The following organisations provide playschemes and after school activities for children with SEND:
- Abundant Living With Autism (ALWA) Play Scheme - provides an out-of-school holiday club during all school half terms and holidays, for children aged 5 to 15 years with autism and SEND. The Play Scheme is Ofsted registered, and is run from Russet House School, Enfield.
- Centre 404 - provides specialist playschemes for children and young people aged 8 and above. These playschemes are held at Oaktree School.
- Endorphins - provides a safe and supportive environment for SEND children and young people. Their Superstar sessions offer arts and crafts, drama, dance and inclusive activities in the holidays. Their experienced team is focused on delivering sessions that promote fun and friendships.
- Enfield Children and Young Persons' Service (ECYPS) - offers holiday activities for children and young people of all abilities
- Enfield Holiday Activities and Food Programme - Sports, arts, filming, cooking and many other engaging activities are taking place across Enfield during the Easter, summer and winter holidays
- Remark! Community was set up in 2010 to support the deaf community around London. They run a playscheme for deaf children aged 6 to 16 which runs in both North and South London during the school holidays, including half-term. The playscheme offers in-venue activities such as sports, baking and crafts activities. They also offer day visits to adventure parks, trampolining, and wall-climbing.
- Sticky Fingers - provides breakfast, afterschool and holiday clubs
- Time for Change Holiday Club - provides a safe, fun and stimulating environment where children can feel happy and comfortable, allowing them to flourish, develop new skills and make friendships that last a lifetime
- Very Important People Services (VIPS) - provides specialist playschemes for children and young people aged 8 and above
- Walker Children's Club - quality, affordable childcare in Southgate
- Walker Children's Club Multi-Sensory Experience - research has shown that sensory stimulation can be beneficial to children of all ages. Day and timeslots are flexible depending on your child's age. You can view their multi-sensory room on YouTube.
- West Lea School - offers playschemes and after school clubs for children and young people aged 8 and above
You can also find helpful information in our holiday play and leisure activities booklet (PDF, 5663.83 KB).
Choosing a club or activity
When choosing a club or activity for your child or young person, you should check:
- if staff have a current police check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
- how many staff work at the service and if they can meet your child's needs
- if staff have first aid training and qualifications
- what qualifications and experience the manager has, and if you can arrange to meet them
- if there is a training plan for staff, including how to manage behaviour that challenges
- if staff attend safeguarding (child protection) training
- if there are health and safety procedures for children, staff and the building
- if there are policies, procedures and risk assessments in place
- if they have public liability insurance
- if recruitment processes ensure staff have the right attitude, experience and knowledge to care for your child safely
- if your child needs to attend for the whole holiday period when choosing a holiday playscheme
- the structure of the holiday playscheme
- if the scheme can hold your child's place open while you take a family holiday
- if there is an additional cost for attending outings
- cancellation policies and if the fee will still need to be paid
- if the playscheme is registered with Ofsted
- if children under 8 years old attend
- when the last inspection was and the outcome
- how many children attend the service and what the age ranges are
- how staff will contact you in an emergency
- if facilities and equipment meet the needs of children with disabilities
- what hours and days the service operates
- the current fees
- if ages are mixed during activities
- what activities are available and if the child can choose which ones they do
- if snacks or meals are provided
- if you need to bring supplies, such as supply pads or snacks
- if staff are welcoming, approachable and interested in you and your child
- if staff listen and respond to children and join in with their play
- if the environment is bright, comfortable, secure and clear with plenty of floor space to move around
- if there are clean and safe toys and equipment appropriate for different stages of development
- how much individual attention children get
- if there is a quiet area for children
You can ask the manager if you would like to see evidence of any of these.