About

Welcome to our Special Needs Community!

WHO WE ARE

We are a creative and innovative London-wide social enterprise created by a team of experienced parent carers to provide support, empower and connect families. Special Needs Community (SNC), welcomes and supports all families with children, young people or young adults with special educational needs or disability from ANY background or disability in ANY borough of London and Greater London. We offer free membership, support the whole family and we are particularly passionate about the welfare and wellbeing of parent/carers and helping them to stay healthy, so they can be in a better position to continue to be a carer. We have an extensive London network and specialist on the SEND Local Offer. We also manage and run the London SEND Directory, which helps parent/carers and professionals find SEND related information, borough by borough. Please visit www.specialneedscommunity.co.uk

WHAT WE DO AND HOW CAN WE SUPPORT YOU

SNC is a parent support group for parents set up by parents. We are in your corner, offering emotional support, a sounding board, and essentially a backstop for parent carers, helping you to navigate the SEND landscape and to join the dots between all the major departments of Education, Health and Social Care. Parent Carers are probably the only group in society who have to navigate all 3 departments simultaneously and this can be challenging and overwhelming. We help you see the bigger picture and keep you on track for what to expect on your SEND journey and what comes next.

We provide:

  • Information (benefits, housing, short breaks/respite, play opportunities, help finding specialist professionals/services; e.g. EHC plans or Child in Need/Carer’s Assessments)
  • Support (one-to-one chat from an experienced Community Champion, contact professionals or departments on your behalf)
  • Services (mentoring, advocacy, support at meetings, preparation for meetings, training on SEND Law, help to fill in forms/applications)
  • Wellbeing & Wellness courses
  • Therapeutic events to help you relax (massage, beauty)
  • Social events (to help you connect with other parents and families and a special group for Dads)

Our other current projects include:

  • London SEND Directory (local SEND information borough by borough)
  • We Want To Play Too! Campaign for inclusive and disability-friendly play equipment in local parks
  • My SEND File, (special filing system to help you keep on top of important SEND paperwork)
  • Max Card (special needs discount card- currently only for Harrow residents)
  • London Inclusive and All-Ability Adventure Playground (campaign for free specialist playground for all disabilities and promotion for a network of inclusive free play spaces across London)
  • Community Champions Network (learn new skills and train to become a change maker and support your own community with the support of a strong network of Community Champions across London)

DONATIONS

If you would like to make a donation to us then, click on the donation button on the top of the page, visit our smaller gift donation selection page, CLICK HERE, or send us a cheque made payable to:

SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY CIC

Cedars Hall, Artillery Place, Chicheley Road,

Harrow, Middlesex HA3 6QJ

TO JOIN THE TEAM OR FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES

PLEASE GET IN TOUCH

TO JOIN THE TEAM AS A COMMUNITY CHAMPION OR FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES, YOU CAN ALSO GET IN TOUCH BY: