SEND News and Updates

This page is frequently updated with the latest news and updates for parents and professionals in relation to SEND, this includes a range of local activities and useful resources.

Mates and Dates

Mates and Dates is a new initiative starting in 2025 that looks to combat the disadvantages that the disabled community face when looking to form new relationships.

Mates and Dates is a monthly event that creates a relaxed and safe environment for people with additional needs to come and engage in fun workshops.

Through these workshops our attendees will get to meet new people and naturally form connections either in a romantic or a friendship sense, in a stress free environment

Next event is being held on Wednesday 30th April

To register for this initiative or if you have any questions please contact us on the details below!

charlie@thefantasticfreddiefoundation.com

London Autism Hub Online Workshops 

Parents and carers of autistic people can book a free place on our upcoming online workshops covering various topics including understanding autism, supporting siblings, getting extra help at school and more.

Our ‘Peer Educators’ – who truly understand autism from their lived experience – are ready to provide information and signpost you to local and national organisations that can really make a difference.

London based parents and carers can access our online workshops here:  https://www.autismcentral.org.uk/events [External link]

You can also book in a FREE 30 minute 121 telephone call here  bit.ly/London-121 [External Link]

SEN Trampolining

Everyone Active The Phoenix Centre's Special Educational Needs Trampolining!

Suitable for Adults with learning & physical disabilities.

Every Saturday: 12:00pm - 13:00pm or 13:00pm - 14:00pm

£6.70 per session (card payment only).

Book online or in-centre.

Email for more information:

phoenixinfo@everyoneactive.com

Call centre to confirm sessions are running before attending:

0208 773 6060

Mates and Dates

Mates and Dates is a new initiative starting in 2025 that looks to combat the disadvantages that the disabled community face when looking to form new relationships.

Mates and Dates is a monthly event that creates a relaxed and safe environment for people with additional needs to come and engage in fun workshops.

Through these workshops our attendees will get to meet new people and naturally form connections either in a romantic or a friendship sense, in a stress free environment

First event is being held on March 29th

To register for this initiative or if you have any questions please contact us on the details below!

charlie@thefantasticfreddiefoundation.com

Contacts Financial Support Checklist

Did you know it costs _3 times more _to raise a disabled child? That’s why it’s vital that these families claim all the financial support they can, but many don’t know what’s available to them.

1. Use the Benefits Calculator: Parents can check if they’re claiming everything they’re entitled to by using this online Benefits Calculator – it takes just 10 minutes and can make a _huge _difference

2. Try our Grants Search: The online Grants Search tool will show parents what charitable funding they could get towards specialist equipment, therapies, home adaptations, white goods and even holidays

3. **Get help with household bills: **Take a look at the schemes and grants available to help families with water, fuel and other utility bills

4. **Look at our energy saving tips: **With disabled families already facing higher energy bills, these practical tips can help parents cut down on heating, fuel and appliance costs

5. Apply for help with extra costs: Our website lists several support schemes available to help parents with education, health, and transport and leisure costs

6. **Read our Money Matters guide: **Parents will find detailed advice on benefits, vouchers, discounts, loans and other sources of financial help in our Money Matters guide for England & Wales

Playwise Support Passport

The PlayWise Support Passport is a comprehensive document intended to aid young people, professionals, service providers and family members in understanding and meeting the unique needs of children and young people with SEND. This document will serve as a valuable tool across various settings, including schools and education providers, holiday and leisure activities, health services and clinics, social care and other support services. 

The Support Passport is a personalised document that outlines essential information about a child's support needs, health conditions, learning disabilities, communication preferences, and strategies to facilitate their interactions and experiences.  It is designed to ensure that anyone working with a child is well-informed and equipped to provide the best possible support.

Click here to view the Playwise Support Passport [External Link]

Click here to view the Playwise Support Guidelines [External Link]

New Promotional Video for Independent Travel Training

Check out the Independent Travel Training's new promotional video created by KCIL [External Link].

This has been created to inform potential candidates on ITT and to also inspire safety and confidence when travelling independently.

Parent/Carer Coffee Information Sessions

These are the January to December 2025 Parent/Carer Coffee Information sessions for Sutton families. You do not need an appointment, just turn up!

Carshalton Family Hub and Children's Centre

Session times: 9:30am - 11:30am

When: Friday 24th January

Friday 7th February

Friday 28th February

Friday 14th March

Friday 28th March

Friday 25th April

Friday 9th May

Friday 23rd May

Friday 13th June

Friday 27th June

Friday 11th July

Friday 12th September

Friday 26th September

Friday 10th October

Friday 24th October

Friday 14th November

Friday 28th November

Friday 12th December

Sutton Library Family Hub

Session times: 9:30am - 11:30am

When: Friday 17th January

Friday 31st January

Friday 14th February

Friday 7th March

Friday 21st March

Friday 4th April

Friday 2nd May

Friday 16th May

Friday 6th June

Friday 20th June

Friday 4th July

Friday 18th July

Friday 5th September

Friday 19th September

Friday 3rd October

Friday 17th October

Friday 7th November

Friday 21st November

Friday 5th December

Friday 19th December

Shanklin Community Centre

Session times: 1pm - 2:15pm

When: Monday 13th January

Monday 27th January

Monday 10th February

Monday 24th February

Monday 10th March

Monday 24th March

Monday 28th April

Monday 12th May

Monday 9th June

Monday 23rd June

Monday 7th July

Monday 21st July

Monday 8th September

Monday 22nd September

Monday 6th October

Monday 20th October

Monday 3rd November

Monday 17th November

Monday 1st December

Monday 15th December

Stanley Park Children's Centre

Session times: 9:30am - 11am

When: Wednesday 8th January

Wednesday 22nd January

Wednesday 5th February

Wednesday 26th February

Wednesday 12th March

Wednesday 26th March

Wednesday 2nd April

Wednesday 23rd April

Wednesday 7th May

Wednesday 21st May

Wednesday 4th June

Wednesday 18th June

Wednesday 2nd July

Wednesday 16th July

Wednesday 10th September

Wednesday 24th September

Wednesday 8th October

Wednesday 22nd October

Wednesday 5th November

Wednesday 19th November

Wednesday 3rd December

Wednesday 17th December

The Quad, Green Wrythe Lane, Carshalton SM5 1JW

Session times: 6pm - 8pm

When: Monday 27th January

Monday 24th February

Monday 24th March

Monday 12th May

Monday 9th June

Monday 7th July

Monday 22nd September

Monday 20th October

Monday 17th November

Monday 1st December

Are you an adult who has an autistic brother or sister?

Join Sibs six online support group sessions across 2025.

The sessions are online, 7pm - 8:30pm

When:

• 13th February: Being a sibling vs being a carer

• 9th April: Money (mis)management

• 10th June: What if your brother/sister doesn't want support?

• 4th August: Reciprocity

• 7th October: Supporting romantic relationships

• 3rd December: Setting boundaries

For full details and to sign up visit their website [External Link].

Check out the Parent Support Offer

We know that being a parent can be both rewarding and challenging, and we all need a helping hand at times. Knowing where to go and who to turn to can be vital to getting that help early and preventing further escalation.

Our parenting support programmes are a source of support for all parents and carers and offer an opportunity to share parenting experiences, develop a greater understanding of child development, build positive relationships and learn skills to deal with challenging behaviour.

Check out the Parent Support Offer presentation to find out more information [External Link].

SENCo Surgeries for Schools

These are not solely for SENCOs and are welcomed by any school staff to book on if they wish to discuss a SEND case.

We will be offering information, advice, and guidance to schools to support inclusive practice and a partnership approach to SEND.

The dates for the SENCo surgeries 2024-25 are:

• 3rd October - 9 - 11:30am

• 21st November - 9 - 11am

• 4th February - 1:30 - 4pm

• 20th March - 1:30 - 4pm

• 1st May - 9:30 - 12pm

• 26th June - 9:30 - 12pm

To book onto the Inclusion Surgery, please email sen.team@cognus.org.uk.

The Autism Project are currently recruiting for their January and September cohort 2025

The Autism Project would like to invite you to attend one of their monthly Zoom information sessions. The sessions are a chance to hear from staff and ask them questions.

When:

• November 29th 2024, 1:00pm

• December 27th 2024, 1:00pm

• January 31st 2025, 1:00pm

• February 28th 2025, 1:00pm

• March 28th 2025, 1:00pm

• April 25th 2025, 1:00pm

• May 30th 2025, 1:00pm

• June 27th 2025, 1:00pm

If you would like to attend then click on the link to register [External Link]