Children with Additional Needs - CAN - Network

The CAN Network is a support service for local families with children with additional needs. Every Local Authority is required to maintain a register of disabled children and young people living in their area, and within Wokingham, this register has been renamed the CAN Network. It is overseen by the Family Information Service, and is used to help plan future services, and also ensure that families receive relevant information and advice.

Support offered

Parents and carers of children on the Network receive a range of information and support services including:

• A copy of the Guide to Services for Children with Additional Needs
• Termly CAN newsletters
• Regular email updates about events and important information
• An online message board where they can share experiences and offer support
• A CAN Card, in order to access concessions at some leisure attractions and facilities
• A CAN Passport, an 'all-about-me' book created individually for each child
• Information booklets on a wide range of conditions and disabilities
• Information sheets on a number of topics including sleeping difficulties, bullying, and moving school

How to join

Enrolment is voluntary, and isn't required in order to be eligible for other services. It is completely free to join, and children do not need to have a Statement of Special Educational Need, or have an official diagnosis of a specific additional need. The criteria they must meet however, are:

• They have a permanent and substantial additional need
• They cannot access, or need more support to access mainstream services and activities, than another child of the same age and gender
• They are under 18 years-old and both they and their family or carers are resident in the Wokingham Borough

If families live outside of the Borough, then they are still able to receive information and support, but cannot have their details officially included on the Network. For more information, contact 0118 974 3750.