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Special needs hub brings services under one roof

City of Wolverhampton Council A group of 11 adults and one child standing outside a red-brick building on a red-tiled floor. The man, wearing tracksuit bottoms and T-shirt, is crouched with his young daughter in his arms. The other adults, all female, stand around him. A park can be seen to the right behind them.City of Wolverhampton Council
Parent Daniel, with daughter Clemmie, pictured with Councillor Jacqui Coogan (l) and other partners from Cherry Street SEND and Sensory Hub

A new hub for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Wolverhampton will make a "huge difference", the city council said.

A range of specialist support has been brought under one roof at the Cherry Street SEND and Sensory Hub, Graiseley, which formally launched on Tuesday.

It will house the city council's early identification SEND support service, as well as health visitors and stay-and-play groups.

Alison Hinds, the council's director of children's services, said it would provide "the right support at the right time".

City of Wolverhampton Council A garden with a paved path, grassy areas and trees. An outdoor seating area with pitched roof is at the end of the path and small children's toys lie around the garden including a ride-on truck and car.City of Wolverhampton Council
Partners have worked for eight months to open a SEND Centre of Excellence at the Brickkiln Centre

Formerly known as Brickkiln Community Centre, the hub will also become a permanent base for the council's Information, Advice & Support Service (IASS), community groups, financial advice surgeries and short-break activities.

Family hubs service manager Denise Williams said such specialist centres brought together services that made "a huge difference to people who need extra support".

"Thousands of families across the city will benefit from the SEND support and services available at Cherry Street SEND and Sensory Hub," she added.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan encouraged families to explore the "huge range of support" available.

The Brickkiln Centre was formerly used for adult social care but had not been in use since the Covid lockdown.

The council published a new SEND strategy in May, which they said aimed to help children and young people reach their potential.

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