SEND events
October half term events
Here’s our round up of inclusive events and those specifically for families with children with SEND during the October half term break. We will add to this page when we find out about new events.
Some events and activities are free and some you have to pay for.
Unless stated, these events are not run or checked by West Sussex County Council. Including them on the Local Offer website does not mean that we recommend them.
Before attending these events, you should make your own checks. This should include that you are happy that:
- the service or event will meet your needs
- staff are properly qualified
- policies are in place to keep everyone safe
- you know how much the service or event will cost
We publish guidance to help you make sure that clubs or events are safe for children.
Find out more on our terms and disclaimer.
Free events
Tuesday 28 October 2025
Wednesday 29 October 2025
- Bewbush, Crawley Family Hub: 10am to 11.30am and 1pm to 2.30pm - SEND event sessions
- Bognor Regis library: 2.30pm to 4pm - Crafternoon (11 to 17 years)
- Horsham library: 10.30am to 11.30am - Pirates Ahoy! (4 to 7 years)
- Horsham library: 1pm to 4pm - Libraries of Possibilities and Wonder
- Selsey library: 10.30am to 11.30am - Pirates Ahoy! (4 to 7 years)
- Steyning library: 10.30am to 11.30am - Pirates Ahoy! (4 to 7 years)
- Willowhale library: 11am to 12 noon - Pirates Ahoy! (4 to 7 years)
- Worthing library: 10.30am to 11.30am - Pirates Ahoy! (4 to 7 years)
Thursday 30 October 2025
- Bognor Regis library: 10.30am to 11.30am, 12.30pm to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 3.30pm - Junk modelling (5 to 11 years)
- East Preston library: 12.30pm to 1.30pm - Pirates Ahoy! (4 to 7 years)
- Littlehampton library: 11am to 12 noon - Pirates Ahoy! (4 to 7 years)
- Petworth library: 10am to 11am - Pirates Ahoy! (4 to 7 years)
- Shoreham-by-Sea library: 2pm to 3pm - Pirates Ahoy! (4 to 7 years)
- Southwater library: 2.30pm to 3.30pm - Pirates Ahoy! (4 to 7 years)
- Worthing library: 3.30pm to 5pm - SEND-friendly Graffiti Art Workshop (11 to 25 years)
Events you need to pay for
West Sussex County Council Short Breaks for children and young people
Short Breaks are available for children and young people up to 18 years old, who live in West Sussex and who receive either:
- the middle or high-care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- the standard or enhanced rate of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- equivalent needs
There is a lot of demand for Short Breaks over the school holidays, so some providers may not have vacancies.
Find out more from Community activities and Short Breaks.
Paid-for events around West Sussex
Aldingbourne Country Centre
Halloween ‘Spooktacular’ day for pre-schoolers and primary school children.
Crimsham Farm
Half term toddler groups (1 to 4 years). £5 per toddler. Booking is essential. See Crimsham Farm’s Facebook page for details.
Flip Out has SEND sessions between 6pm to 7pm every Sunday. Find out more at Flip Out Chichester.
Max Card for savings on days out
The Max Card is free of charge to families with a child with special educational needs or disabilities. It offers free or discounted admission to many attractions across the UK.
You can get a Max Card from West Sussex Libraries, where you can join the Disability Register.
Experience Sussex is also worth a look for family-friendly events happening during the half term week.
West Sussex Libraries SEND events
Events across West Sussex, including regular, multi-sensory story sessions ‘Story Magic’
West Sussex Parent Carer Forum (WSPCF) events
WSPCF is an independent charity for the parent carers of children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
Reaching Families parent support groups
Reaching Families is a West Sussex charity with the mission ‘to empower, inform and support parent-carers and families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in West Sussex’.
They hold parent support groups called Umbrellas across the county.
Free online disability benefits webinars with the Citizens Advice Bureau
Understanding the benefits system can be confusing, especially when you're supporting a young person with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Citizens Advice, working with The Aldingbourne Trust in West Sussex, runs regular online advice sessions to help parents and carers. These webinars explain how to apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children under 16, and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for those aged 16 and over.
You’ll learn who can get these benefits, how to fill in the forms and what other support might be available.
Each session takes place on Zoom and is limited to 20 people.
Visit the Citizens Advice website to find out more and book your place.