The story of Chalkhill Park as we mark 10 years since the official opening

This post reflects my personal involvement but of course the most credit must go to the Chalkhill Residents' Association and especially their chair Kathleen Fraser who held on to the vision through thick and thin and played a much larger part, as well as Brent Council Parks Department and the local councillors at the time.

 

 

Early Plan 25.03.2010

 

The official opening of the new Chalkhill Park was on June 8th 2013, 10 years ago today, but as you will see there were other 'unofficial'openings.

The park resulted from a 'pay-back' arrangement when Asda took over some of the estate land for its superstore and the the site of the medical centre and car park on Chalkhill  Road was ear-marked for a park.

There were hitches on the way and at one time there were rumours on the estate that the site would be used for flats rather than a park.

 

 The site in 2011

In October 2011 I wrote:

 I think my readers deserve some (fairly) good news in the midst of the recession gloom and the closure of half our libraries.

I attended a meeting last week in my role as a school governor regarding the proposed new Chalkhill Park. The Chalkhill Residents' Association have been concerned about the park and a proposed Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) in St David's Close on the estate. The Chalkhill Pupil School Council had written to ward councillors to expression concern about the lack of progress on the park and had been told work would commence this month. In fact nothing seemed to have happened and the weeds were getting taller and taller.

We were told that work was behind schedule by 4-6 weeks and may fall further behind if soft planting is delayed by poor weather. However we were assured  that the park should open in May 2012. Bids are still awaited from contractors who will construct the park.

The residents' concerns about the budget for the project were not fully answered. It appears to have reduced from £1.3m to something over £0.8m and there was some confusion over whether the money was from planning gain following the building of Wembley ASDA on a section of the estate, and whether the money had originally been held by Metropolitan Housing Association, the managers of the estate, and late handed over to the Council.  If the latter is the case there may be an issue over the reduction in the amount.

Putting that aside, we were assured that the promised children's playgrounds (one for older children and one for younger) and an exercise area for adults would be built. There would also be a 'kick-about' area rather than a formal football pitch and a wildlife nature garden.

 Residents asked questions about the 'water feature' that had incorporated into the plans. They had never asked for one and it appeared to be an expensive item. They said that if anything had to go because of budget constraints the water feature should be abandoned. It appears to have been added as a landscape features that would extend the vista from Brent Town Hall steps, down the avenue of trees, and into the park. It was unclear whether it was purely ornamental or something the children might play in: echoes of the fiasco over Lady Di's Memorial Water Feature! 

As by 2013 the Town Hall will have been replaced by the new Civic Centre, and may have been converted into a hotel, it does appear to be redundant. It would also use electricity to generate the pumps which would involve an ongoing cost. We were told that solar panel electricity generation for the pump wouldn't be suitable. Not very green...

When the MUGA came under discussion we were told that existing installations at Poplar Close Youth Centre and Chalkhill School's play area which was shared with the community, made a new one unnecessary. However Gerry Kiefer, the new head of parks and sports services, said that she would like to 'start a conversation' about St David's Close open space. Previously that had not been developed because it was not overlooked by housing and therefore deemed unsafe for unsupervised play. However, the newly built flats in the close were now occupied and this objection no longer stood.

Ms Kiefer offered to look at the possibility of:

1. Erecting goal posts for a football pitch (size to be decided after a survey), levelling the surface and marking out the pitch. Future mowing and marking out would have to be borne by the users who were expected to be the Chalkhill Wanderers football team.
2. Restoring the overgrown BMX cycling course with help from local youth.
3. Looking at the possibility of building a skateboarding facility in St David's Close.
4. She also undertook to look at the Poplar Close MUGA, in particular the state of the pitches and whether the floodlights were working.

 The meeting was facilitated by Councillor Shafique Choudhary (Barnhill ward councillor) at the request of Kathleen Jackson, Chair of Chalkhill Residents' Association.

 

 Looking at those undertakings the BMX track was restored and a circuit installed for cycles and scooters in St David's Close (both were consulted with Chalkhill Primary pupils). No skateboarding park was built although some children use skateboards on the BMX. Unfortunately after drug-taking and other anti-social activities in the Chalkhill School community playground during out of school hours, the police advised its closure for unsupervised activities.

The water feature was abandoned although some parents told me this week that they'd love to see at least a paddling pool in the park.

 

The rain-swept site in January 2012

 

In January  2012 with little sign of progress I blogged again (extract):

 Earlier in 2011 children from Chalkhill School Council had lobbied ward councillors after repeated delays and this was taken up by the wider community of children and youth on the estate during the summer holiday. They were all angry that once again Chalkhill young people had been deprived of a park during the long summer holiday. They were determined that they would have a park by Summer 2012.

When I saw that no work had started after the forecast delay of 4-6 weeks I started nagging the ward councillor in my role as Chair of Governors of Chalkhill Primary School. 

Chris Walker, head of planning wrote to all the interested parties yesterday, January 12th 2012 ( to say that it had been anticipated that work would start in December 2011/January 2012 (more than 4-6 weeks behind) but that now the contract will be not be awarded until March 2012 with a six month contract to completion. On my reading this means that the park will not be completed until at least September 2012 leaving the local kids with no park for yet another summer.

Mr Walker explains that this is because all the tenders submitted in the autumn were unaffordable without reducing the park specification and that it became apparent that they did not fully comply with the Council's internal standing orders - so they are going out to tender again 'and hope that this time we will receive affordable and suitable tender submissions'. Even that sounds pretty uncertain...

Chris Walker  says he realises the situation will be a big disappointment but says that the Council is doing all it can to minimise delays.

Eventually a contract was awarded and there were some delays due to bad weather but the new park began to take shape. Progress was eagerly watched by children on their way to and from school, bothe primary and secondary. 

 

 The wait was too much for some and on April 25th 2013 I wrote:

 

 

25^th April 2013

 

I was greeted by whoops of excitement and shouted greetings as I passed Chalkhill Park at 6.15pm this evening. As you can see the children have taken it over and made it their own.  It is not yet officially open and a pensive child outside whispered, 'You know this is illegal'.  But a parent said, 'How can we tell them they can't go in. They have been waiting for the park for 3 years and here it is now and they just love it!'

A decision will be made tomorrow about a possible earlier opening. There are concerns that the grass sown between the gaps in the safety matting of the children's playground, which is at an early stage of growth, will be damaged but anyone wanting to keep the children out now that they have had a taste of the park  will have quite a job on their hands!

Garth McWilliams who designed the park should be thrilled by the children's reaction.

This was followed by another post soon after:

The recent warm weather has resulted in children and families making use of the new Chalkhill Park despite it not yet being officially open and still surrounded by builders' fencing.

The temptation of green grass and exciting play equipment proved too much of a temptation after three long years of waiting. A bit of low key spontaneous direct action resulted in an unofficial entrance being created.

I recently saw parents sitting chatting while their children played, a teenager doing her homework on a laptop at a picnic bench and young people chilling out. It demonstrated to me how badly the park was needed and how keen people are to get in there and use it.

Today there were 10 labourers working on the park. I checked and was told that the play equipment has received its final safety check and that a decision will be made tomorrow on whether the park should open now with any uncompleted areas being fenced off temporarily,

I think that would be a sensible decision as public use by families would be likely to deter any misuse of the park and why on earth shouldn't it be open if it is largely complete?

The official opening by the new Mayor of Brent will be on Saturday June 8th and plans include special activities, performance, bouncy castles, talent show and much more on the Saturday, outdoor gym equipment training on Sunday and Chalkhill Primary School pupils will take it over for a Carnival procession and other activities on the afternoon of  Monday June 10th.

 

Following April's activities the Council decided to open the park to the public on May 3rd 2013 ready for the Bank Holiday.

 

May 3^rd 2013

Builders' fences were removed from Chalkhill Park today after a final surge of activity to get the park ready for the Bank Holiday.

News reached Chalkhill Primary School at lunchtime and spread like wildfire around the playground to cheers from the children.

The weekly School Walking Club were the first to officially use the new facility.  A landscape gardener, stripped to the waist and pushing a laden wheelbarrow, stopped me and said, 'This makes it all worthwhile. The children's faces as they swarmed into the park were wonderful. It was amazing It was worth all the work.'

Parents and children rushed to the park after school and there was widespread praise from the former for the design. Children were too overcome with excitement and breathless from trying everything out to say very much but their big smiles told their own story.

 

June 2013 preparing for the opening

 

The plans to build a new park close to the school presented a great opportunity for work across the curriculum. More than three years ago children were involved in submitting  possible plans for the park with ideas for the kind of equipment that should be installed. They had to think about provision for all ages and safety issues.

The School Council got involved when plans for the park were delayed. They wrote letters to local Brent councillors, e-mailed them and spoke to them face to face to urge action to complete the park, emphasising how important it was for children on the Chalkhill Estate to have somewhere safe to play and the importance of exercise and play in adopting a healthy lifestyle.

When  completion neared they were again involved in putting forward ideas for the opening ceremony and pupil delegates went to one meeting where activities, within budget constraints, were planned. In School Council they came up with the idea of a Junior Friends of Chalkhill Park to litter pick and take care of the equipment. Within the school there was a competition to make posters to urge the public to look after the park, pick up litter and clear up after dogs. The best of these were placed on the park notice boards.

For the opening ceremony the children and staff worked with Mahogany Arts to create carnival costumes, the staff steelband rehearsed, a pupil samba band was formed, Bollywood dances created and the school choir chose pieces to sing on the day.

Meanwhile Year 3 pupils collaborated with the Brent and Kilburn Times  to produce a page of the newspaper about the park:

 As you can see there was the 'direct action' by school pupils that opened the park on April 25th 2013, and then the council opened it to the public on May 3rd 2013. Finally the official opening was 10 years ago today on June 8th 2013 with the Mayor attending and performances by community groups and school children. Those childen are now at work, college or university!

 

Chalkhill Primary involved the whole school the following Monday, June 12th 2023 with a Carnival Procession around the park in costumes they had made with the assistance of Mahogany and were accompanied by the staff steel pans band.

 

By August 2013 the park was contributing to the life of the estate:

August 2013

It was good  today to see Chalkhill residents enjoying their first summer in the new park. The Chalkhill Champions' Summer Camp was in session with children learning how to put up a tent. The Camp for children on the estate takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 1-4pm. It will culminate with an entertainment put on by the young people on Friday August 30th.

Chalkhill Residents' Association have organised a Family Summer Trip to Littlehampton later in the holiday.

Future 'Happy Dayz Family Fun' activities  in the park for Chalkhill residents include:
August 10th  3pm Scavenger Hunt
August 11th 3pm Family Rounders
August 17th 3pm Family Beat the Goalie
August 18th 3pm  Family Picnic/Campsite
August 24th 3pm Family Treasure Hunt
Look for the Green Tent in the park this weekend and sign up.

The new park is having a really positive impact on the local community according to one resident I spoke to. He lives opposite the park and apart from some occasional late night rowdiness, he described a friendly atmosphere where adults accompanying their children and others using the park for chilling out or exercising on the outdoor gym, are getting to know each other, chatting and then greeting each other in Asda or elsewhere in Wembley.

For me it underlines the importance of safe and beautiful public spaces which everyone can enjoy at no cost and where informal social contact can develop in a natural way. With increasing development and the privatisation of existing public spaces it is important to safeguard such neutral free spaces.

 

10 years on June 2023 

 

 I popped into the park earlier this week and talked to parents and their children about the park.  They were very positive about the facility but there were two main concerns. One was anti-social behaviour of the type that led to the closure of the school community playground to the public. Parents were used to seeing alcohol misuse but were very uneasy about drug-taking and possible dealing. I had heard that the police had been clamping down but it was evidently still happening in a thicket of trees and shrubs. One parent said that she felt safe if there were lots of others in the park but not if there were only a few people.

Another concern was maintenance of the park and especially the flower beds. Although these are not formal there were too many brambles and tree suckers amongst the flowers. There is an ongoing problem with litter.  A new parks maintenance contractor comes in this summer so it will be important for residents, the residents' association and ward councillors to monitor performance.

The park is too precious to be allowed to fall into neglect or to be taken over by one age group.

 

Kathleen Fraser, now a councillor for Barnhill ward that includes the Chalkhill estate said:

It was hard work for the Residents' Association to move the Council to give us trees and hills in the lovely park we have now.

A true demonstration of People Power.

UPDATED: 'I STILL can't believe it!' - Brent Council does it again

 

Having admitted earlier this week that the letter to residents encouraging them to attend next week's vital Planning Committee online was a mistake - an old format that cited covid restriction, the Council said that residents could attend in-person.

However, the council website front page notice of Monday's  Planning Committee states, 'If you wish to attend this meeting we ask that you join online using the live webcast.'

It's enough to turn this 76 year old into Victor Meldrew! 

 

UPDATE - Brent Council has amended its announcement on the website but it is not exactly encouraging the public to attend in-person as is their right! Anyone would think they really do not want the public there.

 

Labour should stop prevaricating and vote in the Lords for Jenny Jones' 'Fatal Motion' to stop government power grab

 

St Mungos workers on strike in Willesden tomorrow - join the picket at 9.30am in Pound Lane, Willesden

 

Brent Trades Council is urging local activists to support workers at the homelessness charity St Mungos when they strike tomorrow. The workers are striking for a decent pay increase after what was described as a 'pitiful' offer. That is contrasted with high salaries for the bosses of the charity.

The picket is at Pound Lodge at115 Pound Lane, Just opposite Willesden bus garage.(nearest tube Dollis Hill on the Jubilee line.

A rally in support of the St Mungo workers  is planned for later this month on June 16th at noon outside Brent Civic Centre. Look out for final details on Wembley Matters. 

Barham family urge Planning Committee to protect Titus Barham's gift to the people of Wembley that stipulated 'his gardens should be used for the enjoyment of local people and nothing else'

 

Letter published with permission

Dear Councillor Kelcher,

I am writing on behalf of the Barham family to object to the building of even more houses within Barham Park.

As you will know Barham Park was the family home of the Barham family from around 1895 to 1937. From 1913 it was the home of Titus Barham and his wife Florence who spent a great deal of time and money to plant and improve the gardens. While it was a gated and fenced private home and gardens Titus would open it to the public on a regular basis. As supporters and founders of the then recently built Wembley Hospital, Titus and Florence held many fundraising events in their home and gardens.

As you will also know Titus and his wife were major benefactors, supporting many worthwhile causes in Wembley and Sudbury. In recognition of this Titus was selected to become the Charter Mayor of the newly formed Wembley Borough Council. Sadly he died on the very day the Charter was to come into effect.

Prior to his death in 1937 Titus had arranged to gift his home and gardens expressly “for the enjoyment of local people” . This gift became Barham Park.

As you will also know this charitable endowment placed responsibility on Wembley, and later Brent Councils, to manage and look after the Park in the best interests of local people.

The two houses in the Park close to the railway were built specifically to house Parks Department workers who helped to maintain and look after the Park. The building of those two houses, although maybe questionable at the time, could be justified because of the link with the Park and it’s purpose. No such link exists now and will not certainly exist if and when the two houses are replaced by the proposed 4 taller buildings whose sole purpose is not to house Parks Department workers working in Barham Park, but simply to generate a rental income for their owners.

I also understand that the Council has had a long-standing policy of protecting Parks from intrusive development. While the original building of the two houses may have been questionable the proposed building of 4 larger and taller houses is an affront to the wishes of Titus Barham.

As Councillors, you and members of the Planning Committee reflect on the action of one of your predecessors, namely Titus who was a Wembley Councillor for 4 years, and continue to respect and protect his generosity specifically for the enjoyment of local people.

On behalf of the Barham family I would therefore urge you and your Council colleagues to REJECT the latest Planning Application and to uphold Titus Barham’s express wish that his gardens should be used for the enjoyment of local people and nothing else.

Please present my appeal as outlined in this message to all Councillors in Brent and especially to the members of the Brent Planning Committee.

Yours sincerely

Allan Barham
On behalf of the Barham family

 

Education unions to hold joint industrial action campaign meetings in every school in England

From the NAHT

Today (Tues 6^th June), the general secretaries of teacher and school leader unions, including NAHT, ASCL and NEU [and NASUWT], have written to their members in all schools in England encouraging them to hold joint-union staff meetings on industrial action.

The unions have previously announced their intention to co-ordinate industrial action going forward. Speaking at school leaders’ union NAHT’s Annual Conference last month, the general secretaries pointed out that their combined memberships would mean action if taken would affect nearly every school in England.

All the unions are currently balloting their members to take strike action in the Autumn term, with NEU and NAHT’s ballots currently running, and ASCL’s due to commence this month.

The letter sent today calls for staff meetings of all union members eligible to vote in any of the ballots to be held the week commencing 19 June, to discuss how to maximise turnout and encourage members to return their ballot papers.

The letter reads:

The education system has faced years of real-term pay erosion; a funding crisis; enormous recruitment and retention challenges; escalating workload and working hours; and an inspection system that is doing more harm than good.

As a result, the four largest teacher and leader unions are in the process of balloting members in order to secure a mandate for industrial action.

We have worked incredibly hard to engage with the government on these issues and to try to find satisfactory solutions, but it simply refuses to listen. We believe that a mandate for industrial action across all of our unions is the only way we can get your voice heard.

In an almost unprecedented show of solidarity, all four of our unions have agreed to work together on this campaign. This shows not just the sense of unity among the profession but also our determination to make sure this government starts to engage properly with us in order to address these crucial issues.

Regardless of which union you are in, it is absolutely essential we all work together to ensure everyone eligible casts their vote. This really is a time to stand together and stand up for the profession.

Whether you are in the same union or in different unions, these staff meetings will provide a perfect opportunity to come together and show your solidarity for one another in this ongoing campaign.

We are all clear that we are now in a battle for the very future of education – stand with your colleagues and join us as we strive to bring about real change.

The full letter can be read here: JOINT GS Letter - staffroom meetings - June 2023.pdf.

'Misrepresentation' by officers cited in Objection to the Barham Park Application Committee Report before Brent Planning Committee on June 12th: Application must be refused.

 Philip Grant informed readers of this objection on a comment to the earlier article on the Barham Park planning application. With his permission I am publishing it as a guest post:

Barham Park objection comment on Officer Report to 12 June Planning Committee:-

This is an objection to a misrepresentation made in the Committee Report by Planning Officers to the Planning Committee meeting on 12 June 2023.

A Supplementary Report to the meeting should be prepared, setting out IN FULL the grounds for this objection, and the Officer response to it.

The heading of the Report states that the Planning Area for application 22/4128 is “Sudbury Town Neighbourhood Forum”. The misrepresentation occurs over the Sudbury Town Neighbourhood Plan, referred to in paragraphs 11 and 13 of the Committee Report.

Paragraph 11 correctly states that: ‘It is set out within Neighbourhood Plan policy BP1 (Barham Park) that any proposals for the re-use or redevelopment of park buildings for residential use (Use Class C3) will not be supported.’

That should be the conclusion of the matter, with a recommendation that application 22/4128 should be refused, because the application proposes the redevelopment of park buildings, increasing their size, height and number of dwellings for residential use.

However, paragraph 13 seeks to turn the clear policy position over the Sudbury Town Neighbourhood Plan (as set out in paragraph 11) on its head!

It begins the attempt to do this by saying that: ‘Neighbourhood Plan Policies LGS1, LGS2 and BP1 ARE RELEVANT to the proposal ....’ (note: my capital letters, for emphasis). Those policies are more than just relevant. They are what should decide the matter, for the reason I will explain at the end of this objection comment.

Paragraph 13 goes on to say: ‘... the proposal is not considered to result in the redevelopment of park buildings.’ However, at the top of the Officer Report “The Proposal” is described as: ‘Demolition of 2 existing dwellings and construction of 4x new three storey dwellinghouses.’

The definition of “redevelopment” in ordinary English usage is: ‘the action or process of developing something again or differently.’ The proposal should clearly be considered as a redevelopment of park buildings, and the Officer Report has misdirected the Committee on that point.

Following on from this misdirection, paragraph 13 states: ‘The proposal is considered to accord with policies LGS1, LGS2 and BP1.’ The proposal DOES NOT accord with those policies, because those policies in the Sudbury Town Neighbourhood Plan, specifically policy BP1 relating to Barham Park, state:

‘Proposals for the re-use of the existing Barham Park buildings to provide a new community facility (D1 or D2 Use) or any other use that would support and complement the function of the park will be supported. Any proposals for the re-use or redevelopment of park buildings for residential use (Use Class C3) WILL NOT BE SUPPORTED.’

Paragraph 13 concludes by trying to counter the point I have just made: ‘if one contended that Policy BP1 relates to all buildings within the area designated Local Green Space as opposed to all buildings within the park itself, it is noted that the fall-back position for the applicant would be the continued use of the houses and their curtilages for their current lawful use, for purposes within Use Class C3.’

Yes, the applicant can continue to use the two existing houses in the park, built originally as homes for park-keepers, but no longer required for that purpose, for their current Class C3 use.

But that does not entitle the applicant to demolish those two houses and redevelop the site for four new houses. To do that would require planning consent, which is what application 22/4128 is seeking to achieve. However, policy BP1 clearly states that such a proposal ‘will not be supported’. It should not have been supported, and recommended for approval, by Planning Officers, and it should not be approved by Brent’s Planning Committee.

The Sudbury Town Neighbourhood Plan was adopted by Brent Council in 2015, and forms an integral part of Brent’s current Local Plan. When the idea of neighbourhood plans was put forward in the original version of the National Planning Policy Framework (“NPPF”), this stated:

‘Local communities through local and neighbourhood plans should be able to identify for special protection green areas of particular importance to them. By designating land as Local Green Space local communities will be able to rule out new development other than in very special circumstances.’

There are no ‘very special circumstances’ which would support the proposed development in application 22/4128.

The most recent version of the NPPF (July 2021) states in paragraph 30:

‘Once a neighbourhood plan has been brought into force, the policies it contains take precedence over existing non-strategic policies in a local plan covering the neighbourhood area, where they are in conflict; unless they are superseded by strategic or non-strategic policies that are adopted subsequently.’

There is no evidence that policy BP1 in the Sudbury Town Neighbourhood Plan has been superseded by policies adopted subsequently. Therefore, policy BP1 takes precedence over any other Local Plan policies covering the neighbourhood area of which Barham Park forms a part. As a result, application 22/4128 MUST be refused.

Philip Grant, Submitted 5 June 2023.

Special article for National Carers Week from a local mother about her personal experience of trying to meet her child's needs in Brent

 

Guest post by 'Max's mum' - names have been changed to protect identities

Hi, I’m ‘Max's Mum’ and below is an overview that I hope gives you an insight into some of my experiences as a Carer which have been both positive as well as difficult. It is hoped that some of my experiences are informative, useful and purposeful in helping others as well as helping professionals working with Autistic children, young people and adults, learn, reflect and to consider what improvements can be made to local services within Brent.

 

Some of the best things about being a Carer include doing all that you can to ensure that the needs of your loved one are met, making sure that they are happy, and that they can make choices to promote their health, well-being and for them to live a safe, happy and meaningful life.

 

I am the proud parent of an eight-year-old boy named Max. Max is a happy, fun-loving, mischievous clever little boy. He is and has always been very social and curious.

 

Max is Autistic and received an official diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) when he was two years and six months old. Diagnosis of Autism in children is based on a child's developmental history and observable behaviour.

 

Early signs, action taken to support Max and the process of Max being diagnosed as Autistic

 

Before Max was 12 months old, due to behaviours that Max displayed both at home and within the community, it became apparent to me that Max might be Autistic.

 

A day in my life as a Carer starts early and ends late. My son sleeps well throughout the night, but not for long, so to get things done, it is necessary to wake up a lot earlier than him and to stay up late into the night after he has finally fallen asleep.

 

During the early morning or late at night, I can get things done such as cooking, cleaning, reading, researching or planning things to do to ensure that my son has lots to keep him busy and stimulated and has what he needs to develop and to thrive. We have travelled throughout London and beyond to access services that will help him now and in the future.

 

Messages and emails are usually responded to as soon as I  read them on my phone, not because I have so much free time, but because otherwise, there is no time to reply to them and they will be left unanswered.

 

Like all children the needs of my son are varied and they change over time. Being flexible to his needs is not problematic. The problem is continually having to advocate, educate others and engage in battles and fights, to access appropriate support and services for my son to ensure that his needs are met. This can be on the bus when he needs to sit due to being overwhelmed. My son is a priority customer on TFL, and he has Medi alert I.D. that I refer to, to simplify requests for his support needs to be met when required if I need to request that a priority seat is made available to him by anyone who may not need it.

 

Having to read legislation and other guidance related to how he can access a service that is available to him to promote equity is something that I have to do regularly. 'Professionals' often say, "Carers need to develop their resilience'". Professionals probably regularly discuss this when training or during their CPD sessions. Resilience is "the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties."

 

There have been occasions when I have laid in bed during the day and slept. I can imagine some people thinking, 'I wish I could do that.' On such a day, if my son is at home unless he needs me to make something to eat for him, he tends not to wake or disturb me because he has come to realise that if I am asleep during the day at that point, I have no more energy left and my body has decided to take a break, so all the resilience in the world is not going to make it possible for a 'quick recovery' to be made.

 

Several factors contributed positively to Max receiving the correct official diagnosis when he was very young.

 

1. Max displayed many behaviours that some Autistic children, young people and adults may display, which I was able to observe and report to professionals within Brent, who worked with Max and our family. Max was and still is sensitive to audio, visual and other stimuli. By observing him it was, and still is, usually possible to work out what his support needs are, and to meet them.

 

2. As well as having family members who are Autistic, I had previously worked with children, young people and adults who are Autistic.

 

3. The third factor, that supported Max in gaining an accurate and timely diagnosis, was input from appropriately trained and competent Professionals who we encountered within Brent. When Max was approximately 12 months old he attended an initial screening with a Speech and Language Therapist at Hope Family Centre (now closed), who engaged in direct work with Max. Following this Max was referred to a Paediatrician and over the next 18 months a multi-agency assessment was undertaken.

 

Sources of support within Brent and London that Max and I have accessed, where we have received support in person or online

 

Family and friends

 

By learning more about Autism, I am able to learn about a wide range of strategies that were effective in supporting Max’s specific needs. I share these with family and friends to ensure that Max’s developmental and support needs are met in a range of settings and that others are able to provide appropriate care and support to him.

 

Childminder

 

Brent Early Years Services - completed an early help assessment of Max’s needs and help me to find a Childminder, who looked after Max for 15 hours a week. Her input was very beneficial to Max.  She had the willingness to listen and learn and was responsive to Max's needs and worked in partnership with Max and me. She attended the Autism Show with me and this supported us both in gaining more knowledge of Autism and how we could best support Max.

 

Drop-In SEND provision in Brent

 

Max attended  Drop-in Portage sessions at Three Trees Children’s Centre (now Three Trees Well-being Centre) and drop-in sessions that were held at Fawood Children’s  Centre (now Fawood Family and Wellbeing Centre).

 

While attending these sessions, Max’s specific needs were extremely well met by appropriately trained and highly competent staff.

 

As well as engaging in play sessions, attention Autism sessions with Max, play therapy and meeting his sensory and other needs, I was provided with key information about Max that helped me to meet his needs as an Autistic child.

 

Identifying a Nursery Place

 

Max needed to be assessed within the mainstream section of a community Nursery School within Brent for an application to be made for him to gain a place in the Additionally Resources Provision (ARP) of Granville Plus Nursery School. The staff worked in partnership with Max and me and implemented supports to ensure that Max was able to remain in the setting, when due to his sensitivities due to being Autistic Max engaged in behaviours that are 'perceived to challenge'.

 

Granville Nursery - ASD Parent Support Group

 

This was a group that was facilitated by workers from Brent Early Years Service and Granville Plus School - Horizon ARP (Additionally Resourced Provision.)

 

As well as speakers who provided invaluable information and guidance, including a Highly Specialist SaLT (Speech and Language Therapist) (who was outstanding), Autistic young people, and other parents of Autistic children and young people, this group was a space where parents and carers could share experiences, ideas, tips and provide and gain support and encouragement.

 

Parent and Toddler Groups (my experiences from 2015)

 

When I attended Parent and Toddler Groups within Brent although they were receptive to Max and I attending, in hindsight they would and probably would still benefit from training about what measures they could very easily implement to provide inclusive provision to ensure equity to all children both those with and without SEND.

 

Housing

 

Brent Housing Department should work towards training their staff, at all levels about the needs of families where a child, young person or adult has SEND.

 

I had to engage in years of battling with Brent Housing for Max’s needs to be taken into consideration.

 

Brent SENAS (Special Educational Needs Assessment Service)

 

Brent Special Educational Needs Assessment Service should work towards further training their staff, at all levels about the needs of families where a child, young person or adult has SEND.

 

I had to engage in many years of battling with Brent's Special Educational Needs Assessment Service. I took Max’s case to SENDIST (Special Educational Needs Tribunal) on two occasions,  in an attempt for Max’s needs to be adequately assessed and for an appropriate school to be gained for him.

 

Max is currently attending a school that can appropriately meet his needs, where he is happy and he is doing well.

 

Brent Parent Carers Forum CIC - Services and support need to be reviewed and planned in co-production with parents.

 

Brent Local Offer - Needs to be reviewed and co-produced with children, young people, adults with SEND and their parents and carers. Brent's Local Offer website needs to be formatted so that it is much more accessible and broken web links need to be deleted.

 

Brent Carer’s Centre - Excellent support advice, advocacy and support provided.

 

Early Intervention Service - (Bromley) - Invaluable Early Years in-person support.

 

Jason Roberts Foundation (Brent) - Jason Roberts Foundation offers SEND Provision that has competent, trained staff and youth mentors, who are responsive and work in partnership with children, young people and adults with SEND and their parents and carers. JRF take on board new ideas to meet needs and ensure that inclusive provision is provided and equity is promoted and championed. JRF’s work is the standard to which all services in Brent should aspire to provide to all SEND families.

 

Music House for Children (Shepherd’s Bush) - Max participated in Music Therapy, interactive music sessions, performances and concerts, in addition to engaging in online activities that aided his development significantly.

 

Pedal Power (Finsbury Park & Emirates Stadium) - Max was supported in learning how to cycle and is able to safely cycle during sessions at Pedal Power.

 

In-Deep Music Therapy (Westminster) -  Max participates in Music Therapy, interactive music sessions, performances and concerts, in addition to engaging in online activities that continue to promote his development.

 

A2ndVoice (South London) - Max is able to engage in social activities where his specific needs as an Autistic child are fully taken into consideration and met. We engage in activities with A2ndVoice, where I am able to meet and learn from Autistic Adults, young people, trainers and mentors, with whom Max is able to interact and gain support.

 

Chalkhill Community Centre SEND Parent Group - in conjunction with Wembley Central Big Local - Excellent provision provided by SEND parent(s) and other volunteers within Brent.

 

Equivalent (Brent) - Excellent provision provided by SEND parent(s) and other volunteers.

 

Brent Gateway Partnership - Excellent support advice, advocacy and support provided.

 

Brent Children with a Disabilities Team - My son and I have developed a very positive relationship with my son’s current Social Worker. My son also liked the other two Social Workers who were allocated to support our family. However, listening and collating information accurately so that relevant information was compiled into one assessment resulted in ongoing positive outcomes for my son.

 

Other Parent Carers and other Carers have been, and continue to be another source of knowledge, advice and support for me over the past eight years. When Max was younger, I wish that I had attended more settings where information and ideas were shared by parents and carers of children, young people and adults with SEND.

 

Brent is the second most culturally diverse borough in the UK. One of the many major changes that are needed within Brent, is that ‘Cultural Competency’ when working with SEND families needs to be gained and consistently implemented and reviewed for needs to be appropriately met.

 

Autistic children, young people, adults and their parents and carers need to be listened to so that appropriate support can be provided and so that equity is provided to all children, young people, and adults with SEND within Brent.

 

Max's Mum.