Last updated:
1st March 2024
Training and resources for parents and carers
ASSIST Team (Autistic Spectrum Service for Information Support and Training)
The council's ASSIST Team run a number of workshops for parents, carers, and practitioners to help them gain an understanding of how a person with autism makes sense of the world around them. Through these workshops, parents and carers can develop strategies and tools that may help them to support their child or young person.
Workshop dates for the year are published in the spring and autumn term.
For dates of the latest workshops search our Local Offer What's On guide.
Local organisations and charities
There are a number of local organisations and charities that run training courses and workshops for parents and carers. Visit the organisation's websites for course details and to book a place:
Parent Carer Forum
SEND Voices Wokingham is an independent group of parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). SEND Voices Wokingham are part of the national network of parent carer forum (NNPCF). They represent the views of parents and carers in the local area.
Visit the SEND Voices Wokingham website for further information about what they do and how you can join.
Contact details:
The council's support service for parents and carers
The CAN (children with additional needs) network is the councils information and support service for parents of children up to the age of 25 who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The service offers:
- Regular newsletters which give information about what's happening locally, training workshops, leisure activities, and consultations.
- Signposting to other services
- Access to the CAN network coordinator for information and support
Children and young people with a diagnosed condition will also be able to get a Children with Additional Needs Network card. The card gives concessions at lots of attractions in and around Berkshire.
To receive monthly newsletters and/or apply for a CAN card you will need to download the CAN network application form from the Children with Additional Needs Network web page.
Contact details
- By email: can.network@wokingham.gov.uk
Local support for parents and carers
There are a number of local organisations and charities that provide support and help for parents and carers. Visit the organisation's websites for information on the service they offer and their contact details:
- ASD Family Help
- Autism Berkshire
- Berkshire Sensory Consortium Service
- Berkshire Vision
- Building for the Future
- Daisy's Dream
- Dingley's Promise Wokingham
- Mencap
- Parenting Special Children
- SEND Carers United
- SENDIASS
- The Autism Group
Additional local and national advice and support services can be found by searching our:
You can also see what is included under Wokingham's SEND Local Offer on our webpage.
Support for adoptive parents, kinship carers and foster carers
The parenting special children organisation provides specialist support to parents and carers through:
- Workshops and courses
- Support groups for parents and carers
- Sleep service
- Diagnosis support and help
- Family events
Go to the parenting special children website for more information.
Apps and assistive technology
Find out which apps are available to support learning for children and young people with special educational needs including autism, ADHD, apraxia, learning disability, sensory issues by visiting the apps and assistive technology web page.
SEND Local Offer Co-ordinator
If you need help to find the information you are looking for on the SEND Local Offer or to give us feedback about what is available locally for 0 to 25 year olds with special educational needs and disabilities please use our:
