KIDS Timeline
Click on a key era of KIDS history to reveal how each development came about, and to see case studies and photos of how our services are working today.
1970 The First Adventure Playground
The first adventure playground for disabled children inspired by the late Lady Allen of Hurtwood.The KIDS vision and purpose, the first holiday centres in Easton Maudit and a relocation to London.
Cued Speech had been devised in 1966 to help people recognise and understand spoken language more fluently. Lord Compton, KIDS' first patron, helped set up the National Centre for Cued Speech in 1975.
Portage was a new form of home learning in the 1970s, offering support for parents in their homes. Portage was pioneering in that it offered a more structured approach for children with impairments than anything else available in the UK at the time.
John Mulcahy and Cameron Mackintosh organised one of the first gala performances of the musical CATS in aid of KIDS.1994 Independent Education Advisory Service
KIDS develops the Independent Education Advisory Service (IEAs) to provide information, advice and support to parents and carers on the processes and procedures relevant to their child's special educational needs.
1999 Early Support and Keyworking
KIDS formally introduces the service of a family keyworker to improve the delivery of support services to disabled children and their parents.
KIDS merges with Kidsactive.
2003 Introducing the National Development Departmment (NDD)
Following the merger, NDD promote inclusive play and leisure for disabled children through adventure playgrounds as well as training and publications for professionals.
2004 Opening the Orchard CentreThe £1 million Orchard Centre in Stourbridge becomes one of KIDS' key regional centres in the West Midlands.
KIDS merges with Special Needs and Parents (SNAP), a group formed in 1994 by families looking for better provision and support for young children with impairments.
2006 David Cameron becomes a patron
The Camerons first became aware of KIDS as the parents of a disabled child living in Kensington and Chelsea, an area covered by KIDS Portage staff.
2008 £100,000 raised in a year!
KIDS purchases new premises in the Yorkshire and Humber region, using the £100,000 raised by the local team in just one year!
2009 Time for a Short BreakKIDS introduce Direct Short Breaks, which allow families to book a break that suits them. This can be organised through a helpline or online, offering far greater flexibility including a choice of which Short Breaks worker the parents or child would like.
KIDS merge with Strut to form KIDS Strut in 2010.
Other milestones:
1990 – The Fareham residential centre opens
2004 – The KIDS Yorkshire Early Support Programme team is established, offering support for disabled babies and toddlers (0-3)
2004 – A drop-in centre in Euston is established for parents of disabled children under five to share experiences and be given advice
If you were involved in the introduction of any of the above services, we would love to hear from you! Get involved on our Memories of KIDS page.
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