Swindon SEND Families Voice

13/04/2026

The next Branches will be held on Tuesday 19th May 2026 at 7pm online, this is held via Teams in partnership with the Swindon SIAS team.
This online session will offer a clear and supportive overview of what happens when a child moves from primary to secondary, and from secondary to post 16. The SIAS team will talk through the key steps, statutory timelines, and what families can expect at each stage of the process. There will also be space for parents to ask questions.
This session is designed for parents who want to feel more informed, prepared, and confident about the journey ahead. Whether you are approaching Phase Transfer for the first time or simply want to deepen your understanding, you are warmly welcome to join us.
Our aim is to create a space where families feel supported, reassured, and equipped with the information they need.
Please do use the link below;
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZmQ5MjVkMDgtOGEwYy00YTMyLTk1MDItOGNkNDU3MDFhMjFh%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22c14bbb5a-1d56-4698-b344-1b99964f6878%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22de8c9603-af77-4cf8-b86f-e404f82fecef%22%7d

Please note this will be a general information session and SIAS is unable to answer queries about individuals cases.

The link is attached above, if there are any issues please contact swindonsendfamiliesvoice@outlook.com for the link to be emailed you.

13/04/2026

Please see below regarding Home to School Travel:

Dear Parents and Carers,

We would like to remind you that all families who may be eligible for home to school travel assistance in September 2026, must submit a new application for September 2026 if your child meets any of the following criteria:

They are moving from primary to secondary school (phased transfer)
They turn 8 years old before 1 September 2026
They are a post‑16 student
They currently receive a Personal Travel Budget (PTB)
Their application was agreed by an Appeal last year
They are changing schools or school sites
You have moved to a new home address

Submitting a new application is essential to ensure that travel assistance continues into the next academic year. If you do not reapply, transport may not be arranged in time for the start of term, which could lead to delays.

Applications can be completed online via: https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20203/travel_assistance/1434/applying_for_school_travel_assistance

When submitting your application, please ensure that you:

Complete all sections of the form
Upload any required supporting documents (e.g. proof of address, updated medical information)
Submit your application by 26 June 2026 to avoid disruption

Please note that the criteria above apply specifically to SEND students. All mainstream pupils must still submit a new application every year in line with the Home to School Travel Assistance Policy.

All applications will be assessed in accordance with the Council’s Home to School Travel Assistance Policy. All information on this can be found at: https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20203/travel_assistance

You will receive written confirmation once your application has been processed. Please be aware that processing times may be longer during busy periods, so we encourage early submission. If you apply after the 26thJune, the travel team will still process your application but there may be a delay in being able to ensure travel is available from the start of term in September due to logistical arrangements.

If your circumstances change after applying, please inform us as soon as possible. If you need help completing the application or have any questions, please contact the Travel Team on 01793 464165 or email travelnorth@swindon.gov.uk.

Please note that this email address is in the process of being replaced, with our new email address of educationtravel@swindon.gov.uk. Emails sent to the Travel North inbox will automatically divert to the new address.

Thank you for your prompt attention and for supporting your child’s travel arrangements.

Kindest regards,

Travel team

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13/04/2026

Swindon SEND Families Voice are holding their next SEND Social Club on the 14th May at the Punjabi Community Centre.

Booking is essential - all details are on the poster. Please confirm how many parents/carers will be attending and how many young people and their ages.

11/04/2026

Swindon SEND Families Voice reps have been working hard even through the holiday period. This Easter, we hosted an Easter Social Club for our young people, a chance to connect, have fun, and enjoy something positive during the break.

There were lots of happy faces, plenty of conversations, and every young person went home with an Easter egg to make the day that little bit brighter.

11/04/2026

Swindon SEND Families Voice reps have been working hard even through the holiday period. This Easter, we hosted a Stay and Play session for our young children, a chance to connect, have fun, and enjoy something positive during the break.

There were lots of happy faces, plenty of conversations, and every child left with a little Easter treat to brighten their day.

27/03/2026

Our team will be taking a break over the holidays. We hope you and your families have a lovely Easter.

We will be back on Monday 13th April.

If you need any support during the holidays, please see our page: The SEND Room.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSENDRoom

You can also find information on the Local Offer.
https://www.swindon.gov.uk/sendlocaloffer

26/03/2026

Over the Easter Holiday, our SEND Stay and Play will still be running on Thursday mornings.

We will also be running our SEND Social Club on Thursday 2nd April. This will be at the Punjabi Community Centre.

25/03/2026

SSFV would like to share the following comms;

They are currently looking for people to take part in a research project for Healthwatch BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire looking at how to better understand Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) by listening to more people and their experiences. This project is an updated expansion of Healthwatch BaNES ‘Parent Carers Experiences of Children with Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)’ 2023 report.

They are hoping to hear from young people from BSW aged 16-25, from parents and carers, and from people who work in services that support them.

Their views will help to answer our question of ‘How can services better listen to and respond to the experiences of young people with EBSA and their parent/ carers? and will help us learn more about the challenges faced by those living with EBSA and where things need to improve.

Your assistance may help us inform ways to support young people who experience EBSA and better their access to services.

Thanks so much for your support.

24/03/2026

🌼 It is a busy week for SSFV. We hosted a breakfast event today, and it was wonderful to see so many parents join us. It offered a chance to learn more about SSFV and the support we provide, but most importantly, it created space for parents to meet one another, share experiences, and simply exhale.

24/03/2026

As our 2nd year of PINS is coming to a close, we are due to send the final survey out to parents.

For any parents attending our PINS 2 Schools, could you please take a couple of minutes to complete the survey.

All data from both PINS projects will be used during the White Paper and SEND Reform consultations.

PINS Schools:
Lawn Primary
Kingfisher Academy
Badbury Park
St Mary's Primary (North Swindon)
Colebrook Infants and Juniors
Peatmoor Primary
Chiseldon Primary
Laniesmead Primary
Grange Primary

Here is the link to the survey:

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

23/03/2026

✨SSFV recently hosted a PINS event today with Becky Richens, who delivered an insightful session on ADHD in women, including the impact of hormones and menopause. The event also provided a valuable opportunity for parents to connect, share experiences, and feel a sense of belonging in knowing they are not alone.

We extend our sincere thanks to all the parents who attended. These events are organised especially for you, and we truly appreciate your engagement and support.

For more information about Becky Richens - Independent Mental Health Nurse, please use the link below;
https://www.facebook.com/beckyrichensnurse/?locale=en_GB

22/03/2026

🌟 Swindon SEND Families Voice hosted a SEND family event at the Link Centre Trampoline Park, and we are delighted to share that it was a truly joyful evening event. Parents were able to bring their children to enjoy a fun, relaxed session while also connecting with other families,an opportunity many tell us they often miss.

We are grateful that external funding enabled us to offer this inclusive event and create a space where families could come together, have fun, and feel supported as part of a wider SEND community.