Information, Advice and Support - IAS Service for Windsor and Maidenhead

05/05/2026

The National Network of Parent Carer Forums have shared something really cool with us, and we want to share it with you!

Check out The Easy Read Hub!

They offer a free easy read version of news and current affairs which may be helpful for our families.

https://easyread.co.uk/feed?q=special+educational+needs&view_mode=cards&commit=Search

05/05/2026

Kidz to Adultz South is just around the corner, and here is everything you need to know!🙌

Getting to the Venue:
🚙By Car: Parking at the venue is free. Please enter via Gate F. If you're using a satnav, make sure to use the postcode GU14 6TQ. Traffic marshals will be on site to assist and direct vehicles.
🚶‍➡️Pedestrian: For those arriving on foot, Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre offers convenient access via Gate B
🚆Train: The venue is within easy reach of five train stations- Farnborough Main, Farnborough North, North Camp, Frimley and Aldershot.

✉️ Your check-in QR code will be emailed out this week and also the morning of the event.

📖 Having the showguide in advance can help you plan and make the most of your day - https://bit.ly/SouthShowguide26

®️ If you haven't done so already, register for free online - www.kidzexhibitions.co.uk/kidz-south

05/05/2026

Early communication webinar with Gwendolina Toner:

Thursday 7 May 2026 | 1.30 – 2pm | FREE

In this short webinar we will discuss early communication development. This webinar is suitable for parents whose child is aged approximately 0-3 years.

Please sign-up here: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/services-projects/training/early-communication-webinar-with-gwendolina-toner/

*Please check your spam folder for your confirmation and reminder emails. Your confirmation email will arrive 5 to 10 minutes after registration.

05/05/2026

GEMS are excited to announce a new date for our sleep workshop with the wonderful Parenting Special Children.

This workshop is open to families in East Berkshire whose children have or are suspected to have autism and/or ADHD. It explores children’s sleep cycles and sleep needs. Reasons behind night settling and night waking. Strategies to feel less stressed when sleep training. Strategies for settling your child to sleep, and staying asleep.

Booking can be found here: https://parentingspecialchildren.co.uk/events/sleep-autism-and-adhd-berkshire-east-june-2026/

03/05/2026

Hello

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are visiting your area to inspect the local arrangements for children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).

The inspectors want to know about the help and support that children and young people with SEND get. You can tell us by filling in a survey below. What you tell us will be treated in confidence.

The surveys will close at 9am on Tuesday 5 May 2026.

03/05/2026

New GEMS course - Interoception

Hosted by Parenting Special Children Tuesday 30th June 2026. 7-9pm

Interoception helps you to understand and feel what’s going on inside your body. Those who struggle with the interoceptive sense may have trouble knowing when they feel tired, hungry, full, thirsty, hot or cold. Having trouble with this sense can also make self-regulation a challenge.
Helping with self-regulation, Recognising hunger/Always hungry, Toileting, Making a connection with emotions.
Booking:

A workshop for families living, or registered with an NHS GP, in the Berkshire East NHS area (Bracknell, Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead).

01/05/2026

As part of Reading University’s centenary celebrations, they are hosting a free public hybrid (in person and online) event on the evening of 6 May on the theme of Autistic Thriving at School and Beyond.

Join them for an evening that brings together autistic children and young people, their families, students, professionals, and researchers to explore what supports autistic children to flourish in education and everyday life.

The event will include talks from:
• Professor Elizabeth McCrum, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) at the University of Reading
• Dr Fiona Knott and Dr Jo Billington, Wellbeing Hub project leads
• Andy Smith, founder of Spectrum Gaming, and a passionate advocate for young people’s voices in education.

For in person attendees, there will also be an opportunity to review a poster presentation of current autism research from academics and students in the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences. Refreshments will be provided.

Wednesday 6 May
G10 lecture theatre,
Palmer Building,
Whiteknights Campus,
RG6 6EW

In person:
18:45 –21:00

Online:
19:00 –20:30 via
Microsoft Teams

For more details or to book your space please visit their website - https://research.reading.ac.uk/autism/autistic-thriving-in-school-and-beyond-6th-may-2026-18-45-21-00/

29/04/2026

Looking for a fun and inclusive event for the whole family? Parallel Windsor is back.
https://www.parallellifestyle.com/windsor2026

28/04/2026

Did you know that Cerebra have a sensory library?
They have just added some exciting new toys, and a communication aid, to thier lending library. If you have a child aged 16 or under with a brain related condition then you can borrow toys from our sensory library for a month at a time, free of charge. https://cerebra.org.uk/library-news/new-toys-in-our-library/

27/04/2026

To all SEND families living in Windsor and Maidenhead, I cannot stress enough how incredibly important this survey is. Please, please complete it 🙏 Change cannot happen if no one steps up.

Windsor and Maidenhead: It's your area's Ofsted/CQC SEND inspection 11-15 May.

Give your feedback from NOW-9am on 5 May: https://ofsted.smartsurvey.co.uk/p/AreaSend/10406418

Read more about SEND inspections: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-area-send-inspections-information-for-families

27/04/2026

If you missed out on the SEND Reform coffee mornings, don't fret! We've created 3 more online meetings for you to join in because we really want to hear your thoughts 🗣️

Join us in May for a chat with our committee members as we work on our parent carer forum's response to the SEND Reform paper.

The consultation on the government's SEND Reform white paper is open. SEND Voices RBWM is able to give feedback as a parent carer forum. We are, therefore, collecting the views and responses of our members to capture as many different ideas and questions as possible.

The consultation asks 39 questions about specific parts of the SEND reform, these are the main points we will be focusing on. However, we are able to feed back further responses and questions through our regional representative at the NNPCF.

This Teams event will be recorded to ensure all feedback is captured. The recording will not be shared outside of SEND Voices RBWM.

Book your free tickets on Eventbrite for the session that suits you best:

- 6th May 7.30PM - 8.30PM
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/send-voices-rbwm-send-reform-consultation-1-tickets-1988091856260?aff=erellivmlt

- 9th May 1.30PM - 2.30PM
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/send-voices-rbwm-send-reform-consultation-2-tickets-1988094661651?aff=erellivmlt

- 11th May 12.30PM - 1.30PM
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/send-voices-rbwm-send-reform-consultation-3-tickets-1988095665654?aff=erellivmlt

We look forward to chatting with you!