DSEngage LIVE | 4pm Disco - Today! 🪩 Join people who have Down’s syndrome from all over the country for our 4pm Disco. Today's Session: 23 September 2025: Time: 4:00-5:00pm. Please see the sign-up form on the website. Click here: https://loom.ly/HOSfvY8

Job Vacancy! 🔊 We are seeking an organised and enthusiastic Fundraising Events Officer to join our fundraising team. Closing date is this Friday. Please send to anyone that you think might like/suit this role. To view the full job specification, please see here: https://loom.ly/3P6DTGo

Supporting early development from birth to 4 years: On-demand recording | FREE This 90-minute online workshop for parents and practitioners provides information about how to promote infant development.👶 To watch this recording, please sign up on our website: https://loom.ly/kRDuCdE

As young people who have Down’s syndrome enter their teenage years, it is important to start planning with them for adult life. It is important to start thinking and talking about the future as a family, and to think about their education setting aids this. Read more here: https://loom.ly/OwcnONo

Don't forget to take part in our Education Surveys! 📝 We invite parents of school aged children in England to complete the appropriate survey: https://loom.ly/6YEXDzw •If your child is currently in primary eduction (4-11 years). •If your child is currently in secondary education (11-16 years).

ArtWorks Together is inviting adult artists (16+) who have a learning disability and/or autism to submit artwork for consideration for the 'ArtWorks Together 2026' international exhibition.🎨 The closing date is 9am, Monday 22 September 2025. Submit your entry here: https://loom.ly/uYdGt3E

Today is National Care for Kids Day, which is dedicated to raising awareness and supporting children's physical, emotional, and educational needs. 🧘💚 We thought we would use this to bring your attention to our resources on the importance of well-being. Please see here: https://loom.ly/Xrht3hU

Today is the day - it's the Strictly Come Dancing launch show! 🪩 Are you feeling the dance vibes like Olly and Natty? 💃🕺 We're so excited to watch Ellie on the show tonight, we're all rooting for you. 💚

There's just two weeks left to vote in the People's Choice Award category in our My Perspective competition! You can help to pick this year's child and adult winners.📷 It will run until 5pm on Friday 3 October so get voting now! 🤩 Please vote by clicking this link: https://loom.ly/0RE52Fg

We have a new behaviour resource- 'Fantasy and Reality.' Many young people and adults who have Down’s syndrome have a vivid imagination with a tendency to create stories. Our resource on this dives further into the topic, you can read it here: https://loom.ly/Gg4B2Fw

An Interview with Ambassador and EastEnders actress, Grace💬 Our colleagues at the Down's Syndrome Association, Catherine and Joe, had the pleasure of interviewing newly appointed DSA ambassador, Grace. For the whole interview visit: https://youtu.be/ArTOkpdglEw

The DSA welcomes the Education Committee’s SEND Inquiry report as a necessary contribution to the national conversation on inclusive education. 🏫 We fully endorse several of the recommendations presented in the SEND Inquiry report - you can read more on our website: https://loom.ly/msYCmT0

Imagine being in with a chance to win £25,000 every week and knowing that just by taking part, you’re helping improve the lives of people who have Down’s syndrome. With our Weekly Lottery, that’s exactly what happens. 🤩 Please follow this link to sign up: https://loom.ly/gFDYt2o

We are working on on making new DSA Easy Read information about health. ❤️‍🩹 We made a good start by looking at information about heart conditions and Coeliac disease. Make sure to keep an eye out on our socials for any new Easy Read documents that we upload to our website. #OurVoice

In October 2024, the Law Commission published a consultation paper as part of their review of the laws governing social care for disabled children in England. The full report and recommendations are now with the government for their consideration. Read the full piece here:https://loom.ly/AFWgsdE

We have an Easy Read resource on bullying that explains what bullying is and what to do if you are experiencing it or know someome else who is. 💚 Click here to read it: https://loom.ly/cuh0F2c

Can you help improve the experiences of young people in intensive care? 🏥 If you'd like to get involved, please read the full details on this poster and head to their website: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/clinical-operational-research-unit/optical-study

'Understanding and supporting behaviour change in children' Thursday 23 October 2025 | 10.30am to 12 noon | FREE Make sure to keep this date and time free if you're able to attend. You can sign up here: https://loom.ly/VbdEdPY

To parents that this applies to- please get involved if you can by following the details provided on the poster.

Earlier this year, the Down’s Syndrome Association shared information about the introduction of Martha’s Rule. We’re pleased to share that, as of September 2025, Martha’s Rule has now been rolled out to all 210 acute hospitals in England. Read more over on our website: https://loom.ly/OkFnTQA

Supporting Children To Learn: 📚 Every learner who has Down's syndrome is unique. Most children who have Down’s syndrome need additional support for optimal learning. The quality of support they receive can have a tremendous impact on their learning. Full article here: https://loom.ly/L9wqOjo

A MSc student from Health Sciences University would like to hear from parents of children who have Down’s syndrome about their experiences of the education and support provided by their Speech and Language Therapist. To find out more and to get involved, head to our website: https://loom.ly/C_KuJNw

DSEngage Live | Dance Class With Strictly Come Dancing soon approaching, get your dance skills prepared with our Wake Up And Dance session. 💃 Next Session: Tomorrow, Thursday 11 September 2025. Time: 9.30 – 10.15am. Find out more information and sign up here: https://loom.ly/fEn2yVs

As September is World Alzheimer's month, we thought we'd bring your awareness to some of our resources on Down's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. 💜 Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia that affects people with Down’s syndrome. Click here to read more: https://loom.ly/yDMLkzg

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month takes place every September to raise global awareness of childhood and young people's cancers. 🎗️ In honour of this, we'd like to bring your attention to our resources on leukaemia as it is more likely to devlop in children who have DS : https://loom.ly/9mQhwh8

We asked members of Our Voice 'what makes a visit to the doctor go well for you?' 🧑‍⚕️ Here's one answer: ‘Doctors keep good records about me, especially for my heart. I get texts and letters. I take support with me because questions can be hard, and I let them answer if I need help.’ 💚

How to support pupils at school to learn about disability: Disability does not often appear within the National Curriculum, however it is estimated that 11% of children in the UK are disabled. Read our booklet on this topic here: https://loom.ly/GAf8gTo

This is now a hybrid role! Please click the link for more information and to apply: loom.ly/PiatzKg

Early years and Primary Education: On-demand recording | FREE This 90-minute online training session for education practitioners and parents explains how to support learners who have Down’s syndrome from 4 to 11 years. You can watch it in your own time by signing up here: https://loom.ly/SewAvaw

Join our DSA Lottery today! For just £4.34 a month, you’ll be entered into a prize draw every week! At least 50% of every £1 comes straight to us to help fund our services. Please use this link to sign up if you haven't already: https://downs-syndrome.unitypayments.co.uk/play

The long awaited 2023 Learning from Lives and Deaths – People with a Learning Disability and Autistic People (LeDeR) report is now out. Please note that it makes for a troubling read. If you would like to read our response to the report, you can find it over on our website: https://loom.ly/GN0IR_Q

Our site is currently unavailable due to planned maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Hearing loss is common in children who have Down’s syndrome.🦻 We know hearing plays a vital part in any child’s development; if undiagnosed and untreated, hearing loss can have a big impact on education. Please read this education document on hearing and learning: https://loom.ly/hSnV6Dg

Schools have an ‘anticipatory’ duty under the Equality Act, which means that they must think in advance about how to make their activities inclusive of all pupils in their school. To any teachers/educators, please read our top tips for planning inclusive residential trips: https://loom.ly/RlZDDwQ

Secondary education training for learners 11 to 16 years: On-demand recording | FREE This 90-minute online training session is for education practitioners and parents. To sign up for this on-demand webinar to watch in your own time, click here: https://loom.ly/MZbXj1E

Down’s syndrome with complex needs online support group: Tuesday 23 September 2025 | 10.30am – 12noon | FREE Are you a parent/family carer of someone who has Down’s syndrome and complex needs age 4 years and over? If so and you'd like to attend, please sign up here: https://loom.ly/VKCMx1s

Pupils who have Down’s syndrome alongside long-term and complex medical conditions may require ongoing support, medicines or care while at school to help them manage their condition and keep them well. At the DSA, we have a wealth of resources available on this topic: https://loom.ly/Ok4KK14

Job Vacancy! Role: Fundraising Events Officer. Closing date: Friday 12 September 2025. Interview dates: Week commencing Monday 15 September 2025. Please see our website for more information and how to apply: https://loom.ly/PiatzKg

Just over 25 years ago, Stephanie Lorenz undertook a survey that was published by the DSA entitled ‘Experiences of Inclusion: For children with Down’s syndrome in the UK’. We would again like to invite parents of school aged children in England to complete a survey here: loom.ly/RX_ILKQ

During 2022, we worked with Down Syndrome International (DSi) and Down’s Syndrome Scotland to run a UK-wide research and advocacy project on ‘Inclusive Education.' DSi have a document called 'International Guidelines for the Education of Learners with Down Syndrome' : https://loom.ly/FcRen4Q

As it is the last week of the school holidays for most, why not book on to one of our DSEngage sessions? 🕺💃 Check out our timetable here! We'd love to see you all there. You can book on to all sessions by clicking the link: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/services-projects/dsengage/

There are a small minority of children and adults who in addition to having Down’s syndrome, also have another medical condition, which means that they are immunosuppressed. It is only these people who have Down’s syndrome that will be eligible for an autumn COVID booster: https://loom.ly/P-5DZ7k

Ally and his wife Nazlee both care for their son Bashir, 31, who has Down’s syndrome. Earlier this month, Ally got in touch to tell us about his involvement in the Invisible Army exhibition for Carers Week 2025. You can read our Q and A with Ally here: https://loom.ly/6q8OJnU

Inclusion is about the right of all learners to gain access to the same learning opportunities and curriculum.📝 For all teachers, educators and people working within a school setting, please give this informative document a read before the new school year begins: https://loom.ly/riuWOWo

Every household where the billpayer receives an eligible means-tested benefit will now be in line for the warm home discount. Please check that the eligible individual is named on their electricity bill by 24 August to receive the £150 discount this winter. Read our blog: https://loom.ly/eXzzwyo

Behaviour refers to how we react to situations and communicate through our behaviour. A person who has Down’s syndrome will usually be stronger in receptive language (understanding) than expressive (verbal) language skills. For educators and parent/carers, please see here: https://loom.ly/J-l7yoQ

Check out this weeks' DSEngage schedule during the summer holidays! 🤸 You can book any sessions that interest you over on our website: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/services-projects/dsengage/ We hope to see lots of you at our various activity sessions. 🤩 #DSEngage 💚

You may have noticed something new on our website in the last couple of weeks... Our 'ReciteMe' toolbar gives you the ability to customise the way you access our content, in a way that works best for you. See here for more information: https://loom.ly/IylJvjY

Is your child/child you care for getting ready to start early years education? 🎒 If so, please give our handy 'early years education' resource a read, which will tell you in detail, the types of childcare and early years education available. Please see here: https://loom.ly/J8K7AII

National Immunisation Awareness Month is celebrated throughout August - so we thought we'd bring your attention to our Immunisation Resource - 'Protecting People who have Down’s Syndrome Against Infection.' 🧑‍⚕️ Click here to give it a read: https://loom.ly/8uh6cSQ