SEND childcare and inclusive support in London

What inclusive provision actually involves

Inclusion is not achieved by welcoming a child through the door. It is achieved by changing the environment so the child can succeed in it. Practically, that has meant things like:

• A quiet, low-arousal space always available, not just when a child is already distressed
• Visual timetables and now-and-next boards used with every child in the room, so no one child is singled out
• Makaton signing used routinely by staff, which benefits every pre-verbal child in the room
• Adjusted mealtimes and food presentation for children with sensory food aversion, without comment or pressure
• Additional staffing funded through the local authority's inclusion funding where a child's needs warrant it
• Transition support into school, including extra visits and a detailed handover to the receiving SENCO

Working with EHC plans

EHC plan (Education, Health and Care plan)

A legal document issued by a local authority describing a child's special educational needs, the provision required to meet them, and the outcomes sought. It is legally enforceable and the named provision must be delivered.

We work with children who already have an EHC plan, and we support families through the application process where one is needed. That includes providing detailed written evidence of your child's needs and the support currently in place, which is often the piece parents find hardest to assemble alone.

If you have been told your child 'is not severe enough' for an EHC plan, that is not a legal test and you can request an assessment yourself. We will help you evidence it.

Our SENCO

How to talk to us about your child

You do not need a diagnosis, a report, or the right vocabulary. If something about your child's development is worrying you, or you have been turned away elsewhere, call and describe it in your own words. We will be honest with you about whether we can meet your child's needs well - and if we cannot, we will say so and try to point you somewhere that can.