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Children and young people

Proud and strong communities

Corporate Parenting Week celebrates the children and young people in Bexley’s care and the shared responsibility to help them thrive. At this year’s launch, Bexley Young Director Ella Hodge shared her experiences of care and the positive impact of supportive adults, reminding everyone: 

You may be just one part of a young person’s story, but you could be the part they remember for the rest of their life.” 

Throughout the week, events celebrated the achievements and potential of children in care, with the week concluding at the You Are Fantastic Awards.

Interested in changing a child’s life? for more information, visit Fostering

corporate parenting

SEND Marketplace success

The recent SEND Marketplace was a great success, bringing together families, children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), alongside local services, support organisations and professionals. 

The event gave parents and carers the opportunity to access information, ask questions and learn more about the support available across Bexley. Attendees were able to speak directly with a range of providers, helping them better understand the services available and identify organisations that can support their family. 

send group

The marketplace also encouraged collaboration between services, strengthening partnerships and promoting a more joined-up approach to supporting children and young people with SEND. 

Councillor Caroline Newton, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:

The SEND Marketplace was a wonderful opportunity for families to meet the services, organisations and community groups that support children and young people with special education neeeds across Bexley. It was great to see so many people coming together to share information, build connections and help ensure children and young people can access the support they need to thrive.”

Find out more on Bexley Local Offer

Best Start In Life

Parents, carers, children and young people in Thamesmead can now access a wide range of support closer to home thanks to the opening of Bexley’s newest Best Start in Life Family Hub.

Whether you are expecting a baby, raising a toddler, preparing a child for school or simply looking for advice and support, the hub offers a welcoming place to get help at the right time.

Services include pregnancy and infant feeding support, parenting programmes, early years activities and family support, all under one roof. Families can also access information, advice and signposting to other local services.

As well as providing practical support, the hub gives families opportunities to meet others, build local connections and access help early, before challenges become bigger concerns.

Drop in to the Best Start in Life Family Hub Thamesmead at Yarnton Way, Thamesmead, SE2 9LH. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

For more information, visit Families

Best start in life

SEND reform

Bexley’s SEND Reform Plan approved and Improvement Notice lifted.

The Department for Education has approved Bexley’s Local SEND Reform Plan and formally lifted the Borough’s SEND Improvement Notice. The decision recognises significant progress made by the Council and its partners, working together to strengthen leadership, improve support and deliver better outcomes for children and families.

The decision recognises significant progress made by the Council and its partners in strengthening leadership, improving services and delivering better outcomes for children and families. The SEND Reform Plan provides a clear roadmap for future improvements, focusing on specialist support in mainstream schools, increased inclusion provision, stronger partnership working across education, health and social care and robust monitoring of progress.

Bexley remains committed to ensuring every child with SEND receives the right support to thrive and reach their full potential.