Information Advice and Support Kent IASK

23/03/2026

23/03/2026

Book ASAP for Easter holiday SEND activities
https://forms.gle/XUXFc6sKwxWr3yCM8

20/03/2026

Our information session dates for April to July 2026 are now live on our website. These sessions are individual bookable appointments via video link.

Please call our helpline on 03000 41 3000 or email iask@kent.gov.uk to book an appointment.

If you do not have the facility to have a video appointment please contact our helpline to discuss.

The link for the information session page on our website can be found in the comments below.

19/03/2026

DID YOU MISS YESTERDAY’S SESSION?

Well don’t worry as you still have the chance to join Monday’s webinar - the final session on the “Universal SEND Support in Schools”

📆Monday 23rd March
⏰11:00-12:30
💻Microsoft Teams

Please join Kent PACT and Information Advice and Support Kent at this important webinar exploring the proposed changes to the SEND system and what they could mean for children and young people with SEND.

Alongside a short overview of the reforms, parents will have the opportunity to share their views as part of the national consultation. Your experiences and perspectives are vital, and feedback from these sessions will be gathered and shared regionally and nationally to help ensure the voices of families in Kent are heard.

All parents and carers of children and young people with SEND in Kent are warmly encouraged to attend.

Your voice matters — come and be part of the conversation shaping the future of SEND.

To register your space for Monday, please click here -

0e04da2b-e62b-417a-bb07-aa40e41aceda@84004053-5593-4506-8e59-3eff2bfb1988" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/0e04da2b-e62b-417a-bb07-aa40e41aceda@84004053-5593-4506-8e59-3eff2bfb1988

19/03/2026

What does ‘school readiness’ actually mean for young children? And how do we make sure that every child gets all the support they need on their developmental journey to starting school?

Today, we’re delighted to launch a free best practice guide and podcast on school readiness, designed for practitioners, local authorities, educators and anyone with an interest in early childhood development.

Based on the A Better Start Insights Report published last year, the guide takes a holistic approach and is divided into three sections:

1. Children’s readiness for school
2. Schools’ readiness for children
3. Families and communities’ readiness for school

Using practical examples from 10 years of work across A Better Start partnerships, you can access resources, reflective questions and videos to inspire your practice with learning from a decade of place-based delivery.

Access the free guide: https://www.ncb.org.uk/what-we-do/practice-and-programmes/focusing-early-years/better-start/school-readiness-best-practice

To support the guide, Claire Dunne and Richard Newson from the team at the National Children's Bureau have been speaking to practitioner trainer, early years specialist and deputy head at a maintained nursery school, Jacqui, about how she approaches school readiness. And Isla, mother of three, also shares what it was like getting her children ready for school, and gives advice for practitioners.

Listen now to the A Better Start: Reframing school readiness podcast – link in the comments below.

This work was made possible by funding from the The National Lottery Community Fund

19/03/2026

19/03/2026

It's ! This year's theme “United in Sign”, celebrates unity, pride, and collective action around sign languages.

For the Deaf community: “This is our language, our heritage, our identity. This week we lead, we stand proud - United in Sign.”

For the wider public: “Every sign learned is an act of allyship. Join us as an ally, learn, share and support us.”

Our free Sign Language Week taster sessions this week are fully booked! But good news: We still have spaces on our FREE Deaf Awareness Taster Sessions in May. Register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/action-deafness-68948261853

Interested in learning British Sign Language (BSL)? You can:
-Practise fingerspelling the alphabet
-Sign up for a taster session
-Join a BSL course
-Learn BSL from our free resources
Learn more here: www.actiondeafness.org.uk/services/learning

19/03/2026

Could your child benefit from dedicated, personalised support from our team?

Living with epilepsy can bring challenges - at school, with friendships, with confidence, or simply in understanding what’s happening to their body and emotions.

Our One-to-One Youth Support offers free tailored sessions for young people aged 8–25 living with epilepsy 💜

They’ll meet with a highly skilled Youth Support Coordinator who will adapt the support to their individual needs. That might include practical guidance, emotional support, or help navigating day-to-day life with epilepsy.

Sessions are flexible and take place online - usually between 2 and 12 meetings, depending on what your child needs.

Anyone can make a referral - you, your child, or a professional working with them.

👉 Find out more and submit a referral here: https://ow.ly/TjHF50YuUaP

19/03/2026

If your child is eligible for home to school transport, has an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP), and is changing school in September, then you’ll need to apply for school transport by 1 April.

You can find more information and apply on our website: https://loom.ly/mGVEQnw

18/03/2026

18/03/2026

18/03/2026

🐰💛 Hop into Easter Fun!
Our SEND Families Easter Funday on 6th April 2026 and it’s packed with soft play, games, entertainment and colourful Easter activities!
🕒 11am–3pm
📍 West Faversham Community Centre
💷 £3 entry
📲 Book via the QR code
📧 community@invicta-cl.org
A relaxed, inclusive space for SEND children and their families. Come join the fun! 🌈🥚