BCP Council SEND Local Offer
Every council should have a local offer.
The BCP Council SEND Local Offer provides information and guidance on local services and activities for children and young people aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
There is a voluntary register held by BCP Council of children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. The benefits of parents and carers joining the register include a free discount card (MAX card) and regular newsletter updates.
-Local Offer Email – localoffer@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
–Local Offer Website
–Find out more about your Max Card
SENDiass
This is a free, confidential and impartial service for children and young people (up to the age of 25) with SEND who live across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and their parents or carers.
-Advice Line 01202 128181 which will be open for advice between 9:30am – 12:30pm Monday – Thursday. If person leaves a voicemail it will feed into the SENDiass4BCP email and they aim to respond to your enquiry within 5 working days.
-Email – sendiass@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Parent and Carer Support Groups
Local Groups:
–Doors Open-The SEN Community– hold social events in Hamworthy, Poole
–Dorset Deaf Children’s Society
–Downright Perfect– supporting individuals and families whose lives have been touched by Downs Syndrome.
–Dyslexia Support Hub– based in Muscliff.
–Families of VI Kids in Bournemouth –for families with visually impaired children in and around the Bournemouth Dorset area.
–Time Out Dorset– offers support and information via their Facebook page. Has previously run face to face meet ups on Fridays in Corfe Mullen
-SENturions SEN Support –face to face meet ups (term time) on Wednesdays in Parkstone, Poole
–Slades Park Parent Carer Group – see Facebook group for events
–The Umbrella Group–meetings held at Portfield School
–Beer and an Ear: Dads of Neurodivergent Kiddies– a group for male parents and carers to meet together once a month in Southbourne for a chat and a pint.
National Groups:
–FASD SouthWest– A support group for birth, adopted and kinship families with diagnosed and undiagnosed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder FASD
Dorset Youth
-Dorset Youth– a site for young people, parents and carers where you can search for local activities for those with SEND and support and advice. There is also 0-25 knowledge hub for those working with children, young people and their families across Dorset.
Neurodiversity Information Hub
In March 2024, Dorset’s neurodiversity information hub was launched. The hub is a resource for the neurodivergent community in Dorset.
It was developed as part of NHS Dorset’s All Age Neurodevelopmental Review, which identified a need for better information about support for people with neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly those living with autism and ADHD.