Free Parent Workshops with SENDIASS |
Is your child waiting for an Autism Assessment? Join these parent workshops:
These events are designed to support parents with a child waiting for an ASD assessment in Essex. To find out more, visit the SENDIASS website |
FREE speech and language workshops for children aged 0 to 5 |
| Speech and Language UK (in collaboration with Talk, Listen and Cuddle, TLC) have created two workshops for parents and carers. These sessions will help you to think about how you can best understand and support your child. It is an opportunity to hear other parents’ experiences, learn new strategies and share as much or as little of your story as you wish.
Introduction to speech and language challenges Wednesday 23rd October, 10am to 12pm, on Zoom. Supporting your child with social communication challenges Wednesday 30th October, 10am to 12pm, on Zoom. This workshop is for you if your child has a social communication challenge (with or without a diagnosis). If you want to join one or both of these sessions, please email tlc@essex.gov.uk. Include the name of the session you would like to join. TLC will then send you the Zoom link nearer to the time. If your child is older than 5 years much of the content of this workshop will not be relevant. You may find it more useful to contact Speech and Language UK’s advice line or visit the Speech and Language UK website. |
Targeted Employment Team free Next Steps event |
| The Targeted Employment Team are hosting a free Next Steps event on Tuesday 22 October 2024, 10am to 1pm at County Hall, Chelmsford.
It is for young people to connect with organisations. They will offer advice and support for starting their careers or finding jobs. The event is open to all and welcomes young people who have:
For more information, please contact The Targeted Employment Team |
Good Beginnings free course |
| Good Beginnings is a course for parent and carers of autistic children in reception and under. It is running across the quadrants in different areas. Places are available in Harwich for the autumn term.
Visit the Good Beginnings page on the Essex Local Offer for more information. |
Autism Central Peer Support for parents and carers |
| This service provides one to one and group support for parents of autistic children and adults. The Peer Education Programme is provided by families, for families.
Parents can:
Upcoming sessions include supporting toileting, stimming and demand avoidance. No diagnosis required to access this free service. To find out more, visit the Autism Central website |
Summer equipment transfers: Physical and Neurological Impairment (PNI) Specialist Teaching Team |
| Many children supported by the PNI Specialist Teaching team use specialist equipment. This includes items such as standing frames and supportive chairs to access learning.
Every summer the team works with the equipment service, Medequip. Together they transfer the equipment to new schools and settings for children in transition year groups. This summer, all equipment was transferred on time. This enabled children to start the term with the equipment that they needed. |
Essex Family Forum and The Healthy Parent Carers programme |
| Essex Family Forum (EFF) are excited to be involved in ‘The Healthy Parent Carers Programme’, which aims to improve health and wellbeing among parents of children and young people with additional needs and disabilities.
This programme has been rolled out successfully all over England, and EFF are looking forward to being involved in the first pilot programme for Essex. They are co-delivering the programme with HCRG who are the lead facilitators. To find out more visit Healthy Parent Carer website. |
Community Talk on Autism: Hosted by PACT for Autism |
| When: Wednesday 16 October, 2024 Location: Passmores School, HarlowJoin a community talk hosted by PACT for Autism. This event is open to a wide audience, including:
Speakers:
Ticket Information:
Unable to afford the ticket? Please reach out by emailing PACT for autism, they want everyone to be able to attend. |
A fully funded programme for young people with a visual impairment |
| Are you aged 18 to 29, visually impaired, and looking to take the next step towards employment? Join this free, self-led three-month course designed to help you prepare for the workplace!
Course Duration: 28 October 2024 to January 2025 The course begins with a five-day residential at the Royal National College for the Blind, where you’ll use your own laptop for hands-on learning. After the residential, you’ll continue with self-study from home. Who Can Apply:
Complete the application form on the Royal National College for the Blind website. |
Mid Essex Family Hubs: SEND Stay, Play and Learn groups for 0 to 8 year olds |
| Free Stay, Play and Learn sessions for 0 to 8 year olds with SEND (no diagnosis needed). Locations and Times:
No booking needed, siblings welcome, parents to stay during the session. For more information visit the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service website. |
Butterfly Club booking system |
| As the Shortbreaks Clubs and activities provider for South Essex, Butterflies Club activities are now available to book on the Essex Short Breaks webpage.
Parents and carers will need a Short Breaks account to do this. Parents and carers can book any events on the ‘Family Events’ category to attend with their child. If the child is new to Butterflies Club the family will need to attend a Family Stay and Play session first. If the child already has an allocated group, feel free to book in! Activities up until the end of October half term are currently available to book. |
NEW day opportunities in Chelmsford for young adults with PMLD coming soon! |
| Independence Project are delighted to introduce the The Hive. Coming soon, this is a brand new purpose built facility. It is designed for young adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).
It will also cater for young people with complex health and medical needs. It will be opening in the heart of Chelmsford. Trial sessions are available throughout September and October. These sessions will give young people an opportunity to enjoy activities in the community and get to know the team. To find out more visit the Independence Project website. |
Sensory Adapted Performance of Seussical the Musical |
| On 16 November at 11am, local theatre society Springers are presenting a Sensory Adapted Performance (SAP) of Seussical the Musical at Chelmsford Theatre.
This performance offers a safe space where the atmosphere and environment are much more relaxed, and where some of the theatrical effects are adapted and/or softened. Visit the Chelmsford Theatre website for more information and tickets. |
New social group for teens: Teen Talk Harwich |
| Teen Talk Harwich is a social group for children aged 11 to 16 who find social situations a challenge.
It runs every Thursday between 4 and 6pm from September through to December. All the activities are free. To find out more visit the Teen Talk website. To sign up contact 01255 504800 or email Teen Talk. |