Sunderland SEND IASS

🪩🕺🪩 Time to show off those moves with Danceversity 🪩🕺🪩

Our friends over at Danceversity and The Sensory Place OPEN PAGE are throwing a school's out summer carnival and YOU'RE invited ☀️🦩⛱️😎

Check out their details below! 👇

👏👏👏

We've officially launched Getting Help in Primary Care - Sunderland's new Children and Young People's Mental Health Service, bringing early emotional wellbeing and mental health support closer to local communities.

Designed for ages 0–25 who are registered with a Sunderland GP, this service brings early emotional wellbeing and mental health support right into primary care, making it easier than ever to get help when it’s needed most.

Children, young people and families can access the service by speaking with their GP practice. The team can support with a range of emotional and mental health concerns, including:

✅ Low mood
✅ Anxiety and worries
✅ Difficulties with emotional regulation
✅ Peer and friendship issues
✅ Behavioural concerns

By providing timely support within primary care, the service aims to help children and young people access the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

www.stsftmentalhealth.nhs.uk

💜💚🧡 Take a look at this amazing resource from our friends over at Witherslack Group to help our children understand accessing the airport and travelling on the plane, ready for their summer holidays ☀️⛱️

💙 Did you know that Washington Mind Young People’s Project provides one-to-one counselling for young people aged 11+, in safe and welcoming spaces across Washington and Sunderland, including The Life House, PopRecs, schools, and other local venues where young people feel at ease.

They know reaching out can feel like a big step, so their friendly team is always happy to chat first with parents, carers, or professionals. Together, they explore whether the service is the right fit and, if not, help you find the right support.

First sessions focus on getting to know each young person, understanding their needs, and agreeing next steps, with parents or carers welcome to attend.

Find out more about the Young People's Project, access support and make a referral on their website: https://washingtonmind.org.uk/the-young-peoples-project/

📢 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 (𝗘𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗦)

The Department for Education has launched a consultation on proposed changes to Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) for children and young people with SEND.

The proposals include a clearer national framework for EOTAS, stronger quality assurance, improved support for children and young people, and greater focus on outcomes and progression.

🗓️ 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑙 18 𝑆𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 2026

If EOTAS has affected your child, family, school or organisation, this is an important opportunity to share your views.

💻 The DfE is also running a series of online engagement events to explain the proposals and gather feedback. Places are likely to fill quickly, so book early:
👉 https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/eotas-online-events-4855916

📝 Read and respond to the consultation:
👉 https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-reform-education-otherwise-than-at-school

Take a look at our one-page guide for a summary of the key proposals and how they could affect children and young people with SEND.

Our Summer Activity Guide is live 📣🌞

Looking for things to do during the school holidays? We've got you covered! Check out our Summer Guide to SEND-friendly activities across the North East, packed with ideas for fun, inclusive days out for the whole family 😎

Summer is full of opportunities to explore, and many attractions and venues now offer autism-friendly sessions designed to create more accessible and enjoyable experiences for autistic individuals and their families.

By adjusting lighting and sound, welcoming smaller groups, keeping queues short, and allowing families to move freely and make noise, these venues are helping autistic individuals feel safe, included, and able to join in the summer fun.

View the guide to see what's happening in your region at www.ne-as.org.uk/autism-friendly-events-in-the-north-east-this-summer/

Please note that all events listed are subject to availability and may sell out. For any questions, queries, or feedback regarding specific events, we encourage you to contact the organisers directly.

Have fun! 🙌

If you're raising a disabled child or have a child with additional needs, you don't have to figure everything out on your own.

Our free helpline is here to support families with information, guidance and practical advice on topics including:

💚 Benefits and financial support
💚 Education and EHCPs
💚 Social care
💚 Navigating services
💚 And so much more

Whether you have a quick question or need help understanding complex issues, our friendly advisers are here to listen and help you find the right support.

Sometimes, one conversation can make all the difference.

Get in touch with our helpline today and let us help you take the next step.

You can call us free on 0808 808 3555, or submit an online enquiry using the form here: https://f.mtr.cool/lkbvjkafeu

🚀 Thinking about your next step?

Whether you're leaving school, looking at college courses, considering an apprenticeship or searching for work, our new Career Hub is here to help.

Drop in and speak to our Careers and NEET Advisers for free support and advice, including:
✔️ CV writing and job applications
✔️ Interview skills and confidence building
✔️ Apprenticeships, college and training options
✔️ Work experience and employment opportunities
✔️ Access to laptops, internet and printing facilities

📅 Tuesdays, 4pm–6pm
📍 Winnibell Family Hub, Lombard Street, Hendon, SR1 2HS
👥 Young people aged 15–18 years
🚪 Drop-in session

Did you know we have a library of on-demand SEND law webinars available on our website?

We know that joining our live webinars isn't always possible. That's why we've created a library of expert-led SEND law webinars that you can access anytime, allowing you to learn at a time that suits you.

Whether you're looking for guidance on transport or wanting to understand your rights as a parent or carer, our free webinar library is here to help.

Browse our on-demand webinars: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/Pages/Category/webinars