Back to School Family Support Hubs Newsletter

Posted on August 27, 2026 by Yvonne

The Back to School edition of the Family Support Newsletter is now available: – https://cypsp.hscni.net/download/391/family-support-hubs/48999/fshnewsletter_aug2026.pdf

As summer holidays come to an end and a new school year begins, many families will be busy getting back into routines, preparing school bags, and helping children and young people settle into the months ahead. While this time of year can be exciting, it can also bring a few worries and challenges, especially when children are starting a new school, moving up a year group, or adapting to new routines.

In this edition, we’ve gathered together a range of information, activities and support services to help families make the transition back to school as smooth as possible.

Whether you’re looking for practical advice, local opportunities, or information about the support available in your area, we hope you’ll find something useful inside.

Autism Awareness Training for Practitioners in Southern HSCT Area

Posted on August 18, 2026 by Louise

Poster titled “Autism Awareness: Training for Practitioners”. The online training takes place on Thursday 8 October 2026, 10:00am to 12:30pm. Closing date for applications is Wednesday 23 September 2026. The session, delivered by the Autism Services team, is aimed at professionals working with a child or parent who has a confirmed autism diagnosis, is waiting for assessment, or may be on the autism spectrum. Topics include understanding how autistic children and young people perceive the world and learn, identifying strengths, understanding challenges in learning, social interaction and communication, and applying supportive strategies. Logos for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Autism Awareness, and the Promoting Wellbeing Division are displayed. An application link is provided: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/7jCHaVX7cm.

Join the Autism Services team online for an awareness session aimed at professionals working with a child or working with a parent of a child who has:

A confirmed diagnosis
Waiting on an assessment or
Concerns that their child may be on the spectrum

Thursday 8 October 2026, 10.00-12.30pm, Online

To apply: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/7jCHaVX7cm

Issue 170 – Southern Area FYI – 13 August 2026

Posted on August 13, 2026 by Louise

Welcome to Issue 170 of our newsletter, ‘FYI’ (For Your Information).

Cover page for CYPSP Southern Area Locality Planning Groups FYI newsletter, Issue 170, dated 13 August 2026. The CYPSP (Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership) logo appears at the top beside the title. An illustration shows hands holding and touching a tablet displaying the circular “FYI For Your Information” logo. On the right, a grid of coloured blue, green and purple squares contains icons representing email, telephone, website and user information.

Download Issue 170

(Note: Newsletter will download directly to your device. Look out for the pop-up box and click on open file when it appears)

With summer coming towards a close, preparations for the next school year are under way and so there is lots of information on starting / back to school spread across this edition. As of today, it is also officially exam results season, so you will find details on various supports, resources & opportunities available to young people (and their families), as they look ahead to their next chapter.

We have a few weeks of summer left and there is still plenty going on across the Southern Trust Area for children, young people & families, so thank you to all those who submitted information on upcoming events, programmes and workshops for sharing.

See you in the next school year!

Locality Development Team, Southern Area

PEACEPLUS Diversionary Sports Programme

Posted on August 6, 2026 by Louise

The PEACEPLUS Diversionary Sports Programme is now out for tender!

The Diversionary Sports Programme will span several weeks and will deliver a number of diversionary activities, combined with a sequence of workshops. The programme will run throughout the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough and will take place during weekend evenings, for both boys and girls between the ages of 13–17-year-olds. Closing date for applications is Tuesday 25th August 2026.

https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps/home.do

https://www.etenders. gov.ie/epps/home.do

Issue 169 – Southern Area FYI – 23 July 2026

Posted on July 23, 2026 by Louise

Welcome to Issue 169 of our newsletter, ‘FYI’ (For Your Information).

Cover graphic for the Southern Area Locality Planning Groups newsletter, Issue 169, dated 23 July 2026. The CYPSP (Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership) logo appears at the top beside a blue banner reading “Southern Area Locality Planning Groups”. An illustration of two hands holding a tablet displays the “FYI – For Your Information” logo. On the right, a grid of blue, green, purple and white squares contains icons representing email, telephone, website, and user information. The issue number and date are shown at the bottom left.

Download Issue 169

(Note: Newsletter will download directly to your device. Look out for the pop-up box and click on open file when it appears)

This is one of two editions of ‘FYI’ which will circulate throughout the summer. Our next edition is on Thursday 13^th August, so please bear this in mind when sharing any of your flyers and information.

Pages 3 to 6 of this month’s issue include links to some Report Cards which have recently been produced to demonstrate/highlight the impact of just some of the projects which we, along with our members, have been involved in during the first half of 2026. Please take the time to read through the Scorecards and you might even see some familiar faces in the photos which are included!

We hope you are enjoying your summer and get a chance to have a well-earned break (if you haven’t already).