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The OT Support Hub provides information and resources for children and young people, parents, carers and family members and for professionals working with children. Watch our video to find out more about Children’s Occupational Therapy services across the London boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.

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High quality online CPD SEND training sessions delivered by experts from SENDcast Sessions. Just £10 each for your whole school!

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Listen to all episodes of the SENDcast podcast for FREE here - the #1 podcast for Special Educational Needs.

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Positive Mealtimes Parent Workshop for June 

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Positive Mealtimes Parent Workshop for June 

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0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | Makaton - Workshop for Parents (Beginners and Follow-Up) 2025-26

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What is Makaton? Makaton is a language programme which uses gestures and actions alongside speech and symbols or pictures. For many children, Makaton can help support the development of their ability to understand and to express themselves. Many people know Makaton from Mr Tumble on CBeebies – ‘Something Special’. Why use Makaton? We all hope that our children will be able to talk to us, but for some children with communication needs this can be more difficult Makaton can help. Makaton can help support the development of their ability to understand and express themselves. Using Makaton to communicate with your child can reduce frustration and help you to understand their needs. On this page to can find the following information: Who is the course for? What will happen on the course? How long is the beginners course? Beginners In-Person Workshops - Dates and Venue Makaton for Parents Beginners Workshop (Online Option) Makaton For Parents Follow Up Workshop (In-person) Booking to attend - What do I need to do next?

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0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | Parent Wellness Course - Being Mindful and Kindful to Yourself

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About this course These in-person workshops are designed to help parents prioritise their well-being through mindfulness and self-kindness. This 6- week course is run by Psychologist, Dr Su Batuwitage. Discover strategies to manage stress, cultivate self-compassion, and enhance your overall wellness. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in yourself and connect with other parents on the same journey. Register now to secure your spot! Who is this course for? Are you a parent living in Hackney with children in nursery, primary school, or secondary school? If so you are welcome to attend this course to support your well-being. This is for any parents who feel stressed, worried, anxious or overwhelmed by their current life circumstances and would like to: Cultivate a sense of calm and peace in themselves to better support their children and family. Nurture their sense of well-being by learning mindfulness and compassion practices. All parents are welcome, especially those with children with SEND and or mental health needs. What will happen at the sessions? This in-person event is designed to help parents prioritise their well-being through mindfulness and self-kindness. This course involves learning mindfulness and self-compassion techniques to help manage emotional regulation and attention, and to develop a self-care routine. When and how often are the sessions? This is a 6-week Parent Wellness Course that runs in-person every Thursday morning from 10 am to 12 pm starting 3 October until 13 November. We recommend that you attend every session (if possible) as each session builds on the previous session and there are different activities to experience in each session. Where is the course? This is an in-person course held at John Scott Health Centre, 220 Green Lanes, Hackney, N4 2NU How can I book to attend? Early booking is recommended. Register for the 6 Week Autumn 2025 Parent Wellness Course - Being, Mindful and Kindful to Yourself on Eventbrite here.

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0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | Parent Gym six week programme

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Aimed at parents of children aged 2-11, the programme has been shown to increase parents’ skills and confidence, helping to improve the behaviour and well-being of their children. Usually delivered free in participating schools and children centres, this virtual OPEN PROGRAMME is offered to all parents – wherever they are based. The Parent Gym programme has been designed by leading psychologists, drwaing on parenting research. All sessions are designed to be highly interactive an dparticipative. To secure your place, please email info@parentgym.com .

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Healthy Families Group Programme (8 Weeks)

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Healthy Families Group Programme (8 Weeks)

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0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | HENRY 8 Week Healthy Families Group Programme

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The programme provides everything you need to help your little one get off to a great start. We cover the 5 following themes across 8 weeks: Feeling more confident as a parent Physical activities for the little ones What children and the whole family eats Family lifestyle habits Healthy Teeth Enjoying life as a family Booking information: To register your interest in joining this Group Programme please visit:links.henry.org.uk/Register-Best-Start-City-Hackney

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Parenting courses and family support | Hackney Education

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Family support services Families requiring support can be referred to the children’s centre multi-disciplinary team. This team will help with any problems. The team includes Family Support Workers, Health Visitors, Nursery Nurses, Portage Workers and Social Workers. If you would like to find out more about the support available, you can ask your Midwife, Health visitor or drop into your local children’s centre. Professionals wishing to refer a family to the Multi Agency Team (MAT) should complete the Early Help Request for Support Form and email it to MASH@hackney.gov.uk In addition, the Hackney Family Information Service (FIS) offers free, impartial advice and information on childcare, paying for childcare, funded places for 2-4 year olds as well as information and advice on local services and activities for children and families. Telephone 020 8820 7590, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Email fis@hackney.gov.uk Visit the FIS Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages View the FIS leaflet (PDF) Make an appointment to meet us in person We understand that new parents need support. In this video, GPs, health visitors, paediatricians and children’s centres come together to explain the resources that are available to new parents. , , Children and families consultation line If you are unsure what support a child and family needs, or whether you should make a referral to Hackney Children and Families Services Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), please contact MASH for advice. Telephone 0208 356 5500, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Telephone the Emergency Duty Team outside of office hours 020 8356 2710 Email MASH@hackney.gov.uk All decisions in MASH about the most appropriate next steps for a child and family are made in line with the Hackney child wellbeing framework. Parenting programmes Parenting programmes are available that: support stressed or isolated parents support families to provide the best possible start in life for babies and children help parents to support their child’s learning promote positive relationships between parents and their children The FIS has produced information about the full range of parenting support services available. View information about parenting programmes Understand your child’s feelings We have partnered with the Solihull Approach to offer free access to online courses that are designed to help parents and caregivers strengthen their relationships by learning to understand their child’s feelings, as well as their own. Find out more about the free online courses Local services for birth to five years Our journey from birth to five years provides trusted, age related and local information. It helps you to find your path through the many local activities and services available to support you and your family in Hackney, and to ensure that your child is happy, healthy and ready to learn. View the our journey birth to five resources Other support Hackney Local offer: Hackney’s Local Offer website sets out information about services and support available for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) who are aged 0 to 25. It also offers more general information on childcare and family support. Go to the Local Offer website Hackney Find Support Services Map: This map displays voluntary and community organisations offering help to Hackney’s diverse community, especially to those who are affected by coronavirus. Go to the Find Support Services Map , Advisory Centre for Education For parents and carers ACE provides independent advice and information on state education in England Contact Provide information, advice and support for families with disabled children Family Rights Group A charity that works with parents, grandparents and other relatives about their rights and options when social services or courts make decisions about their children’s welfare Relate The UK’s largest provider of relationship support that helps over a million people of all ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations to strengthen their relationships Coram Children’s Legal Centre Coram Children’s Legal Centre, promotes and protects the rights of children in the UK in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Couple Connection The Couple Connection ‘do it yourself’ relationship support service is run by OnePlusOne, the UK’s leading relationship research organisation Young Minds A charity committed to improving the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people NHS Choices NHS Choices provides a comprehensive health information service with thousands of articles, videos and tools, helping you to make the best choices about your health and lifestyle Family Lives Family Lives is a national family support charity providing help and support in all aspects of family life

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0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | Hackney Ark - Key Work drop in sessions for parents and carers

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What are these sessions about? If you have a child that receives any support from Hackney Ark and you would like information and advice in relation to services or benefits that you may be entitled to.OR you would simply like the opportunity to meet with, learn from and share your experiences with other parents who also have children with health and or developmental issues you are welcome to attend a weekly drop in session facilitated by a member of the Hackney Ark Key Work team. What will happen at the sessions? We hope Key Workers and other group members can share helpful advice on how to manage issues that families who have children with support needs experience. The session is an informal gathering where the following can take place; Appointments can be arranged with the Hackney Ark Key Worker to assist with any benefits or charity applications Information sharing session between parents over cup of coffee Opportunity for speakers on topics of interest to be arranged (subject to interest of group) Art and Craft activities When the session take place. These session run on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 am to 11:30 am during term time only. Where the sessions take place. Comet at Thomas Fairchild Community School and Children’s Centre, Forston St. N1 7HA (Cropley St. Entrance) These sessions have previously run from Comet Children’s Centre in Halcomb Street but building works are taking place there and we don’t expect to return there until after September 2025. Booking not needed. You do not need to book to attend this drop in session. On arrival at Thomas Fairchild Children’s Centre inform their reception team that you are seeking the Hackney Ark drop-in session and they will direct you to the room we meet in. Further Information If you would like more information please contact David Graham Key Work service manager at Hackney Ark. Phone 07958 293 731 Email David.graham13@nhs.net

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Solihull Parenting Group - Understanding Your Child's Behaviour

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Solihull Parenting Group - Understanding Your Child's Behaviour

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0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | First Steps’ Solihull Approach Parenting Group (Understanding Your Child’s Behaviour)

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The group aims to: promote understanding of children’s behaviour within the context of developmental issues; promote the development of parent/child reciprocity; increase confidence and self-esteem in both parents and children; and develop a framework of thinking about parent/child relationships which can be developed into a lifelong skill. The programme explores issues such as: tuning into children; exploring feelings; parenting styles; communication (what is being communicated through behaviour); temper tantrums and what might be meant by them; sleep patterns; and behavioural difficulties. For parents of preschool children (0-5 year olds). There is referral criteria applied for this programme; parents/professionals can contact First Steps for more information and to see if this group is right for them. First Steps’ early intervention parenting groups are appropriate for parents who are experiencing some difficulties in managing a range of parenting or child behaviour problems (of a mild-moderate level) or would like to meet other parents and receive support around typical child behaviours and developmental issues. Facilitated by: Dr Karolina Balciunaite (Clinical Psychologist) and Chandni Patel (Assistant Psychologist) Professionals can refer using the First Steps referral form. Parents can self-refer by calling First Steps on 0207 014 7135

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Parent guides | Parent Zone | At the heart of digital family life

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June 2024 SEN information report Final - SJSJ

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What is ELSA?

Origins

The ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) intervention was originally developed within Southampton, then Hampshire, by Sheila Burton, Educational Psychologist. It was designed to build the capacity of schools to support the emotional needs of their pupils from within their own resources. This is achieved by training teaching assistants to develop and deliver individualised support programmes to meet the emotional needs of children and teenagers in their care. It recognises that children learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are also addressed. This intervention is now widely implemented by educational psychologists across Britain.

ELSA is an initiative developed and supported by educational psychologists, who apply their professional knowledge of children's social and emotional development to areas of need experienced by pupils. They provide on-going professional supervision to help maintain high quality in the work undertaken by ELSAs, thereby helping to ensure safe practice for ELSAs and pupils alike.

Click here for guidance for educational psychology services (Local Authority or independent) interested in introducing ELSA training and supervision in their local area.
The role title of ELSA may only legitimately be used by people who:

have attended (or are currently attending) a full ELSA training course delivered by one or more fully qualified educational psychologists (courses lasting a minimum of 5 but more usually 6 days)

regularly attend half-termly supervision in small groups (with a recommended maximum of 8 ELSAs per group and duration of 2 hours per session), led by a qualified educational psychologist

are currently delivering bespoke programmes of support to individual pupils and sometimes small groups

All ELSAs must be employed within an educational establishment (or other organisation that works with children and young people), and must receive line management support in the ELSA role. For reasons of accountability and safety, the ELSA Network will not endorse anyone to work independently or on a voluntary basis as an ELSA.
Registration of ELSAs
If any of the above criteria do not apply, the role title of ELSA should not be used. Practising ELSAs are registered with local educational psychology service providers who deliver initial training and on-going professional supervision. Each service provider is responsible for maintaining a local register of practising ELSAs and will remove from their register any person no longer fulfilling the role requirements as detailed above.
The ELSA Network only endorses practice that meets these minimum standards. Find out more about the network

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What is ELSA? Origins The ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) intervention was originally developed within Southampton, then Hampshire, by Sheila Burton, Educational Psychologist. It was designed to build the capacity of schools to support the emotional needs of their pupils from within their own resources. This is achieved by training teaching assistants to develop and...

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Hackney Early Help Request for Support Form

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Hackney Early Help Request for Support Form

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Anna Freud - Dealing with Loss and Bereavement 

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Anna Freud - Dealing with Loss and Bereavement 

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When someone you know dies, the grief that follows can be a really difficult and painful process. People are sometimes surprised by just how painful it can be, and just how long the process can last.

This short video won't take that pain away, but it does have some ideas based on what other young people have said, that might help you through it.

Below the video we've included links to some charities who offer a range of support for young people who may be grieving. You can look at each organisation, read their advice and contact them direct if you would like someone to talk to or need support.

A guide on traumatic bereavement for children and young people has been created by the UK Trauma Council . The guide will help you learn about traumatic bereavement and what might help if you are worried about yourself or someone else.

The UK Trauma Council is hosted and supported by Anna Freud.

Do you need help right now?

The AFC Crisis Messenger text service provides free, 24/7 crisis support for young people across the UK.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need support, you can text AFC to 85258. Read more about the AFC Crisis Messenger service .

Download the AFC Crisis Messenger poster for your school, college or workplace.

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Ideas and support on how to deal with a loss or bereavement.

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Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. We support children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying.

We offer free, confidential bereavement support for individuals, couples, children, young people, and families, by telephone, video or instant messenger, wherever you live in the UK. We also offer face-to-face support from a number of locations.
We welcome families and individuals of any gender or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, religion, faith, belief, or sexual orientation. We will endeavour to source interpreters / BSL interpreters where needed / possible.

The following support groups run at various times, by video and /or in person in some areas of the UK:

Groups for families - facilitated groups for bereaved families where children aged 4-12 and their adult carers can meet others and explore their feelings through creative activities

Groups for young people - facilitated groups for those between the ages of 11 and 25 to meet for social activities and to work on creative projects

Groups for parents - facilitated groups for bereaved parents and carers to meet in a supportive environment

Please call our Helpline to find out more about the availability of our groups.

We can also offer face-to-face support if you are able to travel to one of the locations below:

Glasgow

Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Children*

*Provides support to parents and families bereaved of a child or who have a child that is expected to die, across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GG&C), and to families throughout Scotland who have input through the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow.: 01413704747 | [email protected]

Carlisle, Cumbria

Kendal, Cumbria

St Helen's, Merseyside

Wirral, Merseyside

Widnes, Cheshire

Greater Manchester

Bradford, Yorkshire

Leeds,* Yorkshire

*This is a funded service providing support for children and young people in Leeds: 01133 503 598 | [email protected] (For anyone else seeking support in Leeds, please call 0800 02 888 40)

Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Get in touch via our Helpline on 0800 02 888 40 | [email protected] or Live Chat via this website and we can help you find the support that suits your needs.

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charity bereavement child death grief loss baby stillbirth miscarriage suicide young people

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Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. We support children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying.

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St Joseph's Hospice, Hackney - Child and Young Person Bereavement Support 

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St Joseph's Hospice, Hackney - Child and Young Person Bereavement Support 

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Who is the service for?

St Joseph's Hospice offers specialist support to children, young people and families who have lost a family member, care giver or other significant person. This is available free of charge to children and young people up to the age of 18 who either live in City & Hackney or who are registered with a City & Hackney GP.

Bereavement

The death of someone close to us can be deeply painful. The suddenness of the illness - often with the loss of contact with a loved one with no opportunity to say goodbye - can leave us with many painful emotions: sadness, anger, grief or numbness. Such responses, although normal, can be the source of much distress and confusion. Referral and initial consultation

If you, or a child or young person you are aware of, could benefit from a chance to talk to someone about a bereavement please contact our First Contact Team. They will take some initial information about who is being referred and the death that has occurred.

A member of the team will then get in touch with you for a more detailed discussion about your situation, what support you have around you and what you are finding difficult.

We may offer advice and information about managing the impact of bereavement or signposting to other relevant organisations that can also offer help and support. Sometimes this initial meeting is all that is needed but, if not, we will discuss other ways we can help you.

Support is offered in-person, by phone or video call according to what is most appropriate for the child. Access to interpreters is available online or by telephone.

Support following the initial consultation

This may include any of the following:

Individual counselling and support

Family consultation and support

Art Therapy

Bereavement groups and memorial event

The Elephant Kit: a therapeutic toolkit provided free of charge to families with children and teens. It is designed to support children's mental health and help families communicate during the difficult time

If you would like to find out more or discuss a referral, please contact the Patient & Family Counselling Team on 020 8525 3229 or STJ-PFC@STJH.org.uk

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Children and Young Person's Bereavement Service " St. Joseph's Hospice

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Who is the service for? St Joseph's Hospice offers specialist support to children, young people and families who have lost a family member, care giver or other significant person. This is available free of charge...

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Young Minds - Supporting School Transitions 

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Young Minds - Supporting School Transitions 

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Supporting school transitions | Resources

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Resources providing practical tips and tools to help pupils, schools, parents and carers to manage changes and transitions throughout their time at school.

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Choosing and Applying for Secondary School - Pupils with EHC Plans

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Choosing and Applying for Secondary School - Pupils with EHC Plans

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0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | Choosing and applying for secondary school, pupils with EHC Plans (Phase Transfer )

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Most children start full-time secondary school in September after they turn 11. This is sometimes called transfer, Phase Transfer, or Transition. Choosing and applying for a secondary school for a child who has an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHC Plan) is different from the…

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Hackney Early Help Request for Support Form 

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Hackney Early Help Request for Support Form 

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Parenting courses and family support | Hackney Education

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Family support services Families requiring support can be referred to the children’s centre multi-disciplinary team. This team will help with any problems. The team includes Family Support Workers, Health Visitors, Nursery Nurses, Portage Workers and Social Workers. If you would like to find out more about the support available, you can ask your Midwife, Health visitor or drop into your local children’s centre. Professionals wishing to refer a family to the Multi Agency Team (MAT) should complete the Early Help Request for Support Form and email it to MASH@hackney.gov.uk In addition, the Hackney Family Information Service (FIS) offers free, impartial advice and information on childcare, paying for childcare, funded places for 2-4 year olds as well as information and advice on local services and activities for children and families. Telephone 020 8820 7590, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Email fis@hackney.gov.uk Visit the FIS Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages View the FIS leaflet (PDF) Make an appointment to meet us in person We understand that new parents need support. In this video, GPs, health visitors, paediatricians and children’s centres come together to explain the resources that are available to new parents. , , Children and families consultation line If you are unsure what support a child and family needs, or whether you should make a referral to Hackney Children and Families Services Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), please contact MASH for advice. Telephone 0208 356 5500, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Telephone the Emergency Duty Team outside of office hours 020 8356 2710 Email MASH@hackney.gov.uk All decisions in MASH about the most appropriate next steps for a child and family are made in line with the Hackney child wellbeing framework. Parenting programmes Parenting programmes are available that: support stressed or isolated parents support families to provide the best possible start in life for babies and children help parents to support their child’s learning promote positive relationships between parents and their children The FIS has produced information about the full range of parenting support services available. View information about parenting programmes Understand your child’s feelings We have partnered with the Solihull Approach to offer free access to online courses that are designed to help parents and caregivers strengthen their relationships by learning to understand their child’s feelings, as well as their own. Find out more about the free online courses Local services for birth to five years Our journey from birth to five years provides trusted, age related and local information. It helps you to find your path through the many local activities and services available to support you and your family in Hackney, and to ensure that your child is happy, healthy and ready to learn. View the our journey birth to five resources Other support Hackney Local offer: Hackney’s Local Offer website sets out information about services and support available for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) who are aged 0 to 25. It also offers more general information on childcare and family support. Go to the Local Offer website Hackney Find Support Services Map: This map displays voluntary and community organisations offering help to Hackney’s diverse community, especially to those who are affected by coronavirus. Go to the Find Support Services Map , Advisory Centre for Education For parents and carers ACE provides independent advice and information on state education in England Contact Provide information, advice and support for families with disabled children Family Rights Group A charity that works with parents, grandparents and other relatives about their rights and options when social services or courts make decisions about their children’s welfare Relate The UK’s largest provider of relationship support that helps over a million people of all ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations to strengthen their relationships Coram Children’s Legal Centre Coram Children’s Legal Centre, promotes and protects the rights of children in the UK in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Couple Connection The Couple Connection ‘do it yourself’ relationship support service is run by OnePlusOne, the UK’s leading relationship research organisation Young Minds A charity committed to improving the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people NHS Choices NHS Choices provides a comprehensive health information service with thousands of articles, videos and tools, helping you to make the best choices about your health and lifestyle Family Lives Family Lives is a national family support charity providing help and support in all aspects of family life

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About the Solihull Approach to Parenting

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About the Solihull Approach to Parenting

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Solihull Approach | Parenting - We're all about emotional health and wellbeing!

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About the Solihull Approach - Solihull Approach | Parenting

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At the Solihull Approach, we're passionate about supporting emotional health and wellbeing for all children, their parents, carers and grandparents.

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Solihull Approach to Parenting in Hackney - Courses

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Solihull Approach to Parenting in Hackney - Courses

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Solihull approach to parenting Hackney | Barnardo’s

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The Solihull Approach is an early intervention support framework designed to enhance children’s and families’ emotional health and well-being. Hackney has

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Hope for the people of East London - St John at Hackney; St Luke’s, Homerton; St Mary’s, Leyton; St Leonard’s, Shoreditch; All Saints, West Ham. Church services, Events, Alpha, Venue Hire.

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Hope for the people of East London - St John at Hackney; St Luke’s, Homerton; St Mary’s, Leyton; St Leonard’s, Shoreditch; All Saints, West Ham. Church services, Events, Alpha, Venue Hire.

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Mondays
We meet at St John at Hackney Church, All Saints West Ham, and St Mary's Leyton.
A Monday morning baby and toddler hangout during school term time. We meet from 10am to 11.45am, with coffee, toys, music activities, kids snack time and great conversation. Friendly, Fun & Free. Ages 0-4. Children must be accompanied at all times. We have buggy/twin buggy access at all our locations.

This Monday 10th February, there will be no Hey Baby on in our West Ham location, but it will still be running in our Leyton & Hackney locations.

During half term, Hey Baby will be off on Monday 17th February and will be back again on Mondays from 24th February until the end of term.

Sundays

We have a Hey Baby room at our Hackney, West Ham, Shoreditch and Leyton locations where you can still engage with the service while you supervise your little one whilst he/she engages with toys and different activities.

Illustrations by Jay Cover

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Hope for the people of East London - St John at Hackney; St Luke's, Homerton; St Mary's, Leyton; St Leonard's, Shoreditch; All Saints, West Ham. Church services, Events, Alpha, Venue Hire.

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Resource library for families - Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives

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Our team of speech and language therapists have written these helpful info pages, based on our most frequently asked questions from families.

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Hackney Play Association | Hackney Play Association works to improve play opportunities for children and young people in Hackney. Hackney Play Association is Registered Charity No. 1145960.

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Our goal is to improve children and young people’s health, well-being and quality of life, through play.

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0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | Re-engagement Unit (REU) - Hackney Education

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Who are we? The Re-engagement Unit (REU) is a school support and SEMH (social, emotional and mental health) service that supports and advises children, families and education providers. Schools can make referrals to the service for support for a child in their setting with parental permission. The aim of the service is to enable all children to be happy and to achieve well in school. Why would my child’s school refer to the REU? The school may want to provide some additional support for your child’s transition into secondary school The school may be concerned about your child’s behaviour or academic progress The REU may offer specific interventions that schools feel will support your child such as managing friendships or their emotions The REU also has a responsibility of supporting children who are at risk of suspension or permanent exclusion. What do we do? The main aim of the REU is to provide SEMH support to all school children in Hackney. Our hopes are that with this support, they will be able to be happy in school and achieve to their fullest potential. The REU works with the child, the teachers, the family and other professionals to help make a real change for the child using a systemic multi-disciplinary approach. To do this the REU is made up of workers from many different professional backgrounds: teachers; learning mentors; family support workers amongst others. What happens after the referral? 1. A lead worker will be allocated to the case. They will be the main point of contact for you and the school.2. The worker will start by getting to know your child and their needs. They will observe them at different times of the school day and meet them one to one. They might ask questions like: Are they finding certain aspects of school difficult? Are they having trouble with their friendships? Are they finding their learning tricky? This helps us to understand what aspects of life they might need help with. How does the service communicate with the family about the progress the child or young person is making? The worker will contact you because we know that the people who best understand children are their parents and carers. We like to work as a team to make sure that there is real, lasting change for the child. Using the knowledge gained about your child, we will make a plan together. The plan might include some one to one work with the child, group work or some extra support in class. We do this through regular reviews with the family and the school, often through using a form called a ‘pastoral support plan’. Does this service work closely with any other local services? Yes. The REU works closely with everyone involved in the child’s education and with specialist services particularly where the child or young person has SEND (special educational needs and or disabilities). The REU is supported by a clinician from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). We believe this mix of skill sets enables us to provide you and your child with the best support possible, and that we can tailor our work to suit your child’s individual needs. What additional support is available for children and young people with additional needs? We have qualified SENCOs and specialists in the team who have knowledge of supporting children with a variety of additional needs and we will work with other specialists where necessary. Do you offer any training or learning events for parents? The REU has started an online parent group where families can give feedback on their experience of having a child open to the REU. We are hopeful that this group has a supportive and educative element for everyone concerned. How does this service communicate with parents or children and young people who have English as an additional language? We will assess children and families for this need and then find or hire a translator so the child and family can fully benefit from and engage with the service.

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Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives

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Our speech and language advisors are here to help.

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Hackney's SEND Parent Carer Forum is a new forum being set up with support from the City and Hackney Carers Centre who are the host providers of the parent-carer forum in Hackney.

The forum meets once every two months to come together, find out about services and support, and how to work with services to influence their development for the greater good of children and young people with SEND aged 0-25.

We would love to welcome new members so please do sign up, get in touch, or come to a meeting to find out more. info@hackneycarers.org.uk/
020 8533 0951

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0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | Hackney SEND Parent Carer Forum

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Who are we? Hackney’s SEND services and its partners want to create a safe, effective, and supportive environment for parent carer participation. To do this we have opted for a hosted Parent Carer Forum model. Nationally, this model has proved effective in empowering parents, and ensuring their voices are heard. Hackney’s SEND Parent Carer Forum is a new forum being set up with support from the City and Hackney Carers Centre who are the host providers of the parent-carer forum in Hackney. The forum meets once every two months to come together, find out about services and support, and how to work with services to influence their development for the greater good of children and young people with SEND aged 0-25. We would love to welcome new members so please do sign up, get in touch, or come to a meeting to find out more. What is City and Hackney Carers Centre’s role as host provider? A hosted model provides support so parents and carers can focus on their priorities. The host organisation: Provides infrastructure e.g. ICT, finance, admin, robust governance Supports the development of the Parent Carer Forum Advisory Group e.g. policies and procedures Shares expertise on e.g. engagement, co-production, partnership Help with ongoing development e.g. HR (human resources), PAYE, (pay as you earn) grant applications. The role of City and Hackney Carers Centre as forum hosts is : to ensure that the forum becomes a strategic partner in the development of services effectively represents the needs of local parents and carers. They will be using their experience and knowledge to help drive positive change for children and young people aged 0-25 in Hackney who have SEND. To do this they are working with local parent carers, partners, and decision-makers from social care, health, and education services to co-produce the new parent-carer forum. What do we do? The forum enables local parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-25 years old with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) to work in collaboration with local decision-makers. We want to ensure their views and experiences are helping to shape and develop local services. Parents and carers can benefit from coming together, sharing experiences, and developing a network of support. The forum will provide information and training on important topics to parents and carers and parents.

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Hackney Early Help Request for Support Form

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Hackney Early Help Request for Support Form

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Early help social workers will do a family assessment and develop an Early Help Support Plan.

The early help support plan will usually involve a home visit every fortnight.

Interventions might also include setting routines, creating consistency in the home, building up strategies that family have already learned (e.g., 'Special time' learned in Solihull Parenting group).

The length of time families are open to Early Help is up to 3 months. Early Help wouldn't usually keep them open for longer than 3 months.

From the start of the period of Early Help support, there will be very clear goals (e.g., boundaries in the home, getting mum signed up to a workshop).

What does an Early Help Referral need to include?

Referrals to Early Help should include a list of current interventions, as well as what has already been tried, and what is planned in the immediate future.

This will allow Early Help team to determine if there's something else they could offer.

Contacts: 020 8356 5500 MASH@hackney.gov.uk

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6-8 session of manualised intervention with a CWP with parents of young people (5-11) who have never needed access to mental health support before.

There are two topics:

Challenging behaviour

Child Anxiety

Contact: 020 7014 7135 or refer through CAMHS Single Point of Access

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0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | Family Coach Service (SEND)

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Who are we? The Family Coach Service is a team of 2 (Rachel and Emily). Together we work under the Educational Psychologist Service within Hackney’s Integrated SEND Services to provide coaching opportunities for families of SEN. We are a needs-based service which means families do not need an official diagnosis or EHC Plan to access our services. Just an identified need or difference in any of the 4 areas of SEND: Communication and Interaction Cognition and Learning Social, Emotional and Health Difficulties Sensory or Physical Needs. If you are unsure whether we are a service for you, please contact us at familycoach@hackney.gov.uk and we will be happy to address any concerns or answer any questions What is coaching? Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential so that they can maximize their performance. This happens through conversations together, goal setting, and taking action. We act as a connection between family home life, school, and community. We aim to provide coaching and mentoring opportunities; To support families to identify and talk about changes they would like to make and then find a way forward in their journey. To actively listen to families and identify possible workshop opportunities within communities. To provide a non-judgemental and confidential space for families. Our services Our sessions can take place online or in person. They are available to any family living in Hackney with a child who has a special educational need. No formal diagnosis or Education, Health, and care Plan is needed for you to be able to access our service. 1:1 or Family Coaching. Across 6 sessions you will be empowered to work towards achieving self-directed goals. Parent Empowerment Groups. These sessions provide a space for a small group of parents to work towards an individual goal they would like to achieve. We will problem-solve and celebrate success together. Drop-in sessions. Email us to book a place for a 20-minute drop-in session. These take place online or in person. At these sessions, you can receive: Coaching Signposting support Support to achieve a goal

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Zones of Regulation Emotions and Strategies 

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Zones of Regulation Emotions and Strategies 

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Short breaks for children and young people

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Short breaks are activities for children and young people with a disability. They allow a disabled child or young person to have an enjoyable break away from their main carer, and give their carer a break from their caring responsibilities.

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St John and St James Safeguarding Escalation

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St John and St James Safeguarding Escalation

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0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | City and Hackney NHS Talking Therapies

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Who are we? City and Hackney NHS Talking Therapies is an IAPT (Improve Accesses to Psychological Therapies) service commissioned through Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

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Hackney Portage (For 0-5 NOT in attending a Nursery or Educational Setting)

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Hackney Portage (For 0-5 NOT in attending a Nursery or Educational Setting)

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0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | Hackney Portage Service

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Who are we? Hackney’s Portage Service is a specialist home visiting service that sits within the Inclusion and Specialist Support Team (ISST). Portage Home Visitors are trained in and have extensive knowledge and understanding of child development. They have many years experience of working with children under five who have different and or medical needs that have an impact on their learning. Portage currently has 5 members. Fiona Jones Senior Portage worker and service manager. Portage Home Visitors; Jenny Menzie, Joanna Knight, Lynsey Davis and Sharon Mason. On this page you can find the follwing information about our service: Who can get help from Portage? What ages and stages of development do we support? How can I access this service? How does Portage work? Where will you see us? What can Parents do to help? Does Portage work with other specilaist services or teams? What do families and other people we work with say about us?

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Communities across Hackney are missing out on £28 million a year of unclaimed benefits. Hackney Here to Help is a team within Hackney Council. They are here to help you claim what you're owed by the welfare benefits system.

Hackney Here to Help has supported many local households increase their incomes. They can also work with you to make a longer-term plan to manage the rising cost of living, particularly around housing costs.

The Here to Help friendly and non-judgemental staff have decades of experience supporting people who are; struggling with finances, looking for extra help or advice with the benefits system, or even facing homelessness.

Within the Here to Help team, there are advisors with specialist knowledge of disability benefits.

The team will look at your situation and do a holistic financial assessment of your entitlements to ensure your income is maximized.

The context of poverty and disability benefits

If you have a disability you are twice as likely to be in poverty.

40% of people in poverty in the UK are themselves or live with, a disabled person.

1 in 5 Disabled people are in destitution- the most severe level of poverty.

People who are disabled or have long-term health conditions are heavily impacted by the increased cost of living.

What are the barriers to claiming welfare entitlements?

The complexity of the welfare system and stigma prevent people from claiming what they are entitled to.

Getting to the claim

Working out what to claim is complex, and lots of people don't know disability benefits they are not means-tested.

Getting through the claim

People in this group who have a learning difficulty or poor mental health are likely to find the complex forms, and evidence required, overwhelming.

Getting through the assessment

Welfare benefits assessments can feel demeaning and contradict strength-based approaches in health and social care. People are often asked why they can't do things in their life, rather than how, with reasonable adjustments, life can be made to work around their disability.

Getting a fair decision

Disability benefits assessments can be subjective, whereas other benefits have clear eligibility criteria. This means that, even if people get to this stage, lots of claims are rejected. 75% of PIP rejection decisions are overturned on appeal.

We know appealing this kind of decision can be really hard to do by yourself and means you have to navigate the barriers all over again. Money Hub can help with appealing these kinds of decisions.

How can the Hackney Here to Help team support you?

Hackney Here to Help has advisors with specialist skills and experience in supporting people to access disability benefits. They are focused on the following support:

Advice on disability benefits: whether to make a claim, what the process will be, and any potential outcomes

Supporting residents to make new applications

Supporting residents to appeal decisions

If needed, support through the tribunal process and attending hearings.

What do we mean by NEW applications?

Support to make NEW applications for those who:

have not applied for a benefit before and

those who have had a decision they feel is wrong and would like support to appeal against.

What can disabled people, their parents, carers, or people working with disabled people do?

Gather evidence

Diagnosis reports, and advice from education, health, and social care professionals. If you have an EHC Plan or Care Plan, you will likely be entitled to disability benefits but you do not need to have one to apply.

Do your research

We need you to check what disability benefits: PIP (Personal Independence Payments), Attendance Allowance, DLA (Disability Living Allowance) they are and aren't already accessing. Use the Turn2Us calculator to identify any gaps.

Claim or get support to claim

We can encourage and advise on making a claim.
We can help and support residents to apply for new claims or support them through the appeal process, for all disability benefits.

How can you make a referral to Hackney Here to Help?

1. To find out what you're owed use the Turn2Us calculator. This will show you what benefits you could be claiming. At this stage, you can start making an application yourself or with support from people who may already be working with you. The Turn2Us calculator will also give you a number you will need to complete a Hackney Here to Help referral form.

2. If you cannot complete the benefits application claim forms without support, complete our short online referral form. This will take about 10 minutes.

Fill in the income and financial information as best you can (but don't worry if it's not perfect)
If you are making the referral on behalf of someone else make sure you include your contact information where the form asks about "support workers".

Be as specific as you can:

Make clear you are looking for support with disability benefits - the team allocates daily so this means it will get to the right place

If an award has stopped and you can get this information please let us know which benefit and when it stopped.

3. A Here to Help advisor will contact you about your referral.

Is there help to check my entitlements and complete the Hackney Here to Help referral form?

Anyone can help you complete the form and the Turn2Us calculator is a very good and easy-to-use tool to get you started.

If you still need help making a referral to Hackney Here to Help. contact Customer Services via the Helpline Number 020 8356 3111

They will help you complete the Here to Help online referral form for new applications for benefits or for significant changes to circumstances.

What happens after I have made a referral?

Your application will be allocated to one of our advisors or specialist disability advisors who will contact the referrer and the resident.

AFTER you have made your online referral, if you need to get in touch with the Hackney Here to Help team please contact the Customer Services Helpline Number 020 8356 3111

Can Hackney Here to Help provide enhanced individual support?

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0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | Hackney Here to Help (previously called Hackney Money Hub)

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Who are we? Communities across Hackney are missing out on £28 million a year of unclaimed benefits. Hackney Here to Help is a team within Hackney Council. They are here to help you claim what you’re owed by the welfare benefits system. Hackney Here to Help has supported many local households increase their incomes. They can also work with you to make a longer-term plan to manage the rising cost of living, particularly around housing costs. The Here to Help friendly and non-judgemental staff have decades of experience supporting people who are; struggling with finances, looking for extra help or advice with the benefits system, or even facing homelessness. Within the Here to Help team, there are advisors with specialist knowledge of disability benefits. The team will look at your situation and do a holistic financial assessment of your entitlements to ensure your income is maximized.

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Map and Directory of Hackney 10x10 activities 

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Map and Directory of Hackney 10x10 activities 

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Hackney 10x10 resources for families and carers

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Hackney 10x10 resources for families and carers

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10x10 resources for families and carers | Hackney Education

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Overview The 10x10 programme aims to support every child in Hackney to achieve 10 activities by the age of 10 to help improve their emotional physical and social wellbeing. We have created a map of Hackney to help families, schools and children find where to access activities in our community. We have also created the 10x10 directory to support you to find more details on where each activity can be accessed and the support on offer for each stage of development. , Engage in exercise Have a musical experience Learn to swim Take part in drama and performing arts Visit the seaside and countryside Experience museums, theatres, galleries and heritage sites Take part in camping trips and overnight residentials Learn to ride a bike Take part in debating Use a library , Additional resources 10x10 Map and Directory Download a printable PDF version of the 10x10 map and directory

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About 10x10 The Hackney 10x10 Programme is a new initiative to support every child in Hackney to achieve 10 amazing activities by the time they are 10 years old. Engage in exercise Have a musical experience Learn to swim Take part in drama and performing arts Visit the seaside and the countryside Experience museums, theatres, galleries and heritage sites Take part in camping trips and overnight residentials Learn to ride a bike Take part in debating Use a library Our ambition is for the 10x10 programme to help children develop new skills, find new opportunities, discover new places and interests which will support them to develop a strong sense of identity and to feel a valued part of Hackney. Explore each activity We have created a directory of ideas and opportunities for parents and carers as well as schools and settings. There is also a map to help you discover Hackney places. , Resources for families and carers Information and ideas about each activity for families and carers to support their children. Resources for schools and settings Information and ideas about each activity for teachers and practitioners. Map and directory of 10x10 activities Printable PDF version of the 10x10 map and directory. , 10x10 resources We have also created the following resources: , 10x10 Early Years Journey Guide for Age 0 to 5 For families of children aged 0-5 to give support and inspiration 10x10 Journey Booklet for Age 5 to 10 For every child in Hackney to document their 10x10 achievements with key stage links to support

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communication skills at 3_6. 2023 updated

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Play and early language leaflet 2023 updated

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Speech and Language Therapy in Primary School 

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Speech and Language Therapy in Primary School 

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Educational Psychology Parent Advice Sessions

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Educational Psychology Parent Advice Sessions

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0-25 SEND Local Offer | Family Information Service | Educational Psychology Service - Parent Advice Sessions

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Who are we? Educational Psychologists (also called EPs or Ed Psychs) have professional qualifications in psychology and educational psychology – the study of how children develop, learn and behave. What do we do? Educational Psychologists work collaboratively with school staff, parents and children themselves to help ensure that young people with additional educational needs who are having difficulties at school receive the right sort of help. Each of the maintained schools in Hackney has an allocated Educational Psychologists or EP who visits regularly to help with strategic planning. Many of Hackney’s maintained schools also buy in additional EP time. How this is used is often agreed during termly multi-agency planning meetings. On this pag you can find out: What is a Parents Advice Session? What happens during a session? How to book a session What information do you need when booking a 1:1 advice session? How we plan to work through service challenges, what changes you will see, what support you can access while we address the challenges.