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Children and Young People with Additional Needs

The Bedford Parent Carer Forum and Autism Bedfordshire regularly run courses to support your understanding of your child’s needs and how best to support them.

Speech, Language and Communication and Interaction

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The NHS Children’s Speech and Language Therapy service in Luton and Bedfordshire provides specialist support to children with speech, language and communication needs across Bedfordshire and Luton. They are a team of enthusiastic and committed therapists, support practitioners and administrators who have a wealth of information to help you and your child.


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The National Literacy Trust’s Words for Life have activities to support your child’s language at every stage of their development.


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Speech and Language UK  have a range of resources to help parents identify, understand and support speech and language needs


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Commtap have a directory of activities and resources to support the development of specific speech, language and communication needs, Searchable by age phase, subject, target and level of attainment.


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The Makaton Charity have a range of free resources and videos to support learning basic Makaton skills. The Speech and Language Therapy service provide free Makaton training around Bedford.


Social, Emotional and Mental Health

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Bedford Borough’s Educational Psychologists work with schools and families, to improve children and young people’s learning experience when there are concerns around their learning, behaviour or emotional well-being.  They offer bookable drop in sessions for families where families can share their concerns and ask questions.


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CHUMS work across Bedfordshire supporting children and young people. They offer support for Emotional Wellbeing for 11-25 year olds and support with managing emotions, challenging behaviours and/or anxiety, low self-esteem and low confidence for 7-11 year olds. Call 01525 863924.


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The Discovery College is an educational project, focused on improving young people’s wellbeing. We welcome any young person aged 13 to 18-years-old living in Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton to join our free workshops held online and face-to-face


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Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage is an exciting adventure designed for kids aged 7-12. The free app helps children gradually face and overcome their fears and worries, using a technique called graded exposure. This practical and age-appropriate app avoids any stigma, encourages self-management, and offers real-time progress and health outcomes. Parents or caregivers can join in to offer support while using this helpful tool on smartphones or tablets.


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Young Minds is an independent national charity that offers support to young people coping with mental health issues and to parents/carers who are worried about the young people they are supporting. Their website has mental health information and resources for young people and their parents/carers.


Cognition and Learning

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Bedford Borough’s Educational Psychologists work with schools and families, to improve children and young people’s learning experience when there are concerns around their learning, behaviour or emotional well-being.  They offer bookable drop in sessions for families where families can share their concerns and ask questions.


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Oak Academy have a range of lessons to support children with additional needs in specific areas of learning including Communication, Creative arts Independent living, Numeracy and Physical development.


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Call Scotland have a range of downloadable posters with links to apps which can support learners with specific needs.


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Topmarks have a searchable collection of fun online games and activities to support learning in every subject at every developmental level.


Sensory and/or Physical Needs

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Bedford Borough’s sensory and communication support team can offer advice and support parents and carers in meeting the needs of children with sensory and communication difficulties such as hearing impairment, visual impairment, multi-disabled V.I./deafblind and autism spectrum conditions.


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The NHS Luton and Bedfordshire Paediatric Occupational Therapy team support children and young people to engage and participate as fully as possible in childhood activities. They provide resources, training, assessment, advice and treatment, where appropriate, to reduce the effects of physical and sensory difficulties and disabilities and optimise a child/young person’s functional skills. The team have also put together resource packs to support the development of every day skills.


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Bedford Hospital’s Paediatric Physiotherapy team provide specialist services to children and young people aged 0-19 to promote health and wellbeing.


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Access Bedford offer deaf awareness training and British Sign Language training.


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BBC Bitesize dance mat typing to develop typing skills, different levels of challenge.


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Typing Club also offer a free fun course to learn touch typing skills.


Self-help and Independence

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Oak Academy offer lessons on developing life skills such as dressing, personal care etc


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Middletown Autism have guides and resources aimed at support children with autism develop essential life skills such as personal hygiene, self-care, safety, managing work and leisure activities.