Disabled Children's Charity in Kent

Here are just a few areas of support given:

• Help parents draft letters to request and access support.
• Signpost to other specialists.
• Give strategies to manage challenging behaviour.
• Give a good listening ear on any concerns.
• Information on dealing with education professionals to ensure your child receives the right support.
• Ideas on where to take your child for leisure activities that have special services for a disabled child.

Advisers are available at regular Drop in Advice Sessions, or in exceptional circumstances by a home visit. 

Dartford *New Venue*
When: Tuesdays, term time only
Time: 9.30 am – 2 pm

UPDATE: Dartford Clinic – 21st April This session will be telephone appointments only. Please call the office on 01322 668501 to book your slot.

Where: Dartford Valley Rugby Club, Cotton Lane
Dartford DA2 6PD

For emergency or out-of-hours support, please click here.

Sevenoaks 
When: Wednesdays term time only,
Time: 10 am – 2 pm

Where : House in the Basement, Youth Cafe, Stag Community Arts Centre, London Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1ZZ

We are in the basement of the Stag Theatre. Entry via right hand side of the building. 

For emergency or out-of-hours support, please click here.

Gravesend
When: Thursdays term time only,
Time: 9.30 am-2 pm

Where: The Maltings, City Praise Centre, 9-11 Lower Road, Gravesend, DA12 2LY

For emergency or out-of-hours support, please click here.

Our clinics are open advice sessions. No need to book. Come along and join us. 

It is not always possible to ensure total privacy in these Drop-in Sessions, particularly at peak times. If confidentiality is essential to you, please make this known to the adviser and they will do their best to accommodate you.

Supporting you and your child’s development at We Are Beams

At Beams, we run term-time weekly “Explore and Discover” sessions and a termly “Make a Mess” session.

Explore and Discover offers a calm and welcoming environment where children can enjoy messy play, creative activities, and imaginative exploration. Each session is thoughtfully planned to encourage play, build confidence, and support growing independence. Designed with a gentle structure, the session’s help children feel comfortable and settled while working towards key developmental milestones.

Make A Mess… Get ready to squish, splash, and dive into the mess! These fun, termly sessions are all about hands-on, messy and sensory play, with lots of exciting textures, colours, and activities to explore. Best of all… You get all the fun without the clean-up at home! Don’t forget to bring a change of clothes – things are going to get very messy!

Sessions will run weekly during term time for just £3 per child. We keep our groups small to ensure a great experience, so spaces are limited.

For more information, contact Camille.rickwood@wearebeams.org.uk. 

Support Group at Ifield Smile

We will be running a Family Advice Support Group from 10 am to 12pm at Ifiled Smile, Gravesend.

Next dates (10am – 12pm):

16 June 2026 

Please note, places are limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. Booking is essential. To book a place, please email. 

Support Group at We Are Beams Hextable

Our Family Advice Support Group is held at We Are Beams, Allsworth Court, 38-40 St Davids Road, Hextable, Swanley BR8 7RJ.

No need to book, just come along and join us. For each session, we have two advisers available to facilitate.

Next dates (10 am – 12 pm):

Thursday 14 May
Thursday 2 July

Please see the links below for more information on EHC Plans:

• About EHC Plans
  CLICK HERE
• Annual Reviews of EHC plans
  CLICK HERE
• Kent County Council Local Offer:
  CLICK HERE

Further information/support

Parents may wish to look at Ipsea’s website for additional legally based information and resources including helpful template letters.

Ipsea’s vision is that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities are able to fulfil their potential. With a mission to help children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and their families and carers, to get the appropriate education, training and support to which they are entitled under the law.

Sossen offer a free, friendly, independent and confidential telephone helpline for parents and others looking for information and advice on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). They also have a regular advice clinic in Kent plus various online training events throughout the year.

The course runs for 6 weeks, is 3 hours per week, and covers arrange of topics including:

• Week 1 – Introduction to autism
• Week 2 – An overview of autism, with parent
  and carer experience
• Week 3 – Thinking and Sensory
• Week 4 – Social interaction and
  Communication
• Week 5 – Understanding and Supporting
  Behaviour
• Week 6 – Analysing Behaviour
• Week 7 – Follow Up Session held later in
  the year

There is a follow-up session approximately 3 months later. Refreshments are provided (tea, coffee, biscuits). There is no crèche facility or funding for childcare costs at present.

Criteria:
Your child has or is on the pathway to a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum. Condition and is aged between 5 and 18 years old.

For more information or to be added to the waiting list please contact us.

Fathers Club Kent will no longer hold in-person meetings. Going forward, sessions will take place online via a private Facebook group, allowing dads and granddads to continue connecting, sharing experiences, and accessing support.

To join, search for Fathers Club Kent on Facebook and send a request. You can also contact the facilitator via email below for any questions.