Events and activities for those with SEND

Upcoming events and activities in Camden for children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families.

See our Guide to Low and No Cost Activities in Camden.

Waiting Room's calendar is also full of events that are suitable for young people with autism and ADHD.

See our Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF). Parents can register and book up to 4 days of activities over the holidays for children aged between 5 and 16 years. If a child or young person has additional support needs, parents should tell the provider in advance.

All ages

KIDS Key Working

A service designed to make life smoother for families who are juggling multiple appointments and accessing more than one service. Your keyworker is your single point of contact, supporting you to get the information and services you need.

Find out more about KIDS Key Working.

Sensory support bags

Family Hubs are for everyone, however some SEND children, young people and their families find visiting overwhelming. To help with this, sensory support bags are now available in all Best Start Family Hubs.

Inside the bag you will find:

  • ear defenders
  • wooden two sided mirror
  • rubber vehicle
  • rainbow fidget slug
  • weighted lap buddy and blanket
  • my feelings rainbow
  • palm tangle fidget toy
  • weighted sequin fidget

Ask for a sensory support bag at reception. Bags must be returned at the end of your session.

Relaxed Events

Families with neurodivergent children, and for any family who would benefit from a more relaxed visit.

Relaxed Events provide families with a more flexible museum experience, allowing them to explore in a way that best meets their individual needs.

Find out more information and book your place on the Postal Museum website.

Save the date: D/deaf accessible Family Festival

Enjoy an exciting free, fun day inspired by books and stories at Family Festival: Stories, Sign and Shine on Saturday 17 October, from midday to 4pm at the British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB.

Come and enjoy many wonderful and interactive family learning activities, performances and workshops based on the International Year of Reading. It will be a fun and creative day celebrating the joy of sharing stories and exploring together, with activities signed in British Sign Language.

There's a leaflet to share in your school newsletters and networks to encourage D/deaf families to come along to the event. The full programme will be available in September on the British Library’s website.

Early years

KIDS home learn

A home visiting educational service for pre-school children with additional support needs who are not yet in education settings.

Find out more about KIDS home learning.

Family Hubs SEND Sensory Room

  • for children under 5 years

These sessions are supported by an Early Childhood worker who can support parents and carers with interaction and play strategies. Sensory rooms are also available for booking on other days and times, however these sessions will not be supported by an Early Childhood worker.

To book, email [email protected] or call 020 7974 2015.

Kilburn Grange Best Start Family Hub

Find out more about the Kilburn Grange Best Start Family Hub.

Agar Best Start Family Hub

Find out more about the Agar Best Start Family Hub.

Step in and Play

  • children under 5 years with learning or development delays, or a diagnosed or undiagnosed disability
  • we have sessions at various locations around Camden, see our timetable for more details

Join us for play-based activities in a calm environment that will support your child’s learning and development. You will meet our specialist staff as well as parents and carers with similar experiences.

Kilburn Grange Best Start Family Hub Step In and Play

  • for children under 5 years with developmental differences or SEND
  • Mondays, 1.30pm to 2.30pm
  • Palmerston Road, NW6 2JL (opens in Google Maps)

Find out more about the Kilburn Grange Best Start Family Hub.

Agar Best Start Family Hub Step In and Play

Find out more about the Agar Best Start Family Hub.

Harmood Best Start Family Hub Superstars

  • for children 1 to 3 years with developmental differences
  • Tuesday, 10am to midday (term time only)
  • 1 Forge Place, NW1 8DQ (opens in Google maps)
  • 020 7974 8961

Find out more about Harmood Best Start Family Hub.

Regent's Park Best Start Family Hub KIDS Early Years

  • for children 0 to 3 years with developmental differences
  • Wednesday, 1pm to 3pm (term time only)
  • Augustus Street, NW1 3TJ (opens in Google Maps)
  • 020 7974 8934

Find out more about Regent's Park Best Start Family Hub.

Age 4 and over

Comets

Sign up for football sessions for boys and girls with SEND. The cost is £2 per session.

Blind and partially sighted football

Football sessions for blind and partially sighted boys and girls, with adapted practices. The cost is £40 per month and there is financial assistance for those in need. For more information visit the Bloomsbury football page on blind and partially sighted football.

Sound Squad

A music making group for children aged 7–10 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities who enjoy music and would benefit from learning in a small, supportive group. Children will have opportunities to sing, move to music, take part in engaging musical games, and explore a range of appropriate instruments.

Sound Squad is suitable for children who feel comfortable in a small group without the need for ongoing 1:1 specialist support.

Apply here: Sound Squad or visit www.camdenmusic.org

Financial assistance might be available – please see our Remissions Policy on the Camden Music website.

icandance

Each dancer is assigned a team member as their dance partner, who works with them consistently each week, building a relationship with the child and their family over time. Using verbal and non-verbal interventions we support the child to feel safe enough to creatively explore through movement and develop their curiosity within the dance space.

Age 11 and over

Tesco Work Experience

  • partially sighted and blind young people aged 13 to 18
  • 5 day work experience opportunity
  • Tesco Superstores

Tesco are offering a 5 day work experience opportunity to blind or partially sighted students aged between 13 to 18 years old who are in full time education. Tesco are offering flexible dates across the year.

Sign up using the online form.

Youth clubs

We have 3 youth clubs where young people aged 13 to 19 (or 25 with a learning disability) can access support, meet with other young people and get involved in a range of activities.

Find a youth club.

Gyms

There are 11 free outdoor gyms open to everyone aged over 14 years old.

Creative Health Camden Youth Hub

Join us at our calm, arty wellbeing space. We have art materials and workshops, books and graphic novels, free refreshments and retro board games. Contact Li on 075 2353 3490 or email [email protected] to sign up.

Civic Action Lab

Join us at our calm, arty wellbeing space. We have art materials and workshops, books and graphic novels, free refreshments and a place to chill and chat. Text 07523 533490 to join us.

icandance

Each dancer is assigned a team member as their dance partner, who works with them consistently each week, building a relationship with the child and their family over time. Using verbal and non-verbal interventions we support the child to feel safe enough to creatively explore through movement and develop their curiosity within the dance space.

Age 16 and over

Unity Works Workshops

Unity Works are running practical workshops for young people aged 16 to 25, who have a learning disability and/ or autism. All sessions are inclusive and there is no commitment to attend all. For more information, contact Peter on 07922100814, or at [email protected]. See below for more details on each workshop:

Ready for Work! Building Skills and Confidence

Come along to learn about workplace behaviour, teamwork, health and safety and more.

Understanding and Managing Relationships

Come along to learn about different relationships, expectations and social rules.

Let’s Talk Searching and Working

This session is a discussion to share thoughts and feelings around work, and explore motivation and rejection to build confidence.

Social Media Safety

Come along to learn about how to be safe online when using social media.

Kensington Palace

  • ages 16 and over
  • Kensington Palace welcome anyone who identifies as Neurodivergent, Learning-Disabled or Disabled
  • Sunday 15 November, 10am to midday
  • for more information, visit the Historic Royal Palaces website
  • tickets are £1

Age 18 and over

Friday Night Disco

Come along to the Friday night disco run by Centre 404. Tickets are £5 for people using services and carers/ support workers can enter for free. This event is inclusive, all are welcome! For more information, contact Caroline at [email protected].

Inclusive Multi-Sport Sessions

Come along to a session for adults with physical or learning difficulties to try out team games and meet people in a welcoming, friendly and relaxed environment. Sessions are free until 20 June. Non-members must scan the QR code in the flyer to join, and members can book on the Better website. You can email [email protected] for more information.

icandance

Contact us

For advice in supporting your child to access events and activities, contact your SEN Case Officer. Or, call our SEN Team duty line on 0207 974 6500 or email at [email protected].