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.

Supernova Singers is a fully inclusive, un-auditioned choir for singers with all additional learning needs (eg. ASD, ADHD, Speech & Language, Global Development Delay, etc.), aged 8 - 13.

Sessions are carried out in a supportive environment that has been adapted to the differing needs of the singers attending.

Parents/carers are encouraged to attend rehearsals with their singer. There will be a performance opportunity for friends and family at the end of each term. 

DATE: Tuesday evenings during term time

TIME: 5.15pm - 6.15pm - singers can arrive from 5pm to settle

LOCATION: Cantium House, Wallington, SM6 0DZ

Read more about Supernova Singers and sign up on the Sutton Music Trust Website: https://suttonmusictrust.org.uk/singing/sutton-supernova-singers/[External link]

Sutton Life Centre - Preparation for Adulthood Hub

The Sutton Life Centre has now opened the Preparation for Adulthood Hub!!

Please view the PfA Hub timetable for February here [External Link]

Talk to the Local Offer Coordinator

The Local Offer Coordinator will be based at Sutton Life Centre every Friday morning 9:30am - 12pm

Pop in if you have any questions/queries.

Nurture Hub Therapy Service

Online creative therapy group for parents/carers.

When: First Tuesday of the month 10am - 11am

Free to all but donations accepted via website

Get in touch to book: nurturehub@icloud.com

Visit their website here: www.nurturehubtherapyservice.co.uk

Parent/Carer Coffee Information Session 2026

Carshalton Family Hub and Children's Centre - Session times: 9:30am - 11:30am

Dates:

• Friday 20th March

• Friday 24th April

• Friday 19th June

• Friday 17th July

• Friday 18th September

• Friday 16th October

• Friday 20th November

• Friday 11th December

Sutton Library Family Hub - Session times: 9:30am - 11:30am

Dates:

• Friday 17th April

• Friday 8th May

• Friday 5th June

• Friday 3rd July

• Friday 4th September

• Friday 2nd October

• Friday 6th November

• Friday 4th December

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

Dates:

• Wednesday 29th April

• Wednesday 10th June

• Wednesday 8th July

• Wednesday 9th September

• Wednesday 7th October

• Wednesday 11th November

• Wednesday 16th December

The Quad, Green Wrythe Lane - Session times: 6pm - 8pm

Dates:

• Monday 16th March

• Monday 27th April

• Monday 18th May

• Monday 22nd June

• Monday 13th July

• Monday 21st September

• Monday 19th October

• Monday 23rd November

• Monday 14th December

Men's evening group at The Quad, Green Wrythe Lane - Session time: 6pm - 8pm

Dates:

• Monday 13th April

• Monday 11th May

• Monday 8th June

• Monday 6th July

• Monday 3rd August

• Monday 7th September

• Monday 5th October

• Monday 9th November

• Monday 7th December

Men's daytime group at The Quad, Green Wrythe Lane - Session time: 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Dates:

• Friday 27th March

• Friday 17th April

• Friday 8th May

• Friday 19th June

• Friday 3rd July

• Friday 17th July

• Friday 4th September

• Friday 25th September

• Friday 2nd October

• Friday 23rd October

• Friday 6th November

• Friday 20th November

• Friday 4th December

• Friday 18th December

We are delighted to announce the launch of Sutton’s ‘Every child, every school’ Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) guidance documents.

These documents have been co-produced with SENCOs and Head teachers from across Sutton schools, and a number of professionals from different Cognus teams and aim to set out expectations for the support and strategies that should be available across all Sutton schools for children and young people with SEND. These documents will be refreshed over time with feedback from schools and with the ongoing aim of promoting a consistency of approach across settings, early intervention for emerging and additional needs, and high-quality inclusive education for all.

 Further training sessions for school staff of all levels will be on offer across the year through Cognus’ comprehensive fully funded and traded training offer, with information being disseminated both to Head teachers and SENCOs.

 Please see here for the suite of documents produced:

• Early Years guidance

• Primary guidance

• Secondary guidance

• Primary classroom checklist

• Secondary classroom checklist

• Targeted support and intervention checklist  

NextGen Activities Club

NextGen Activities Club is a welcoming after-school program designed specifically for children with Special Educational Needs, aged 8-12 and 13-17. Focus on building confidence, promoting social interaction, and developing life skills - all in a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment.

When: Monday and Thursdays, 3;30pm - 6:00pm

Where: Westcroft Leisure Centre, Westcroft Rd, Carshalton SM5 2TG

Get in touch and book today

Orchard Hill Club House

Orchard Hill are presenting their monthly and inclusive Club House event.

Tickets cost: £6 one carer per ticket for free

When: Select Thursdays - 7pm-10pm

Where: Sutton United Kingdom Football Club, Gander Green Lane, Sutton, SM1 2EY

Find more information here [External Link]

Mates and Dates

Mates and Dates | The Fantastic Freddie Foundation [External Link]

Mates and Dates is a new initiative 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 work shops our service users will get to naturally meet new people and form connections either in a romantic or a friendship sense, in a stress free environment.

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

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.

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].