Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
Families with children with SEND can access the following. Please note that your child does not need a diagnosis for attendance.
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Fun activities and courses for children
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Online courses for parents and carers
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Bookable sensory rooms, in some hubs.
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Youth groups across our East Sussex Youth Hubs.
We also offer further in-person support. For more information, talk to the staff at your local family hub or to your Health Visitor. See the 'Get advice' section below.
Activities and courses for early years
Sunflowers group - 2 to 5 years
Sessions for children with SEND, using play to support learning and growth.
Stay and play drop in - 0 to 5 years
Weekly playgroup for children aged 0 to 5 years with additional needs, up to 8 years in school holidays.
Parent and child signing - 6 months to 5 years
Learn how to teach your baby or child key signs to support their speech, language and communication development.
To enquire or book in your area:
Check the 'Additional needs' category in Activities and courses or fill in our booking enquiry form.
Youth groups
Youth groups are available across East Sussex, ranging from 8 to 25 years for those with SEND
For young people with mild to moderate learning disabilities. Our groups offer a range of weekly activities from cooking, crafting, games and much more!
For further details, check out the activities at youth hubs on our Young People page.
Online courses
Learning about Neurodivergence
This is an introduction to neurodivergence for parents and carers of children aged 2 to 19.
Support for ADHD
A course for parents and carers with children aged 4 to 11 years.
NAS (National Autistic Society) 'Earlybird+' and 'Teen life,
'Earlybird plus+' (4 to 9 years) and 'Teen life' (10 to teenage years) are courses for parents and carers to understand autism further.
For further information and to book:
Sensory rooms
Our sensory rooms are free. The rooms are particularly beneficial to children with SEND. But are also suitable for all children aged 0 to 5 years old.
We have bookable sensory rooms at the following family hubs:
Get advice
We have further face-to-face support offers for children with or without a diagnosis. Speak to staff at your family hub if you are worried about your child’s development or play skills.
In person
Speak to staff at your family hub if you are worried about your child’s development or play skills.
By phone
Call our Health Visiting team:
Phone: 01323 463 204
By email
Health Visiting team:
Email: esht.hv-duty@nhs.net
Local Offer
The Local Offer has information and a directory of services to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Mental health
Mental health support for young people links support services for children and young people.
