Action Planning The Lloyd Park Children’s Charity Action Planning Working Together to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families 1st July 2026 The Early Years Action Planning Group is a well-established multi-agency partnership committed to improving outcomes for babies, young children and their families across the Waltham Forest. The group brings together professionals and representatives from health services, public health, children's centres, early years providers, outreach services, Early Help, the voluntary and community sector, service leaders, parents and local politicians. By bringing together different perspectives and expertise, the group is able to develop a shared understanding of the needs of local children and families and work collectively to address them. A central part of the group's role is to review local evidence and data. This includes information relating to child development, health outcomes, early education, service access and demographic trends. The group uses this evidence to identify priorities, understand challenges facing families and develop coordinated, evidence-informed responses that can improve outcomes during the crucial early years of a child's life. Our Latest Action Planning Session At our most recent action planning session, partners reviewed local data and explored areas where collaborative action could have the greatest impact. Four key priorities were identified: supporting early language and literacy development, improving engagement with families of younger children, increasing take-up of funded early education and improving childhood immunisation uptake. Supporting Early Language and Literacy The group identified family reading and book-sharing as an important area of focus. Evidence and practitioner experience highlighted several barriers, including family pressures, lack of awareness of the benefits of reading, difficulties accessing books, parental confidence with literacy and the increasing impact of screen time on family routines. Partners agreed to strengthen reading promotion activities by providing families with practical information and support, increasing awareness of local resources such as libraries and book-sharing schemes, and developing engaging reading opportunities within communities. Particular attention will be given to reaching groups who may currently be less likely to engage with literacy activities, including fathers and other underrepresented family members. The group also highlighted the importance of inclusive approaches, including the use of visual resources, translated materials and British Sign Language to support communication and access. These actions aim to encourage more families to enjoy books together, support children's communication and language development and contribute to improved school readiness. Improving Engagement with Families of Young Children The group also examined demographic information relating to children aged 0–2 years. Members identified opportunities to strengthen the use of local data to better understand which families are accessing services and where further engagement may be needed. A particular focus was placed on ensuring services can effectively identify and reach families who may benefit from additional support. Partners agreed to improve the collection and analysis of demographic information, strengthen links between services and outreach teams and make better use of information from Early Years and Public Health partners. There was also a commitment to focus engagement activity on communities experiencing the highest levels of disadvantage and to use local intelligence to support targeted outreach. By improving our understanding of local need, the partnership will be better placed to ensure support reaches the children and families who need it most. Increasing Access to Funded Early Education Access to funded early education for eligible two-year-olds was identified as another important priority. Discussion highlighted several possible barriers, including low awareness of available funding, uncertainty about whether settings can meet children's needs and language or communication barriers that can make information difficult to access. Partners also recognised the influence of wider factors such as housing circumstances, family wellbeing, ethnicity, special educational needs and disabilities, and English as an Additional Language. To better understand these challenges, the group agreed to gather additional information from Early Years services and Speech and Language Therapy colleagues. Partners will review available evidence, analyse patterns of participation and establish a focused action group to develop recommendations that can increase the number of eligible children benefiting from funded places. Increasing participation in high-quality early education can have a significant positive impact on children's learning, development and readiness for school, making this an important area for ongoing partnership work. Improving Childhood Immunisation Uptake The final priority considered by the group was childhood immunisation uptake. Partners identified a number of factors that may contribute to lower uptake, including parental anxiety, misinformation, language barriers and limited opportunities for families to discuss concerns with trusted professionals. Differences in immunisation systems across countries were also recognised as a potential factor for some families. The group agreed that a coordinated, partnership-based approach is needed. Planned actions include improving public awareness of the benefits of immunisation, making information available in a wider range of languages, strengthening professional training and creating more opportunities for families to access trusted advice through community settings, outreach activity and local events. Partners also committed to working closely with Public Health colleagues to better understand local trends and target support where it is most needed. The overall aim is to ensure that families have access to clear, consistent and evidence-based information so they can make informed decisions and children can benefit from the protection that immunisation provides. Looking Ahead The Early Years Evidence and Learning Group will continue to meet termly to review progress, analyse emerging evidence and identify opportunities for further collaborative action. By combining data, professional expertise and the experiences of families and communities, the partnership aims to ensure that services are responsive, inclusive and effective. Through strong multi-agency working and a shared commitment to evidence-informed practice, we will continue striving to give every child the best possible start in life.

See available post from across our charity. We regularlty recruit to positions in childcare, early years learning and developement, family support, and a variety of support roles. Family Support and Outreach Worker Location: Waltham Forest Salary: £31,430 per annum — Fixed Term Contract Hours: 36 hours per week Closing date: Friday 19th June 2026, 12pm Interviews: w/c 29th June 2026 Overview The successful candidate will join our Community Services team and play a key role in delivering a range of services, including: Parenting Programmes Co-production 1:1 Family Support (including home visiting) Targeted group work With Waltham Forest families at the heart of your work, you will collaborate with partners to tackle inequality and promote inclusion, including but not limited to: Early education and child development Health Information and participation Adult education and employment Family support This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate; this is a requirement of the DBS code of practice. Job Description Apply Now

Information for parents/carers & families Support for you on your parenting journey Top Tips Blog Sleep Play Behaviour Speech & Language Oral Health Trauma Toileting Attachment Parenting Exploring Foods Activities to do at home Fun and educational weekend and holiday activities for your and your children. Discover Parenting Groups Access our sessions on baby massage, sleep patterns, pre-natal support, post-natal wellbeing and more! Discover

Sleep Support What is Sleep Support? Sleep is crucial for children's growth, development, and overall well-being. Our sleep support offer consists of 1:1 work with parents to agree individualised plans that support safe, consistent bedtime routines for children under 5 yrs. Things we can help with Bedtime routines Bedroom environment Safe Sleeping 1:1 consultations Safer Sleep Creating a safe sleep environment is vital for all children. Consider things like sleeping position, using a cot or crib, creating a smoke/alcohol/medicine-free zone and consistent bedtime routines. Watch this video by The Lullaby Trust for some helpful information (links to YouTube) Sleep Deprivation Sleep deprivation as a new parent can be very challenging. It might seem like everyone else’s babies sleep more than yours or you may worry that you are doing something wrong. Watch this video by The Lullaby Trust from some useful tips and reassurance (links to YouTube) 1:1 Sleep Consultations You can book via the Lloyd Park Children's Charity Eventbrite page Book online

See available post from across our charity. We regularlty recruit to positions in childcare, early years learning and developement, family support, and a variety of support roles. Current Vacancies We employ a range of positions across all of our teams including early years, family support, data and administration, catering, finance and site services. Safer Recruitment Please Read Applying online Please Read Need more help? To find out more about a role please email: recruitment@tlpcc.org.uk Latest Roles PLEASE NOTE: We receive a high number of speculative applications weekly. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to respond to these applications. W e can only respond to applications for positions advertised below. Early Years Educator - Level 2 Early Years Educator - Level 3 Casual Play Assistant Read More Read More Read More

Pro Bono Skilled Voluntering: Many businesses and organisations have schemes allowing professionals to donate time to charities for the benefit of the community. Maybe you can donate time through one of these schemes or perhaps you are a self-employed professional allowing you more flexibility. Either way, we'd love to hear your ideas about how you could help us support local children in need with your professional skills and experience. Whether your backgorund is in legal, human rights, safety, finance, business or in eduation, health, menotring or the creative arts; we're always open to new collabortations that will improve life chances for local children. Drop us a line to start a conversation, We look forward to hearing from you! Email our team

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See available post from across our charity. We regularlty recruit to positions in childcare, early years learning and developement, family support, and a variety of support roles. Casual Play Assistant Location: Walthamstow Salaries Aged 17 to 18yrs - £10 Aged 18 to 20yrs - £12.08 Aged 21 and over - £12.71 Closing date: 02/10/2026 Overview We are looking for friendly, enthusiastic, and reliable Play Assistants to join our Grow Wild and Holiday club teams on a casual basis, providing cover during weekends and school holidays. As a Play Assistant, you will support the delivery of engaging and enriching activities that encourage children to build confidence, resilience, creativity, and a connection with the natural world. Working as part of a dedicated team, you will help create a safe, welcoming, and stimulating environment where children can learn and develop. You will need to build positive relationships with children and their families while promoting children's wellbeing, This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is passionate about working with children and enjoys outdoor learning and play. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is therefore subject to an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory safeguarding checks in line with safer recruitment requirements. Job Description Apply Now

Donating items to our Baby Bank Help give vulnerable newborns and toddlers a better start in life by donating new or pre-loved essentials Items on our wishlist and this page's 'What's needed?' section are urgently needed by the families we are currently helping. Donating these items is a great way to support a child in immediate need. Essentials are requested by parents and carers in a number of ways: Using the Baby Bank section of our Help Request Form Asking a member of team for assistance Attending Baby Bank to choose what they need from our available stock 1. Donating new items online The quickest way to gift essentials to the most in-need babies and families is to donate items from our Amazon wishlist directly to us. 2. Donating items in person You can also help by donating new or high quality pre-loved items that you no longer need. Please note: We'd love accept all pre-loved donations but sadly can’t always due to limited storage. We can only accept high quality new or unmarked items in good condition. We cannot accept used matresses, car seats or jumble. Email us to find out current drop-off locations Email Us Donate now What's needed? New items Nappies and baby wipes Single or double buggies Books for under 5’s Moses baskets New mattresses Quality pre-loved Single or double buggies Books for under 5’s Moses baskets

You and Your Child You and Your Child What can we learn from parents’ experience of our home visiting family support project Wendy Fields This summary reflects learning from the You and Your Child (Y&YC) family support approach, drawing on collaborative action research research (2012) alongside programme data collected from 2013 onwards. The project was developed through close collaboration between parents and practitioners, learning together about what works best for families. This reflects a process of collaborative action research, where practice and learning evolve alongside one another. Project Summary and Overview You and Your Child is a home-visiting family support project designed to reach families experiencing multiple and complex challenges. It offers personalised, relationship-based support delivered through a multi-agency team, working in partnership with parents to improve outcomes for both children and families. Families supported through the project often face a combination of challenges, including parenting confidence, behaviour management, mental health and emotional wellbeing, financial stress and housing instability, as well as concerns about child development such as speech and language delay. Many also experience isolation and limited access to support networks. Our Approach The project is grounded in the Family Partnership Model, a strengths-based and evidence-informed approach that places the parent at the centre of the work. Practitioners focus on listening carefully, valuing parents’ knowledge of their own lives, and working collaboratively to set goals that feel realistic and meaningful. Rather than offering prescriptive advice, practitioners work alongside families to explore their experiences and identify practical changes together. A core aim is to build self-efficacy, supporting parents to feel more confident and able to manage their family life independently over time, rather than becoming reliant on services. What Families Told Us Parents’ experiences highlight what makes the project effective. A consistent theme is the importance of feeling listened to without judgement. Many parents described how practitioners took time to understand their situation and worked at a pace that felt comfortable, creating a safe space to talk about complex or sensitive issues. This was key to building trust. As trust developed, parents reported a noticeable increase in confidence and self-belief. Several described a shift from feeling overwhelmed to feeling more in control of their lives. This growing confidence often led to wider changes, including improvements in family relationships and day-to-day life at home. Parents spoke about reduced conflict, calmer routines, and stronger connections with their children. The project also helped families access wider support. Through relationships with practitioners, parents felt more able to navigate services, join community groups, and seek help when needed. This reduced feelings of isolation and helped build a stronger sense of connection. At the heart of all of this was the relationship between parent and practitioner. Feeling valued and understood enabled parents to reflect on their experiences, try new approaches, and make changes that lasted beyond the period of support. Data and Impact (Years 1–3) Over its first three years, the project demonstrated steady growth in reach, engagement and impact. Referral numbers remained consistently high, with over 130 referrals each year from a wide range of agencies. Across this period, the project supported close to 1,000 individuals, indicating both strong demand and sustained engagement. Improving parental confidence emerged as a central outcome. Across all years, families reported increased self-esteem, greater ability to manage family life, and stronger engagement with services. Feedback consistently showed that when parents felt listened to and supported, confidence increased and isolation reduced. There were also clear improvements in outcomes for children and families. Parents reported better behaviour in children, stronger parent–child relationships, and more stable routines. In some cases, families were able to step down from statutory services, suggesting reduced risk and increased resilience following early intervention. Work on parenting skills supported meaningful behaviour change. Parents grew in confidence in managing behaviour, communicating and playing with their children, and establishing routines. Many described lasting changes in both their own approach and their children’s behaviour. A particular strength of the model has been the integration of speech and language support. Across the three years, large numbers of children and families accessed targeted intervention, both through home visiting and group provision. Parents consistently reported increased confidence in supporting their child’s communication, while earlier identification of need led to children being referred at younger ages and receiving support sooner. Improvements were seen in children’s communication, interaction and engagement. The project has also strengthened community connections and partnerships. Relationships have been built with over 20 referring organisations, with new partners joining each year. This has improved coordination of support and contributed to wider community outcomes, including increased volunteering, pathways into employment, and the development of initiatives such as a Baby Bank. Key Learning from Three Years of Data Across the data, several consistent messages emerge. The project is effective in reaching families who are often isolated and experiencing multiple layers of disadvantage. Confidence stands out as a key mechanism for change, with improvements in parental confidence leading directly to better outcomes for children. The home-visiting, relationship-based model supports sustained engagement, particularly for families who may not access other services. Integrated support, combining family support, speech and language input, and parenting programmes, appears especially effective. Overall, the evidence suggests that early intervention of this kind reduces the need for more intensive statutory or crisis services. What We Have Learned The learning from this work reinforces the importance of relationships as the foundation for change. Families are far more likely to engage when they feel respected, listened to and understood. It also highlights the need for holistic and flexible support. Families rarely experience challenges in isolation, so approaches that address multiple aspects of family life simultaneously are more effective. Confidence emerges as a central driver of change. As parents feel more capable, they are better able to make decisions, manage challenges and support their child’s development. This in turn leads to more stable and positive family environments. The project also demonstrates the impact of early intervention. Engaging families earlier leads to improved developmental outcomes, reduced reliance on statutory services, and greater long-term stability. Finally, the process of co-learning and reflection has been essential. Ongoing action research with practitioners has strengthened service quality, deepened understanding of family needs, and supported staff to work more effectively. Summary You and Your Child is a highly effective early intervention model that reaches families who might otherwise not engage with support. By building strong relationships and working in partnership with parents, it helps develop confidence, resilience and independence. This leads to improved outcomes for children, stronger family relationships, and reduced pressure on statutory services. By combining evidence-informed practice, integrated support and strong partnerships, the project demonstrates how personalised, relationship-based approaches can deliver meaningful and lasting impact for families and communities

Jobs in childcare, early years learning and development and family support. Now recruiting Back to 'Join our team' page Early Years Educator Apprentice Location: Walthamstow Salary: £21,416 Hours: Fulltime - 36 hours per week Closing date: Description You will study with Pen Green Research and receive support to learn on the job at one of our settings. Your role will involve working with the team to provide high-quality, creative learning opportunities for young children, stiving to ensure every child has the best start in life. As an Early Years Educator Apprentice, you will play a vital role in creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment. Job Description Apply Now Early Years Practitioners - Level 2 Location: Walthamstow Salary: £22,127 Hours: Fulltime - 36 hours per week Closing date: Description You will be part of an amazing team who provide high quality trusted Early Years experiences and education to all children in our care. Your role will be to implement the delivery of the Early Years Curriculum to ensure that all children reach their full potential. As part of a family group you will build relationships with children and families to promote children’s learning and development and wellbeing. Job Description Apply Now Early Years Practitioners - Level 3 Location: Walthamstow Salary: £25,197 Hours: Fulltime - 36 hours per week (40 hours can also be considered) Closing date: Description You will be part of an amazing team who provide high quality trusted Early Years experiences and education to all children in our care. Your role will be to implement the delivery of the Early Years Curriculum to ensure that all children reach their full potential. As part of a family group you will build relationships with children and families to promote children’s learning, development and wellbeing. You will be responsible for supporting the Senior Early Years Practitioner and supervising and nurturing level 2 practitioners, apprentices and students. Job Description Apply Now Casual/Assistant Playworker Location: Walthamstow Salary: Hourly rates Under 18yrs - £8.00 Aged 18-20yrs - £11.05 Aged 21 and over - £11.44 Hours: Part-time - 15 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 3-6pm, Term Time only Closing date: Description You will be part of an amazing team who provide high quality trusted Early Years experiences and education to all children in our care. Your role will be to support with the Tea Time Cub provision at The Higham HIll Centre, collecting primary aged school children from Whittingham school and Hillyfield on the Hill, supervising the children; providing fun activities, & serving a nutritious tea. Job Description Apply Now Cleaner Location: Walthamstow Salary: £21,715.20 Hourly rate: £11.60 Hours: 10 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 6am - 8am Closing date: Description You will be part of an amazing team who provide high quality trusted Early Years experiences and education to all children in our care. To carry out a full range of duties providing high standards of cleanliness and general security. To include cleaning activities under the direction of the Site Service Manager and Centre Manager. Job Description Apply Now Applying online All candidates must complete our employee application form. Use the job definition as a guide to structure your application and help demostrate your relevant experience. It lists the skills, competencies, talents and behaviours we are looking for. If you are new to the role you are applying for, tell us what you know about the role. Please read our Privacy Notice for Job Applicants on our policy page for info. on how we handle your data If you would like to discuss any of our open roles or arrange a visit to one of our settings, please email recruitment@tlpcc.org.uk

Fathers' Wellbeing Service The aim of our service We aim to support local fathers in learning new ways to enhance their mental health, raise overall levels of well-being and improve their wider family dynamics. Feedback we have gathered from fathers so far indicates that our support has contributed to their "growth as parents" and promotes "stronger family relationships". Who is it for? Sessions are available to expectant fathers or those with children under the age of 2 years living in Waltham Forest. CURRENTLY CLOSED What can we offer? We provide confidential 1:1 counselling as well as in-person and online group sessions where fathers can establish meaningful connections and learn from one another. 1:1 Counselling Our services offer personalized and targeted support for fathers in our 1:1 counseling sessions. Various aspects of wellbeing are explored including emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and how these impact their lives. Additionally, we provide strategies to reframe thinking patterns and manage stress responses. Fathers Support Group This group is designed for fathers seeking connections with peers and a space to learn from shared experiences. Participants can learn to enhance their relationships with their children and, in father's own words, strive to “become better fathers". How to access our support We accept both self-referrals and professional referrals via our online 'Help Request' form using the button below. On receving this one of our team will contact you for an initial assessment. You decide on some goals that you'd like to achieve. We'll help you achieve these through group sessions and/or 1:1 counselling. When you feel as though you've achieved your goals we'll review your progress with you. If you any questions or would like more information please contact our wellbeing co-ordinator. Email: lilienl@tlpcc.org.uk Telephone: 0208 527 1737 CURRENTLY CLOSED Working in partnership with London Borough of Waltham Forest's Family Hubs Delivered by The Lloyd Park Children’s Charity

Multi Agency Action Planning Working Together for Families November 2025 We regularly bring together partners from across the voluntary sector, health, early help, and local leadership to review data and agree actions that improve outcomes for children and families. Using a collaborative, data-informed approach, partners identify priorities and develop shared, practical actions, supported by tools such as our Blossoming Trees model. Working together, we identified key priorities across several areas: SEND families: improving early access to support, raising awareness of development, and strengthening joined-up pathways Child development: targeted outreach to children not reaching expected milestones and improving access to health and early support services Gender differences: adapting provision to better engage boys and support communication through play Demographics and access: improving data sharing, strengthening co-production, and making services more accessible to diverse communities Health: improving oral health through better access to services, education, and early support Financial resilience and poverty: strengthening links with community support, including food banks, budgeting support, adult education, and volunteering opportunities to reduce the impact of poverty on families. We are grateful to all partners who contribute to this work. Together, we are able to turn insight into coordinated action and strengthen support for our community.

Our Evidence and Learning At The Lloyd Park Children’s Charity, we learn by listening to families, reflecting on our practice, and using evidence to improve our work. This page shares research, evaluations, project learning, and our annual impact, alongside real examples from practice showing how we support children and families every day. Together, this highlights what matters most; relationships, trust, and connection, and how these lead to positive outcomes. We are committed to continuous learning and sharing what works to strengthen communities. July 26 Multi-Agency Action Planning: Working Together for Families Bringing partners together to explore data and insight to identify priorities and take coordinated action to improve outcomes for children and families Annual Data Summary: Understanding Our Community Sharing insights from our services to highlight reach, engagement, and the impact of our work with children and families Ready for School: Project Overview, Outcomes and Impact Supporting families and strengthening children’s development across the prime areas and towards a Good Level of Development (GLD) Grow Well: Building Strong Foundations in the Early Years Bringing together research, data and practice-based learning to show how relationship-based support improves outcomes for babies and families Journal Club: Working Together to Strengthen Practice Drawing on shared staff learning and research to understand what works and strengthen our early years and family support approach Early Years Social Prescribing: Building Connections How community connections, parental wellbeing, and early support work together to improve outcomes for children and families Breaking Barriers: Building Confidence and Connection Exploring how a parent-led, inclusive and play-based approach supports families to build confidence, reduce isolation, and strengthen relationships. Somewhere to Belong: Early Support for Families Supporting parents and young children with SEND through connection, confidence, and joined-up early intervention. Musical Climbers and Creators Co-produced with families, children and music-making charity, Soundcastle. Discover the inspiring sounds and creations made by children. Multi-Agency Action Planning: Working Together for Families Bringing partners together to explore data and insight to identify priorities and take coordinated action to improve outcomes for children and families You and Your Child: Insights from Family Support Working alongside families to build confidence, strengthen relationships, and support children’s development and wellbeing.

SEND Community Services Building trusting relationships with parent/carers allows us to develop and implement support packages for their children's individual learning needs as they progress on to nursery or school. We use toolkits approved by the local council's 'Early Years Team' to assess children and plan their support with parent/carers. Early Years Inclusion Pathway LLoyd Park Children's Charity is now commissioned to deliver a 12 week PEEPS programme called "Learning Together-Preschool' for children 2-4 yrs and 'Learning Together Under 2's'. This is an invite only programme for those referred to LBWF's 'Early Years Inclusion Pathway'. Click on the button to the right to find out more on their website: As part of the programme you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire at the start and end of the programme. This helps us measure the impact of these sessions and hopefully secure further funding so that more families can benefit from the sessions. You can find out more about PEEPs on Peeple.org website here: Find our more Peeple.org.uk Please be aware that these links will connect you to external websites. Our charity cannot be repsonsible for the content of these sites including any downloadable files. Please read our policy on links to external web pages here Transition and funding support Our team can support parent/carers with signposting, funding advice and onward referrals. Funding advice includes SENIF (SEN Inclusion Funding) and EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plan). Onward referrals might be to speech therapy and/or SAC clinic ( Special Advisory Clinic). SENIF EHCP Sensory Play Session Our experienced team deliver this informal open drop-in play session. It's a session primarily for families with SEND children that's also inclusive for all. So, SEND children can play and socialise with their other friends in the same space. The sessions can be tailored to the attendees' needs and are focussed on playing together in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. What's On Bespoke, co-produced activities/projects Our SEND Manager leads on working with families to find out what kinds of services they would like to see provided for their children locally. We're always looking for opportunities to work with local partner organisations to proactively address the gaps in local SEND services. We also have an established working group to identify and secure funding for new projects and activities, so if you have an idea for a service let us know! Our CoCo East co-production collaborative seeks to amplify local voices and to support in family-led activity design and delivery. The group is well represented by families living with SEND so please do come along to one of our online meetings or submit an idea on the dedicated page! More information on CoCo East here Somewhere to Belong Our SEND Manager has also researched and developed this evidence-based programme of support for SEND families. Research found that SEND facilities should be familiy-centred, local and fun. Somewhere to Belong pr ovides support that improves the childs wellbeing and development but also looks at the benefits of inteventions for the whole family. We currently run a session in our adventure play space, Grow wild, on the 3rd Sunday of every month and hope to be expanding our Somewhere to Belong offer in 2025. Check out our activities timetable here: What's On Useful Links Please be aware that these links will connect you to external websites. Our charity cannot be repsonsible for the content of these sites including any downloadable files. Please read our policy on links to external web pages here : Local support Waltham Forest Parent Forum - Support families with SEND chidlren in Waltham Forest Flourish Specialist Education Service (Flourish Learning Trust schools) London Borough of Waltham Forest resources Short Breaks LBWF Local Offer LBWF SEND team Short Breaks Government resources SEND Code of Practice Benefits (Gov.uk) General help General Autism Infromation Autism Education Trust Toilet training Guides https://eric.org.uk/ Autism.org.uk LBWF Guide for schools and early years settings (including childminders)

Musical Climbers & Creators A year of exploring music with some wonderful SEND children In 2023/24 we were delighted to bring this wonderful project to life in our Grow Wild adventure play space with the support of Youth Music. This fun and uplifiting session was co-produced by the Lloyd Park Children's Charity's SEND and outdoors play practitioners, parent/carers, children and the amazing music-making charity, Soundcastle. The project delivered unique music-based outdoor learning and sensory experiences for children living with SEND who are often excluded from music-making and outdoors adventure play. Sounds from the Forest Stomp in the Forest 00:00 / 09:06 These beautiful tracks were composed by Soundcastle using vocals, sounds, beats and music made by the children, recorded as they explored the space and made music together. Meditation in the Green Space 00:00 / 09:22 Magical Memories Outdoors music-making in our inspiring 'Grow Wild' adventure playspace Real musical instruments to play led by musicians Freedom for children to play and join in at their own pace Music-making combined with creative play Inclusive music-making for SEND children and their siblings Breakthroughs for SEND children in socialising and personal confidence Building more confidence to jump and tumble with drum beats Children discovered a passion for music-making Parents saw leaps in their children's development Feedback from parents and carers I cannot enthuse about this playgroup/adventure playground and staff more. It is SUCH a supportive environment for not only my son but my daughter too aswell as myself. Staff have gone above and beyond for both my children as they often run in opposite directions and I physically can't keep an eye on both of them! The staff are unfaltering in their care for both the children, this is so important to me as often siblings can sometimes not be so welcomed in my experience which is very difficult for me. The musical element to the session is genuinely magical. At first the musicians would play musical instruments as my children played and slowly but surely my children have actively taken part in playing the musical instruments themselves which they both adore. I feel like my children get so much out of this sen session, they both have gained so much confidence in the setting since coming and both get so excited when they realise we are going to Grow Wild I myself, as their parent, really enjoy coming too! I can never usually relax in other settings as my son can be unpredictable with his behaviour at times, but here I can just breathe and let my children have fun with staff who are always enthusiastic to see them. Thank you so much! We have truly enjoyed our sessions on a Tuesday. My son loves to be outside and to be able to enjoy all the instruments in this free way has been so enriching for him. The musicians are wonderful with the little ones completely working at their pace and direction! Tirelessly playing “train” and offering different instruments and sounds occasionally so he gets a varied experience. All done in a respectful way so he hasn’t felt overwhelmed or too directed. If I had to think of something I’m tempted to say it would be nice to have some more performance group playing from the musicians with flute etc but perhaps that’s more my wanting as the simpler instruments have been generously shared and given access to and the children lead the way!! Thank you all and hope you can keep going …. We will keep coming!! Since we started attending in May my son has made huge progress in his speech, language and communication and these sessions have been a huge part of that. He finds communication challenging and this usually prevents him from interacting with other people. He became very comfortable very quickly at Grow Wild and very quickly started to interact with the musicians and it has been an absolute joy to see. He then repeatedly talks about Grow Wild at home throughout the week so not only is the session beneficial when he's there, but he loves it so much that he wants to talk about it all week, so it's been fantastic for his development at home as well. My daughter has also just started to come out of her shell. She usually only speaks to me but this week she spoke to three different adults at the session too and was much more confident and independent. I also love how safe these sessions are. Being able to run around outside in a safe space with other children and parents who understand his differences is priceless. These sessions are by far the best SEND sessions I have been to in Waltham Forest as they tick so many boxes. A safe outdoor space, access to a wide range of activities like climbing, water play, painting etc. all alongside the musical elements and an energetic, kind and enthusiastic team of adults running the sessions. ....So many of my son's sensory needs are met in one session which helps him to feel calm and regulated throughout the rest of the day. There is something available and beneficial for every child and it's fabulous to see every child enjoying themselves week after week. So thank you so much for everything. I hope that you can secure funding for September as it'll be a huge loss to the SEND community if these sessions were to stop. Both my children have both asked me if they can go to Grow Wild three times today already and this will happen every day until next week 😅 We have a home education journal and at the end of every day, we write down what we've done and my son often likes looking back at the photos of him at Grow Wild and asks for his own musical instruments. Just wanted to say how fantastic the musical element to the play has been and how much both my 19month old and I have enjoyed coming to those special sessions. It has given my son great exposure to music and to different and unique instruments we would not normally come across in our own play. The musicians are all so very talented, professional yet friendly and have a natural ability to connect with the young ones. I feel very fortunate to have attended the sessions we have with you, which have really enhanced my son's learning through song, tune and creativity. This group has been a lifeline to us from the start until now. We attend whatever the weather and my ASD child has thrived and grown from being in such an accepting and accomodating environment. He has gone from a child who was extremely uncomfortable around people, particularly adults, to somebody who seeks out interactions from the Grow Wild and Soundcastle teams. He's changed from being crying and anxious on arrival to shouting "go to see Zoe!" the minute he sees the tree. He has developed a tolerance for other children, for group singing and for music. He has developed so many social skills and even shown a keen interest in making music himself. He gets all of his sensory seeking needs met, has the freedom to explore without any pressure and we are truly fortunate to be able to attend this group. My child has developed and grown into somebody who can be in public without severe discomfort and who actually enjoys the company of other people, and I believe Grow wild has played a massive part in that.....

Breaking Barriers Breaking Barriers: Bringing Families Together, Building Confidence and Connection Breaking Barriers is a parent-led, community-based approach developed in 2018 to support connection, confidence and belonging for children and their families. It was created in response to evidence that families experiencing disadvantage often face multiple barriers to accessing support, including isolation, low confidence and wider inequalities. The model focuses on creating safe, welcoming and non-judgemental spaces where families can build relationships, access support and gradually connect with their community. It is grounded in the understanding that many families, particularly those with children with SEND, refugee and migrant families, young or single parents, and fathers, may feel excluded from traditional services without more intentional and inclusive engagement. A key strength of the approach is its gradual, relationship-based design. Families are first supported through small, tailored sessions that build trust and confidence in a relaxed, play-based environment. Their feedback is central to shaping how services develop, with a strong emphasis on co-production and responsiveness to lived experience. As confidence grows, families are supported to access wider provision, often with practical help such as accompanied visits or financial support where needed. Over time, parents are encouraged to build networks, contribute to activities and play an active role in their community. Delivery at Grow Wild, a natural play space, is a distinctive element of the model. Outdoor, play-based provision encourages parent–child interaction, builds confidence and helps reduce the stigma sometimes associated with more formal services. It also creates opportunities for connection across different communities. Consultation with over 200 parents highlighted the importance of inclusive, flexible and accessible services. Families valued welcoming environments, opportunities for outdoor play and practical support such as transport, appropriate timings and culturally relevant provision. Evidence from practice shows strong outcomes. Parents report increased confidence, new friendships and stronger engagement with services, while children benefit from improved wellbeing, learning and enjoyment. The model has also been effective in engaging underrepresented groups when delivery is tailored and culturally responsive. At its core, Breaking Barriers works by reducing practical and emotional barriers, building relationships and supporting confidence. This leads to stronger social connections, greater engagement and improved outcomes for families, alongside reduced isolation and increased community integration. Overall, the project demonstrates that inclusive, relationship-based and community-led approaches can make a meaningful difference. By combining targeted outreach, co-production and play-based provision, it offers a flexible model that can be adapted to improve access, strengthen relationships and reduce inequalities across early years services. Acknowledgement This project was developed under the leadership of Max Jervis Read, Chair and Trustee of The Lloyd Park Children’s Charity. His commitment to social justice and belief in inclusive, community-led approaches were instrumental in shaping Breaking Barriers and its focus on reaching families who are often excluded from support.

Community Services for your family Get Help Well Baby Bank Learn more Family Support Learn more Early Years Social Prescribing Learn more CoCo East A co-production collaborative aiming to bring parents, organisations and the community together to improve services for children. Get involved SEND Find out about the SEND support our practitioners offer through our childcare and our community services. Learn more Sleep Support Access support and resoruces to help you and your baby develop healthy sleep routines and improve overall wellbeing. Learn more Wellbeing Find out about the wellbeing support our teams can offer you and you child to help you thrive. Learn more Follow us on our socials for updates on scheduled activities and sessions

Family Support What is Family Support? Our Grow Well family support services offer 1:1 or group support to help you organise your thoughts, make plans and take action to improve life for you and your child. Request Help or Refer Who is it for? For families with children under 5yrs old. Enabling you to access a range of support in the community: Every family faces challenges from time to time. We're here to help you every step of the way! Some examples might include: child development parenting support sleep feeding parent/infant relationships making friends overcoming low mood How is it delivered? You will be signposted to our service or request help yourself One of our team will contact you for an initial assessment You decide on some goals that you'd like to achieve We'll help you achieve these through group sessions, phone check-ins and helping you to access community services (home visits available where appropriate) When you feel as though you've achieved your goals we'll review your progress with you Request Help or Refer