Bexley council services
www.bexley.gov.uk
Bexley Council provide a large number of children and young people's (aged 0-25) services with special needs and disabilities, who live in the Bexley Borough.
More information about the services and their contact details can be found on the Local Offer - the one stop SEND shop for Bexley.
For details on the Local Offer - Click here:
More information about the services and their contact details can be found on the Local Offer - the one stop SEND shop for Bexley.
For details on the Local Offer - Click here:
Bexley's Children with Disabilities Team
The children with disabilities service is a specialist team responsible for the assessment of disabled children up to the age of 18 and the provision of information, and the packages of support to meet their assessed needs. Referrals to the team can come from any professional or from parents themselves.
Disabled Children's Service Address:
Civic Offices. 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath, Kent. DA6 7AT
Email: disabledchildrenserviceunit@bexley.gov.uk
Tel: 020 3045 3600
The team provides services to children aged 0-18 who are able to be registered as disabled children under the following categories:
The team works in partnership with education, health, other social work teams and short break providers to ensure the co-ordination of the assessment of the needs of the family and the formulation of individualised care plans and support packages.
The priority for case allocation in the team is:
High priority
Short breaks service - Short breaks can be offered in a number of settings for children with a range of needs.
Disabled children's register - The children Act 1989 required all Social care departments to put together a register of children with disabilities, this register is to be used as a planning tool.
The children with disabilities service is a specialist team responsible for the assessment of disabled children up to the age of 18 and the provision of information, and the packages of support to meet their assessed needs. Referrals to the team can come from any professional or from parents themselves.
Disabled Children's Service Address:
Civic Offices. 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath, Kent. DA6 7AT
Email: disabledchildrenserviceunit@bexley.gov.uk
Tel: 020 3045 3600
The team provides services to children aged 0-18 who are able to be registered as disabled children under the following categories:
- Significant learning disability
- Physical disability
- Chronic ill health
- Social work advice and support
- Care package provision
- The child is looked after by the Local Authority
- Safeguarding and Child protection services
The team works in partnership with education, health, other social work teams and short break providers to ensure the co-ordination of the assessment of the needs of the family and the formulation of individualised care plans and support packages.
The priority for case allocation in the team is:
High priority
- Safeguarding and child protection
- Care proceedings
- Looked after children
- Care package provision and maintenance
- Social work advice and support
Short breaks service - Short breaks can be offered in a number of settings for children with a range of needs.
Disabled children's register - The children Act 1989 required all Social care departments to put together a register of children with disabilities, this register is to be used as a planning tool.
Bexley's Early Intervention Team (EIT's)
There are four Early Intervention Teams covering all local authority linked schools in Bexley, and each team serves a cluster of schools geographically located in different parts of Bexley. All teams are based at the Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath. Some team members also work in some of the academies. The teams are managed by the Principal Educational Psychologist who is also head of the Early Intervention Teams and the Specialist Teaching Service.
Each team is staffed by the following specialists:
There are four Early Intervention Teams covering all local authority linked schools in Bexley, and each team serves a cluster of schools geographically located in different parts of Bexley. All teams are based at the Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath. Some team members also work in some of the academies. The teams are managed by the Principal Educational Psychologist who is also head of the Early Intervention Teams and the Specialist Teaching Service.
Each team is staffed by the following specialists:
- Two Team Managers (responsible for two teams each)
- Educational Psychologists
- Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) Support Teachers
- Education Welfare Officers (EWOs)
- AEN/SEN Partners
- SEN Advice and Moderation Partners
- Social Workers
Family Wellbeing Service
The Family Well-being team aims to provide help to families early, to prevent difficulties becoming worse. The team works with children and families from 0 to 18 years old, where there is one or more of the following:
The Family Well-being team aims to provide help to families early, to prevent difficulties becoming worse. The team works with children and families from 0 to 18 years old, where there is one or more of the following:
- the permanent exclusion of a child from school
- the risk of school exclusion and school attendance issues
- parental or carer mental ill health
- parental learning disability
- parental domestic abuse
- parental drug or alcohol misuse
- low-level neglect
- physical chastisement
CAMHS - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Oxleas provides mental health assessment and treatment services to children, young people and their families/carers living in the borough of Bexley. It also provides advice, consultation and support to the other individuals and agencies involved in children's care. The service is available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and with some additional early morning and evening clinics. Please visit their website for information on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. |
Bexley Adolescent Support Service (BASS) - Including Porchlight
The Bexley Adolescent Support Service and Porch Light helps young people aged between 8 and 17 to deal with any problems so that they can be the best they can be. Support workers provide one to one support at home, in school, or anywhere the young person feels safe. Including: education, relationships, drinking/drugs, medication, stress, self-harm and bullying. How to get help: To find out more about how the service can help, call 0800 567 7699 or email bass@porchlight.org.uk To download the leaflet click the picture. |
Advisory Service for children on the Autism Spectrum in Bexley
Supporting children and young people with Autism and related conditions to achieve social inclusion, meet their educational potential and go on to make a positive contribution to the wider community. This document contains more information about the services/support available.
Tel: 0203 045 5003 / 5019
Email: joan.ratcliff@bexley.gov.uk / tracy.mcdonald@bexley.gov.uk
Download the information booklet.
Supporting children and young people with Autism and related conditions to achieve social inclusion, meet their educational potential and go on to make a positive contribution to the wider community. This document contains more information about the services/support available.
Tel: 0203 045 5003 / 5019
Email: joan.ratcliff@bexley.gov.uk / tracy.mcdonald@bexley.gov.uk
Download the information booklet.

Bexley Portage Service
Bexley Portage was established in October 1995 and is based at Queen Mary’s Hospital and funded by Bexley Council.
Bexley Portage Service,
Queen Mary’s Hospital, Frognal Avenue, Sidcup, DA14 6LT
Tel: 0208 302 2678 ext. 4286/ 07828847093
Portage is a home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with additional support needs and their families.
The National Association of Portage aims:
The family should live within the Borough of Bexley and be willing to participate in the scheme for a minimum of 6 months.
The child has a minimum of 6-9 month delay in three or more areas of development, or has a known disability that is likely to cause a delay.
Bexley Portage was established in October 1995 and is based at Queen Mary’s Hospital and funded by Bexley Council.
Bexley Portage Service,
Queen Mary’s Hospital, Frognal Avenue, Sidcup, DA14 6LT
Tel: 0208 302 2678 ext. 4286/ 07828847093
Portage is a home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with additional support needs and their families.
The National Association of Portage aims:
- to work with families to help them develop a quality of life and experience for themselves and their young children in which they can learn together, play together, participate and be included in their community in their own right;
- to play a part in minimising the disabling barriers that confront young children and their families receiving Portage services;
- to support the national and local development of inclusive services for children.
The family should live within the Borough of Bexley and be willing to participate in the scheme for a minimum of 6 months.
The child has a minimum of 6-9 month delay in three or more areas of development, or has a known disability that is likely to cause a delay.
Family Lives - Bexley Service
Family Lives offers a befriending service for families with young children who are under stress, experiencing difficulties or need some parenting support. We work across all areas of the Bexley borough. We match each family with a volunteer who will visit every week for around 2 hours to offer emotional and practical support in the home for up to 12 visits. The reliable, undemanding support of a Volunteer Befriender can make a real difference to the whole family.
If you have at least one child under 5, or are expecting a baby and live in Bexley you could benefit from the support of a Family Lives Volunteer Befriender.
Contact: Jacqui, Administrator – 07739 788120 or jacquelinet@familylives.org.uk
Download the Bexley Family Lives leaflet below for more details:
Family Lives offers a befriending service for families with young children who are under stress, experiencing difficulties or need some parenting support. We work across all areas of the Bexley borough. We match each family with a volunteer who will visit every week for around 2 hours to offer emotional and practical support in the home for up to 12 visits. The reliable, undemanding support of a Volunteer Befriender can make a real difference to the whole family.
If you have at least one child under 5, or are expecting a baby and live in Bexley you could benefit from the support of a Family Lives Volunteer Befriender.
Contact: Jacqui, Administrator – 07739 788120 or jacquelinet@familylives.org.uk
Download the Bexley Family Lives leaflet below for more details:

family_lives_bexley_service.docx |

Bexley's Sure Start Children's Centres bring together a wide range of services for children from birth to five years and their families/carers. The centres create a one-stop shop within the community for parents and providers of childcare and family support.
Parents with young children often have difficulty travelling to different places to access services, the aim is that children's centres provide a whole range of information and activities.
By bringing together a range of services for children and families/carers, from early education and childcare to health and family support, the centres will make it easier for parents to access services for their children and themselves and help more families benefit in the critical early years of their children's lives.
Bexley's Childrens Centres are now in 3 sections - North, South and Central.
Examples of service provided by children's centre's:
Please visit Bexley's Local Offer for more information on SEND age 0-25 in Bexley.
Parents with young children often have difficulty travelling to different places to access services, the aim is that children's centres provide a whole range of information and activities.
By bringing together a range of services for children and families/carers, from early education and childcare to health and family support, the centres will make it easier for parents to access services for their children and themselves and help more families benefit in the critical early years of their children's lives.
Bexley's Childrens Centres are now in 3 sections - North, South and Central.
Examples of service provided by children's centre's:
- Integrated early education
- Child and family health services e.g. ante natal and post natal support
- Family support eg advice and support with parenting skills, dads clubs, learning courses etc
- Links with Jobcentre Plus eg support in accessing training and employment
- Bexley Family Information Service eg details of play schemes for older children
- Services for Children with Special Educational Needs and disabilities*
- * All children's centres are fully inclusive settings with support for children with special educational needs and disabilities. They are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all children.
Please visit Bexley's Local Offer for more information on SEND age 0-25 in Bexley.
Dentist Service in Bexley for Special Needs/Disabled Children
SPECIAL NEEDS DENTISTRY SERVICE - This service is provided for children and young people with medical needs or sensory/behaviour issues, who have tried but are are unable to attend a general dentist.
The service is provided by Bromley healthcare and has venues in Bexley, including Barnard Medical Centre in Sidcup.
Referral is via your child's normal dentist, healthcare worker or GP.
https://www.bromleyhealthcare.org.uk/explore-our-services/communitydentalservices/
SPECIAL NEEDS DENTISTRY SERVICE - This service is provided for children and young people with medical needs or sensory/behaviour issues, who have tried but are are unable to attend a general dentist.
The service is provided by Bromley healthcare and has venues in Bexley, including Barnard Medical Centre in Sidcup.
Referral is via your child's normal dentist, healthcare worker or GP.
https://www.bromleyhealthcare.org.uk/explore-our-services/communitydentalservices/

BITS (Bexley Independent Travel Scheme)
Travel Training is available to socially-disadvantaged children and SEN children and adults with learning, mobility, mental health or sensory difficulties in Bexley and can be booked by a special needs school, care provider or by Bexley council to assist an individual in becoming independent and confident using public transport.
BATS have developed a Travel Training service: Bexley Independent Travel Scheme (BITS).
This service operates in conjunction with Bexley Council Road Safety, Transport For London, the Travel Training Forum and Bexley Police.
Travel Training is about gaining confidence when using public transport, road safety and ensuring persons are able to do straightforward journeys themselves without confusion or anxiety. Those who partake of the service are taken on everyday journeys by a trained and accredited travel trainer, who highlights important aspects of travel; the rules of road safety, personal safety and what to do if lost or anxious. Travel training is a gradual process, and finishes with unaccompanied journeys.
BITS have produced a resource manual of information available to interested organisations, schools and youth-involvement groups who would like a child to partake in the service.
Please visit the website for more information: www.bexleyct.co.uk/traveltraining.php
Bexley Accessible Transport Scheme
Unit G05 / Thames Road Depot / Thames Road / Crayford / DA1 5QJ
Tel: 01322 311333
Travel Training is available to socially-disadvantaged children and SEN children and adults with learning, mobility, mental health or sensory difficulties in Bexley and can be booked by a special needs school, care provider or by Bexley council to assist an individual in becoming independent and confident using public transport.
BATS have developed a Travel Training service: Bexley Independent Travel Scheme (BITS).
This service operates in conjunction with Bexley Council Road Safety, Transport For London, the Travel Training Forum and Bexley Police.
Travel Training is about gaining confidence when using public transport, road safety and ensuring persons are able to do straightforward journeys themselves without confusion or anxiety. Those who partake of the service are taken on everyday journeys by a trained and accredited travel trainer, who highlights important aspects of travel; the rules of road safety, personal safety and what to do if lost or anxious. Travel training is a gradual process, and finishes with unaccompanied journeys.
BITS have produced a resource manual of information available to interested organisations, schools and youth-involvement groups who would like a child to partake in the service.
Please visit the website for more information: www.bexleyct.co.uk/traveltraining.php
Bexley Accessible Transport Scheme
Unit G05 / Thames Road Depot / Thames Road / Crayford / DA1 5QJ
Tel: 01322 311333
The Early Years Advisory Team
The Early Years Advisory Team offers a combination of training, active assistance, encouragement and challenge to enable leaders and practitioners working in the Early Years Foundation Stage to improve all aspects of quality and provision - and therefore provide better experiences and learning opportunities for children.
Telephone: 020 3045 4355
Email: early.years@bexley.gov.uk
The Early Years Advisory Team offers a combination of training, active assistance, encouragement and challenge to enable leaders and practitioners working in the Early Years Foundation Stage to improve all aspects of quality and provision - and therefore provide better experiences and learning opportunities for children.
Telephone: 020 3045 4355
Email: early.years@bexley.gov.uk