Choosing your SEND parenting programme

TOFP is a programme for parents/carers of children with additional/special educational needs.

It is facilitated by parents who have lived experience, in partnership with professional colleagues; the focus is upon practical activities that help attendees to build a 'toolbox' of tips and strategies to help them in their role as parent carers of children with additional needs.

The course explores many different aspects of parenting a child with additional needs. Sessions are designed to help parent carers explore ideas and find out what works for themselves, not what is meant to work.

A diagnosis is not required, and you do not need to know what may be causing your child to require different or extra support.

These courses are designed to help to support parent carers of children aged 3 to 11 with a variety of additional needs; they are not specifically focussed on neurodiversity, e.g. autism, ADHD etc., although aspects linked to neurodiversity may be touched on at times during the course, depending on the conversation with the groups.

This is aimed at parents of any child with additional needs if:

• You are at the beginning of your journey parenting a child with additional needs and are feeling isolated because of your child's needs
• You would like time to explore your own feelings as a parent
• You want to develop your confidence and/or understanding of why your child may be behaving in a certain way and how your child can be supported at home and in school
• Typical parenting methods are not working well for you
• You want information about the wider support available for yourselves as parents or for your child

If you are unsure whether this programme is for you please contact wiltshireparenting@spurgeons.org or 0800 970 4669 and ask for a member of the parenting team.

If you want more information about Parenting Group Programmes visit:

Wiltshire Family Hub: Parenting Group Programmes (opens new window)

SMNYP has replaced SWAPP (Support in Wiltshire for Autism Parenting Programme).

It is an in-depth programme for parents/carers of school/college aged neurodivergent children and young people. It is facilitated by professionals who have specialist knowledge and experience of autism, ADHD and other neurodiversities and may also have lived experience themselves as parents. The focus is upon practical strategies to support you and your child based upon current research, evidence-based practice and professional experience.

• The programme aims to support parents/carers and one member of staff who knows the young person well in school/setting is also invited to attend.  A diagnosis is not required.
• This is aimed at parents of a neurodivergent child or young person aged 5 to 19 if:
• Your child is being supported using the Needs Led Profiling Tool or has been accepted on the Neurodevelopmental Pathway
• You have a child who is suspected to be neurodivergent, self-identifies as neurodivergent or who has a diagnosis such as autism
• You want to develop a deeper understanding of your child and manage challenges related to inflexible thinking, differences in communication and social interaction, sensory needs and/or difficulty maintaining attention and focus or following the adult's agenda. 
• You have some strategies that are working but would like to explore further what is causing your young person to respond in the way they are doing and how to help them
• You would like more information about SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) and how your child can be supported in school as part of every school's inclusive provision.

For more information and how to apply visit:

Supporting My Neurodivergent Young Person (SMNYP)

If you are unsure whether this programme is for you, please contact 01225 718095 and a member of the SEND Business Support Team will be able to help you.