We're working with parent carer forum SEND Family Voice Torbay to run a series of events in September and October for SEND families.

The in-person sessions will be an opportunity for parent carers to learn more about the SEND local area partnership's improvement journey, co-produce the new Experts at Hand offer, make their voice heard and meet practitioners.

The first event takes place on Wednesday 16 September where parent carers can meet some of the members of the SEND local area improvement partnership board. The board is responsible for overseeing the improvement of SEND services across Torbay.

This meeting will also introduce Experts at Hand, a new initiative being launched by the government this September in mainstream (not SEND) schools.

It aims to identify children’s needs earlier and to make sure they’re receiving the best possible support in their everyday education environments.

It will bring health and education experts like educational psychologists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists directly into schools.

This means they can work closely with teachers. Children won’t need a diagnosis to access support – it’s based on the child’s need.

Other events in September and October will focus on the SEND pledge, the self-evaluation feedback and the SEND strategy.

The SEND Pledge is a shared commitment across education, health, social care and voluntary sector services in Torbay to ensure that children and young people with SEND feel listened to, understood, respected and supported.

The Self Evaluation Framework is a document that helps education, health, social care and families understand how well the SEND system is working for children and young people.

It’s used before, during and after meetings and inspections with Ofsted.

The Torbay SEND Strategy is a shared plan that sets out how education, health and social care services will work together to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Nick Bye, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Torbay Council, said: “I would encourage parent carers of SEND children to attend any or all of these events. They are a good opportunity to have your say and influence the strategies and plans that are being developed to improve the experiences and outcomes of our SEND young people.

“It’s crucial that parent carers feed into those documents – they know their children best.”

Becky Box, Chair of SEND Family Voice Torbay, said: “Every parent carer has experiences and insights that can help improve support for children and young people with SEND.

“By involving families at the earliest stages of designing services and strategies, we can ensure that lived experience helps shape decisions from the start. These events are a valuable opportunity for parent carers to have their voices heard and help shape the future of SEND services in Torbay.”

Full list of events

Wednesday 16 September, Parkfield House, 1pm to 2:30 pm

• Meet members of the SLAIP board and co-produce the Experts at Hand offer

Thursday 24 September, Parkfield House, 5pm to 7pm

• Co-produce theExperts at Hand Offer (update on planning, how feedback has been used and further development of the offer)
• Engagement on the SEND Pledge

Monday 28 September, Christ Church, Church Hall, Paignton, 10am to 12pm 

• Questions and data to explore key areas of the Self Evaluation Framework (SEF) – what is working well?
• Engagement on the SEND strategy

Wednesday 14 October, Parkfield House, 10am to 12pm

• Update and further engagement on the SEF and SEND Strategy

Register your interest to attend these events