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Welcome to the Families in Partnership Newsletter for April 2026 - supporting families with SEND
Published
Families in Partnership is the monthly newsletter for families with SEND in Gloucestershire. The newsletter shares the latest updates, news and developments in the county. We cover the topics you tell us are important. Please use the contact information below to let us know if there is something you would like to see featured in a future issue.
This edition looks at:
The Schools White Paper, which was published by the Department for Education (DfE) in February and includes proposed reforms to the SEND system, along with the proposed timeline. The DfE have also launched a public consultation to gather views on the proposals. The consultation closes on 18 May 2026 and the SEND and Inclusion Local Area Partnership (SILAP) encourage families to share their views ahead of this time. See the full article here.
Exam stress and what this can look like for young people with SEND. This article provides a list of mental health support options and top tips if your child or young person finds the approaching exam season an anxious time. See the full article here.
National charity WellChild relaunch their free In Your Area digital platform, with improved usability and functionality, helping Parent Carers of children and young people with complex medical needs find relevant local services, facilities and support using a simple postcode search. See the full article here.
Gloucestershire libraries supporting neurodivergent young adults to feel welcome and able to enjoy their library in their own way by offering calm spaces, creative activities and book collections designed to meet different needs and interests. They can also signpost people to trusted organisations and community groups that offer further support for neurodiverse young people. See the full article here.
How Severn Vale School are supporting their students with SEND through their Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) programme, helping them to develop essential life skills, build resilience, and confidence in themselves. See the full article here.
News from the SEND and Inclusion Local Area Partnership with links to bulletins from areas such as Education, Health, Social Care and partners in the voluntary and community sector. See the full article here.
The Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Youth Hubs celebrate winning their award for championing Youth Voice. Read about the impact for young people when their voice is heard here.
Events and activities, such as Big Health Day 2026; Listen to Me and Other Events run by Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum and various Awareness Events, including Gloucestershire Carers Hub Active April, World Autism acceptance Month, Deaf Awareness Week and, Mental Health Awareness Week. See the full article here.
Plus much more!
If you’re reading this newsletter for the first time, we hope you find it useful. If there is a change we should make; or if you would like something to be featured; or if you have any questions then please email us - familiesinpartnership@gloucestershire.gov.uk
You can subscribe to receive the next FIP as soon as it's published. You may even see your suggestion in the next edition!
For more information, please visit the Gloucestershire's Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND