25/02/11…..Facts for families with special needs children

A FREE fact-finding event for families of children with special needs or disabilities and learning difficulties takes place next month. There’s still a few days left for parents to sign-up for workshops and register their children for activities taking place on the day.

The Facts For Families conference is the first of its kind to take place in the county. It’s a joint venture by Oxfordshire County Council’s Parent Partnership and Oxfordshire Family Voice – a group of parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities who work with the council in developing services for disabled children.

The event takes place on Saturday March 5 from 9:45am until 1pm at The Marlborough School and Enterprise Centre in Woodstock.

Some of the 15 workshops taking place include

Getting ready for “big” school
Brain Gym
Developing speech and language
Help with behaviour
Helping children with physical disabilities at
school

There’ll also be representatives from many local voluntary organisations as well as parent to parent support groups from across the county with more information for parents.

While parents are busy taking part in workshops, there’s a creche for under 5s and games and activities for older children including drumming, football skills, messy fun and arts and crafts.

Councillor Louise Chapman, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “This event is a great example of partnership working between the county council and Oxfordshire Family Voice and also an opportunity for parents to get new ideas and strategies for dealing with what can be challenging situations.”

Book in advance

Parents need to book in advance for workshops and children’s activities – the closing date for bookings is February 18. Please contact Parent Partnership on 01865 810516 or e-mail parentpartnership@oxfordshire.gov.uk to book and for more information.