Durham SEND Information, Advice, Support Service

27/08/2026

📢 Important Service Update 📢

Please be advised that our phone lines will not be staffed tomorrow, Friday 28 August. We will also be closed on Monday 31 August due to the Bank Holiday.

Normal service will resume on Tuesday 1 September.

We kindly ask for your patience during this time, as our response times may be slower than usual.

📧 The best way to contact us is by email at [email protected], and we will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.

📞 Alternatively, you can leave a voicemail message on 03000 267 007, and a member of the team will get back to you.

Thank you for your understanding and support. 😊

The Durham SENDIASS Team

26/08/2026

With lots of children and young people across County Durham heading back to school next week, we know this can bring a real mixture of excitement, nerves and worry for children, young people, parents and carers.

A new term can bring lots of positive opportunities, but it can also mean changes to classrooms, teachers, support staff, routines and expectations. For some children and young people with SEND, these changes may take a little more time to get used to.

For children and young people, it is okay if going back feels a bit different or uncertain at first. For parents and carers, it is also completely understandable to wonder how things will go and whether the right support will be in place.

The first few days and weeks are a chance for everyone to settle in, build relationships and get used to new routines. Schools may need a little time to get to know your child or young person, understand what works well for them and make sure the right support is in place.

Try to focus on the positives, celebrate the small wins and remember that settling back into school does not have to happen all at once.
A new school year can take time to settle into, particularly for children who have moved class, changed staff or transitioned to a new school.

If you have concerns about your child or young person’s SEND support, education, EHC plan or your rights, Durham SENDIASS can provide free, impartial and confidential information, advice and support.

📞 03000 267 007
📧 [email protected]
🌐 durhamsendiass.info

Wishing all of our children, young people and families a positive start to the new school year. 💙💛

26/08/2026

Is your child struggling with confidence and self esteem?

Teen Zone is a programme for young people of secondary school age and includes activities to look at self-esteem, building confidence and managing emotions.

This group will allow young people to understand changes in adolescence and how these may impact on their behaviours and emotions. They will also mix with other young people and build their social skills.

Teen Zone will be run at Young Futures Hub, Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, Beveridge Arcade DL5 4EH for 6 weekly sessions starting on Tuesday 15 September 2026 from 3.45pm to 4.45pm.

For more information or to book a place please contact Best Start Family Hub Newton Aycliffe on 03000 261111.

For more information about the programme and where is running in County Durham visit
https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/29982/Teen-Zone-course

To see what else is available at Best Start Family Hub Newton Aycliffe visit
https://www.durham.gov.uk/NewtonAycliffeFamilyHub

26/08/2026

🍂🌰 Autumn will be here soon, and this can be a challenging time for young people, their parents and carers as routines change with the return to school and changing daylight hours.

🌊 Waves, our County Durham and Darlington parent and carer support groups are on hand to listen and support.

Led by a friendly parent peer practitioner and supported by a CAMHS staff member, the group will listen, and offer advice and guidance based on their own lived experiences.

📍 1 September, 6 October, 3 November, 10am to 12noon, Mulberry Centre, Rowan Building, Darlington Memorial Hospital, DL3 6HX
📍 2 September, 7 October, 4 November, 10am to 12noon, Lanchester Road Hospital, Durham, DH1 5RD
📍 16 September, 21 October, 18 November, 6pm to 8pm, Acley Centre, Carers Way, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 4PE

There’s no need to book we would love to see you. 👀

If you have any questions, please email the team at [email protected].

More information and future dates are on our website 👇
www.tewv.nhs.uk/services/camhs/waves-parent-and-carer-support-group

18/08/2026

💙 Our Autumn Term Neurodevelopmental Family Support Drop-Ins are coming soon! 💛

We’ve now added all of our Autumn Term 2026 Drop-Ins to the Events section of our page, so you can easily find the date, time and venue for the session closest to you.

These free, friendly drop-ins are a chance for parents and carers to come along, have a chat and find out more about the support available for children and young people with neurodiverse needs.

You’ll be able to:

💙 Speak directly with local services and organisations
💛 Ask questions and get information and advice
💙 Find out what support is available in your local area
💛 Pick up useful information and signposting
💙 Meet a range of services all in one place, in an informal and welcoming setting

Services attending can include support from across:

🏫 Education and SEND support
🩺 Health services
👨‍👩‍👧 Family support services
💬 SENDIASS
🤝 Local charities and voluntary organisations
🏘️ Community support services
💙 Neurodevelopmental and specialist support services
📚 Local groups and organisations supporting children, young people and families

The mix of services may vary at each location, but the aim is to give families the opportunity to speak directly with organisations, ask questions and find out what support is available.

📍 Autumn Term dates:

📅 Tuesday 13 October – Barnard Castle – 9:30am–11:30am
📅 Thursday 22 October – Peterlee – 12:30pm–2:30pm
📅 Monday 2 November – Seaham – 9:30am–11:30am
📅 Monday 16 November – Newton Aycliffe – 12:30pm–2:30pm
📅 Monday 23 November – Sedgefield – 9:30am–11:30am

✨ No booking is needed – just drop in!

Have a look through our Facebook Events section for full venue details and save the event you’d like to attend so you don’t miss it.

Please share with other County Durham families who may find the sessions helpful. We’d love to see you there! 💙💛

13/08/2026

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10/08/2026

Educational Psychology Drop In Sessions still happen in the holidays.

Educational psychologists (EPs) help children and young people with a wide range of different needs, such as, learning, communication and language, social and emotional-wellbeing, practical skills or being independent.

We have upcoming session at the following Best Start Family Hubs;

Seaham, Monday 10 August 2026, 9.30am to 11.30am
Bishop Auckland, Monday 17 August 2026, 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Durham, Tuesday 18 August 2026, 9.30am to 11.30am
Ferryhill, Friday 21 August 2026, 9.30am to 11.30am

Other upcoming dates are on the website

https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/30907/Educational-Psychology-drop-in-sessions-for-parents-and-carers

06/08/2026