SEND Support - Wakefield

☕ Save the Dates! – WEBSS Coffee & Connect 💜

Our Coffee & Connect drop-in sessions will be running on the first Thursday of every month from September.
A relaxed space to meet the WEBSS team, connect with other parents and carers, and find out more about the support we offer.

📅 Save the dates below – there’s no need to book, just drop in, grab a cuppa and join us. ☕

We’d love to see you there! 💜

School anxiety can be easy to miss — especially when a child is still getting through the school gates each day.

They may complain of tummy aches or headaches, struggle with sleep, become increasingly distressed on Sunday evenings, need constant reassurance or unravel once they get home. Sometimes they can tell us exactly what is worrying them. Sometimes they simply know that school feels too much.

This post focuses specifically on school anxiety in children who are still attending school.

You will see EBSA — Emotionally Based School Avoidance and EBSNA — Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance mentioned because school anxiety can sometimes develop to the point where attendance becomes affected. But they are not the focus of this post and should not be used interchangeably with school anxiety.

The important message is that we do not need to wait until a child can no longer attend before we become curious about what is making school difficult.

Early understanding gives us an opportunity to identify the individual triggers, reduce unnecessary pressure and help home and school put support in place before anxiety becomes more deeply established.

I have also created a BiteSize Guide to School Anxiety with more information and practical support. Please see the visual for instructions on how to request a copy.

This week, my focus on this page will be school anxiety - follow for more content.

Do you feel the pressure to keep them working over the holidays?

⭐️ New Autism for Parents Course ⭐️

Want to better understand autism? Join our Autism for Parents course and discover practical tips, shared experiences and feel empowered.

Booking on the course is essential.

Enrol today - Call 01924 303302 or email [email protected]

Are you neurodivergent or exploring neurodiversity? Join our 6-week Neurodiversity and Me course starting this September.

"It HAS to be this way!" Sound familiar? 🧩🔄

Rigid thinking isn't stubbornness—it’s an anxiety-driven search for predictability in a world that feels overwhelming. As an Educational Psychologist, I’ve created a guide detailing how to gently introduce flexible thinking while keeping your child feeling safe.

👉 Comment GUIDE below to receive the full bitesize guide!



LinkDM *062*

Neurodiversity and Me Find out more about our new Neurodiversity and Me course

The Day of this Session is WEDNESDAY 26th August.

📢 Tomorrow at Thornes Park - The Inclusion Festival is Here! 🌟

Looking for something fun, active and inclusive to do tomorrow? Join us at the Inclusion Festival at Thornes Park, where people of all ages and abilities can come together to try new activities, meet local clubs and organisations, and discover exciting opportunities available across Wakefield District.

💙 There really is something for everyone!

Come and have a go at:

⚽ Football
🏉 Rugby & Wheelchair Rugby
🏏 VI Cricket
🥊 Boxing
🏃 Athletics
🏑 Hockey
🎾 Tennis
🏓 Table Tennis
🥒 Pickleball
🏀 Wheelchair Basketball
🚴 Cycling
🎯 Boccia
👁️ Goalball

Plus:

🏋️ Gym activities
🎲 Fun games and challenges
☕ Coffee cart refreshments
🤝 Information and support from local clubs and organisations

Whether you're looking to get active, build confidence, make new friends, find a new hobby, or simply enjoy a great day out with the family, the Inclusion Festival is a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone can take part at their own pace.

✅ Free to attend
✅ Family friendly
✅ Inclusive and accessible
✅ No experience needed

🌈 Everyone is welcome. Everyone belongs. Everyone can take part.

Come along, have a go, and discover the fantastic inclusive opportunities available right here in Wakefield District.