Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Engagement Sessions for Parents and Carers

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Engagement Sessions for Parents and
Carers
The Education Authority (EA) is holding a series of two-part Special Educational Needs and
Disabilities (SEND) engagement sessions for parents and carers this month.
For the first part of the sessions, our Special Educational Needs (SEN) Advice and Information
Service will then be on hand to provide information and guidance on general concerns relating
to SEN. This will be followed by a second session to introduce parents and carers to the SEND
Transformation Programme.
Six in-person events will take place across EA sites, while one online session will be held to
facilitate anyone who wishes to join virtually. 

SEN Advice and Information Service engagement session
The EA’s SEN Advice and Information Service will provide advice and information on general SEN concerns.  

What the sessions will cover?
• Role of parents
• How children’s learning is supported in school
• First steps to take when concerns arise
• Overview of the SEN Framework

Who should attend?
Any interested parent or carer is welcome to attend, however registration is limited to
maximum capacity of each venue. The information provided at these sessions will be more
appropriate for some parents rather than others. It is anticipated that the sessions will be most
appropriate for parents and carers whose children are not on the school’s SEN register, but who
have concerns about their child’s progress at school.
SEND Transformation Programme engagement sessions
The SEND Transformation Programme has been established to deliver all the work that
is required to make positive and lasting changes to the special educational needs system.
Our aim through this programme is to transform our services and create a system that will
deliver the right support at the right time for all our children and young people with SEND, so
that they can get the best possible start in life.
What the sessions will cover?
• An overview of the current avenues for support
• The establishment of the programme
• An overview of the projects underway
• Information about upcoming consultation opportunities
The sessions will also provide an opportunity for parents and carers to ask questions relating to
the development and delivery of the programme.
Who should attend?
This engagement session is open to all parents and carers who have an interest in the
transformation work underway, however registration is limited to maximum capacity of each
venue. This session may be of particular interest to those parents and carers who have children
currently receiving or awaiting SEND support.
The sessions will take place on the following dates:
➢ 27 March 2023, 5.30pm-7.30pm; Antrim Board Centre.
➢ 28 March 2023, 5.30pm-7.30pm; Dungannon Teachers’ Centre.
➢ 29 March 2023, 5.30pm-7.30pm; Malone College (Finaghy Road North Entrance)
➢ 30 March 2023, 7-9pm; Online Event.
➢ 31 March 2023, 3.30pm-5.30pm; Omagh Technology Centre.
➢ 4 April 2023, 3-5pm; Newry Teachers’ Centre.
➢ 5 April 2023, 2.30pm-4.30pm; North West Teachers’ Centre.

Registration for one of the events can be made using this booking link

https://www.easds.org.uk/booking/?bookingid=9fcf33aa8d516c9e