If you are thinking about what secondary school your child with additional needs will attend – whether they are due to start next September) or they are currently in years 4 or 5 and you are thinking ahead – come along to one of our online workshops on choosing a secondary school. 

This session will cover the processes (whether or not your child has an EHCP) and look at what to think about when making your choice. 

Session one: Tuesday  15^th October 10.30 am to 12 noon - Book here.  We recommend that you choose this session if your child has an EHCP and is currently in year 6 (as the deadline for expressing your preferences will be 18^th October)

Session 2: Wednesday 23^rd October 12.30 – 2 pm. Book here 

The process and key dates for children starting secondary school in September 2025:

o   For children with an EHCP you should have been contacted directly by the SEN Services team to discuss the application process. You can see more information in the booklet here. You will need to reply by the 18^th October to confirm your preferences

o  For children without an ECHP, online admissions are now open and applications must be submitted by 31st October 24. More information can be found here.

o  Open days are taking place in September and October - details can be found here.

Black History Month is an annual celebration, marked every October in the UK, that's dedicated to exploring, and honouring the achievements of people of African and Caribbean heritage.

Black History Month is a significant period for reflection, celebration, and education about the diverse history and contributions of Black individuals. Black History Month is marked in a huge variety of different ways and in the UK, it is frequently celebrated through events, such as musical or literary performances, live talks and discussions, Black history exhibitions, documentary or movie screenings - or even markets and festivals that celebrate the food, jewellery, clothing, art and more of African and Caribbean cultures.

The theme this year is 'Reclaiming the narrative', which is about taking control of narratives, honouring heroes, and challenging the stories that have often overlooked the contributions and achievements of Black individuals in the UK and globally and looking at how we can shape and mould our truths and challenge misconceptions and to educate all those within our society and in our communities.

Disability Rights UK has a great article here highlighting the links between Black History Month and disability rights and also featuring some important black disabled activists and figures 

You can see information about Black History Month events in the Enfield area here.

We have also gathered together some information about just a few of the many disabled black role models which you can see here - including links to some interesting interviews. 

We'd like to know what you think!

 
We are putting together our programme of speakers for our coffee mornings at the Family Hub and would really like to hear your views about what topics you’d like us to cover and who you’d like to hear from, as well as your thoughts on the coffee mornings in general. Please complete our short survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/coffeemorningchoices – it should take less than 5 minutes but will help us to plan the best events to support you and your families. Thank you!

If your child has an EHCP and is now in year 9 or above, it is important to start thinking about what will happen when they get to the age of 16 and become legally responsible for making their own decisions, and perhaps start to think about their future in terms of getting a job or living more independently. We know that this can be a worrying time for parents and carers, and it is important to start thinking about the transition as early as possible so that you will be well-informed and ready to support your young person through the changes.

The Local Authority's Preparing for Adulthood booklet is a key document to help you understand the process and support. You can see this booklet on the Local Offer here and there is an easy-read booklet here and additional information about the process here

We recommend that you should attend as many of the Preparing for Adulthood online events as you can. It is worth starting as soon as possible and you may wish to repeat some of the sessions over the next few years.

Preparing for Adulthood events

Full details of the Preparing for Adulthood sessions are available here.

The next sessions will be:

• • EHCPs and the process of applying for a post-16 Education setting on Mon 14th Oct 7 -9 pm at the ILDS or online. (this is a repeat of the session on 4th October)
  • Supporting Parents and carers during Transition Friday 18th October 10.30 am -12.30 pm - this session provides practical tips and sources of support to help parents through this time of change. 

This is a series of events on specific aspects of the Preparing for Adulthood process. If you have been unable to attend a session, the presentations will be added to the Local Offer Preparing for Adulthood page here shortly after each session. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see links to each presentation. 

Sessions are held online or at the Integrated Learning Disability Service, Carnegie Building, 258a Hertford Road, Enfield, EN3 5BN. 

Drop in sessions

On the first Friday of every month, parents and carers of young people aged 16 and over can join the monthly drop-in sessions 10 am - 12 pm at the Integrated Learning Disability Service in Hertford Road, where you can talk to a member of the ILDS team, and Jane Richards from Families in Transition to Adulthood. More information on the flyer here. The next session will be Friday 1st November. If you would like to attend please book an appointment by noon on the previous day. If this day does not work for you, please contact Jane to discuss an alternative timing.

You are welcome to bring your young person along with you. 

Our Voice are currently running a series of Positive Behaviour Support sessions: 

• The next in our series of Introduction to Positive Behaviour Support workshop sessions will take place on Thursday 21st November. Full details are on our events page and on our flyer. The booking link is here. 
• You can see the presentation from our previous sessions here. 
• Positive Behaviour support drop-in sessions where you can discuss individual questions relating to your child/young person's behaviour.  The next sessions take place on 4th October, 8th November, 6th December, 10th January, 7th February and 7th March. See our events page and the flyer for more details. 

Please note - it will normally be possible for Cheviots to provide creche facilities and/or a translator for any of these sessions. Please give as much notice as possible if you need either of these. 

Our guide to What's On - Play and Leisure in and around Enfield has lots of information on local SEND-specific and inclusive activities in and around the area (including some days out in Central London and further afield). The guide was last updated on 9th September 24. 

This guide focuses on ongoing term-time activities (although some continue during school holidays), and will be regularly updated with the latest activities and dates, so do check back regularly. We will also let you know about relevant one-off events via our weekly updates to members - please join our mailing list to receive these, if you haven't already done so. 

In addition, we usually publish a short 'What's on?' guide during each school holiday, featuring information about specific activities during the next holiday period.  

Please note that these activities are provided by external providers, not Our Voice, and inclusion in this guide should not be taken as our endorsement of any particular provider. 

If you know about any relevant local, accessible activities that aren't included in our guide, please do let us know - email us at info@ourvoiceenfield.org.uk 

Family Fund is a charity which offers grants and other support for families raising disabled or seriously ill children or young people up to the age of 24 years old, on a low income, living in the UK. 

Grants can be given for a wide range of items ranging from domestic items like kitchen appliances and bedding, to clothes, play equipment, computers and more.

See the website for details of eligibility criteria and how to apply: www.familyfund.org.uk

• Leaflet on grants for essential items and wider support services
• Leaflet on 'Your Opportunity' grants for supporting young adults aged 18 to 24 who are living at home. 

Family fund also provides a range of information services and workshops including where to go for help with money and benefits, and how to find help with your child's education, mental health and wellbeing. 

They also offer online digital workshops, to help you make the most of your iPad, tablet or computer. More information in the 'Discover Digital' leaflet. and the website here.

The Fair Play playground in Barnet is a fully accessible and inclusive playground for children and adults with disabilities and their friends.  

It is located at the Victoria Recreation Ground, Lawton Road, New Barnet EN4 9BS (next to the New Barnet Leisure Centre) - more information on the location here.

More information including videos from park users: 

•  First of its kind ‘Fair Play’ playground opened by Mayor of Barnet | Barnet Council
• Video | Facebook
• Video from park user

The Enfield Psychology Service (EPS) offers a telephone support line which gives parents and carers an opportunity to talk to a member of the EPS team about any concerns they might have in relation to their child. 

See the flyer at https://www.enfield.gov.uk/educationalpsychologyservice/telephone-support-line-for-parents-and-carers

You can either request a call using the link on the flyer, or by phoning 0208 379 2000.