News and real-life stories

Real-life stories

We’re here for children and young people with special education needs and disabilities, young carers and families. Here are some of their stories.

Latest

A person is sitting around a wooden table, a pen in their hand. They are looking at someone off camera, presumably talking to them
Real-life stories
2 Jul 2024

Tabatha’s story – Disability Pride Month 

Tabs shares their journey as a person with SEND finding employment at Kids, and empowering young people to speak up.

A family of four photographed together. There is a white background behind them
Early years
12 Apr 2024

Sharon’s story

Sharon explains how Kids' early intervention helped her children with SEND thrive. 

Donna and her son are taking a selfie on the couch
Real-life stories
18 Mar 2024

Donna’s story

This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Donna shares her experiences learning about herself and making friends through our Nurturing Anchors workshops.

Allie is taking a selfie. She is wearing a black jackets with pins on it.
Real-life stories
18 Mar 2024

Allie’s story

Allie attended our workshops to build confidence and meet other parents of neurodivergent children in the naval community.

A group photo of young carers
Real-life stories
11 Jan 2024

Lyndsey’s story

Read about Lyndsey, aged 13, who became a young carer when her dad suffered a stroke.

Young carers outdoors
Real-life stories
11 Jan 2024

Mary’s story

Read about Mary, a 16-year-old young carer who looks after her mum and brother.

A child walking while holding a lunch bag.
Real-life stories
23 Nov 2023

Chloe’s story

Read about Chloe's journey at our Basingstoke Nursery.

Asher and her parents are photographed together. They are at an event.
Real-life stories
9 Oct 2023

Asher’s story

Asher is 18 years old, has autism and a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile. Read her story.

Joseph and Rachel are photographed together. Rachel is standing behind Joseph, both hands on his shoulders. They are smiling.
Real-life stories
9 Oct 2023

Joseph and Rachel’s story

Joseph has attended our Hayward Playground for over ten years. His mum, Rachel, shares their story.

Hamza is crouched on the floor, playing with trucks in a sand tray.
Early years
9 Oct 2023

Hamza’s story

Hamza is three years old and attends the Kids Family Group in Birmingham. Read his story.

Three children are sitting around a kids table with a staff member. They are pretending to have lunch with toys.
Early years
9 Oct 2023

Zack, Zayn and Zander’s story

Hear from Emma, whose three boys have gone to our Kids Family Centre Nursery in Birmingham. 

A child is photographed from behind, hugging a staff member who is kneeling on the floor.
Early years
9 Oct 2023

Zach’s story

Zach is four years old and has ASD, GDD, sensory issues and learning difficulties. Read his story.

A girl is photographed from the side. She is putting a fake baby into a baby bathtub.
Early years
5 Oct 2023

Freya’s story

Freya has suspected ASD and sensory difficulties. Her parents Natalie and Ayrton reached out to Kids for support.

A child is playing with sensory toys at Basingstoke Nursery.
Early years
5 Oct 2023

Oliver’s story

Oliver is three years old and shows signs of autism. His dad, Josh, talks about how Oliver has grown since attending our Family Group in Birmingham.

Children are sitting on the floor. Lights are projected on the ground for them to look at.
Early years
5 Oct 2023

Logan’s story

Logan is three years old and attended the Kids Family Group from January-March 2023. His mum Lisa writes about his development during that time.

A boy is inside a playground playhouse. He is sitting by the window, his back to the camera.
Early years
5 Oct 2023

Kian and Kylo’s story

Sarah and her boys attend Kids' Family Group in Birmingham. Read their story.

News and policy

When the world blocks children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, Kids speaks up. Find out what we’ve been doing recently.

Latest

News
12 Aug 2024

Kids’ response to violence and community unrest

Like many voluntary organisations operating in communities across England, Kids has been affected by the racial and hate-motivated violence. We are troubled by the abhorrent actions causing unrest across towns…

Nursery staff playing with disabled child
CEO blog post
8 Jul 2024

Reflections on the new government and the broken SEND system

Kids Chief Executive Katie Ghose's thoughts on long-term opportunities and immediate fixes

A young person is looking out a cabin playhouse, one hand on his chin
News
2 May 2024

Kids releases revealing report: On the Cliff Edge

Our report documents the experience of young people with SEND as they move from childhood into adulthood.

a man is running with his hands up in the air. He is wearing a Kids vest
News
22 Apr 2024

London Marathon runners raise over £77,000 for Kids 

On Sunday 21st April, 54 runners completed the London Marathon for Kids. Read more.

A boy is kneeling in front of a sensory play tray. There is a woman next to him
Early years
19 Mar 2024

Only 6% of local authorities offer enough SEND childcare  

Coram Family and Childcare released the Childcare Survey 2024 results. Read our response.

A boy is playing with toys on an activity wall
Early years
6 Mar 2024

Our response to the Spring Budget – 2024

Once again over 1 in 10 of the UK’s children have gone unseen and unheard. Read our response to the Spring Budget.

A girl holding a pen and paper in her arms
News
8 Feb 2024

Our response to the Disability Action Plan

The Government has released its long-awaited Disability Action Plan. Read our response.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Maria Miller MP, and Katie Ghose, Chief Executive of Kids sit with children at Kids' Basingstoke Nursery
News
19 Jan 2024

The Prime Minister visits Kids nursery

Rishi Sunak's visit to our Basingstoke nursery provided an opportunity to experience a truly inclusive setting. Read more.

Three people posing together
News
30 Dec 2023

Kids annual review | 2022-23

Find out how we've created life-changing opportunities for children and young people with SEND.

A boy laughing in artificial rain
News
18 Dec 2023

Our 2023 recap

See how we've been breaking down barriers for children and young people with SEND.

A young girl plays in the rain.
News
26 Oct 2023

Our new look

Welcome to the new Kids brand. It’s all about positivity and empowerment. Celebrating individuality and speaking up for change.

Policy
18 Oct 2023

Kids’ response to the Disability Action Plan consultation 2023-2024

Read our response to the Disability Action Plan. It's all about accessible playgrounds, assistive technology and digital inclusion.

A staff member and child are standing outside with their arms up in the air and water drops falling on them
Policy
11 Oct 2023

Kids Manifesto for Change

Find out where Government action is needed to transform the lives of disabled children and young people.

Photo of a boy's profile. His head is turned slightly to face the camera.
Early years
20 Jul 2023

Our vision for early years and SEND

We believe it’s vital that babies and young children with SEND have access to quality early years support. Read more.

A London Marathon runner is running. She is holding her hands up in the air and is laughing. She is wearing a blue vest with the old Kids logo on it. In the background there are other people running.
News
26 Apr 2023

Congratulations to our London Marathon runners

Team Kids ran the London Marathon and raised £52,736 for disabled children, young people and their families.

Two women are siting at a table, giving each other a side hug. They are smiling at the camera.
News
22 Mar 2023

Family Support Online

Find out about our new service for parents and carers of disabled children and young people in England.

Create brighter futures with disabled children

Childhood should be joyful.  Not defined by what disabled children and young people cannot do. That’s wrong.

Kids is on a mission to create a world where all kinds of children and young people have all  kinds of opportunities. Support Kids to create brighter futures with disabled children.