SENDIASS

SENDIASS is a national charity which supports disabled children, young people and their families. The Special Education Needs and Disabilities Information and Support Services are able to offer advice, information and support for carers and parents of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This service is also offered directly for young people. It is a confidential, free and impartial service.

SEND Partnership Services are available for; Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, Somerset and Wiltshire.

The Pod Charity

The Pod Charity supports young people and adults with additional needs, families and young carers. Set up in 2013 for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as a youth centre for children and young adults have a safe environment to socialise and make friends. The POD Charity run a Young Carers group, a youth club and a club for young adults. 

Pod Youth Club – Every Tuesday during term time between 5.30-7.30pm at Vallis Youth & Community Centre, Frome. For young people with additional needs and aged between 10-18 years old.

Pod Plus – Every Monday night expect Bank Holidays between 6.30-8.30pm at RISE, Frome. For young adults with additional needs and are aged between 18-30 years old.

The Zone – Wednesday evenings once a fortnight during term time from 6-8pm. For young carers aged 8-16 years old at RISE, Frome.

Somerset County Council

Somerset County Council’s local offer provides services and information for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) aged between 0 and 25. The Local Offer provides information about the provision available in Somerset for children and young people with special educational needs, and for those who the local authority is responsible for, regardless of whether or not they have an Educational Health Care Plans.

Somerset Parent and Carer Forum

Somerset Parent and Carer Forum works alongside Somerset County Council and Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group to have a better understanding of SEND needs in Somerset. The forum is passionate about ensuring all children receive the correct services and support in order to achieve their full potential. The forum steering group consists of parents who children and grandchildren with special educational needs and disabilities so that there is a stronger voice to work towards improving the lives of children, young people and families with disabilities. The Somerset and Carer Forum also hold coffee sessions for parents and carers which take place in Chard, Wells, Wincanton and Shepton Mallet.

Frome Falcons Powerchair Football Club

Frome Falcons are the only powerchair football club in Somerset. The sport is for children and adults with physical learning disabilities. Their sessions are open to children from the age of 5+. Training takes place fortnightly on Saturdays.

Welcome to the latest resources developed aimed specifically at families and young people moving onto Post 16options, employment and adulthood with SpecialEducational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

This Families Guide is the result of  collaborative work  with Abri Supported Employment Coordinators, Yeovil College, the Somerset Education Business Partnership and Charlie&Co. The set of resources created have drawn on their experiences of working with young people and families over many years and we hope that you find them useful and interesting.   

Imagine the Possibilities - Families Guide.pdf (somerset-ebp.co.uk)