April 2026 Newsletter
Many families of children and young people with SEND will find useful updates in our latest Bristol Parent Carers newsletter.
We know it can be hard to keep up with all the events, plans, and support available, so we’ve brought together key information in one place.
Your Voice Matters: Let’s Talk About Resource Bases (Online)
Join Bristol Parent Carers and Bristol City Council online on Wednesday 13th May at 10am.
Resource Bases are specialist classrooms or units within mainstream schools. They support children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) who need extra or different help.
April Reset
The ‘April Reset’ is finally here, which means the pause on many ‘Right to Choose’ (RTC) ADHD and Autism assessment referrals has officially ended.
If you’ve been waiting for the green light to start the process, now is the time to head back to your GP and ask for that RTC referral.
New School Spaces For Bristol Families
You’ve likely seen the headlines: Bristol is getting 500+ new specialist school places!
While this is the news we’ve been waiting for, we know you have questions about what it means for your family right now.
Bristol Parent Carers’ position on the SEND White Paper
SEND White Paper update: what it means for families, what’s changing, what we know so far, and what it could mean for support, rights, and how services are delivered in the future.
Right To Choose
We know many of you are hitting a wall with ADHD and Autism assessment referrals right now. As we approach the end of the financial year, several national providers have paused new ‘Right to Choose’ applications until the ‘April Reset.’
Current Work: SAY BNSSG listening event feedback report
Earlier this year, parent carers from Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire shared their experiences of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS). Families joined listening events, filled in surveys, and shared their views during peer support sessions. In total, 170 parent carers shared their experiences to help improve the service for families.
We are hiring – Chief Operations Officer
Bristol Parent Carers is recruiting a Chief Operations Officer to strengthen systems, support our team & help translate strategy into delivery, ensuring meaningful impact for SEND families in Bristol.
March 2026 Newsletter
Many families of children and young people with SEND will find useful updates in our latest Bristol Parent Carers newsletter. We’ve brought together key events, plans and support in one place.
Global Majority & North Bristol Peer Support Coordinator
Do you enjoy reaching out to families and helping them get involved? Do you want to support parent carers of children with SEND to access the right support at the right time for their child?