Friends of SEND Haven Catterick

02/09/2026

Tomorrow marks a big moment for many of our SEND families — the first day back after summer.
For some, it’s excitement and new routines; for others, it’s uncertainty while waiting for the right school to meet their child’s needs. Wherever you are on that journey, we’re thinking of you tonight.

💡 Strategies for a smoother start (ESBA support)

• Visual routines — use simple picture schedules or short lists to help children know what’s coming next.
• Sensory calm corner — a small space with familiar textures, scents, or sounds can help regulate emotions before and after school.
• Transition tokens — small objects (like a keyring or soft toy) can provide comfort and continuity between home and school.
• Positive scripting — rehearse short, reassuring phrases like “You’re safe,” “You can ask for help,” or “We’ll see each other soon.”
• Movement breaks — gentle stretches or walks before school can reduce anxiety and support focus.

💛 For families still waiting for a school place

We see you. Waiting for the right setting can feel endless, but it’s not a reflection of your child’s worth or your advocacy.
Keep documenting needs, stay connected with your SEND caseworker, and lean on community support — you’re doing everything right.

Tonight, take a moment to breathe.
Whether tomorrow brings a classroom, a meeting, or just another day of waiting, you’re part of a community that understands.

Sending calm, courage, and solidarity from all of us at SENDHaven 🌈

31/08/2026

Same Lunch Every Day”, “Too Loud”, and “Must Eat 12:00 ON THE DOT!

Our family food chart: 1 easy eater, 2 beige eaters, 1 spice dragon, 1 ARFID menu… and one adult who survives on coffee.

31/08/2026

🌟 Bank Holiday Monday… and the school return is creeping closer. So let’s talk FOOD — for EVERYONE.

Because in SEND families, food isn’t just about the kids.
It’s breakfast, packed lunch, dinner/tea/evening meal…
And every person in the house has their own needs, preferences, sensory limits, and battles.

For some families, food is heaven.
For others, it’s absolute chaos.
For most of us… it’s a mix of both

Let’s not get started on being able to meal plan!

🍳 Breakfast — whole‑family edition

In your house, you might have:

• an easy eater who eats everything in huge amounts
• an adult who can’t face food until midday
• a child who needs the same safe food every morning
• a teen who only eats spicy food
• a parent with sensory needs who can’t tolerate certain textures
• an ARFID eater (child or adult) with a tiny safe‑food list
• someone who needs crunchy beige foods
• someone who needs protein immediately
• someone who needs silence to eat
• someone who needs movement before they can eat at all

Breakfast isn’t simple.
It’s a whole system.

🥪 Packed lunch / school dinner / work lunch / home lunch

It’s not just the kids who struggle with:

• smells
• textures
• temperature
• mixed foods touching
• brand‑specific foods
• sensory overload in dining halls or staff rooms
• needing predictable, safe foods
• needing spice
• needing plain
• needing routine
• needing the same lunch every day

Some adults pack the same lunch for work because it’s the only thing that works.
Some kids eat school dinners.
Some can’t.
Some families juggle both.

🍽️ Tea / dinner / evening meal — whatever your house calls it

By late afternoon, everyone’s needs collide:

• hungry kids
• exhausted teens
• burnt‑out adults
• sensory overload
• shutdowns
• meltdowns
• safe foods
• “nope, not today” foods
• “I can only eat if it’s in my bowl”
• “I can only eat if I’m not touched, spoken to, or rushed”
• “I need spice”
• “I need plain”
• “I need quiet”
• “I need background noise”
• “I need to eat later”
• “I need to eat earlier”

Food isn’t simple in SEND households.
It’s emotional.
It’s sensory.
It’s routine.
It’s survival.

💬 So let’s talk… what does food look like in YOUR house?

For kids.
For teens.
For adults.
For you.

Is it heaven?
Is it hell?
Is it a mix of both depending on the day?

Share your reality below — your normal might help another family feel less alone. 💜

29/08/2026

Did you know a very important part of AFF’s work is making sure the voice of Army families is heard in Parliament?

Earlier this year we joined and to give evidence to Select Committee MPs on the Armed Forces Bill and the new Defence Housing Service.

In June MP Ben Obese-Jecty used cases from our Armed Forces Pathway to Settlement survey, highlighting financial barriers non-UK families face to being together.

He was hoping to persuade colleagues to amend the bill so indefinite leave to remain application fees could be waived for spouses or children of those who have served four years.

We’re also working with the other Families Federations on a project to improve knowledge of the Armed Forces Covenant among military families – look out for updates soon.

See the comments to find out more about the impact of AFF

29/08/2026

Some weekends don’t feel like a break — especially for SEND families carrying fatigue, overwhelm, and the constant push to keep going.
If today feels heavy, you’re not alone. 💛

This reel is your gentle reminder that:
✨ It’s okay to slow down
✨ It’s okay to cancel plans
✨ It’s okay to choose rest
✨ It’s okay to protect your energy

We’ve added four guilt‑free scripts you can use when you need to pause, breathe, and put wellbeing first.
Your rest matters. Your pace matters. You matter.

29/08/2026

💜 SATURDAY CHECK‑IN FOR OUR SEND HAVEN FAMILIES 💜

As we reach the end of the summer holidays, many of our disabled parents, carers, and SEND families are feeling the weight of fatigue, sensory overload, and burnout. The routines have been different, the days have been long, and your body has been doing far more than most people ever see.

If you’re tired today, you’re not failing.
You’re human, and you’ve been carrying a lot.

BURNOUT is real!

When fatigue hits, plans become harder.
When your child’s needs shift, your day shifts with them.
When your disability flares, everything else has to adjust.

You’re allowed to slow down.
You’re allowed to choose rest.
You’re allowed to cancel plans without guilt.

🌿 Gentle ways to cancel plans (without the guilt)

• “I’m running low on energy today, so I need to keep things calm. Can we rearrange?”
• “My body isn’t cooperating today. I need a quieter day to manage.”
• “We’re having a high‑needs day, so we won’t make it out. Thanks for understanding.”
• “I’m choosing the option that keeps us well today.”
• “I can’t do today, but I’d love to reconnect when things settle.”

No over‑explaining.
No apologising for your needs.
No guilt for listening to your body or your child.

🌼 A reminder for today

Your worth is not measured by how many summer activities you squeeze in.
Your children don’t need a perfect weekend — they need you, paced, regulated, and supported.

If today becomes a slow day, a quiet day, or a “we’re staying home” day…
That is still a good day. 💛

How are you pacing yourself this weekend?
Share below — your answer might help someone else feel less alone.

25/08/2026

24/08/2026

Anyone sat and looked at their phone, then miss the chance to answer! 🫨

24/08/2026

An important part of the Scottish approach is the recognition that all children and young people are different and that to enable them to reach their full potential some will need additional support. In Scotland, the term 'Additional Support Needs' (ASN) does not mean the same as the term 'Special E...