Parents

We recognise the invaluable role parents play in the journey of children with special educational needs (SEN). Click on the links below for the tools, resources and guidance they need to navigate the challenges and celebrate the successes of raising a child with SEN.

BCC Local Send Offer

Parent Support

Supporting Your Child at Home

Supporting a child with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at home is crucial for their development, well-being and academic progress. Here are some effective strategies to support your child with SEND at home:

Understand Your Child's Needs: Take the time to understand your child's specific strengths, challenges and learning style. Consult with their teachers, therapists and healthcare professionals to gain insights into their individual needs.
Establish a Structured Routine: Children with SEND often benefit from a structured routine. Create a daily schedule that includes regular times for activities such as learning, play, meals and rest. Consistency and predictability can help reduce anxiety and improve focus.
Create a Supportive Learning Environment: Designate a quiet, well-lit space for learning at home. Minimise distractions and provide comfortable seating and appropriate resources such as adaptive technology, visual aids, or sensory tools to support your child's learning.
Use Visual Supports: Visual aids such as charts, schedules, checklists and visual timers can help your child understand expectations, manage transitions and stay organised. Visual supports are particularly beneficial for children with autism or communication difficulties.
Break Tasks into Manageable Steps: Break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps to help your child approach challenges more effectively. Provide clear instructions and offer support as needed, gradually increasing independence as they gain confidence.
Utilise Multi-Sensory Learning: Incorporate multi-sensory activities into your child's learning experiences to engage different senses and enhance understanding. For example, use manipulatives, sensory materials and hands-on activities to reinforce concepts.
Provide Positive Reinforcement: Acknowledge and celebrate your child's efforts and achievements, no matter how small. Offer specific praise and rewards to encourage motivation and self-esteem.
Encourage Independence: Foster independence by encouraging your child to participate in daily tasks and activities to the best of their ability. Provide opportunities for them to make choices, problem-solve and practice self-help skills.
Communicate Openly: Maintain open communication with your child about their needs, feelings, and experiences. Listen attentively, validate their emotions and offer reassurance and support.
Collaborate with Professionals: Stay in regular communication with your child's teachers, therapists and other support professionals. Collaborate on strategies, share insights and seek advice to ensure consistency between home and school environments.
Prioritise Self-Care: Remember to prioritize your own well-being and self-care. Managing the challenges of supporting a child with SEND can be demanding, so make time for rest, relaxation and activities that recharge your energy.
Seek Additional Support When Needed: Don't hesitate to seek additional support from educational specialists, support groups, or community organisations if you need assistance. Reach out to your child's school or local authorities for information on available resources and services.

By implementing these strategies and providing a supportive and nurturing environment at home, you can help your child with SEND thrive academically, emotionally and socially. Remember that every child is unique, so be flexible and adaptive in your approach to meet their individual needs and strengths.

Bring it on Brum!

We have a number of Bring it on Brum! providers that offer holiday clubs for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Some organisations offer exclusive provision; just for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and some offer inclusive provision where children with and without special education needs and/or disabilities take part together.

Please contact the holiday club provider before booking or turning up; it’s important to discuss the needs of your child in advance of the holiday club starting.

SEND Parental Guidance

Whether you're looking for ideas for fun games to develop your child’s communication skills, need a step-by-step breakdown of the EHCP application process, or guidance on how to support your child during meltdowns or shutdowns, our SEND parent guidance page is the place to go. Here you’ll also find resources created in partnership with charities and organisations such as Down Syndrome UK, The Sleep Charity and Long Covid Kids—and our partnership resources are always free.

Family Fund

Family Fund believes that families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people should have the same choices, quality of life, opportunities and aspirations as wider families.

Family and Childcare Trust

Many parents in the UK today are frozen out of work by the cost of childcare and disadvantaged children fall behind their peers before they even start school. Coram Family and Childcare works to change this and to make the UK a better place for families.

We focus on childcare and the early years to make a difference to families’ lives now and in the long term. We work to make sure that every child has access to high quality childcare and every parent is better off working once they have paid for childcare. Families who face disadvantage, social exclusion and poverty are at the heart of our work.