Week of SEND 2025

Presentation by - Paula
Who we are:
Choices college is a Specialist Post-16 College providing a person-centred, individually tailored Supported Internship to young adults with learning difficulties, disabilities and/or Autism. Through the Internship, 16-24 yearolds gain work experience, develop independence skills and increase their employability.

What we do:
Our service is bespoke, offering tailored support to each Intern, and employment opportunities are matched to the individual's skills.Choices college aims to empower Interns and build their confidence as individuals in the workplace, while also offering life experience beyond their home and school environments.

The programme aims to provide young people with the skills and opportunities to enable them to progress into paid employment at the end of the yearlong internship programme, working within a wide range of public, private and independent sector departments/ areas.

As well as supported internships, we offer work experience to those 16 and above with an EHCP. Please ask your school to contact us about this.

Presentation by - Chloe
Family Fund is the UK's largest grant-making charity for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person, on a low income. Their grants bring practical and essential help that is often a lifeline to a family such as washing machines, fridges, bedding, specialist toys and much needed family breaks.
They also offer free digital skills support to families living in the UK who are raising a disabled child. This includes online skills workshops for parents, creative workshops for children, eLearning courses to help check benefits, save on household bills, and more.

They are a registered charity and the UK's largest provider of grants to families living on low incomes who are raising disabled or seriously ill children.

To find out more or to apply for a grant see contact details:-

Presentation by - Ian
Are a cricket club in the south of Lincoln offering competitive, social and junior cricket for anyone from 5 years of age upwards who wishes to join the club.

They accept people from anywhere but predominantly members are from the Birchwood, Hartsholme and Boultham areas of Lincoln and postcode LN6 area.

Last season they had 60+ male and female adults and 150+ under 18s (including exactly 50 girls) playing at the club, outdoors in the Summer and indoors in the Winter.

They think everyone should get the chance to play cricket and recently they were awarded the status of "Disability Champion Cricket Club" one of three in Lincolnshire.

So far they have run a programme for 5 to 11 year olds which now also runs 9 to 30 January and in the New Year start "Super Ones" for 12 - 25 year old though they can be flexible about the upper age limit.

We’re starting softball cricket for Primary school age SEN children - boys and girls on Thursdays 5.30pm - 6.30pm.

Starting 10 October 2024 and it’s at the Moorland Community Centre, Moorland Avenue, Lincoln LN6 7NH.

It’s free of charge and we hope to go right through to the end of March 2025 with a break around Christmas and the New Year.

Get back to me if your youngster can attend or if you have any questions.

Presentation by - Anna
Created by a Family to Make the Difference; Home From Home Care provides specialist residential care for adults (18+) with learning disabilities, autism and complex physical health and mental health needs. We design bespoke support and environments tailored around each individual based on their needs and aspirations to enable them to lead a fulfilled adult life.
Our services incorporate homely environments of varying sizes and styles, designed for small groups of compatible individuals to live within an extended family ethos, on their own terms.
As a family ourselves, we are driven by wanting to make the difference by setting high standards in everything we provide. Our specialist residential care services are continuously evolving to meet the complex needs of individuals requiring a bespoke service. Our uncompromising approach, ongoing investment and commitment to a sustainable future are reflected by our dedicated staff teams and high-quality therapeutic services.
We deliver fulfilled days for each individual through effective and personalised care and support, focusing on independence, self-worth and new opportunities. We build on life skills from education to ensure each individual continues to progress and develop to their fullest potential.
Get in touch and we would be happy to talk through everything in more detail.

Presentation by - Abi
Hope Meadows Equine Assisted Recovery CIC is a community interest company offering equine assisted therapies and activities to support the emotional well-being and mental health of children and adults living in Lincoln, Hykeham, and the surrounding areas.
The organisation is based on conversations with people in these communities, rooted in what would help them to live well and build fulfilling lives.

At Hope Meadows, they believe that there is a unique power in building a meaningful relationship with horses. They are keen to make these special animals accessible to those in our local community who might need them.
Most of the sessions take place on the ground, but they also offer therapeutic horse riding. Being around horses can help people find a sense of calm that allows us to process thoughts and feelings, sometimes without even saying a word.

Within the team they have staff who have significant experience of working with SEND young people. This allows most young people to be able to access the therapy, activities and ridden programme. Part of the offering provides a free support group for parent carers each week, as well as a free activity group for young adults with additional needs.
They are passionate about keeping the sessions affordable and they usually have spaces available for free or subsidised sessions for adults. No experience or referral is necessary, and they are open to everyone.

Presentation by - Jimmy
InspireU offers alternative education to any young person aged 16-19, or to age 24 if you have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

They work at seven different sites around the county: Boston, Grantham, Lincoln, Louth, Market Deeping, Skegness and Spalding. Young people come to them for lots of reasons, but all seeking the same thing - something a bit different, that offers support in the transition between education and adulthood.

They work at your pace, as quickly or as slowly as you need to go, and provide you with all you need to take those next steps - whether into employment, onto an apprenticeship, or into further education. With teachers, support workers, employment officers and job coaches, you will be well supported in every area of our work-based study programmes.

Your time will be spent improving your level of English and maths if needed, alongside gaining qualifications in ICT and Employability-related subjects. You will also follow your own individualised programme of study designed around your needs and focusing on the skills needed for Adulthood, such as, employability, communication skills, team work, independent living skills, community inclusion and so much more.

Presentation by - Lizzie (Social Care)
Lincolnshire County Council's Children with Disabilities Team are part of the Special Education Need and Disability Service.

The social work team provides a statutory service for children and young people with a severe and profound disability.

Services may be available to those that are eligible after being subject of a social care assessment.

Presentation by - Lizzie (Short Breaks)
Lincolnshire County Council's Children with Disabilities Team are part of the Special Education Need and Disability Service.

The social work team provides a statutory service for children and young people with a severe and profound disability.

Services may be available to those that are eligible after being subject of a social care assessment.

Presentation by - Victoria
Is one-to-one training designed to equip young people who are entitled by Lincolnshire County Council to home to school or college transport with the confidence and skills required to travel independently.

ITT is facilitated by Independent Travel Trainers who will work closely with school/college staff, parents, carers and the trainees.

Anyone who is entitled to free home to school transport or Post 16 supported home to school/college transport is able to apply for Independent Travel Training.

Presentation by - Kelly
The new Lincoln Keyworker team will be working to support Autistic children and young People (aged up to 25) or children and young people with Learning Difficulties and who are at risk of hospitalisation.
They will be working with the children, young people and their families to make sure their wishes are heard and to help them navigating a system which, for some, can be confusing and overwhelming.
Their aim is to make sure that hospitalisation is an absolute last resort and that all avenues are explored first. They want to work with other agencies to help put the right support packages in place to help these amazing children and young people achieve their dreams and ambitions.
In order to access this support, there are a few referral routes including the Self-Referral option and how to access the DSR (Dynamic Support Register). Additionally, for Autistic children, young people and their families there is also the development of a specific all-age Autism Virtual Hub planned over the next year which should offer lower level support if needed before, during and after diagnosis, whether or not someone is placed on the Dynamic Support Register.