Slough SEND Parent Carer Forum

22/06/2026

Dates and Times
17 Jul 2026
12:00:PM - 01:00:PM

Book your place now don't miss out !!

In this webinar, Jo Billington will introduce her research with autistic young people about their experiences of mainstream primary school.

22/06/2026

https://www.autismcentral.nhs.uk/events/autistic-peoples-experiences-emergency-departments-what-families-need-know

Dates and Times
26 Jun 2026
12:00:PM - 01:00:PM

Click the link to book your place

In this webinar, Myrto Kakoulidou will interview Olive Kayongo about parenting autistic young people, exploring the joys, trauma and advocacy that shape this journey.

21/06/2026

💙 SEND PARENT CHECK-IN 💙

Parent carers, how are YOU doing today?

We spend so much time fighting for appointments, chasing emails, attending meetings, completing forms, and supporting our children that we often forget to check in on ourselves.

🌟 This is your reminder:

☕ Take a break
💧 Drink some water
🌳 Get some fresh air
📱 Reach out to someone you trust
❤️ Be kind to yourself

Being a SEND parent can be rewarding, but it can also be exhausting, isolating, and overwhelming at times.

You are not alone.

Tell us below 👇

💬 One thing that has gone well this week
OR
💬 One challenge you are currently facing

Your experiences help us understand what matters most to SEND families in Slough and help shape the work we do.

Together we are stronger. 💙

21/06/2026

💙 Happy Father's Day from Slough SEND Parent Carer Forum 💙

Today we celebrate all the amazing dads, step-dads, grandads, foster dads, and male carers who support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

💙 Thank you for the school runs.
💙 Thank you for the endless appointments.
💙 Thank you for learning new ways to communicate.
💙 Thank you for being a safe place during difficult days.
💙 Thank you for advocating, encouraging, and never giving up.

Being a SEND dad often means being a teacher, coach, advocate, problem-solver, and biggest cheerleader all at once.

Your strength, patience, understanding, and unconditional love make a difference every single day.

Today, we recognise and appreciate everything you do for your children and families.

🌟 You are valued.
🌟 You are appreciated.
🌟 You matter.

Happy Father's Day to all the incredible SEND dads in our community.

💙 Every Voice Matters 💙

18/06/2026

📚 FREE SEND TRAINING & SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND CARERS 📚

Did you know there are a range of FREE training opportunities available to families in Slough?

Whether you're looking to better understand Autism, ADHD, EHCPs, SEND law, anxiety, behaviour, sensory needs, or preparing for adulthood, there are courses available to help you feel informed, empowered and supported.

Our new SEND Parent & Carer Training Directory brings together a range of trusted organisations offering training, workshops and support for families of children and young people with SEND.

🌟 Autism & ADHD Training
🌟 EHCP & SEND Rights
🌟 Parent Carer Workshops
🌟 Emotional Wellbeing Support
🌟 Behaviour & Anxiety Strategies
🌟 Co-production & Parent Participation
🌟 Governance & Volunteering Training

Scan the QR codes on the flyer to access support, connect with us and join our community.

Together we can ensure families have the knowledge, confidence and support they need to advocate for their children.

💙 Every voice matters.
💙 Every family matters.
💙 Every child matters.

18/06/2026

🚨 Looking for Work? Looking for a New Career? 🚨
Don't miss the Slough Job Fair & Career Expo 2026!
Whether you're searching for your first job, returning to work, changing careers, or looking for training opportunities, this event is a great chance to connect with employers and support services.
📅 Thursday 25th June 2026
⏰ 10:00am – 1:00pm
📍 The Curve, William Street, Slough, SL1 1XY
✅ Meet local employers
✅ Explore job vacancies
✅ Learn about training opportunities
✅ Get career advice and support
✅ Network with businesses and organisations
Bring copies of your CV and come ready to make connections!
Tag someone who might benefit from this opportunity 👇

18/06/2026

💙 SEND PARENT BURNOUT – LET'S TALK ABOUT IT 💙

Parenting a child or young person with SEND can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be exhausting.

The endless appointments. The meetings. The paperwork. The advocacy. The sleepless nights. The constant worry.

Many SEND parents spend so much time fighting for support that they forget to look after themselves.

SEND parent burnout is real.

It can look like: 🔹 Constant exhaustion 🔹 Feeling overwhelmed 🔹 Increased anxiety and stress 🔹 Forgetting things 🔹 Feeling isolated 🔹 Running on survival mode 🔹 Losing interest in things you once enjoyed

If this sounds familiar, please know you are not alone.

Taking care of yourself is not selfish. You cannot pour from an empty cup. 💙

At Slough SEND Parent Carer Forum, we understand the challenges families face and we're here to ensure parent carers feel heard, valued and supported.

💬 On a scale of 1–10, how are you coping this week?

Share your number in the comments and, if you'd like to, tell us one thing that has helped you get through the week. Your experience could help another parent feel less alone. 💙

📧 [email protected] 📘 Slough SEND Parent Carer Forum 📷 Slough SEND PCF

18/06/2026

💙 SEND Awareness: Understanding Dysregulation 💙

Have you ever been told your child is "being difficult", "attention-seeking", or "just needs more discipline"?

What if they're actually dysregulated?

Dysregulation happens when a child's brain and body become overwhelmed and struggle to cope. This can look like:

🔹 Meltdowns 🔹 Shouting or crying 🔹 Running away 🔹 Refusing tasks 🔹 Becoming non-verbal 🔹 Hiding 🔹 Freezing and being unable to respond 🔹 Increased anxiety

For many children with SEND, autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, or sensory processing differences, dysregulation is not a choice.

Often, what looks like challenging behaviour is a child communicating: 💭 "I'm overwhelmed." 💭 "I don't feel safe." 💭 "This is too much for me." 💭 "I need support."

Instead of asking: ❌ "What's wrong with this child?"

Let's ask: ✅ "What has happened to this child?" ✅ "What is this child trying to tell us?" ✅ "How can we help?"

Every child deserves understanding, patience, and support—not judgement.

💙 A dysregulated child is not giving you a hard time; they're having a hard time.

17/06/2026

💙 LET'S TALK SEND 💙

We'd love to hear from our parent carer community.

👇 Complete the sentence:

"I wish more people understood that..."

🧩 SEND doesn't come with a handbook.
🧩 Every child is different.
🧩 Every family faces unique challenges.
🧩 Every voice matters.

Whether your child has Autism, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Speech & Language needs, Physical Disabilities, Sensory Processing Difficulties or another SEND need, your experiences matter.

Share your answer in the comments below and help raise awareness across our community. 💙

Together we can build understanding, challenge misconceptions and create a more inclusive Slough for children and young people with SEND.

💬 We can't wait to hear your thoughts.

17/06/2026

💙 WHEN ANXIETY TAKES AWAY WORDS 💙

"The hardest part isn't getting them to talk.

It's knowing they want to, but can't."

For some autistic children and young people, anxiety can become so overwhelming that they are unable to speak.

This is often called being non-speaking or experiencing situational mutism/selective mutism.

🧩 When anxiety is high, the brain goes into survival mode.

A child may:
🔹 Become completely silent
🔹 Freeze on the spot
🔹 Avoid eye contact
🔹 Be unable to answer questions
🔹 Struggle to process instructions
🔹 Communicate through gestures, pointing, or behaviour instead

This is not rudeness.
This is not defiance.
This is not a choice.

It is a sign that a child is overwhelmed and needs support, understanding and patience.

For many SEND families, mornings can involve:
🧦 Struggles getting dressed
🚌 Anxiety about school transport
😟 Worry about the school day ahead
🤐 A child who cannot find the words to explain how they feel

Sometimes the biggest achievement isn't arriving on time.

Sometimes the biggest achievement is simply making it out of the front door.

💙 Be kind.
💙 Be patient.
💙 Every behaviour is communication.