Kingston SEND Parent Carer Forum

13/10/2026

Contact have shared this update about the recent report about ADHD and Autism that you may find helpful, particularly with so many reports in the news.

https://www.facebook.com/contactfamilies/posts/pfbid032TBEjpDeqWAQ5w1kAif3vc7q4KkxEoh36JWsy56ve99VSdvuMvaoLW2UpNRNG7USl

A new report has been published today. The conclusive findings of the independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism should finally end the blame and suspicion young people and their families face when they reach out for help.

The report must now be used as crucial evidence in shaping the government’s SEND and health and social care reforms so that they meet the needs of all children and young people.

Professor Fonagy spells out that currently people wait too long for support and diagnosis and that diagnosis has become a gate to support that could and should be available earlier.

This must be addressed urgently by government, so people can get the help they need, when they need it. Assessments must still be available for those who require and want them.

The risk of failing to acknowledge another generation of children, who just want the ordinary things in life like making friends going to school and eventually working, is too high to ignore.

Read the report for yourself here 🔗https://f.mtr.cool/v41vwnmbw9

12/10/2026

Have Your Say: Adult Social Care

Kingston council adult social care engagement
Kingston council adult social care wants to hear from parents and carers of young
people who are thinking about options after education, or wondering what moving
from children's to adult social care will look like.

● Transition support: how young people move from children's to adult social
care services in Kingston.
● Personal assistant support: the service in Kingston and Richmond helping
parents and carers recruit and employ personal assistants using direct
payments (currently provided by the Kingston Centre for Independent
Living [KCIL]).
● Day opportunities: future options for daytime support, including developing
life skills, training, and support into employment.

To speak to the team, please join one of the events this week, on the following dates:
● Wednesday 14 October, from 10am to 12pm at the Old Malden Family Hub
● Monday 19 October, from 7pm to 8.30pm, online
● Tuesday 20 October, from 10am to 11.30am, online

To register, complete this form from adult social care.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0EpBXi5iS9DE6AH4QXrP0iBZ94K5Vx1pVv7v-0pp7Uwoh4Q/viewform

10/10/2026

For World Mental Health Day, SWL ICB have asked us to share how to get mental health support - don't forget in a Mental Health Crisis, you now call NHS111 wherever you are.

09/10/2026

Do you have our Have Your Say & Play sessions in your diary? These private SEND play sessions at the YMCA Hawker Centre are for Kingston families with a SEND child to meet the forum, and talk about issues effecting your children while your play in a welcoming environment.

Have any questions? Check out FAQs on kingstonpcf.co.uk/events

08/10/2026

In honour of ADHD Awareness month this October ADHD Embrace are holding a Community event

When
13th October, 2026 from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Where
Heatham House, Whitton Road, Twickenham, TW1 1BH


You can register in advance to guarantee your place. This is a free event, but they would welcome donations to support their charitable work.

For more information and to book, use this link: https://bit.ly/4wWqTHy

The theme this year is A Community Of Support


The evening will be an opportunity to come together with other parents, charity supporters and professionals, and connect. The evening includes a panel discussion on Parent and Community views on ADHD, followed by a Q&A and drinks.


What to expect

The panel will explore how societal views of ADHD have changed over the last two decades from being relatively unknown to greater awareness of the condition, increased diagnoses and impact of social media.
We will consider the persistent stigma around diagnosis and misinformation and explore the views and feelings of parents on child diagnosis and what a diagnosis can mean for a young person and their family.

The panellists include two of our Ambassadors, Dr Bozhena Zoritch, a Paediatrician and Diagnosing Consultant for the NHS and Dr Jo Steer, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist who heads up the Emotional Health Service at Achieving for Children (AfC). We are also delighted to welcome Ayesha Walker, a teacher and one of ADHD Embrace’s alumni, having been diagnosed as a teen. The session will be led by Annette Wilson, our Chair.

The panel will also welcome questions from attendees during the Q&A and then be followed by some time for networking, refreshments and informal conversations.


Who should attend?

This is a session for parents, carers or close relatives of children with ADHD, pre or post- diagnosis.

Login or register for ADHD Embrace member services, event bookings and community updates with the charity’s CiviCRM portal.

07/10/2026

Your Healthcare are offering this helpful bedwetting course for families who need this. This is a universal offer of support for any child who is at school or home schooled in Kingston who needs help for bedwetting.

You can contact the school health team on 02085496323 or email [email protected]

Scan the code or join via the link below to sign up

02/10/2026

Footie fans join an inclusive Football Session for children years 2 - 8 with Additional Needs. You can sign up on the website

htttps://academy.motspurparkcfc.com

01/10/2026

Have you seen the trailer for "Unauthorised Absence" a powerful film showing the human reality and child's distress behind the administrative term.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/894558376925877

Worth a watch and hopeful that this will draw attention to this important issue effecting SEND Families

30/09/2026

We wanted to share the charity CareFree Space with parent carers in Kingston. Recently heard about the scheme that offers up to two nights in a hotel for a carer to take a break - their tag line is "A lifeline, not a luxury" and it is great to see hotel businesses understanding the value of respite care for families. You can get more information Carefree and register for their breaks on their website

See if you're eligible for a Carefree break. Unpaid carers can access affordable, unsold hotel stays across the UK. Complete the form to find out if you qualify for a much-needed break to rest and recharge.

29/09/2026

We are excited to be holding our Kingston SEND Parent Carer Forum planning day - we hold this a couple times of year as a committee. This year we have a lot to plan! With the SEND Reform Plan forming part of SEND Futures in Kingston, then we have a real chance to get parent carers voice part of any changes. Remember, if you are particularly interested in being part of developing the SEND Futures work you can email your expression of interest [email protected]

There is also still chance to sign up to join the SEND Futures Conference at Twickenham Stadium 15th October - linked here are the details

https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/local-offer/information-and-advice/send-consultation-hub-and-resource-bank/send-futures/send-futures-conference-2026