My name is Vicki Ranson and I am the Home-School Link Worker at Medina House School.

I have both personal and professional experience of special educational needs, which has given me a genuine understanding of the challenges families face on a day to day basis.

My role at Medina House School is to provide information, advice and support on a range of areas, including:

• Offering training and workshops to develop your knowledge and skills on special educational needs.
• Arrange 1:1 meetings, either at school or at home.
• Provide support with form filling.
• Suggest positive strategies to support your child at home and outside in the community.
• Provide resources, as well as supporting families to create their own personalised resources and social stories.
• Signpost to relevant information or outside agencies which can support you and your family.

Useful links:

Isle of Wight Family Centres

Isle of Wight Family Centres have a team of Family Workers who offer Family Support. Family Support workers work with your whole family to make positive changes in your lives. Our workers can work with your family for up to 9 months and we support you to focus on what you can do well and build on it.

Isle of Wight Foodbank

“The foodbank was there when we really needed it, it was an absolute lifeline.”

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

Barnardos

Supporting children, young people and their families with specialist services, raising awareness and campaigning to change things for the better.

National Sleep Charity

‘We are one of the leading, independent expert voices on sleep issues in the UK and we are here to help everyone get a better night’s sleep. Whether it’s advice, education or support for children, teenagers, adults, workplaces or professionals, we are on hand with expert knowledge, resources and accredited training’.

NHS Hampshire and IOW Healthcare – Children and Families

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services for children, young people and their parents, across the whole of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

We work closely with parents, children and young people alongside colleagues in primary care (GP), local authorities and more acute and specialised services to ensure you and your child get the support they need.

Short Breaks activity guide

Click the link to see what Short Break activities are available over this summer on the Isle of Wight.

To find out if a particular activity is suitable for your child’s needs, check the symbols on each activity page – symbol key on this page will help.

For more information, contact the activity provider in the first instance. They will be happy to answer any questions you have.