Benefits & Support from March 2026
Benefits and Support Webinar: Connecting Families to SEND Support in Cheshire West and Chester
We recently hosted a Benefits and Support virtual webinar to help families understand the wide range of support available for children and young people with SEND across Cheshire West and Chester.
The session brought together a number of organisations and professionals who work with families every day, sharing information, advice and practical support.
Because many parents and carers are balancing work, school runs and caring responsibilities, the webinar was recorded so families who could not attend live can watch it back later.
These sessions are designed to ensure families know what support exists locally and how to access it.
Understanding Benefits and Financial Support
The webinar began with a presentation from Citizens Advice Cheshire West, who provided an overview of the benefits and financial support available to families with disabled children and young people.
Their session helped families better understand:
- what financial support may be available
- how different benefits work together
- how to apply for support
- where to go for help with applications or appeals.
Navigating the benefits system can feel overwhelming for many families, so having the opportunity to hear directly from Citizens Advice and ask questions was incredibly valuable.
Citizens Advice offers free, confidential and independent advice, supporting families with a range of issues including benefits, housing, employment and debt.
Citizens Advice Cheshire West
https://www.citizensadvicecw.org.uk
Carer Support
Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust support families in a range of meaningful ways. They provide activities for children and young people, offer funding for carers to enjoy short breaks, and run family activities that give everyone the chance to unwind and reconnect. The team also offers emotional support and guidance around benefits and entitlements. In addition, they host regular coffee sessions across Chester, Ellesmere Port, Maples and Frodsham, giving carers a friendly and welcoming space to meet others and access advice.
Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust
https://www.cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org
Short Breaks and Inclusive Activities
One of the areas families often ask about is short breaks and inclusive activities.
There are several services across the borough that support children and young people with SEND to access activities while also giving parents and carers a break.
Disability Positive
Disability Positive offers the Community Connections Fund.
Families whose child receives Disability Living Allowance at middle care rate or above can access up to £1,000 towards an activity for their child.
This might include things like:
- animal therapy
- inclusive clubs
- specialist activities.
While children attend these activities, it also provides a short break for parents and carers, giving families valuable time to recharge — sometimes even just time to enjoy a quiet cup of tea.
Disability Positive also supports families with:
- advocacy
- understanding Direct Payments
- managing Personal Health Budgets
- social groups for children and young people of different ages.
• Disability Positive
https://www.disabilitypositive.org
Endorphins Group
Another organisation providing inclusive opportunities is Endorphins.
They run inclusive group sessions for children and young people, usually around four hours long.
These sessions allow children to:
- take part in activities
- socialise with peers
- build friendships.
Sessions take place across the borough including:
- Ellesmere Port
- Winsford
- Chester
They also run an after-school club at Dorin Park School.
• Endorphins Group
Parent Coffee Events and Peer Support
Peer support can be just as important as professional support.
Across Cheshire West and Chester, many parent-led groups provide safe and welcoming spaces where families can connect with others who understand their experiences.
We are incredibly grateful to our fantastic parent volunteers who host regular SEND coffee mornings, creating opportunities for families to come together, share experiences and support each other.
These sessions are informal and welcoming — sometimes the most valuable support is simply meeting someone who understands your journey.
More parent Carer Coffee Events can be found here: Parent/Carer Coffee Events
Community Coffee Events and Early Help
The Parent Carer Forum also runs parent coffee events in partnership with Starting Well Cheshire West.
These events take place in Starting Well centres across the borough and offer families the chance to:
- meet other parents and carers
- speak to professionals in a relaxed environment
- learn about local services.
Professionals often attending include:
- Early Help Navigators
- members of the disability team
- local SEND services.
Early Help services play an important role in supporting families early, helping prevent challenges from escalating and ensuring families receive the right support at the right time.
More Parent Carer Coffee Events can be found here: Parent/Carer Coffee Events
Community Support at Petty Pool
Another wonderful community space for families is Petty Pool Trust.
Petty Pool offers a community drop-in coffee event, giving parents and carers a welcoming place to connect with others.
They also provide:
- activities for young people
- support for post-16 young people with additional needs
- opportunities for social development and independence.
Having accessible community spaces like this helps families feel connected and supported within their local area.
Support from SPACE Charity
Families can also access support from SPACE Cheshire, a charity that supports children and young people with disabilities and their families.
SPACE provides:
- family support services
- inclusive activities
- a fantastic accessible play area
- training opportunities for families and professionals
- regular coffee events where parents and carers can meet and share experiences.
Their work plays an important role in creating inclusive opportunities for families across the borough.
SPACE Cheshire
Virtual Webinars and Recorded Events
For families who cannot attend events in person, we also host virtual webinars.
These sessions are recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel so families can watch them back at a time that suits them.
Upcoming sessions include:
- Understanding Mental Capacity
- Supporting Children in Education.
Links to these sessions will be shared in follow-up communications and can also be found on our website.
Find out what’s on here: Parent Carer Forum | Whats On
and watch back what you’ve missed on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@pcfcwac6168
Learning Through Training and Resources
Our YouTube channel also hosts a number of webinars linked to the Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) project.
These sessions share learning that schools have received through the project, including topics such as:
- neurodiversity awareness
- trauma and neurodivergence
- reasonable adjustments
- sensory needs
- sensory challenges around food.
These sessions are helpful for both parents and professionals supporting children with additional needs. Ypu can view these on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@pcfcwac6168
Information, Advice and SEND Support
Families also heard about the work of the Cheshire West SEND Information Advice and Support Service, which provides free and impartial support for families.
They can help with:
- understanding SEND law
- preparing for meetings with schools
- mediation and tribunal support
- transport issues
- navigating the education system.
They also help families understand the SEND Code of Practice and the process around Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
Watch back the latest webinar here: https://youtu.be/bXFO16nsQrc?si=PIKQSJp2d-Q2ZQyV
Local Charities Supporting Families
There are many local charities working hard to support families across the borough.
Autism Practical Support
This organisation offers:
- regular parent coffee sessions
- family activities
- A Parent Empowerment Course focused on autism and practical strategies.
Autism Practical Support
https://www.autismpracticalsupport.co.uk
Tiny Steps
Tiny Steps provides:
- inclusive activities for children and young people
- opportunities for parents and carers to meet and support each other.
National Support for Families
Families can also access support from national organisations such as Contact (charity), which supports families with disabled children across the UK.
They offer:
- webinars on topics such as speech and language, behaviour and education
- information resources
- a Listening Ear service for parents who may need emotional support or someone to talk to.
CONTACT
The Local Offer
Another useful resource is the Cheshire West and Chester Local Offer, which sits within Live Well Cheshire West.
The Local Offer acts as a directory of SEND support across the borough, including:
- activities and groups
- health services
- education support
- social care services.
While it contains a large amount of information, it can sometimes take time to find what you are looking for. However, it remains one of the best starting points when searching for local SEND support.
Live Well Cheshire West
https://www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Staying Connected
Families can stay up to date with support, events and opportunities by:
- signing up to our monthly newsletter PCF Newsletter Sign-Up
- following us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pcfcwac
- keep visiting our website
- subscribing to our YouTube channel.
http://www.youtube.com/@pcfcwac6168
Thank You
Thank you to everyone who attended the webinar and to the professionals making it a success.
If you were unable to attend, you can catch up on the recording & presentations below.
By working together and sharing information, we can ensure families across Cheshire West and Chester know where to turn for support and how to access it.
To see other events coming up or to catch up on past events & presentations...
click below
