Specialist SEND Provision
At SELFA, all of our services are inclusive of children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).
However, we recognise that some children and young people with SEND benefit from smaller groups, adapted environments and higher levels of staff support. For these children and young people, we also offer specialist SEND provision designed to meet their individual needs.
All of our sessions are led by trained SELFA staff who create safe, welcoming and inclusive environments where children and young people can build confidence, develop friendships and experience a strong sense of belonging.
Term-time weekend SEND programme
Our term-time weekend programme for children with SEND includes two types of sessions designed to support children with different levels of independence and support needs.
Saturday sessions
are for children and young people with SEND who are able to attend independently without a parent or carer. They are designed for children whose needs can be supported safely within a group environment by SELFA staff, without the need for dedicated individual support throughout the session.
Sunday sessions
Sunday sessions are for children to attend with a parent, carer or personal assistant. These sessions are designed for children who may benefit from a higher level of support to access activities, including those who may require dedicated 1:1 or more intensive adult support within a group setting.
Saturday: Independent SEND sessions
Young Explorers: 9:00am – 10:30am
A welcoming group for younger children with SEND who are ready to attend independently of parents or carers. Children can explore sensory activities and free-play opportunities in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Saturday Social: 10:45am – 12:15pm
A fun and inclusive group where young people with SEND can build friendships and take part in a range of social and group activities. Sessions encourage young people to connect with others, enjoy shared experiences and develop confidence in a supportive group environment.
Saturday Leaders: 12:30pm – 2:00pm
A session for older children and young people with SEND, or for children who are ready to further develop their confidence and independence. The activities are designed to help them build friendships and develop social skills in a fun, safe and inclusive environment.
Sunday: Family-supported SEND sessions
At our Sunday sessions, children attend with a parent, carer or personal assistant.
For some children, these sessions also provide an opportunity for SELFA staff to get to know the child, understand their needs and identify which provision may best support them moving forward.
Little Adventures: 9:00am – 10:30am
A relaxed and inclusive drop-in session where children and young people attend with a parent, carer or personal assistant. They have the opportunity to enjoy a range of play, sensory and social activities at their own pace. It’s also an opportunity for parents to connect with other families.
Sunday Connect (in development): 10:45am – 1:00pm
This session is currently in development and will be introduced if there is sufficient demand.
Sunday Connect is planned as a family-supported session for secondary-aged young people with SEND who benefit from a higher level of dedicated adult support to access activities within a group setting. Young people will attend with a parent, carer or personal assistant.
This session will be introduced when there are enough young people to create a meaningful and sustainable group. If you’re interested in this group, please speak to the SELFA team!
Family-supported holiday activities
We also offer a programme of family-supported activities during the Easter, summer and Christmas school holidays. Our holiday activities aim to give children and young people with SEND, together with their families, the opportunity to enjoy positive experiences in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Activities typically include a family activity day and a family trip, but the programme varies depending on the interests and needs of the families we support. Information about activities will be shared with families ahead of each holiday period.
How the referral process works
- Children usually access SELFA SEND sessions through our referral process that can be accessed via the SELFA website.
- Once a referral is received, a member of the SELFA team will review the information provided and contact the family to discuss their child’s interests, strengths and support needs, helping us identify the most appropriate next steps.
- As part of this process, we will work in partnership with families to identify the SELFA session that is most likely to meet their child’s needs. This may be within one of our SEND-specific sessions or, where appropriate, within SELFA’s mainstream provision.
Finding the right support
For many children, particularly those who are new to SELFA or who benefit from family-supported provision, we may initially offer a place in Little Adventures or Sunday Connect. These sessions provide a relaxed, supportive environment where children attend with a parent, carer or personal assistant. This allows SELFA staff to get to know the child, understand their individual strengths and needs, and identify the most appropriate support.
For some children, a family-supported session will continue to be the most suitable long-term provision. Others may move to a different SELFA session as their confidence, independence and support needs develop.
Before joining one of our independent Saturday sessions, families will be asked to complete a ‘This Is Me’ profile. This helps SELFA staff understand the child’s communication preferences, interests, strengths and support needs, enabling us to provide the right support and ensure each child has a positive experience at SELFA.
If you have any questions about our provision, please don’t hesitate to contact the SELFA team!