main content Bromley Pre-School SEN service in line for another award

Further recognition for the Early Support Programme as it focuses on disability in its customer service.

No stranger to awards for its achievements, Bromley Pre-School SEN Service’s Early Support Programme, has reached the finals of the National Customer Service "Team of the Year Award" 2006 - Focus on Disability. The team has enjoyed past success in winning the Sure Start National Partners In Excellence Award for "Transforming the Children’s Workforce" in December 2005, and being finalists in The National Awards for Local Government, " Children’s Services," March 2006.

Based at the Phoenix Children's Resource Centre, in Masons Hill, Bromley, the early support service brings together more than 130 professionals from a range of agencies, providing co-ordinated support for families of very young children with special needs and disabilities. This has resulted in greatly improved, innovative services.

Judging will take place on July 12th and Helen Norris, Head of Bromley Pre-School Services SEN and Early Support Programme will make a presentation to seven senior industry figures at the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Helen is delighted to have this opportunity and is well prepared, having recently had the privilege of speaking at the National Sure Start Children's Centres Annual Conference, "Working Together for a Brighter Future" alongside Polly Toynbee, from The Guardian and The Rt Hon David Miliband MP.

Helen says: “This nomination and our past achievements recognize the outstanding work being done by the dedicated staff at the Phoenix Centre. Everyone is committed to going the extra mile to support co-ordinated, family focused services working in partnership with our parents.” The learning obtained from the pioneering work at the Centre in relation to joint working and lead professionals is reflected in the new Children and Young People Plan 2006/2009. This will inform the development of integrated services borough-wide in ensuring ‘Every Child Matters’.

While Helen and her colleagues eagerly await the outcome of the nominations she feels that the most meaningful and powerful accolades come from our Bromley parents. This is what they say: "Early Support is my safety net, there has never been a time when I didn't have someone to contact for help or information." " No longer do we have a ‘them and us’ tussle - its about how we, as a family, with support from key professionals, can ensure our daughter gets everything she needs".

Ends

Notes to Editors

• Bromley Early Support now has comprehensive, portable display covering information on the work of the Early Support Team for families and professionals.
• The display has been to the Civic Centre, E.D.C, Bromley Central Library and is currently at Community Vision Sure Start Children’s Centre. 
• Future venues include , Bromley P.C.T.
• A new leaflet and poster is available, contact the E.S.P. Office for more details on 0208 466 0414.
• The Early Support Open Day will be held on 7th July 2006.
• For media enquiries, please email john.skillicorn-aston@bromley.gov.uk  or call 020 8313 4310.