Oxfordshire Family Support Network

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Inspiring, Informing and Involving Families of People with Learning Disabilities

Oxfordshire Family Support Network is a user-led organisation founded on the belief that family carers are experts by experience. It is run by families for families who have relatives with a learning disability or a learning disability and autism. OxFSN is based in Oxfordshire and provides services in Oxfordshire and the surrounding areas.

23/10/2026

Parents and carers 📣

Join us for our ‘SEND law and young people (post-16)’ training on 2 November, delivered by a member of our legal team virtually via Zoom.

Our one day training is designed specifically for parents, carers and supporting family members of children who are approaching being above, or are already above, compulsory school age, or who are young people (post-16).

Thanks to a donation from The Peter Harrison Foundation, we are also pleased to offer this training to parents, carers and young people in the South East of England (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and West Sussex) who are unable to access a full cost place at an IPSEA parent/carer training event. Please note, a £10 deposit will be payable at the time of booking, and this will be refunded to you once you have attended the training.

To find out more, and to book a place, visit our website: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/Event/send-law-and-young-people-post-16-2-november

19/10/2026

This week's Drop in Session is on Thursday 22nd October at 12:00 to 15:00.

Pop by and see us to share your updates, we are here to support you, listen to your conerns and offer guidance and/or sign post.

Parking is available at the Orchard Centre across the road from our office.

12/10/2026

Did you know with easyfundraising, your online shopping turns into free cashback for Oxfordshire Family Support Network!

Details on how to sign up are shown in the link provided and your favourite retailers will donate every time you shop – at no extra cost to you!

Join before midnight 18th October and OxFSN could win a £250 donation:

https://join.easyfundraising.org.uk/oxfsn/Z5CJY6/c2s/Iw6YXgJX/CE945/textcopy/

You can also scan the QR code below to proceed.

Thank you for your continued support! Best wishes from Team OxFSN 💜

12/10/2026

Help needed with a Study....

"The study aims to explore the experiences of informal carers supporting an adult with an intellectual disability who has been diagnosed with dementia or is currently undergoing investigation for dementia.

Due to the specific aims of the research, carers of individuals with Down syndrome are not eligible to participate.

Carers often play a central role throughout the dementia journey, from recognising early changes and seeking a diagnosis to navigating services and providing ongoing care. However, their experiences remain underrepresented in research. By hearing directly from carers, we hope to better understand the challenges they face, the support they have received, and how services could be improved."

Participation involves a confidential, one-to-one interview lasting approximately 60 minutes, which can take place online or in person, depending on the participant's preference.

If you are interested, please contact Kelsey Ray, Trainee Clinical Psychologist at University of Birmingham by email: [email protected]

08/10/2026

Learning Disability Today has shared this guide on Deputyship and Planning or the Future. More details can be found on their website.

Please also keep an eye on our resources and YouTube page for the recent online recording of our 'Office of Public Guardian' event. You can also view information in our Moving into Adulthood Handbook: https://oxfsn.org.uk/resources/moving-into-adulthood/

08/10/2026

Oxfordshire County Council is looking for their new Local Area Coordinator. This may be of interest to some people in Didcot area

08/10/2026

Important Update:

The ONLINE Supported Living event is cancelled and will be postponed to another date. However, you can still book for our IN-PERSON Supported Living Information Event which is taking place on Tuesday 10th November 2026 in Didcot. This will be a great opportunity to hear from the adult social care and brokerage teams from Oxfordshire County Council, as well as a number of Support Providers who provide support within Oxfordshire, and a Housing Association who will talk about tenancy agreements, rent, and maintenance. We also have a number of family carers who will talk about their experience of finding the right supported living for their relative and Shared Lives.

The Planning Ahead session is also cancelled and will be postponed until next year.

Apologies for the inconvenience but please keep an eye out for updates and emails on new dates!

https://oxfsn.org.uk/events-calendar/

We look forward to seeing you in the future.

Best wishes, Team OxFSN

07/10/2026

Our next drop in session is TOMORROW!

Pop along to our offices for a cuppa (biscuit 😊) and catch up.

If you prefer to catch up online, over the phone or need us to visit you, please drop us an email and we can make these arrangements.

Please see our calendar for future drop-in dates https://oxfsn.org.uk/events-calendar/

These sessions can continue due to the The National Lottery Community Fund

05/10/2026

UPCOMING EVENT:
The Route into Supported Living – Come Along & Find Out More!

Thinking about the future and wondering what supported living could look like for your relative? Come along to our friendly and informative event to find out how the process works, what options are available, and who can help along the way.

You’ll have the opportunity to meet support providers directly, including Style Acre, Kingwood, You & Me Supported Living and SeeAbility, and ask questions about how they provide support, work with families and help people live more independently.

We’ll also be joined by Chrysalis Housing, who will explain the housing side of supported living, including tenancy agreements, paying rent and the role of a housing provider.

The event is a great opportunity for parents and family carers to learn from different sectors including the Adult Social Care Learning Disabilities team, ask questions, hear about support plans and budgets, meet people involved in the process and start planning for the future in a friendly and supportive environment.

With thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund

01/10/2026

📢 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁?

We’re aware that some families are still experiencing issues with SEND school and college transport.

If your child or young person:
→ is continuing at the same school or setting as last year
→ previously had transport in place
→ has had no significant change in their circumstances but still does not have a permanent transport arrangement in place this year

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸.

We don’t want to keep adding information to our existing transport blog and potentially cause confusion around the usual contact routes, but for families in this specific situation, we can help signpost you to the appropriate next steps.

Please share with other Oxfordshire parent carers who may be affected.

Address

Oxford

Telephone

+447821987080

Website

http://www.oxfsn.org.uk/

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