SEND support groups and events

Making Sense of SEND are free events for parents/carers who have a child with SEND. They are also for professionals who work with them.

Each event has between 15-20 information stands. They'll give you the chance to:

• Visit information stands to learn about local services and support
• Listen to a talk on a specialist subject
• Ask questions
• Share ideas 

Next event

• Date: Friday 27 June 2025
• Time: 10am-2pm
• Place: County Hall, Norwich
• Talk(s): Three different talks will be offered:
  • 10.30am-11.00am
  • 11.45am-12.15pm
  • 1pm-1.30pm
• Engagement activities: Interactive Q&A, Tell us and we will listen

Go to Eventbrite to book your free place

Services attending this event

We (SEND Local Offer) will be there alongside:

• SEND Participation Team - works with youth groups and schools to give children and young people with SEND opportunities to get involved in activities and have their experiences and views heard. Runs the Article 12 participation group. 
• Preparing for Adult Life Team (PfAL) - carries out assessments under the Care Act 2014, when it is likely a young person will have care and support needs after they are 18 and help with transition into adult services. 
• Vision Norfolk - offers support to vision impaired children and young adults aged 0-25 years, and their families through information, advice and guidance. 
• Supported internships -  Information about Supported Internships for young people thinking of or already within Post 16 education. 
• Young Carers Matter Norfolk -YCMN - supports young carers with SEND, and those caring for a family member with SEND. 
• Direct Payment Support Service - provide a support service including Customer services, Welcome, Employment Support and Payroll services to those that have a Direct Payment through Children's and young peoples Short Breaks. 
• Community Dental Services - specialist dental care services for people with learning disabilities, mental health difficulties and severe anxiety, covering Norfolk and Waveney  
• Family Information Service - gives information about local services and support for children including funded early education and childcare, home learning and related services in Norfolk 
• Norfolk SENDIASS - gives SEND information, advice and support to children, young people, and parent/carers  
• Kids -  offer 1-1 support for parents, coffee and connect groups, mini workshops along with the Healthy Parent Programme and Riding the Rapids. 
• Healthwatch Norfolk - making sure NHS leaders and other decision-makers hear your voice 
• Family Voice Norfolk - Norfolk's parent/carer forum who work with families and service providers. They help improve outcomes for children and young people living with SEND.  
• D.R.A.G.O.N.s -young people with disabilities who help ensure opportunities in Norfolk are accessible and that young people enjoy their services 
• SEND school transport - learn about school and college transport for children and young people with SEND in Norfolk 
• ASD Helping Hands - provides guidance, education, and resources to help individuals, families, and professionals navigate autism with knowledge and empowerment. 
• Anglian Water - Customer Services Partnerships - offers free practical and financial support to carers of SEND children and young adults through tailored adjustments to ensure you can access Anglian Water services.  
• Nansa- Nansa provides specialist support for children, young people, and adults with SEND, along with their families.  
• Dyslexia Outreach Service - provide services to all schools and key stages. They offer advice and support, teaching strategies and inset training, as well as workshops and courses for parent carers. 
• Access Through Technology (ATT) - providing advice, assessment, equipment, and training for pupils who may benefit from using technology to communicate and to learn. 
• Able2B - Able2B is a gym based in Norwich for children and adults with a disability or special educational need.  
• TITAN travel training - help young people with SEND get skills for safe independent travel 
• NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) - Information on learning disability annual health check and booklets to support.  
• Different Minds (ADHD-ASD Norfolk) Ltd - ADHD-ASD Norfolk works with its partnering organisation Different Minds Ltd, to assist individuals, families, schools and other organisations to improve the lives of those with ADHD & ASD. 
• Healthy Child Service, Cambridgeshire Community Services. - delivering ,0-19 Norfolk Healthy Child Service , Norfolk & Waveney Children's Speech and Language Services, Norfolk & Waveney Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) in schools and Norfolk & Waveney Access to Mental Health Advice & Support. 
• Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust - have a range of specialist services which support young people with SEND and their families 
• Early Childhood and Family Service (ECFS) - together with the Community and Partnerships teams can offer you extra support to meet the individual needs of your family.  
• Cambridge Community Services, Norfolk and Waveney Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service - supporting speech, language and communication for children and young people.  
• Children and Young Peoples Team, Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board - working with the local authority to provide the best support to disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs aged 0-25 years. 

Future events

• Thursday 18 September 2025, 10am-12pm (Charles Burrell Centre, Thetford)
• Tuesday 25 November 2025, 10am-12pm (Great Yarmouth Town Hall)
• Wednesday 21 January 2026, 1-3pm (Sheringham Community Centre)
• March 2026 is to be confirmed (TBC)
• May 2026 is TBC
• July 2026 is TBC