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 SEND. The play scheme is Ofsted registered and run from Russet House School, Enfield.
- Centre 404 – provides specialist playschemes for children and young people aged 8 and above
- 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
- Enfield Town FC Community Sports Development – weekly pan-disability football coaching for boys and girls on the 3G pitches at Southbury Leisure Centre
- Remark! Community – 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
- 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, 2244.07 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)
- the number of staff and whether they can meet your child's needs
- if staff have first aid training and qualifications
- what qualifications and experience the manager has, and whether you can meet them
- if there is a staff training plan, 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 policies, procedures and risk assessments are 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
- for holiday playschemes, whether your child needs to attend for the whole holiday period
- how the holiday playscheme is structured
- whether the scheme can keep your child's place open while you take a family holiday
- if there is an additional cost for outings
- the cancellation policy and whether fees still need to be paid
- if the playscheme is registered with Ofsted
- if children under 8 years old attend
- when the last inspection took place and its outcome
- how many children attend and their age ranges
- how staff will contact you in an emergency
- if facilities and equipment meet the needs of children with disabilities
- the opening days and hours
- the current fees
- if children of different ages take part in activities together
- what activities are available and whether your child can choose which ones they take part in
- if snacks or meals are provided
- if you need to bring any items, 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 take part in their play
- if the environment is bright, comfortable, safe and has enough space for children to move around
- if toys and equipment are clean, safe and suitable for different stages of development
- how much individual attention children receive
- if there is a quiet area for children
You can ask the manager if you would like to see evidence of any of these.