Have a question?
Send enquiry
Message sent Close

SEND Support / Additional Needs

Wakefield Families Together > SEND Support / Additional Needs

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Portage is a home-visiting educational service offering one to one support for pre-school children with SEND and their families to encourage learning and playing together. To find out more visit https://www.portage.org.uk/wakefield-portage-service

The Wakefield Local Offer outlines the support on offer across the district for Children with an additional need or SEND. To find out more, visit https://wakefield.mylocaloffer.org/

The Parent Carer Forum works with parents and carers of children with SEND to make a positive difference and improve the quality of life for all children and families in Wakefield. To find out more, visit https://www.wakefieldparentcarers.co.uk/

Family Hubs and Youth Hubs

All groups at the Family and Youth Hubs are SEND-friendly. Please contact your local Hub ahead of attending if you need any adjustments for you or your child. We also offer the following SEND-only groups.

Sensory Stay and Play

Sensory Stay and Play is available at your local Family Hub and is for pre-school children aged 2 to 5 with additional sensory or communication needs providing high quality, well-planned, and stimulating activities to support learning and development. Ask your Health Visitor, Nursery Nurse, or a Health Professional to refer you.

Sensory Rooms

Your local Family Hub also has a bookable sensory room. Sensory Rooms are designed to offer a safe and comfortable environment with equipment and tools that stimulate or soothe the senses. Contact your local Family Hub to find out more.

SEND Family Time

This group offers families the Family Hubs’ sensory rooms, crafts and board games and the opportunity to interact in a quiet, safe space. Find your local Family Hub and check out their What’s On Guide to see when their SEND Family Time is.

SEND Youth Clubs

Available at the Youth Hubs, the SEND Youth Club is a chance for young people aged 13-24 years to socialise, make friends, and develop skills in preparation for adulthood.

Complex Care Group

This group offers play and communication for children with complex needs and/or life-limiting conditions, run in association with SENSE. We provide a friendly, comfortable and relaxing environment for families to come together and support each other with the experience they have gained through having children with physical and complex needs. This group takes place at Kendal Drive Family Hub.

Nursery Rhyme Songbook for children with a visual impairment

Guide Dogs UK have an online nursery rhyme songbook which has a collection of nursery rhyme classics for children with a vision impairment to move and groove to. They have suggested specific movements and actions for each song, helping your child learn more about their bodies and how they move.

Nursery rhyme songbook | Guide Dogs

SEND Local Partnership Graduated Approach

The Wakefield Graduated Approach is a collaborative framework designed to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across the district. It reflects a shared commitment among education providers, professionals, and families to deliver inclusive, responsive, and effective support.

What is it? And Who is it for?

The Local Partnership Graduated Approach has the information for all areas of SEN Code of Practice and outlines key components, and offers access to resources, consultation opportunities, and statutory guidance. It is intended for professionals working in education settings, families, and stakeholders involved in SEND provision.

The Graduated Approach aligns with the SEND Code of Practice (2015) and statutory duties under the Children and Families Act (2014). It supports early identification, graduated response, and inclusive practice in line with national legislation.

The model includes differentiated guidance and resources for:

  • Primary Schools
  • Secondary Schools
  • Special Schools
  • Alternative Provision Settings

Each setting will have access to tailored tools and examples of best practice to support implementation.

Read the full document here.