Help for parents of special needs children (Status: Press release)
PARENTS with children who have special educational needs or disabilities in Oxfordshire have the chance to go back into the classroom at an interactive conference designed to offer them support and advice.
The Nuts and Bolts Day, organised by the county council-funded Parent Partnership Oxfordshire, is a free event where parents have the opportunity to gain practical skills and knowledge to help them support their child’s education through a range of workshops, many run by staff from Oxfordshire County Council’s Children, Young People and Families directorate.
The day, at The Marlborough School and Marlborough Enterprise Centre in Shipton Road, Woodstock from 9.30am-1pm on Saturday, May 16, will also have several play and leisure activities for children to enjoy whilst their parents are attending the workshops.
Professionals on hand to help
Many local voluntary organisations who support parents of children with a range of special educational needs and disabilities will be in attendance giving parents the ideal opportunity to network.
These include:
The Oxfordshire Dyslexia Association
Oxfordshire Family Voices
The Oxfordshire Autistic Society for Information and Support
Afasic, a parent-led organisation who help children and young people with speech and language impediments
Parents will have the chance to discuss topics with other parents and professionals and hopefully leave the event feeling better equipped to deal with the issues that they come across.
Workshops, many of which were suggested by parents, will include one about bullying where families can learn more about positive strategies to deal with the problem and others about helping prepare your child for secondary school and living with ADHD.
Organised with the help of parents
Wendy Cliffe, one of Co-ordinators for Parent Partnership, said: “This event is designed to support and inform parents whose children have special educational needs or disabilities and are aged 0-19. The workshops focus on issues highlighted by parents who attended previous events or are in contact with Parent Partnership Oxfordshire throughout the year.
“The popularity of the Nuts and Bolts Day is such that we are often contacted by parents as early as the New Year asking when the next event is being held. Parental involvement is a huge part of this conference as their views inform what is included in the day. I hope that parents and their children enjoy the special activities that will be laid on for them.
“Bringing up any child can be challenging, and even more so if a child has additional needs. We hope that this conference will offer parents support and information about their child’s education and the chance to meet other people who may encounter the same difficulties.”
Parent Partnership Oxfordshire provides impartial support, information and advice to parents with children who have special educational needs or disabilities.
Parents must have booked their places for the conference and for the children’s activities prior to arriving on the day. Phone 01865 810516 or email parentpartnership@oxfordshire.gov.uk for more information.
