Derby SEND Voice

22/06/2026

Join Transition 2 for an information session around Annual Health Checks. See below for full details 👇

17/06/2026

The weather might be awful today, but it will be warm, cosy and welcoming inside the Glow and Grow Café for our Cuppa and Chat session from 11.00–13.00.

Members get a free drink, and anyone who signs up today will also receive one — membership is free and there’s no commitment at all.

Come in, get dry, warm up and enjoy some friendly company.
And don’t forget SENDIASS will be joining us today, so it’s a great chance to ask questions and get support.

11 - 13.00
Glow and Grow Cafe,
Friar Gate Studios
Ford Street
Derby

17/06/2026

🚌 Help Us Shape a Pupil Passport for School Transport 🚌

Derby SEND Voice is working with Derby City Council to explore the development of a short pupil passport/profile for children and young people who travel to and from school using the Home to School Transport Service (e.g. minibus or taxi).

The idea is that transport staff would have access to key information to help them better understand and support the children and young people they transport.

We'd love to hear from parents and carers:

❓ What information do you think would be important to include?

For example:
* Preferred name or nickname
* Communication needs
* Medical information
* Sensory sensitivities or triggers
* What helps if your child becomes anxious or distressed
* Things transport staff should know to help journeys go smoothly

The passport would need to be short and practical (no more than two sides of A4), so we're particularly interested in what information you feel would make the biggest difference.

Please share your thoughts in the comments below or send us a private message, or email at [email protected]

Thank you for helping us ensure the voices of children, young people and families are heard. 💙

16/06/2026

Join us today 4:- 5.30 at Derby College parent and carers transition event 😊

16/06/2026

** Cuppa & Chat Tomorrow with Derby SEND Voice & SENDIASS **

Being a SEND parent or carer can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Join us for a Cuppa & Chat on Wednesday 17 June, 11:00–13:00 at the Glow & Grow Café, Friar Gate Studios.

This is a safe, relaxed space where you can share your experiences, ask questions, or simply sit with others who understand the twists and turns of the SEND system. Whether you’re at the very start or well along the journey, you’re welcome.

We are also delighted to say that SENDIASS (SEND Information, Advice and Support Service) will be joining us.

SENDIASS are an independent service who support SEND families with SEND law on education, health and social care, School choices and admissions, SEND Support in school and college, School attendance, including part-time timetables and exclusions, Home to school transport, Phase transfers, Post-16 transitions and Preparing for Adulthood, Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessments and Plans, including Personal Budgets and Annual Reviews, Disagreement resolution, including Mediation and Appeals. Derby SEND Information Advice and Support Service
At any of our sessions you will receive No judgement and No pressure. Just understanding, connection, and community.

Walking into a new place to meet with people you do not know can be very intimidating, please rest assured you will know where we are as we will have our banner in view. We are all very friendly and we would love to welcome you.

FREE drink for Derby SEND Voice members, please follow the link to join:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScl7uukigMjWJXSCf_ApkvD56sy0XtiCA5jvtmo7ULZbjkrQA/viewform?usp=header

Derby SEND Information Advice and Support Service

10/06/2026

* Cuppa & Chat 17th June with Derby SEND Voice & SENDIASS*

Being a SEND parent or carer can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. Join us for a Cuppa & Chat on Wednesday 17 June, 11:00–13:00 at the Glow & Grow Café, Friar Gate Studios.

This is a safe, relaxed space where you can share your experiences, ask questions, or simply sit with others who understand the twists and turns of the SEND system. Whether you’re at the very start or well along the journey, you’re welcome.

We are also delighted to say that SENDIASS (SEND Information, Advice and Support Service) will be joining us.

SENDIASS are an independent service who support SEND families with SEND law on education, health and social care, School choices and admissions, SEND Support in school and college, School attendance, including part-time timetables and exclusions, Home to school transport, Phase transfers, Post-16 transitions and Preparing for Adulthood, Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessments and Plans, including Personal Budgets and Annual Reviews, Disagreement resolution, including Mediation and Appeals. Derby SEND Information Advice and Support Service

At any of our sessions you will receive No judgement and No pressure. Just understanding, connection, and community.

FREE drink for Derby SEND Voice members, please follow the link to join:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScl7uukigMjWJXSCf_ApkvD56sy0XtiCA5jvtmo7ULZbjkrQA/viewform?usp=header

Derby SEND Information Advice and Support Service

10/06/2026

Wonderful opportunity for professionals, organisations and businesses to gain some free training on SEND 👇

Our professionals awareness course runs 3 times a month on a Tuesday via Microsoft Teams!🙂 Email [email protected] for more information. Get your free tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/autism-information-and-advice-service-31233217735

10/06/2026

** New session for autistic girls at the beautiful Hannah fields **

We have a wonderful new session starting this Thursday 😊

This group is for autistic girls and their carers to come along, try the group and help shape what it becomes. Our first session is an opportunity to meet others, explore the space and share ideas about activities you would enjoy in future sessions. There is no pressure to join in with the activities. Whether you would like to make friends, play a game, get creative, spend time outdoors or simply sit quietly with others around you, you are very welcome. Our aim is to create a safe, supportive and understanding community where autistic girls can build friendships, develop confidence and feel accepted for who they are. What you can expect; *A safe, welcoming and understanding environment *Opportunities to meet other autistic girls *Board games *Crafts and creative activities *Time to chat, relax or simply hang out *A supportive community for both girls and their carers. For more information or to register your interest contact Amy at [email protected] or 07903079263

09/06/2026

Derby SEND Voice are sharing this on behalf of Families First.

Families first want to hear from families about how local services can better support you from behaviour and wellbeing to education, relationships, finances and more.

Your feedback will help shape the Families First Partnership and how support is delivered in Derby.

Community groups can complete the survey on behalf of their members, or share it with families.

For alternative formats or more info, contact Sarah Walker: [email protected]

Survey closes 26 June, please follow the link below:
https://letstalk.derby.gov.uk/families-first-families-alliance

09/06/2026

We are delighted to welcome the Learning Disability Team as our next guest speakers for Derby parent carers.

Glow & Grow Cafe
Wednesday 10th June
10-12pm

Learning Disability Annual Health Checks are offered from age 14, but this session is for ANY parent carer who has a child or young person with, or who may have, a learning disability.

No official diagnosis is needed to attend

We will be exploring:
What the Annual Health Check involves
Why early, proactive and preventative health care matters
How to get added to the GP Learning Disability Register
Eligibility, access and what support looks like in practice

If you’re unsure whether this applies to your child/young person, please do come, as that’s exactly what this session is about.

You are welcome and we'd love to see you in the fabulous Glow & Grow cafe at Friar Gate Studios Wednesday 10th June 10-12pm - members can even have a drink on us!

If you have any questions please email us at [email protected]