Medway Sendias

30/03/2026

The 1st of April will see Barnardo's deliver Medway SENDIASS. The new providers’ contact details can be found pinned to this page.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our first-class staff team for their energy and efforts over the years. We would also like to say thank you to the families that we have worked with. It has been a privilege to support you, and we wish you well for the future.

24/03/2026

Family Action Medway Small Steps are holding their final event this Thursday:

🎈🎈REMINDER 🎈

✨✨Medway Small Steps - Information Fair✨✨

Free resources, including some new 3D printed items to help develop your child’s emotional language

We have our final event coming up on Thursday 26th March.
Whether you want more information on local support services, an informal chat or just to say goodbye, we would love to see you there!

No need to book, just come along. We look forward to seeing you there 😊

23/03/2026

As you are aware, the 1st of April sees Barnardo's deliver Medway SENDIASS. From this date, Medway SENDIASS can be contacted on the above details.

Part of this process involves the transferring of data relating to families which have been identified as needing, or likely to need, further imminent support. These include those who are already preparing for the tribunal process or where this is a possible outcome (have lodged an appeal or in mediation), as well as those that may need additional support, such as a parent with their own SEN or where English in not the first language.

If we have contacted you regarding your data, there is an option for you to opt out. Note: opting out means we will not transfer information to Barnardo's and, should you need support from SENDIASS in the future, you will need to contact Barnardo's detailing your historic involvement with Medway SENDIASS.

If you have any questions, please do get in touch.

16/03/2026

**New service provider**

We want to let you know that the Medway SENDIASS service – currently delivered by Family Action – is to move to Barnardo’s as of the 1st of April.

The service you receive should not change.


Please continue to contact the service as usual - we will let you know how to contact the new service before the 31st.

20/02/2026

~ Forward2Employment Open Days are back for March 2026 ~

See the link in Forward2Employment comments

If you or someone you care for has an EHCP, our Open Days are for you! (Ages 16-24, Kent-based)
Discover our Supported Internship process, meet our highly-trained Job Coaches, and learn more about potential career opportunities.
Whether you're considering joining us as an intern or a parent/carer of a young person with an EHCP, these Open Days are for you! (Dates below 👇)
- Wednesday 10th March 2026 (Talks: 5:15pm & 6:00pm)
- Saturday 14th March 2026 (Talks: 10:45am & 11:45am)
📍 Unit E3, Knights Park, Knights Road, Strood, ME2 2LS

Forward2Employment Open Days are back for March 2026 - link in comments 👇

If you or someone you care for has an EHCP, our Open Days are for you! (Ages 16-24, Kent-based)

Discover our Supported Internship process, meet our highly-trained Job Coaches, and learn more about potential career opportunities.

Whether you're considering joining us as an intern or a parent/carer of a young person with an EHCP, these Open Days are for you! (Dates below 👇)

- Wednesday 10th March 2026 (Talks: 5:15pm & 6:00pm)
- Saturday 14th March 2026 (Talks: 10:45am & 11:45am)

📍 Unit E3, Knights Park, Knights Road, Strood, ME2 2LS

20/02/2026

Here are 5️⃣ reasons to download Witherslack Group Children’s Mental Health Support Pack, developed with experts in SEN.

1️⃣ Learn how to recognise the signs if you suspect your child is struggling with their mental health
2️⃣ Practical wellbeing strategies
3️⃣ Mindfulness activity book to try at home
4️⃣ Supportive strategies to reduce school related anxieties.
5️⃣ Advice on collaborating effectively with your child’s school.

See WWitherslack Groupfor further details.

Here are 5️⃣ reasons to download our Children’s Mental Health Support Pack, developed with experts in SEN.

1️⃣ Learn how to recognise the signs if you suspect your child is struggling with their mental health
2️⃣ Practical wellbeing strategies
3️⃣ Mindfulness activity book to try at home
4️⃣ Supportive strategies to reduce school related anxieties.
5️⃣ Advice on collaborating effectively with your child’s school.

🌈 Unlock your pack today: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0rzCXX0

20/02/2026

📣If you missed the IPSEA webinar -

'Appealing to the SEND Tribunal - practical hints and tips'

This is now available to view on I.P.S.E.A website.

It will walk you through the key aspects of the appeal process, including:
🔷 Submitting the appeal
🔶 Local authority response
🔷 Further submissions, including the Tribunal's new Practice Directions
🔶 Completing the case review form, including witnesses
🔷 Working Documents
🔶 Preparing for the hearing, what happens in the hearing, and after the hearing

Head to I.P.S.E.A

Our webinar 'Appealing to the SEND Tribunal - practical hints and tips' is now available to view on our website.

It will walk you through the key aspects of the appeal process, including:

🔷 Submitting the appeal
🔶 Local authority response
🔷 Further submissions, including the Tribunal's new Practice Directions
🔶 Completing the case review form, including witnesses
🔷 Working Documents
🔶 Preparing for the hearing, what happens in the hearing, and after the hearing

Watch now ➡️ https://www.ipsea.org.uk/webinar-appealing-to-the-send-tribunal-practical-hints-and-tips

05/02/2026

📣Free Webinar📣

Join I.P.S.E.A on Tuesday 10 February for a FREE webinar, 'Appealing to the SEND Tribunal - practical hints and tips'. We'll be explaining the key aspects, including
🔶Submitting the appeal
🔷Local authority response
🔶Further submissions, including the Tribunal’s new Practice Directions
🔷Completing the case review form, including witnesses
🔶Working Documents
🔷Preparing for the hearing, what happens in the hearing, and after the hearing
This training will be interpreted live in British Sign Language (BSL).

For further details and to sign up, head to I.P.S.E.A

Join us on Tuesday 10 February for our FREE webinar, 'Appealing to the SEND Tribunal - practical hints and tips'. We'll be explaining the key aspects, including

🔶Submitting the appeal
🔷Local authority response
🔶Further submissions, including the Tribunal’s new Practice Directions
🔷Completing the case review form, including witnesses
🔶Working Documents
🔷Preparing for the hearing, what happens in the hearing, and after the hearing

This training will be interpreted live in British Sign Language (BSL).

Thanks to a donation from the John Horniman's Children's Trust, we are pleased to have a grant to offer this free webinar to parents, carers and young people.

Spaces are limited, so book your place: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/join-our-free-webinar-appealing-to-the-send-tribunal-practical-hints-and-tips-for-parents-and-carers

If you can't attend on the day, you can also request a copy of the webinar recording via the link ⬆️

05/02/2026

Do you need support appealing against a refusal to carry out an EHC needs assessment?

I.P.S.E.A have put together a 'refusal to assess' pack, which gives a detailed guide to preparing for and carrying out this type of appeal.
👇

Do you need support appealing against a refusal to carry out an EHC needs assessment?

We've put together a 'refusal to assess' pack, which gives a detailed guide to preparing for and carrying out this type of appeal.

You’ll also find useful template letters that might help you to obtain evidence to support your appeal.

🔗Download the pack here: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/refusal-to-assess-appeals

[Image description: Blue graphic with white text that says ‘Are you appealing against a refusal to carry out an EHC needs assessment? - Download our refusal to assess pack']

03/02/2026

‼️ LAST CHANCE ‼️
Family Action Medway Small Steps are holding their final Positive behaviour support workshop for parents/carers.
Booking is essential and places are limited

Join our free virtual workshop to learn practical strategies for promoting positive behavior in your children and fostering a supportive env

26/01/2026

**Our next Information Session is tomorrow**

No need to book, just turn up.

Please note: if you require support in relation to EHCP applications or appeals, please contact the service separately as these sessions are not suitable.

One week to go!

Join us at our next Information Session if you would like some information and advice.

No need to book, just turn up.

26/01/2026

Asking for help in exams 👇

Pupils who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities may qualify for help in exams such as extra time, provision of a computer, or a person to read or write for them.

If you think your child might need help in exams, take a look at the I.P.S.E.A link below which explains how you can get the right support in place – https://www.ipsea.org.uk/help-in-exams.

Asking for help in exams 👇

Pupils who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities may qualify for help in exams such as extra time, provision of a computer, or a person to read or write for them.

If you think your child might need help in exams, we have info on our website about how you can get the right support in place – including a model letter you can use as a template for making a request: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/help-in-exams.