent/ carers? and will help us learn more about the challenges faced by those living with EBSA and where things need to improve.

Your assistance may help us inform ways to support young people who experience EBSA and better their access to services.

Thanks so much for your support.

24/03/2026

🌼 It is a busy week for SSFV. We hosted a breakfast event today, and it was wonderful to see so many parents join us. It offered a chance to learn more about SSFV and the support we provide, but most importantly, it created space for parents to meet one another, share experiences, and simply exhale.

24/03/2026

As our 2nd year of PINS is coming to a close, we are due to send the final survey out to parents.

For any parents attending our PINS 2 Schools, could you please take a couple of minutes to complete the survey.

All data from both PINS projects will be used during the White Paper and SEND Reform consultations.

PINS Schools:
Lawn Primary
Kingfisher Academy
Badbury Park
St Mary's Primary (North Swindon)
Colebrook Infants and Juniors
Peatmoor Primary
Chiseldon Primary
Laniesmead Primary
Grange Primary

Here is the link to the survey:

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

23/03/2026

✨SSFV recently hosted a PINS event today with Becky Richens, who delivered an insightful session on ADHD in women, including the impact of hormones and menopause. The event also provided a valuable opportunity for parents to connect, share experiences, and feel a sense of belonging in knowing they are not alone.

We extend our sincere thanks to all the parents who attended. These events are organised especially for you, and we truly appreciate your engagement and support.

For more information about Becky Richens - Independent Mental Health Nurse, please use the link below;
https://www.facebook.com/beckyrichensnurse/?locale=en_GB

22/03/2026

🌟 Swindon SEND Families Voice hosted a SEND family event at the Link Centre Trampoline Park, and we are delighted to share that it was a truly joyful evening event. Parents were able to bring their children to enjoy a fun, relaxed session while also connecting with other families,an opportunity many tell us they often miss.

We are grateful that external funding enabled us to offer this inclusive event and create a space where families could come together, have fun, and feel supported as part of a wider SEND community.

20/03/2026

Next week on Monday morning, we have our ADHD session with Becky Richens. This will start at 10am at Moredon Community Centre.

On Tuesday, we have our Breakfast Catch Up at Toby Carvery. Please email swindonsendfamiliesvoice@outlook.com to book a place.

On Wednesday evening, Becky Richens will be doing her ADHD talk on Microsoft Teams, for anyone who can't make it to the Monday event.
Here is the link to join: https://teams.live.com/meet/9335352567184?p=DjHVYfl0cydr5YDOqN

And finally, on Thursday, we will be running our SEND Stay and Play at The Meadow.

We have our SEND Family Event this Saturday at The Link Centre. We are looking forward to seeing the families booked on. If you are unable to make it, please let us know as soon as you can.

18/03/2026

Survey of SEND Services 2026
Survey of SEND Services that support children/young people and families with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities 2026.

Please use the link below to complete this survey;
https://tinyurl.com/mrx8a984

Please share your views on SEND support in Swindon by completing the annual SEND survey. Your feedback helps us improve services for children, young people and families.

17/03/2026

Branches took place today, in attendance we had Nicola Ponton- Head Of SEND, Hannah Freeland - Designated Social Care Officer, Sarah and Amber from HAF and Becky Cox from Inclusive Cycling.

Offering an important opportunity for SSFV and parents to raise the concerns, issues, and daily experiences that families are navigating, as well as to ask for solutions for the future.

We are grateful to all the guests who attended, and we hope the matters raised can move towards a meaningful resolution.

At SSFV, the parent voice always remains at the heart of everything we do, and we will continue to ensure it shapes every meeting, conversation, and decision.

16/03/2026

Swindon SEND Families Voice will be holding their next breakfast catch-up on Tuesday 24th March at the Toby Carvery.

An informal get together for all parents/carers - come along, relax over a cuppa/breakfast and chat with others.

To book a place please email swindonsendfamiliesvoice@outlook.com

13/03/2026

Next week, we have Kirk Anderson's parent talk on Monday evening. This will be about Understanding Challenging Behaviours. This is the link: https://teams.live.com/meet/9349462319349?p=LdNQspopnc8snA4vcB

We also have our Branches session on Tuesday morning with a range of guest speakers.

And finally, SEND Stay and Play will be running on Thursday morning at The Meadow.

We look forward to seeing the parents and children booked onto our family SEND event at the Link Centre on Saturday 21st.