School Holiday & Weekend Activities
There are lots of fun and inclusive opportunities in Southwark during school holidays and at weekends for children and young people with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities).
Please click the links below to access information about some of the activities funded as part of Southwark’s Targeted Short Breaks Service.
Most of these activities are available to book instantly on Southwark’s short breaks booking website.
Our inclusive holiday and Saturday sessions provide a safe and supportive environment for SEND children and young people. Whether it’s arts and crafts, drama, dance or inclusive sports – our superstar sessions are the place to be in Southwark over the holidays.
Our experienced team is focused on delivering sessions that promote fun and friendships.
Our sessions are pre-bookable only, so we can ensure we can provide an excellent level of care. Our general staff ratio is 1:3 but we also offer some 1:1 spaces at each session.
Dates
Please visit Southwark’s short breaks booking website for upcoming dates.
Location
Spa School Camberwell, 150 Southampton Way London SE5 7EW
Support provided:
Our 1:3 staff-to-child ratio ensures we can support a wide range of disabilities and additional needs in our accessible venues. Although we typically offer a staff ratio of 1:3, we have listened to you and worked in partnership with the local authority to offer a limited number of spaces for children with higher needs. An assessment will be required and spaces are subject to availability.
Eligibility criteria:
This activity is for children and young people who meet the targeted short breaks eligibility criteria:
- 8 - 19 years old
- Southwark resident
- With an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- Unable to access universal services and/ or require additional support to do so
Contact:
To book please visit Southwark’s short breaks booking website
Please contact Faye Makhlouf if you have any questions.
P: 0203 375 9045
M: 07595 304 532
E: faye@endorphins.uk
W: www.endorphins.uk
SENsational Short Breaks are available on weekends and during school holidays for children with additional needs and disabilities. They are delivered by Southwak’s Children and Family Centres and include arts & crafts, sensory play, outdoor activities, circle time and much more.
SENsational ‘Short Breaks’ are sessions that enable parents to drop off their children and take a short break.
If you are looking for ‘Stay & Play’ sessions, including sessions for younger children, please click here to visit our website
Eligibility criteria:
Short break sessions are for children and young people who meet the targeted short breaks eligibility criteria:
- 5 - 11 years old
- Southwark resident
- With an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- Unable to access universal services and/ or require additional support to do so
Contact:
To book please visit Southwark's short breaks booking website
Please contact Idalina Tomas if you have any questions
Tel: 07495817668
Dates & locations
Please visit Southwark's Short Breaks Eequ booking page for upcoming dates.
A Sportworks Short Break provision includes a wide variety of sports, games, and fun activities for children & young people with SEND. Examples include dodgeball, parachute games and team building activities. The sessions are for children and young people aged 5 to 18 years and run afterschool, alternate Saturdays and during school holidays.
Eligibility:
This activity is for children and young people who meet the targeted short breaks eligibility criteria:
- 5 - 18 years old
- Southwark resident
- With an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- Unable to access universal services and/ or require additional support to do so
Support Provided:
Our general support ratio is 1:4 but we aim to be as inclusive as possible so please get in touch if your child requires a higher level of support. To ensure we are able to provide a fun, safe and rewarding activity, please provide as much information as possible when making the booking request.
Locations:
Damilola Taylor Centre, 1E Surrey Grove, London SE15 6DR
Spa Bermondsey, Monnow Rd, London SE1 5RN
St George's Church of England Primary School, Coleman Road, London, SE5 7TF
Contact:
To book please visit Short Breaks Eequ booking page
SportWorks Website: sportworksltd.co.uk/
Whippersnappers provides a bespoke service to families who have children with complex needs. All CYP attending Whippersnappers are provided with a one-to-one support worker. We provide medically trained staff who are able to administer rescue medication and to facilitate gastro feeding.
Activities can include swimming in the hydro-therapy pool, arts and crafts, cooking, messy play, water play, drum circles, sensory music & story-telling, outdoor play, circus skills, bubbles, balloons, dressing up, discos and talent shows.
Eligibility:
This activity is part of Southwark’s enhanced targeted short breaks offer. The enhanced eligibility criteria include all of the general criteria plus:
- Must attend a special school (in or out of borough) and/ or open to All Age Disability Service in Southwark
- Severe or complex learning disability, physical disability and/or health condition
General targeted short breaks criteria:
- 5-19 years old
- Southwark resident
- With an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- Unable to access universal services and/ or require additional support to do so
Support Provided:
Support is provided at a standard ratio of 1:1 to meet the needs of children and young people with additional support requirements.
Locations:
Activities are delivered across multiple sites
Contact:
Access to this service is via referral from the All Age Disability Team or your child’s special school. For more information email thriveto25@southwark.gov.uk
Resources for Autism's Saturday club and holiday schemes provide a safe, inclusive space for autistic young people to engage in fun activities, build friendships and develop social skills. Experienced professionals provide support and guidance, while parents and caregivers can take a break.
This is a specialist scheme to support young people who display behaviours that challenge.
Join us for sensory activities, games, music and more. One of the key goals of the scheme is to help autistic young people build positive relationships with their peers.
Eligibility:
This activity is part of Southwark’s enhanced targeted short breaks offer. The enhanced eligibility criteria include all of the general criteria plus:
- Must attend a special school (in or out of borough) and/ or open to All Age Disability Service in Southwark
- Severe or complex learning disability, physical disability and/or health condition
General targeted short breaks criteria:
- 11-19 years old
- Southwark resident
- With an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- Unable to access universal services and/ or require additional support to do so
Support Provided:
Support is provided at a ratio of 1:1+ to meet the needs of young people who display behaviours of concern or distress.
Locations:
Activities are delivered across multiple sites
Contact:
Access to this service is via referral from the All Age Disability Team or your child’s special school. For more information email thriveto25@southwark.gov.uk
Food and Play Holiday Club
Fun and exciting food and play activities that work to improve communication and social skills, fine and gross motor skills and happiness.
Who is it for: Autistic and neurodivergent children ages 5-15
Activities include: Food Matters workshop, arts and craft, indoor and outdoor sports and play activities, sensory play, messy play, water play
Where: Neckinger TRA Hall, 87 Spa Road, London. SE16 3SG.
When: Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays at 9:30am-2:30pm
Multisport Sport Club
A fun and exciting multi-sports and play activities for autistic and neurodivergent children ages 6-15. See attached flyer.
Activities include: Football, athletics, base ball, water play and lots more.
Where: Kennington Park
When: Every other Saturday 10am-2pm
Book here: Autism Voice Craft Workshops with Autism Voice · Eequ ·
Further information: Please email Autism Voice autismvoice1@gmail.com or call 07460 399290 or 08458605547.
Download Autism Voice's flyer for further information. (jpg, 391kb)
For details of additional activities taking place locally throughout the year please click the following links:
- EEQU Short Breaks page for SEND holiday activities taking place in Southwark and other London boroughs.
-
Things To Do (details of clubs and activities for young people aged 16-25 years)
-
Music, Performing & Visual Arts and Physical Activity sections of the Local Offer (for details of activities taking place throughout the year)
-
Southwark Presents (showing a variety of events happening across Southwark)
-
RSBC (Royal Society for Blind Children) for details of fun activities held at different locations