Useful Links
Please be aware that the inclusion of a link on this page is not an endorsement by Pioneer School but an informative link for our parents and carers.
Local support groups
BOSP (Brighter Opportunities through Supported Play)
BOSP provide play and recreational opportunities for children and young people with learning disabilities and give parents and families respite and support. They aim to support young people in acquiring social skills which enable each individual to become as independent as their abilities allow and enable children and young people with learning disabilities to enjoy a better quality of life. Click here for more information.
SHARE (Safe Haven and Respite Environment)
email: michellewestenhofer@googlemail.com
SHARE runs a holiday club for young people aged 8 years plus with learning disabilities. The activities run on weekdays from 10am to 3pm during all school holidays. SHARE also runs an after school club for 8-19 year olds every Tuesday and Thursday, straight from school until 7pm.
SNAP (Special Needs And Parents)
A locally based support group for parents and carers of children and young people from 0 to 25 with a special need or disability.
Families In Focus (Essex)
www.familiesinfocusessex.org.uk/
We are a leading independent parent led registered charity providing holistic support to families of children with disabilities and special needs (aged 0 to 19) across Essex, who require advice, information and support, particularly at times of change, challenge and crisis.
FACE (Families Acting for Change Essex)
The organisation represents the views and experiences of parents and carers of children and young people with disabilities and additional needs to influence the services they receive in Essex.
Membership of FACE is free and gives access to current information and the chance to contribute to focus groups and consultations and to become more involved in any way that suits you and your family.
BEST (Basildon Education Services Trust)
BEST works on behalf of a partnership of 36 schools in Basildon (Pioneer is one of these schools) who collaborate to raise the aspirations and achievement of the towns children and their parents.
Amongst the many activities BEST offers is the ‘Time Out for Parents’ Programme which aims to work with parents of pupils attending BEST schools on understanding and helping young people to achieve their best. The termly programme helps to support parents in their parenting role and also offers opportunities for parents to continue their own learning.
The BEST Holiday Activities Programme provides opportunities for the pupils of BEST schools to continue their learning during every school holiday period in a fun and friendly environment. They deliver a heavily subsidised programme of activities where the children of BEST schools can participate in a wide range of affordable enrichment opportunities and experiences in their local community.
Crossroads Care
www.brentwoodcrossroads.org.uk
Crossroads offer individual day time support for children and young people with disabilities and their families in Essex.
This is a flexible service which is led by the family and caters to their individual needs.
InterAct
InterAct offer short break activity programmes across the County including Basildon and Brentwood. The short break programmes provide opportunities for teenagers with disabilities to develop their social skills, increase their confidence and become more independent, whilst providing famlies the opportunity for a break from their caring responsibilities.
Papworth Trust
www.papworth.org.uk/youthclubs
Papworth Trust provide clubs for young people between the ages of 11-19 that give them not only somewhere to go but also the opportunity to get together and enjoy games, arts and crafts, karaoke, music and many other activities.
Premier Children’s Care
www.premierchildrensservices.co.uk
Premier Children’s Care offers individual day time support for children and young people with disabilities and their families.
Premier Children’s Care also offer overnight care and support in the child’s own home whilst the family have an overnight stay away from home.
National support groups
Contact a Family
The only UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to parents and carers of all disabled children.
Mencap
Mencap is the voice of learning disability.
Down’s Syndrome Association
A website providing information and support on all aspects of living with Down’s syndrome to all who need it
The National Autistic Society
The NAS is the leading UK charity for people with autism (including Asdperger syndrome) and their families. The website provides information, support and pioneering services and campaigns for a better world for people with autism.
Scope
A leading UK charity committed to changing society for the better, so that disabled people and their families can have the same opportunities as everyone else. They offer practical support – from information services to education and everyday care.
Working Families
As part of the kids in the middle campaign, the DFE has funded the charity Working Families. The charity helps working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work
Charity Links
Sunny Days Children’s Fund
Sunny Days Children's Fund is a national registered charity which raises funds to help children under the age of 18 years with a wide range of adverse medical conditions and all other life hindering conditions
Wipe Away Those Tears
Wipe Away Those Tears is a small charity that aims to bring a sparkle into the lives of special children, no matter how big or small.
Fun websites for children
HelpKidzLearn
Fun, accessible games and activities designed specifically for young children and those with learning difficulties.
Poisson Rouge
Let the children play! This website receives over 60 000 visitors a day. There is no text, no instructions, simply carefully designed visual environments and soundscapes providing fun activities that allow children to play, learn, grow and become autonomous and self-confident.
Priory Woods
www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/
A School website with very good resources used regularly by classes at Pioneer. In the resource section of the website you can download simple programs, which you are free to adapt and use at home.
SEN Press Links
Special Needs Magazine
SEN Magazine is published every two months and packed full of interesting and authoritative features, news and articles covering all issues to do with
SEN and disability. The website provides a sample of content from the printed magazine, plus an archive of selected articles from back issues
Special Needs Technology Links
Inclusive Technology
Inclusive Technology is a provider of special educational needs software, switches and computer access devices, simple communication aids and assistive technology for learners with a physical disability, sensory impairment or learning difficulties.
National Government Links
Department for Education
The Department for Education's website aims to bring together all information on matters relating to education into a single location.
Directgov
Directgov is the official UK government website for citizens and includes a section for disabled people providing information on the Equality Act and access to benefits.