This event, on 17th February 2026 (9.30am – 1.30pm), brings together learning disability nurses across Kent and Medway to engage in professional development, share best practices, and collaboratively develop strategies to maintain and enhance skills and competencies within our workforce. Save the Date, complete the attached – Venue is Canterbury Christ Church University, Augustine House Register Here
Urgent: Oliver McGowan Trainer Opportunity in Kent and Medway
Bemix, Aucademy and Kent Autistic Trust are seeking trainers with lived experience of learning disabilities to deliver Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training. This part-time role (5.5-16.5 hours weekly, £15.88/hour) starts 16th December 2025, ending March 2026. Please see the job pack below.
Essential: You must have a learning disability and experience using health/social care services.
Critical deadlines:
- Applications close: Sunday 7th December (midnight)
- Interviews: Friday 12th December in Canterbury
- References must be arranged before 16th December
Apply here or email recruitment@bemix.org
Please share widely within your networks. Contact Isabelle or bemix office with questions.
Job Pack – Trainers – OMMT December 25Forward Together Project in Kent and Medway
Yesterday, we hosted Taylor Anderson and Polly Somervell from the Challenging Behaviour Foundation’s Forward Together project. Their presentation to our Kent, Surrey, Sussex LD Community of Practice demonstrated how regional networks can drive real change for people with learning disabilities and behaviours that challenge.
Watch the YouTube film and view the slides to see how they’re bringing family carers and professionals together, with 115 members already in Kent and Medway tackling transition, early years, older carers, and crisis support.
Forward together & Menti responses
Their “End the Cliff Edge” campaign for named transition coordinators deserves your attention.
Get involved: forwardtogether@thecbf.org.uk
Five Essential Rights for Meaningful Lives: A Practical Guide for Our Community
This latest paper is a fantastic resource for everyone supporting people with learning disabilities across the South East. It champions five key occupational rights that map out what great practice looks like.
What Are These Rights About?
Simply put, these rights are designed to make sure we’re all making reasonable adjustments so that the people we support can easily take part in the activities and routines that truly matter to them.
These aren’t just theoretical ideas—they’re a practical tool! Their goal is to help people with learning disabilities live the fulfilled lives they deserve.
Who is this Guide for?
This resource is for all of us in the support network:
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Families and Carers
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Support Staff and Providers
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Professionals
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Commissioners
It gives us a shared understanding and a clear roadmap for how to best support meaningful engagement in daily life.
How Can We Use Them?
The rights help us in two key ways:
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Spotting the Good Stuff: They provide a benchmark for what good occupational engagement looks like so we can easily recognise and celebrate when it’s happening!
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Knowing When to Ask for Help: The framework also makes it clearer when and how to get specialist support to effectively enable and promote occupation in someone’s life.
Check the Royal College of Occupational Therapists website for more details.
KSS Learning Disability Community of Practice Webinar – Wednesday 26th November 12-1pm
Please join us as we facilitate this free one hour webinar presented by Taylor Anderson, Challenging Behaviour Foundation, focused on the Forward Together Project. This project is strengthening the relationships between families and professionals – learn about the roll-out of the project and plans for the future!
