Somerset Parent Carer Forum

02/08/2025

🎉 Yeovil 4 Families Open Day – Next Tuesday! 🏡

We’re really looking forward to attending the Yeovil 4 Families Open Day next Tuesday and we’d love to see you there too! 💬

This free event is open to all local families, offering a great opportunity to connect, explore what’s on offer, and enjoy a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

👋 We’ll be there from 11am, so if you’re free, pop down and say hello, we’d love to meet you 🙂

01/08/2025

Job Vacancy: SEND Navigator – Taunton, Bridgwater and West Somerset Area

Fixed-Term, Part-Time (Term Time Plus)

£14 per hour | 20 hours per week over 3 days | Funded by The National Lottery

Location: West Somerset, Taunton, Bridgwater, and Highbridge (with travel across Somerset and 2 office days per month in Yeovil)

Are you passionate about supporting families and making a difference in the lives of children and young people with additional needs? We are looking for a dedicated SEND Navigator to join our team at Somerset Parent Carer Forum CIC, covering the west side of the county.

About the Role

SEND Navigators play a key role in helping families across Somerset access high-quality information, understand their rights, and navigate the support systems available to them. You will work alongside families, professionals, and communities to build relationships and improve outcomes for children and young people aged 0–25 with additional needs and/or disabilities.
Key Responsibilities
• Collaborate with colleagues to organise support for families of children with identified or emerging SEND
• Provide accurate and timely information on a wide range of topics relevant to parent carers
• Promote the work and values of Somerset Parent Carer Forum within the community
• Help parent carers understand and support their child’s needs
• Assist in organising and running events and training sessions for parent carers
• Capture and report common themes and emerging needs shared by families
• Uphold the values of equality, fairness, respect, and non-discrimination in all work
• Demonstrate a strong and active commitment to safeguarding

About You

You’ll need to be flexible, organised, and approachable, with a genuine commitment to supporting families. Experience of working with parent carers or within a SEND-related role is an advantage, but training will be provided. A lived experience as a parent carer is welcomed.

About Us

Somerset Parent Carer Forum CIC is a parent-led, independent organisation supporting families of children and young people with additional needs and disabilities across Somerset. We empower families through information, peer support, training, and by ensuring their voices are heard in the design of services.

Terms and Conditions

• Start date: Week commencing 8 September 2025
• Contract type: Fixed term until July 2028 (subject to funding)
• Probation period: six months
• Pay: £14 per hour
• Hours: 20 hours per week, over 3 days (term-time plus – 40 weeks/year)
• Location: Covering West Somerset, Taunton, Bridgwater and Highbridge with occasional travel across Somerset. Includes at least 2 office days per month in Yeovil
• Holiday: 5.6 weeks annual leave (including public/bank holidays), pro-rata
Job shares will be considered for the right candidate(s).

How to Apply

To apply, please visit https://somersetparentcarerforum.org.uk/home/getting-involved/vacancies/ for the full application form, job description, and person specification.

Alternatively, email admin@somersetparentcarerforum.org.uk or call 01458 259384.

• Closing Date: 9:00am, Monday 25 August 2025
• Interview Date: Thursday 28 August 2025 at our Yeovil office

somerset parent carer forum vancancies

01/08/2025

📣SASP Inclusive Sport is making waves with inclusive outdoor fun! 🏄‍♂️

This summer, SASP is excited to offer confidence-boosting outdoor adventurous activities for young people with SEND and their families! With 56% of disabled people saying outdoor spaces aren’t easy to access, we’re here to change that, by helping families enjoy the outdoors, share experiences, and have fun together.

🗓️ Saturday 9th August
🕚 11am to 1pm
🧒 Ages 8 to 12 years
📍 Channel Adventure at their NEW Bridgwater YMCA location (George Williams Centre, Friarn Avenue, TA6 3RF)
🏄‍♂️ Activity: Inclusive Paddleboarding Session

Let’s make the outdoors accessible, inclusive, and full of joy!
👉 Click here to book: https://www.sasp.co.uk/events/2025/08/inclusive-outdoor-activities-paddleboarding1-channel-090825

01/08/2025

🏕️ We’re so excited to welcome all the families booked for this weekend’s camping adventure! 🌿

We’ll be there to greet you when you arrive at 1pm, ready to kick off a special weekend designed just for you, our amazing SEND families. 🐖
This is more than just camping, it's a chance to enjoy nature, connect with others, and take part in exciting outdoor activities in a safe and welcoming environment. 🐓🦋

We can’t wait to see you there and share a weekend full of fun, friendship, and fresh air 🐏

31/07/2025

🎲🧩 Tabletop Games Night for SEND Young People – First Time Free! 🧩🎲

Looking for a fun and inclusive evening activity? Green Goblins Games Club is running a fantastic Tabletop Games Night for children and young people in Somerset with a disability or additional needs.

🗓️ Next session: Friday, 1st August 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00pm – 10:30pm
📍 Ages: 10+ (under 10s welcome with a parent or carer)
💷 Cost: £4 entry | First time free | Parent carers go free

Activities include:
🎲 Pokémon Trading Card Game
🎲 Board Games
🎲 Dungeons & Dragons role-play - And more

This event is grant funded by Somerset Council as part of the Community Inclusion and Activity Team. No referral is needed, just come along and join the fun!

📞 To book or find out more, contact Michael Ford on 07733 066157
📧 Or email: email@greengoblinsgamesclub.co.uk

31/07/2025

📣 IPSEA Training Opportunity for Parents/Carers of Young People with SEND (Post-16)

I.P.S.E.A, the leading charity in the field of SEND law in England, is offering a valuable opportunity for families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

They currently have spaces available on their ‘SEND Law and Young People (Post-16)’ virtual training day, taking place on 11 August. This live Zoom session is tailored specifically for parents and carers of young people who are approaching or have passed compulsory school age.

The training costs £79.00 to attend and provides expert legal guidance to help families navigate the complexities of SEND law with confidence.
🔗 Find out more and book your place here: https://tinyurl.com/26v369pe

30/07/2025

🌟 Stay and Play Fun Sessions – Just a Few Spaces Left! 🌟

Yeovil Opportunity Group still has 8 places available for their Stay & Play session this Friday, specially designed for children with SEND and their siblings.

This is a fantastic opportunity for children to enjoy a safe, fun environment while parents and carers connect, share experiences, and support one another.

📍 Location: Summerlands Hospital Site, The Balidon Centre, Preston Rd, Yeovil BA20 2BX
💬 Sheila and the team will be on hand to offer help, advice, and a warm welcome.
📱 To book one of the remaining spots, text Sheila on 07397 683136.

30/07/2025

🎉 Great News – Our Youth Group is Funded for Another Year! 🎉

We’re really pleased to share that we’ve been successful in securing a grant from the Community Inclusion and Activity Team, which means our Youth Group will continue running for another year.

We’re so happy to share this news, as our young people look forward to each session and have started forming lasting friendships. The club has become a true home away from home, a place where everyone feels safe, has fun, and builds meaningful connections.

📅 Dates for the year ahead are now available 👇
📌 Booking is required to attend.
👥 For their first session, young people are asked to attend with a parent or carer.
Let’s make this another amazing year together 🙂

29/07/2025

🤝 Calling All Parent Carer Support Groups in Somerset 🌟

Do you run a support group for parent carers of children and young people (up to 25 years old) with additional needs or disabilities, with or without a diagnosis?

If so, you’re warmly invited to join the Somerset Support Group Forum, a welcoming network that meets three times a year in different locations across the county.

🗓️ Next meeting: Wednesday, 17th September in Taunton
💬 Cost: Free to attend
🥪 Lunch is provided
📩 To book your place, please email: admin@somersetparentcarerforum.org.uk

✨ Why Join?
🗣️ Connect and share experiences with other local groups
📚 Gain valuable updates on local services and opportunities
🌱 Build a stronger, more connected community
All support groups are welcome. If your group supports parent carers, we’d love for you to be part of this valuable network.

29/07/2025

🎉 Spaces Available at the In The Mix Project HIVE SEND Youth Group in Wiveliscombe.

In The Mix Project is excited to announce that their SEND Youth Club, based at their centre in Wiveliscombe, currently has spaces available for new members.

This inclusive group is open to young people with additional needs and offers a safe, supportive, and fun environment to connect, play, and grow.
📩 If anyone is interested in joining or would like more information, please contact In The Mix Project directly: Emma.Carberry@inthemixproject.org.uk

29/07/2025

🌿 Exciting News from Skool Beanz! 🌿

Skool Beanz is thrilled to be teaming up with Senshine Support to host a special SEN Gardening Club this week! 🌻

There are still a few spaces available, and with the weather looking lovely, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just curious to try something new, this is a fantastic opportunity to connect, grow, and have fun in a supportive environment.

👩🏾‍🤝‍👨🏼 Open to young people with additional needs
📍 Hosted in a safe, inclusive space

Visit www.skoolbeanzcic.com and click on “Book a Club” to find out more and sign up today.

Let’s get gardening! 🌱💚

28/07/2025

🌞 Week 2 of the Summer Holidays – SEN-Friendly Activities Available 🌞

The Community Inclusion and Activity Team (formerly the Short Breaks Team) supports children and young people aged 0–17 with disabilities or additional needs. Their focus is on helping families try new things, have fun, and access their local community together.

We’re already in Week 2 of the summer holidays, and their calendar is packed full of SEN-friendly activities for all the family to enjoy! 🎨⚽🌳

📞 For more information, contact the team on 01823 358117
📧 Or email: ciateam@somerset.gov.uk

👉 If you're still looking for ideas for days out, take a look at what’s on offer below.
Please contact the activity provider directly to book your space, unless it’s a CIA Team event.