Making sure the voice and needs of Kingston SEND families are heard
Kingston SEND PCF is made up of local parents and carers who work to ensure children with special educational needs and disabilities and their needs are heard and understood by local services and decision makers.
We also make sure parents and carers have access to events and information that they might find useful as a SEND family.
Amazing Things
We love this introduction to autism by amazing things. It aims to raise awareness among young non-autistic audiences, to stimulate understanding and acceptance in future generations. It is intended to be viewed, discussed and shared widely by anyone but especially teachers and parents.
Read more on our News Page
We’ve just been made aware of important changes to the free school meal holiday vouchers that families usually receive for half‑terms, Easter, Christmas and the summer holidays.
The Department for Work and Pensions change has been confirmed by Kingston council:
“The previous Household Support Fund has now closed, including the associated free school meal holiday voucher scheme… The Department for Work and Pensions ran the free school meal holiday voucher scheme until 31 March 2026. This has now ended.”
From 1 April 2026, vouchers are no longer being sent automatically to families in receipt of free school meals.
If families need support for school holidays, they must now apply through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).
The CRF provides short‑term emergency help and aims to support residents to stay out of crisis long‑term. This new scheme runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029.
More information and the application form can be found here:
www.kingston.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/crisis-and-resilience-fund
We would be very grateful if you could share this update widely with families so they are aware of the change and can plan ahead for the quickly approaching upcoming May half‑term. … See MoreSee Less
Crisis and Resilience Fund | Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
www.kingston.gov.uk
Find out how you can claim Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) and Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment (CRF-HP)0 CommentsComment on Facebook
The SEND White Paper Consultation is closing on May 18th 11:59pm.
The Kingston PCF is sharing their response on behalf of local parent carers based on what you have told us about Inclusion and Accessing Support.
You can of course respond to the consultation yourself
consult.education.gov.uk/send-strategy-division/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-firs/
IPSEA have template letter to help parent carers write to their local Member of Parliament (MP) about their views on the SEND Reforms:
www.ipsea.org.uk/write-to-your-mp-protect-the-legal-rights-of-children-and-young-people-with-send
You can find your local MP’s contact details here
www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/ … See MoreSee Less
SEND reform: putting children and young people first – Department for Education – Citizen Space
consult.education.gov.uk
Find and participate in consultations run by the Department for Education0 CommentsComment on Facebook
London forums have published a really useful visual guide that explains what Parent Carer Forums do, how we work with services, and how co‑production and campaigning fit together.
Some families may have already read about the national guidance for PCFs about campaigning politically, written by Special Needs Jungle, and this poster by Contact helps clarify the same points in a parent‑friendly way.
At Kingston Parent Carer Forum, our priority is listening to, empowering, and advocating on behalf of Kingston's parent carers. Nothing has changed in the way we operate and we continue to have productive conversations with services and local professionals.
We hope this poster helps families understand how PCFs advocate for better outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
As always, if you have any questions or comments please do leave a comment below, send us a message, or email us at help@kingstonpcf.co.uk … See MoreSee Less
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