Kids First

With Karla Finikin, Head of the SEN and Disabilities Integrated Service (SENDIS),
Tom Proctor, Head of Contracts & School Organisation and Nick Wilson, Assistant Director of Education and Early Help

An opportunity to hear the latest SEND information and ask your questions.

At this session we’ll be hearing updates on the new SEND provision at Whatley Avenue, the latest on the home to school travel consultation, news on Merton’s updated Written Statement of Action, an update on the SENDIS team and caseloads, plus news about the Safety Valve Intervention Programme which Merton are participating in to address overspends on the Designated Schools Grant

Hear the latest information and ask your questions!

Friday 4 March 2022, 10am to 12pm

With Tracy Clarke, Continuous Improvement, Inclusion, Portage & Childcare Manager, Rebecca Watson Development Manager in Early Years, Family Wellbeing and Early Help Services and Audrey Moriarti, Merton Autism Outreach Service Support Worker

Hear from Tracy and Rebecca about the support available for children and their families from birth up to the end of reception class and how children’s early education needs are identified and supported.

Find out about the role of the SEND Family Support Workers, Portage Support Workers, parenting programmes and the variety of services offered by Merton’s Children’s Centres.

Plus, Audrey will be providing information about the Early Bird and Teen Life parenting programmes which support parent carers of children with a diagnosis of autism from pre school (Early Bird), 4-9 years (Early Bird Plus) and 10-16 years (Teen Life).

Thursday 24 February 2022, 2 meetings 10am and 6.30pm

With Tom Procter, Merton’s Head of Contracts and School Organisation & Philip Wells, Interim Transport Specialist

You only need to attend one meeting!

Tom and Phillip are returning to give an update on Merton’s Home to School Travel Consultation on possible changes to Merton’s travel assistance policy, primarily for children with SEND.

The consultation closed on 5 January 2022 with 155 responses.

An analysis of the consultation, and a proposed direction of travel went to the Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 9 February for discussion. The matter will go before the Council’s Cabinet for a decision on any policy changes on 21 March.

Tom and Phillip will be providing an update on what has happened since November and provide a summary of the scrutiny report and proposed direction of travel.

The Council are accepting comments on the Scrutiny report up to the end of February! If this affects you and your children now or in the future please attend this meeting.

This is your opportunity to comment on the scrutiny report and get your voice heard before the Cabinet meeting on 21 March.

Thursday 10 February 2022, 10am to 12pm

Plus meet Fran Turko and Shazia Khan from Merton’s Information, Advice and Support Service (MIASS)

Bring a cuppa and join us for a friendly meet up over Zoom! Whether you are new to Kids First or already a member this meeting is for you!

With members of the Kids First steering group and Fran Turko and Shazia Khan from MIASS.

Come along and meet other parent carers and find out what Kids First do to help improve local services for children and young people with SEND in Merton. Hear more about our sessions and the many benefits of meeting other parent carers, sharing experiences, offering mutual support and reducing feelings of isolation.

Meet the Kids First steering group that represents our members and find out more about this rewarding role from the parents that do it! Help them to better represent YOU by telling us about things that are working well and things that are not going well with services in Merton.

Plus, Fran and Shazia will be joining us to talk about MIASS and what information, advice and support is available from their service for children and young people with SEND and their families.