Information, Advice and Support - IAS Service for Windsor and Maidenhead

05/08/2026

04/08/2026

Sharing from the brilliant Down's Syndrome Association page: People communicate through their behaviour and it is important to give everyone ways to let others know what they want/need/like/dislike.
This resource contains visual supports that can be cut out and used to help with communication.

https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/5-Listen-To-Me-Series.-Childhood-Communication-Easy-Read-1.pdf

03/08/2026

Places kids eat free (or for £1) in the Summer holiday@moneysavingcentral

03/08/2026

The Department for Education has published new guidance on inclusion bases within mainstream settings for children and young people with additional needs.

The I.P.S.E.A legal team is currently reviewing the guidance, and will update their website and resources as necessary in due course.

In the meantime, you can find the new guidance online:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a3bd3a74c7605ab56723924/Inclusion_bases_in_schools_.pdf

02/08/2026

The Thames Valley Adventure Playground is holding a drop-in Family Fun Day on Saturday, August, from 11am to 3pm, with lots of activities available.
Tickets cost £3 per person and there is no need to book in advance.
The specialist SEND playground is on the A4 Bath Road, in Taplow, just east of Maidenhead, just east of the railway bridge over the road.
- See the flyer for more details.
If you have any questions, email [email protected] or call 01628 628599

01/08/2026

Shared from Autism Berkshire The Wellcome Collection in London has a free autism-friendly relaxed opening of its current exhibition The Coming of Age on Wednesday, August 12, from 2pm to 6pm.
The exhibition explores experiences and perceptions of ageing, from adolescence to later life, and asks how societies can adapt for us all to age better.
- Click the link for more details and to book https://wellcomecollection.org/events/the-coming-of-age-relaxed-openings

The Wellcome Collection is a museum and library focusing on health. It is in Euston Road, next to the Euston Square London Underground station.
A visual story and a sensory map for visitors can be downloaded from its website.

31/07/2026

The Museum of English Rural Life, at the University of Reading, will be running an autism and neurodivergence-friendly Summer Celebration, My Way event on Thursday, August 6, from 10.30am to noon.
Taking place in the museum's garden, it will feature hands-on activities, a garden trail and some fun games, plus the chance to meet farm animals from Miller’s Ark.
Tickets cost £4 per child, with under-2s and parents/carers admitted free of charge. Please note that advance booking is essential, as places are limited.
A social story and visual timetable are available.
- Click the link to book tickets https://merl.reading.ac.uk/wha.../summer-celebration-my-way/
If you have any questions, call 0118 378 8660. The museum is in Redlands Road, at the university's London Road campus

30/07/2026

Places kids eat free (or for £1) in the Summer holidays via@moneysavingcentral

29/07/2026

Sharing from Witherslack Group herslackGroup 👧🎙️ Neurodivergent girls: what are we missing?
In the latest episode of our podcast, SENsational, Stephanie Batey, CEO of Inclusive Teacher Co explores why neurodivergent girls are so often misunderstood, overlooked, or diagnosed later in life.
✨ The early signs of neurodivergence in girls
✨ Masking and its impact on mental health
✨ What parents, schools and professionals can do to support neurodivergent girls
Watch or listen to the full episode:

In this episode, Steph explores neurodivergent girls, the early signs, masking, puberty, sensory needs, and support.

28/07/2026

Further education provider Activate Learning, which runs Reading College, is holding a summer transition event on Tuesday, August 10, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, for students who will be starting courses at the college in September.
Many people feel nervous about starting somewhere new, meeting new people, finding their way around campus, or adjusting to new routines, so the aim is to help students feel more prepared, particularly young people with SEND and those who have experienced challenges attending school.
As well as the chance to see the campus when it is quiet, there will be opportunities to meet other new students, find out about SEND support and other help and get help with enrolment and bursary applications where appropriate.
Similar events are taking place at Activate's other colleges in Oxfordshire and Surrey.
- Click the link to book https://tinyurl.com/3pt48ddr