SENDIASS Spotlight - April 26

Read April's edition online

In this edition get Norfolk SENDIASS updates, find out where you can find us out and about at library drop-ins and outreach, updates and frequently asked questions from our team of advisors, family support article, details on upcoming events and information, Norfolk SEND Youth Forum update and book recommendations.

Sections

Norfolk SENDIASS updates

We’re delighted to share some positive updates from the SENDIAS team this month.

We’re excited to welcome Frances, our new SENDIAS Advisor, who has already thrown herself into her training with great enthusiasm. As part of this, you may start to see Frances at our library drop‑ins and outreach sessions, where she’ll be learning alongside the team and beginning to meet families and professionals.

Congratulations are in order for Emma, one of our Engagement and Advice Team, as she has now successfully completed her training. Emma is currently out and about independently, meeting with families, children and young people, as well as professionals, across our outreach sessions and library drop‑ins. This marks an important milestone, and we’re delighted that Emma is now able to offer support directly within the community.

We know that family life can be busy and that plans sometimes change. If you find that you no longer need a scheduled appointment, we’d really appreciate it if you could let us know as soon as possible. At the moment, we have a high demand for our service and there are wait times for appointments. We’ve had several occasions where appointments have been missed or cancelled at the last minute, which means we’re not able to offer that time to another family who may be waiting for support. Wherever you can, please try to give at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or rearrange. This small step helps us reuse appointments and make sure support is available to as many families as possible. We completely understand that unexpected things do happen, and we’re grateful for your help and understanding in working with us to support everyone who needs our service.

We’d also like to remind you that the SEND Reform consultation is currently open and provides an important opportunity for parent/carers and professionals to have their voices heard about the future of SEND support. The consultation closes on 18 May, and we strongly encourage you to take part and share your views. SEND reform: putting children and young people first - Department for Education - Citizen Space

We’re also continuing to gather testimonials from parents, carers, young people and professionals. These voices are incredibly powerful in showing the real-world difference SENDIASS makes. They help us demonstrate to decision makers - locally and nationally - the impact of our support, the gaps that still exist, and the value of investing in accessible SEND information, advice and guidance. If you’d like to share feedback, please email us at norfolksendiass@norfolk.gov.uk or add it to our pinboard here Feedback and parent/carer pinboard | Norfolk SENDIASS

Thank you, as always, for your continued engagement and support.

Niamh Keane, SENDIASS Manager

Advisor updates

Our advisors have put together some commonly asked questions and information. You can find out more in our information zone and resources on our website.

Family support (early help)

Early Help provides support to families as soon as challenges start to emerge, helping to stop difficulties from becoming bigger. It is available to families with children and young people up to 18, or up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Support can include practical help with day‑to‑day challenges, parenting advice, help with emotional wellbeing, and support around issues such as finances, housing, or concerns about a child’s wellbeing. Early Help is designed to build on family strengths and does not require a formal social care referral.

In Norfolk, support is offered through Family Hubs, giving families access to advice, groups, workshops, and Early Help professionals online, in the community, or at local centres.

Families can ask for Early Help directly through Norfolk County Council. Find out more or request support here:
https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/article/40407/Early-help-for-children-and-families

Library drop-in and outreach

The Library drop-in sessions are informal and friendly, our Advisor's can give you next steps advice about your child’s education, SEN Support, EHCP and other SEND processes.

All sessions are subject to change, and any changes will be advertised on our Facebook page. Please be aware these sessions do not offer a private room to talk, we will be based in main areas of the library. As we are not taking bookings, we will do our best to speak to you on a first come, first served basis. The sessions will be restricted to 20 minutes during busy times.

The Engagement and Advice Team also attend a variety of local outreach events.

Take a look at our online calendar to check where you can find us!

Find out where you can find us

Engagement and Advice updates

Throughout April, the Engagement and Advice Team have been busy out and about across Norfolk, attending schools, community groups, events and library drop‑ins. We’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many fantastic families, children and young people, and it’s been great to chat, listen and offer information, advice and support in a wide range of welcoming spaces. Below is a snapshot of what we have been up to this month.

Teen Agency Event:

We were delighted to attend the Teen Agency event at Diss High School, a fantastic day focused on helping young people learn about the support available to them locally, particularly around mental health and wellbeing. We set up a SENDIASS information stand alongside an interactive activity designed to help students think about what supports their learning in school and what can sometimes prevent them from accessing the help they need. This activity encouraged meaningful conversations, giving students the opportunity to talk with us, ask questions, and learn more about how SENDIASS can support them. We spoke with many children and young people throughout the day, making it a valuable opportunity to engage directly and hear their views.

SEND Youth Voice Day:

We were very excited to be part of the SEND Youth Voice Day at County Hall. The aim of the day was to give young people with SEND the opportunity to share their views and ideas on how their experiences, and the information available to them, can be improved. Six young people attended and took part in a range of fun and interactive activities, sharing thoughtful and honest feedback. As a thank you for volunteering their time and contributions, each young person received a £20 gift voucher. A further Youth Voice Day will be taking place on 29th May at County Hall. If you are a young person with SEND, aged 11-25, or know someone who may be interested, they would be very welcome to join us for the next one.

“Now That’s What I call Autism” Event:

We really enjoyed meeting and talking with many families at the “Now That’s What I Call Autism” event at The Forum. This exciting annual event, run by ASD Helping, is a vibrant celebration of autistic people, culture and creativity. It was fantastic to be part of such a positive and inclusive day. If you missed it this year, be sure to look out for it again next year!

Elective Home Education Event:

We were delighted to take part in the Elective Home Education event at County Hall, run by the Elective Home Education Team. It was a fantastic opportunity to have conversations with families who are already home educating, as well as those exploring whether home education might be the right option for them.

Parent and Carer Support

We were pleased to attend the parent/carer support group run by KIDS Charity at the Viking Centre (held fortnightly on Wednesdays). We delivered a short presentation explaining the SENDIASS service, the advice and support we offer, and how families can access us. It was a lovely opportunity to meet parents and carers, answer questions in an informal setting, and share a cup of tea while discussing individual concerns.

We also supported parents/carers this month by visiting the parent café at Watlington Primary School, connecting with SEND groups held at Thetford Family Hub, and Little Birds in North Lopham, and were pleased to be part of the marketplace event at Ingoldisthorpe Primary School.

Coming Up Next Month

We’ve got lots to look forward to in May! 🌟

Come and see us at Making Sense of SEND in Dereham on 21st May
We will be attending the Games Festival in the Forum on 26th and 27th May (we will be in The Snug!)
If you are a young person with SEND, aged 11-25, you are welcome to join us for the Youth Voice Day at County Hall on 29th May. To find out more click on the link below:

SEND Youth Voice Day - Norfolk Schools and Learning Providers - Norfolk County Council

Book recommendations

Books are a great resource from local libraries in Norfolk. They can help and support children and young people with SEND, whilst creating a safe space for family communication. There are many books that can support this. Below is an example and you can discover even more for free, from your local library.

Imogen Pagendam, SENDIAS Advisor

SEND Youth Voice Day

Norfolk County Council want to hear from children and young people with SEND about how their experiences and information for them can be improved.

SEND Youth Voice Days take place in the school holidays and the next one is on Friday 29 May, 10am-3pm at County Hall. Lunch is provided and travel expenses can be reimbursed.

As a thank you for giving up their time, those attending will receive a £20 gift voucher of their choice for each workshop attended.

Sally our Engagement and Advice Worker will be supporting at this Youth Day so if any young people would like to attend but would like to talk to someone first please email our nsendiassengagement@norfolk.gov.uk

Flourish Awards 2026

Nominations are now open for the Flourish Awards 2026, celebrating the incredible people, projects, teams and organisations making a real difference to help children and young people across Norfolk to flourish.

We’re especially proud to share that the Norfolk SEND Youth Forum has been closely involved in the Flourish Awards process over the last few years. Our young people have supported with shortlisting nominations, ensuring that children and young people’s voices are central to recognising what truly makes a difference.

Even more excitingly, the Norfolk SEND Youth Forum were nominated for the Flourish Awards in 2024 and 2025, reaching the finals on both occasions — a fantastic achievement that reflects the commitment, impact and passion of our young people and the work they do to represent SEND voices across Norfolk.

We know the Flourish Awards are a fantastic event and opportunity to celebrate those who have helped make a difference for children and young people across Norfolk so if you know someone, a team, or a project that deserves recognition you can nominate as many times as you like across a range of categories. Nominations close on 29 May 2026, so don’t miss the chance to celebrate those helping Norfolk’s children and young people thrive.

Make a nomination today: Nominations now open for the Flourish Awards 2026 "

Early needs and support mapping project

A new digital tool is being developed by health services to help children and young people in Norfolk & Waveney get the right support, at the right time.

The aim is to make it easier for families and professionals to spot needs early, find clear information, and access support quickly. Families’ views are shaping the tool so it’s practical, easy to use, and focused on what really helps.

Contact: stephanie.summers2@nhs.net

Making Sense of SEND event

Making Sense of SEND is a free, friendly information and support event for families & professionals

This event brings together over 20 specialist services under one roof, offering face to face access to advice, information, and support.

You will also have the opportunity to:

• Talk to someone face to face who can support you

• Listen to expert-led talks on SEND topics. The morning session talk is about transition, and the afternoon session talk is about types of support available for young people with additional needs aged 18-25.

• Give feedback and be heard by the EHCP team or SEND advisor. Bookable on the day

• Take part in children's participation activities giving children and young people the chance to share experiences.

Free refreshments will be available.

Booking Information

To learn more and reserve a place, please visit: 🔗 www.norfolk.gov.uk/msos

Follow the link on the webpage for either the morning session 10am-12pm with a talk on transition or the afternoon session 12.30pm-3pm with a talk on types of support available for young people with additional needs aged 18-25.

If you would like to attend both sessions, please book a ticket for both events.

Norfolk SEND Youth Forum update

In this months meeting we had ten young people attend. The group agreed to a Professional consultation with Hannah Robinson from NCC, relating to the governments White Paper on the proposed SEND reforms.

The government are consulting on proposals to reform the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system.

The consultation document explains the changes they plan to make and asks for comments from everyone with an interest.

The changes aim to improve help and support for children and young people with SEND across the 0 to 25 years system.
Hannah asked members three questions; below are the questions and a small sample of members responses based on their lived experiences.

What helps you feel happy and safe in your place of learning?

A quiet space that’s separate from everywhere else, especially one where u aren’t questioned or patronised to be able to use it!
adults who know me and can support my needs
equipment to make things accessible. Teachers explaining things better. Smaller classes, more TA's

What are the top 3 things that help you learn?

small classes with others like me
recognising I am struggling even when my grades are high
smaller classes, less noise and more attention to the students!

When you last made a move to a new school or college, what support helped you to make it easier?

lots of practice (Trial visits)
Meeting teachers in advance/getting tutor profiles before starting with them
So having teachers that fully understand that autism and ADHD can come in so many different forms is so so important, to also help those kids who aren’t diagnosed yet too

If you would like to read all of their feedback you can access minutes of our meetings on the SENDIASS website.

If you would like to respond to the government proposals you can do so by going on the link below!
SEND reform: putting children and young people first - Department for Education - Citizen Space

Bridget Robinson, Engagement and Advice Worker

CLICK TO REGISTER ONLINE