Local Support

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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 Emaillocaloffer@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Local Offer Website
Find out more about your Max Card 

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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  

-SENDiass Website

-SENDiass Facebook Page 

-SENDiass Twitter 

-SENDiass Mythbusting Document 

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Parent and Carer Support Groups

Local Groups:

Doors Open-The SEN Community hold social events in Hamworthy, Poole

Dorset Deaf Children’s Society

Downright Perfectsupporting individuals and families whose lives have been touched by Downs Syndrome.

Dyslexia Support Hubbased in Muscliff.

Families of VI Kids in Bournemouth for families with visually impaired children in and around the Bournemouth Dorset area.

Time Out Dorsetoffers support and information via their Facebook page. Has previously run face to face meet ups on Fridays in Corfe Mullen

-SENturions SEN Supportface to face meet ups (term time) on Wednesdays in Parkstone, Poole

Slades Park Parent Carer Groupsee Facebook group for events

The Umbrella Groupmeetings 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 SouthWestA 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.