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Hello and welcome! I'm delighted to introduce this Summer edition of our Parent and Carers SEND Newsletter.
My name is Joanna Johnson, and I recently joined the team as the SEND Co-production, Communications and Partnerships Officer. This exciting new role focuses on working in partnership with children, young people and families, ensuring your voices are at the heart of SEND across our community.
Throughout my career in education and the charity sector, I have remained passionate about ensuring children and young people are heard and involved in shaping the decisions that affect them.
I’m excited to be working across the partnership and look forward to sharing updates, opportunities and achievements with you over the coming months.
A key part of my role is keeping our Local Offer up to date and relevant. If you run events, services, or have information that could support SEND families, I’d love to hear from you at local.offer.feedback@milton-keynes.gov.uk |
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In this newsletter you will find updates and information from the following services: - SENDIAS
- An update about new specialist bases opening in the local area
- Holidays Activities and Food (HAF) programme
- EHCP+ (formally short breaks)
- Parent and Carer's Alliance (PACA) MK
- Milton Keynes Libraries
We'll also be shining a spotlight on some of the exciting events, activities and opportunities taking place across Milton Keynes this summer. We hope you find this newsletter informative and helpful, and wish you a happy and enjoyable summer break. |
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SENDIAS Summer UpdateThe MK SENDIAS team wishes you a fantastic summer break, full of joy, relaxation, and special moments with loved ones.
Our service remains available throughout the summer.
You can contact us by: Email: contact@mksendias.org.uk
Advice Line: 01908 254518 (please leave a message)
Online Referral Form: https://mksendias.org.uk/referral
You can also visit our website for a range of SEND information, advice, and support, including factsheets, resources, and template letters: https://mksendias.org.uk/
Follow us on Facebook for updates and local events. |
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Summer Spotlight on some Activities and Events: |
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Milton Keynes Museum Summer activities Trunk Tales: Cabinet of Curiosities -Oracles of Oddities: 5 – 7 August, midday and 1.30pm. Join Patch, Pebble and Key for a magical storytelling adventure featuring folklore, music, audience participation, scavenger hunts and family fun. Presented by the Black Sheep Collective.
Teddy Bears’ Picnic: 12 – 14 August - Bring your favourite teddy to the Museum for our Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Enjoy storytelling, a bear hunt trail, teddy zipline, crafts, games, competitions and prizes.
Open Wednesdays – Sundays throughout the summer holidays, 10.30am – 4.30pm 🔗https://miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk/events/summer-holiday-family-fun/ |
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Parks Trust
Enjoy nature-based activities for all ages, involving the family, for more information on how to book on, click the link below. - Family Walks
- Bike rides
- Nature Crafts and much more!
🔗 www.theparkstrust.com/events |
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Big Park Hangout is back! A free event for young people aged 11–17. It's been made possible this year thanks to a £10,000 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.
📅 Saturday 5 September
📍 Willen Lake
🔗 Find out more: theparkstrust.com/bigparkhangout |
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Milton Keynes Libraries
The Summer Activities Programme for 2026 is now available with FREE events for all ages over the summer holidays. Some activities must be booked in advance as places are limited.
Scan the QR code for the full programme or visit the website: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/library-events.
For more information and to keep up to date with some of the other incredible opportunities through our local libraries follow them on Facebook. |
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EHCP+ Update
EHCP+ supports children and young people to belong, connect and thrive since launching in April 2026.
EHCP+ has provided children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) access to a wide range of community-based activities across Milton Keynes.
Since launch, more than 900 bookings have been made, with over 280 individual children and young people booking and accessing activities through the programme. Activities available through EHCP+ include sports, performing arts, creative workshops, outdoor activities, gaming, social clubs and many other interest-led opportunities delivered by a growing network of providers across Milton Keynes.
New activities and providers are regularly added to the programme, providing families with an increasing range of opportunities throughout the year.
To access EHCP+, children and young people must: Have a finalised EHCP issued by Milton Keynes City Council; and reside in Milton Keynes. Families can view available activities and make bookings via the EHCP+ booking platform: https://eequ.org/miltonkeynescitycouncilehcp
We would like to thank all the children, young people, families and providers who have supported the launch of EHCP+ and helped make it a positive experience for so many participants.
For further information or support, please contact: EHCPplus@milton-keynes.gov.uk |
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Parent and Carers Alliance(PACA) MK Update |
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Join us for our PACA Annual General Meeting (AGM) where we will come together to review the forum’s work over the past year, look ahead to future priorities, and fulfil our governance requirements regarding the election/re-election of steering group members. We hope you can join us 👋
📅 Wednesday 15 July ⏰ Time: 6.45pm - 8.15pm 📍 Where: The Quaker Centres, 1 Oakley Gardens, Milton Keynes MK15 9BH in the Committee Room 📧 To find out more and attend, email PACAMK@gmail.com (please register to confirm your attendance) |
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PACA Local Offer Day LIVE Event
A message from Sarah Black, our PACA MK Chair:
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make Friday's SEND Information 2026 event such a success and thank you to all of the professionals and organisations who hosted information stalls, shared advice, resources, and support families across Milton Keynes.
Thank you to the teams who delivered informative talks on the role of the Mental Health Support Team, supporting emotional wellbeing at home, the graduated approach, SEND Support, and Ordinary Available Provision within our local area.
A big thank you to Nourish Holistic providing relaxing massages throughout the day. As parent carers but also professionals, we often forget to prioritise our own wellbeing, and this was a much-appreciated treat for everyone who took the time to enjoy one. To Chewbacca and the Stormtrooper: Your larger-than-life presence brought the excitement of a galaxy far, far away and helped create wonderful memories for everyone. Thank you both for making our SEND Information Day out of this world! May the Force be with you, always.
And lastly a special mention and a huge thank you to all of our volunteer Parent Representatives and staff from the Parent Carer Forum who gave up their time to support the event.
It was a real team effort, and we truly appreciate your time, commitment, and dedication. It wouldn’t have been possible without you! It really does take a village to support our children and young people, and this years event and the fantastic turnout showcased some of that support available for families across Milton Keynes. #Together, we are stronger. |
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Expanding SEND provision in Milton Keynes:
We remain on track to open three additional specialist bases in September 2026 at: - Portfields Primary School
- Oxley Park Academy
- Chestnuts Primary School
Together, these bases will provide up to 48 additional places for children with Communication and Interaction needs in Milton Keynes, building on the specialist base opened at Wood End School in April 2026, which will offer up to 16 places.
We are also progressing a number of other projects to increase specialist capacity across Milton Keynes and will provide further updates in future editions of this newsletter. |
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Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme – Summer 2026
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and provides free holiday activities and meals for school-aged children in receipt of benefits-related Free School Meals (FSM).
We know that some children and young people taking part will have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). To help ensure the programme is accessible, a number of HAF-eligible SEND sessions are available as part of this summer's offer.
The Summer HAF programme will run from 27 July to 20 August 2026, with eligible children and young people able to access up to 16 funded sessions throughout the summer holidays.
The programme offers a wide range of activities including sports, arts and crafts, outdoor adventures, performing arts, games, and enrichment opportunities, alongside a healthy meal at each session. |
Eligible families can browse activities and make bookings through the HAF booking platform: https://eequ.org/hafmiltonkeynes
We look forward to welcoming children and young people to another exciting summer of fun, friendship, activity and learning across Milton Keynes.
For further information or support, please contact: HAF@milton-keynes.gov.uk |
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Supporting Transitions
Supporting successful transitions can be a big change for children and young people. Some helpful ways to prepare include: - Creating a photo book of the new school.
- Practising wearing the school uniform before term starts.
- Arranging extra visits to the school, particularly during quieter times.
- Walking the route to school in advance.
- Creating a colour-coded map of the new school environment to help build familiarity.
You can also find useful government guidance on preparing children for school transitions here: 🔗 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/getting-children-ready-for-reception-supporting-effective-transition
These simple steps can help children feel more confident, reduce anxiety, and make the move to a new setting a more positive experience.
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Note: Please do not respond directly to this email.
For SEND queries email: SEND support line |
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