Richmond and Kingston SENDIASS

18/06/2026

📢 Important Announcement - For anyone who likes to use our Instagram page

Due to a technical issue, we’ll be closing our current Instagram page.

But don’t worry — we’ve already set up a brand new page for you to follow! 🎉 It will be packed with the same current, helpful, and valuable information to support you in navigating the world of SEND.

👉 Please head over and follow our new account to stay up to date and connected:
https://www.instagram.com/rk_sendiass

Thank you for your continued support 💙

17/06/2026

SEN Support & Ordinarily Available Provision

To help you better understand the difference between SEN Support and Ordinarily Available Provision in mainstream settings, so you feel confident navigating support for your child - We’ve created a short, clear YouTube video that breaks down the differences

🔗https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtXDNwxtTc4&t=315s

Or if you prefer we’ve developed a dedicated webpage to guide parent carers through what to expect from their child’s provision.

Our aim is to empower you with knowledge and practical resources so you can confidently advocate for your child and help remove barriers to learning.

💻 Visit our website
https://www.rksendiass.co.uk/sen-support

📲 Please share with anyone who may find this helpful.

16/06/2026

Good news for families from September 2026! 🎒🍎
From September 2026, all children in families receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals.
✅ If you already receive Universal Credit – your child will qualify
✅ If you receive Universal Credit but haven’t applied for free school meals before – you can now claim
When to apply:
You can apply from 1 June 2026 ready for the new school year in September.
Free school meals can help save money and ensure your child has a healthy meal during the school day.
👉 Find out more and apply here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools-and-local-authorities
If you think you might be eligible, it’s definitely worth applying!

Let me know if you want a shorter version for social media or something more formal for a newsletter.
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Good news for families from September 2026! 🎒🍎
From September 2026, all children in families receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals.
✅ If you already receive Universal Credit – your child will qualify
✅ If you receive Universal Credit but haven’t applied for free school meals before – you can now claim
When to apply:
You can apply from 1 June 2026 ready for the new school year in September.
Free school meals can help save money and ensure your child has a healthy meal during the school day.
👉 Find out more and apply here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools-and-local-authorities
If you think you might be eligible, it’s definitely worth applying!

Guidance for schools and local authorities about providing school meals including information on free school meal eligibility.

16/06/2026

Share for Young People 14+

We’ve created a Young People’s Page packed with videos, links, and easy-to-understand resources to help young people learn about their options and speak up about what they want their future to look like.

👀 Take a look here https://www.rksendiass.co.uk/information-advice/
and click on Young People's Page from the contents

💬 We encourage parents, carers, and professionals to share this with young people so they can feel confident, informed, and ready to join conversations about their education, life, and future goals.

💡 Because every young person deserves to have their voice heard and their views valued.

16/06/2026

Last week we shared this link but here is a more informative post from Kingston SEND Parent Carer Forum for you to join in the discussion to shape the future of SENDIASS in your area.

16/06/2026

***Sharing from Kingston SEND Parent Carer Forum***

We’re sharing this for any parent carers who might not know that you have a legal right to a Parent Carer Needs Assessment (PCNA). This assessment looks specifically at your needs as a carer (not just your child’s) and what support would help you stay well and continue caring

A PCNA can help you think about:

▪️how caring affects your health and wellbeing

▪️what support you need day‑to‑day

▪️how to balance caring with work, family life, and your own needs

▪️what services or help could make things easier

Achieving for Children must carry out an assessment if it appears you may need support, or if you request one. They then create a personal support plan that signposts you to the help available locally.

If your child is under 18 and you provide unpaid care, be that practical or emotional, you are eligible.

If you haven’t been offered an assessment but feel you would benefit from one, you can request one through any professional working with your family such as a member from school, your GP, or through the Single Point of Access Early Help team:
https://bit.ly/4vtlBmy

You’re not expected to carry everything alone. This assessment is there to support you as a parent carer

Please find out more here:

https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/local-offer/information-and-advice/information-for-carers/parent-carer-needs-assessments

And remember you can contact us at [email protected]

12/06/2026

2026 Exams are almost over … but thinking ahead?

As this year’s exam season wraps up, many parents and carers of young people heading into Year 10 and Year 11 may already be thinking about how to best support their child — especially if they find exams challenging.

Planning ahead can make a real difference 💭

We’ve added helpful infographics and trusted links to the Young People’s section of our website to support you in preparing for positive, collaborative discussions with your child’s education setting.

✅ Understand support options
✅ Feel more confident in conversations with school/college
✅ Help your young person succeed in a way that works for them

🔎 Explore the resources here:
https://www.rksendiass.co.uk/young-peoples-page

Look under the title 'Help in school/college'

11/06/2026

New on Our YouTube Channel! 🎥

We’ve just uploaded a short, practical guide to help you confidently respond to a draft Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

🔗https://www.youtube.com/

In this video, we cover:

✅ What it means to respond to a draft plan
✅ The different sections of an EHCP and what they include
✅ How to carefully check your child’s needs, outcomes, and support (provision)
✅ How to highlight missing information and request changes
✅ Your right to choose and request a school or setting

💡 Extra support available:

Alongside the video, we also have a helpful guide on our website — “Checking a Draft EHC Plan” — which you can use as a reference when reviewing your own young person’s plan:
👉 https://www.rksendiass.co.uk/information-advice/

Click on Education, Health and Care Plans from the topic list and then it is under Draft EHC Plan

💬 Need more personalised support?

We run fortnightly workshops with a support worker where you can ask questions specific to your journey:
👉 https://www.rksendiass.co.uk/workshops/

🎬 Watch now on our YouTube channel and feel more confident navigating the EHCP process.

10/06/2026

***Sharing for information from TAG Youth Club ***

TAG YOUTH CLUB - Where Friendship & Fun Meet!

Looking for an amazing youth club for your disabled young person?
TAG Youth Club offers:

🔹A vibrant, safe space to hang out
🔹 Exciting activities and games
🔹Chance to make lasting friendships
🔹 Support to develop life skills
🔹Welcoming and understanding environment
🔹 Fun times with people who get it!

Whether your young person wants to chill with friends, try new activities, or build their confidence - TAG is the place to be!

TAG youth club welcomes young people with all disabilities and additional needs from Richmond, Kingston and surrounding areas.

Want to know more or join?
🌐 https://www.tagyouthclub.org/
📍 Ham Youth Centre, Ham Close, Richmond, TW10 7PL
📧 [email protected]

TAG Youth Club have Youth Club activities every day of the week for young people aged 8 – 25

10/06/2026

For families in Kingston, here are the links to share your views and opinions for the Kingston Area Inspection by Ofsted and CQC.

Links in the post below👇

‼️SEND Area Inspection - Tell Ofsted & CQC your experiences ‼️

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission are carrying out a SEND Area Inspection in Kingston. This looks at how well education, health and care services identify needs, meet needs and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Surveys are open until 9am on 16 June.

Your experiences really matter and will help inspectors understand what is working well and what needs to improve.

You can take part here:
https://ofsted.smartsurvey.co.uk/p/AreaSend/10420247

Read more about the SEND inspection with the Easy Read:
https://bit.ly/Easy-Read-SEND-Inspection

For more details, read more here:
https://bit.ly/parent-carers-SEND-inspections