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Information for parents

Information for parents and carers about what is available in Blackpool for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and their families.

Blackpool promenade

What is SEND?

A child or young person has SEND if they have a learning difficulty or disability which means they need special educational provision to be made for them.

A child of compulsory school age or a young person has a learning difficulty or disability if they: 

  • Have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or
  • Have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions.

Professionals who work with children, young people and families with SEND follow guidelines from the SEND code of practice.

The SEND code of practice


 

Kidz to Adultz

Kidz to Adultz events are dedicated to children and young adults with disabilities and additional needs, their parents, carers and the professionals who support them.

Since the events were established in 2001, we have welcomed tens of thousands of visitors through the doors who have been able to access the most up to date information and advice on equipment, products and services for children and young adults with disabilities and additional needs.

Attend an event

Free courses for parents

Parent courses
 CourseInformation Date TimeHow to book
Cygnet (full course) 

For parents whose children have either been diagnosed with autism or who are on the neuro - developmental pathway. Led by Blackpool Council's autism specialist teacher. Once a week sessions weekly for 3 weeks.

Thursdays, term time only

9.30am to 2.00pm

 Complete request form
Cygnet online (full course) 

For parents whose children have either been diagnosed with autism or who are on the neuro - developmental pathway. Led by Blackpool Council's autism specialist teacher. This course is delivered online via Microsoft Teams once a week sessions weekly for 6 weeks.

Thursday 29 January 2026 6.00 to 8.00pm for 6 weeks

29 January 2026 6.00 to 8.00pm for 6 weeks

 Complete request form
Cygnet - Puberty module (1 full day course)

For parents whose children have either been diagnosed with autism or who are on the neuro - developmental pathway. Led by Blackpool Council's autism specialist teacher. One full day course.

Thursdays 11 June or Thursday 9 July 2026

 9.30am to 2.00 pm Complete request form
Cygnet - Sibling module (half day course)

For parents whose children have either been diagnosed with autism or who are on the neuro - developmental pathway. Led by Blackpool Council's autism specialist teacher. This is run over one morning but if you want to stay for the sleep module the day will run be until 2.00pm

Thursday 18 June or Thursday 16 July 2025

 9.30am  Complete request form
Cygnet - Sleep module (half day course)

For parents whose children have either been diagnosed with autism or who are on the neuro - developmental pathway. Led by Blackpool Council's autism specialist teacher. 

Thursday 18 June or Thursday 16 July 2025

 12.00 to 2.00pm Complete request form
Managing Challenging Behaviour 

Supporting parents with children aged 0 to 18 years. 

The child/young person must meet at least one of the below:

  • Present with complex behaviours or behaviours which will benefit from input of the course
  • Have been referred onto a neurodevelopmental pathway (or equivalent) -
  • Have received (or is awaiting) a possible diagnosis of ASD/ADHD
  • Live in Blackpool - must be registered with a Blackpool or Fylde and Wyre GP Practice.
 Various dates, contact Blackpool Carers Centre for details of the next course.

2 day course is 9.30am to 2.30pm 

Evening course is across 4 evenings from 6.00 to 8.00pm

 Call 

Helena Brown or Genevieve Hall on 01253 393748
Triple P for Children (2 to 12 years) Are you a parent/carer of a pre-school or school aged child? You could join us for our Triple P for Children Programme (2-12 years). This 9 week programme offers friendly relaxed sessions which provide tips and ideas to help bring outthe best in your children, whilst also positively managing common emotional and behavioural difficulties. Come along and meet other parents/carers who are in a similar situation, whilst you navigate parenting your pre-school and school aged children. Various dates  throughout the year. 9 week programme. Various times throughout the year.

You can complete this online form 

or contact Your Local Family Hub,

North Family – 01253 476480

Central Family Hub – 01253 951190

South Family Hub – 01253 476550
 Triple P for Teen Are you a parent/carer of a teenager? You could join us for our Triple PTeen Programme. This 9 week programme offers friendly relaxed sessions which provide tips and ideas to help bring out the best inyour teenager, whilst also positively managing common teenage emotional and behavioural difficulties. Come along and meet otherparents/carers who are in a similar situation whilst you navigate the teenage years. Various dates  throughout the year. 9 week programme. Various times throughout the year.

You can complete this online form 

or contact Your Local Family Hub,

North Family – 01253 476480

Central Family Hub – 01253 951190

South Family Hub – 01253 476550
Triple P Stepping Stones Are you a parent/carer of a child with an additional need?You could join us for our Triple P Stepping Stones Programme. This 10 week programme offers friendly relaxed sessions which provide practical tips and ideas to support you in caring for a child with additional needs. Come along and meet other parents/carers who will understand the unique challenges that you face. Various dates  throughout the year. 10 week programmes Various times throughout the year.  

You can complete this online form 

or contact Your Local Family Hub,

North Family – 01253 476480

Central Family Hub – 01253 951190

South Family Hub – 01253 476550
Triple P Fearless Are you a parent/carer of a child who has a lot of anxiety?You could join us for our new Triple P Fear-Less Programme. This 7 week programme offers friendly relaxed sessions which provide opportunity for parents/carers to develop a range of ools and skills, to support children aged 6 years old and over, in overcoming their anxiety. Come along and meet otherparents/carers who will understand theunique challenges that you face. Various dates  throughout the year. 7 week programme Various times throughout the year.  

You can complete this online form 

or contact Your Local Family Hub,

North Family – 01253 476480

Central Family Hub – 01253 951190

South Family Hub – 01253 476550
Being a Parent (An EPEC group, Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities)

Are you a parent/carer of a pre-school or school aged child?You could join us for our EPEC Being a Parent Programme. Parenting can be challengingbut you don’t have to do it alone. Being a parent is a welcoming group for parents/carersand family members of children (2-11 years). Over 9 weekly sessions you’ll explore keytopics like communication, discipline and managing family stress, delivered by 2 trainedBlackpool parents who bring their own experiences and skills.

Contact for dates

Various times throughout the year.

You can complete this online form 

or contact Your Local Family Hub,

North Family – 01253 476480

Central Family Hub – 01253 951190

South Family Hub – 01253 476550


 

 
First Hand Engagement First Hand Engagement sessions are parent peer support sessions. They are in person and located around the Blackpool area on a rolling basis over the year. They cover various Neurodevelopmental needs in relation to sensory, communication, behaviour, toileting and sleep. These sessions are for parent/carers who have a child or young person open to the Neurodevelopmental Pathway for assessment of Autism, and/or who are open to Blackpool Children’s Learning Disability Team. 

Sessions usually take place over 5-6 weeks during term time on a Thursday morning. 

 Various times

These sessions are for parent/carers who have a child or young person open to the Neurodevelopmental Pathway for assessment of Autism, and/or who are open to Blackpool Children’s Learning Disability Team. 

Any parent/carers who are eligible and interested should discuss further with these teams for more information/book a place.

Call 01253 952503 if your child is open to the Neuro - developmental pathway 

Call 01253 951995 if you child is under the Learning disability and Neuro team
Mental Health Act for Families and Informal Carers The course will provide an overview of the Mental Health Act and the rights people have under this law.

Friday 26 September 2025 

 10.00am to 1.00pm

Book here MHA for Families | Edge Training
Mental Capacity Act for Families and Informal Carers We are hosting a new free course for families and informal carers. This course will focus on mental capacity in the context of day to day activities and understanding some of the key duties as a Lasting Power of Attorney or Court Appointed Deputy.

Friday 10 October 2025

 9.30am to 12.30pm

Book here MCA for Families | Edge Training
Care Act for Families and Informal Carers This 3-hour training session gives family members, friends and those involved in supporting loved ones information on the Care Act 2014. The Care Act is primary legislation and provides the legal framework underpinning care and support for people aged 18 years and over.

Tuesday 4 November 2025

 10.30am to 1.30pm

Book here Care Act for Families | Edge Training

What do these words mean?

A breakdown of some of the SEND jargon that we're all meant to know