Family Voice Norfolk

21/04/2026

New investment is coming to Norfolk to improve SEND services and support. You have an opportunity to share what you think currently works, what needs to change, and help shape plans for inclusion, early support and partnership working, including a new Experts at Hand offer in mainstream schools.

📅 Online: Monday 27 April, 7-8pm

📍 In person: Thursday 30 April, 12.45-2.45pm, County Hall Norwich.

We are sorry that it’s not giving families much notice and it wouldn’t be what we would ordinarily want to do at speed. However, the time constraints placed on local authorities are very tight. It’s very important that families have the opportunity to learn about and express their views on what the Norfolk County Council SEND Reform Plan might look like. Family Voice Norfolk is therefore encouraging parents and carers to attend the online session, or to come to the in-person event and help to potentially shape what plan the Local Authority will submit.

These events are organised and co-chaired by ourselves, Norfolk SEND Local Offer and Norfolk County Council Children's Services.

Use the Eventbrite links to register for a place and find more information.

📅 Online: Monday 27 April, 7-8pm 👉 Online event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/norfolk-local-send-reform-workshop-for-parent-and-carers-online-event-tickets-1987671274288?aff=oddtdtcreator

📍 In person: Thursday 30 April, 12.45-2.45pm, County Hall Norwich 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/norfolk-local-send-reform-workshop-for-parents-and-carers-in-person-tickets-1987671485921?aff=oddtdtcreator

New investment is coming to Norfolk to improve SEND services and support and we need your help to plan where it should best be used to meet the needs of children and young people in our county.

A Local SEND Reform Plan for Norfolk, supported by several million pounds of funding, is being developed and must be submitted to Government in June.

Parents and carers, children and young people, and organisations delivering local education, health and social services all have a part to play in creating this plan.

Two events are being held specifically for parents and carers this April. You can join an online session or an in-person session, or both.

These workshops are your chance to share what you think currently works, what needs to change, and help shape plans for inclusion, early support and partnership working, including a new Experts at Hand offer in mainstream schools.

📅 Online: Monday 27 April, 7-8pm
📍 In person: Thursday 30 April, 12.45-2.45pm, County Hall Norwich.

These events are organised and co-chaired by Family Voice Norfolk and Norfolk County Council Children's Services.

Use the Eventbrite links in the comments to register for a place and find more information. 👇

21/04/2026

Morrisons Supermarkets are the first to introduce stoma- friendly toilets. Read more here ➡️ https://account.epromailer.com/t/r-544EFA8BDFD5E5E42540EF23F30FEDED

19/04/2026

Sunbeams Community Hub have a small, friendly library of books looking at autism and related conditions including puberty, development, behaviour and growth. Books will be aimed at parents, carers and the child, young person or adult themselves and are available to borrow for an agreed period of time. The link below provides the full list available 👉 https://www.sunbeamsplay.org.uk/library

They also offer several groups for children, young people, late diagnosis, and young carers. Take a look 👉 https://www.sunbeamsplay.org.uk/home

Thanks to the kind donation from the Foyle Foundation we have compiled a small library of just over 200 books looking at autism and related conditions including...

18/04/2026

We’re looking forward to attending this Complex Health Transition event on Wednesday!

No need to book just turn up!
Hear talks on subjects relating to this and visit stands from adult health and social care for information and advice.

https://www.facebook.com/100064955731192/posts/1337448901763622/

A reminder that we're holding a Complex Health Transition Event this April.

It aims to support families with a young person with complex health needs who will be moving to adult services in the future.

Transition from paediatric to adult service can be a stressful and worrying time for young people and their parents/carers. Supporting young people during transition in both paediatric and adult service can reduce stress, improve engagement with services and potentially reduce admissions.

The event will include talks on subjects such as the mental capacity act and deputyships, how consent for treatment changes, adult urgent care myth busting, how we can support health care transition and a patient/family experience of transition to adult care, from in patient to emergency care. There will be also stalls from adult health and social care to give support and advice.

Sarah Cassells, Lead Transition Practitioner, said: "Feedback on last year's event from parents and carers showed they found that it was really helpful for understanding how things change when their child turns 16. Others told us they liked the opportunity to talk to people from adult social care. All young people with complex health needs are welcome and there is no need to book."

17/04/2026

Autism Anglia’s Community Connect service is launching in Norwich & Mid‑Norfolk from 1st May 🙌

💻 What does this mean for families?
As well as being able to request Autism Anglia’s FREE signature 1-2-1 support service, they’ll also be hosting online drop-in events once a month, where you’ll be able to book a FREE 15‑minute online support session at a time that works for you. A flexible, accessible way to get friendly, practical guidance without needing to travel.

👋 They will also be at the Now That’s What I Call Autism show in Norwich next week, so pop over and say hello and find out more about the service.

Find out more about Community Connect here 👉 https://www.autism-anglia.org.uk/community-connect-is-expanding-launching-in-norwich-and-mid-norfolk-this-may/

17/04/2026

Need help with your child’s DLA form? Contact - For families with disabled children can help! 👇

16/04/2026

The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) - Time to Talk Next Steps Webinar!

🗓 Tuesday 21st April - Preparation for meaningful adulthood

🕙 10:00 am - 11:15 am

🔹 What is Time to Talk Next Steps?
Time to Talk Next Steps (TtTNS) is a unique offer for young people with additional support needs and/or SEND who feel stuck, isolated or unsure about their future.

🔹 What is this webinar about?
Discover how NDTi could work with you to improve the outcomes of the young person/people you support. You will hear examples of how this programme has helped young people who previously felt stuck and isolated to build confidence, make plans and connect with peers. They will share approaches and tools that have proved invaluable to successful engagement and you will hear from disabled young people who have developed their own movement for a more inclusive society through the Youth Inclusion Champions.

🔹 The session is for all – parent/carers, policy leads, commissioners, service managers, as well as practitioners working in education, social care, health, participation, advocacy, human rights and family support.

Reserve your place here ➡️ 09d1bb6f-537e-4b77-9230-922957062da8@51b8cdb9-ebb0-4a74-8e67-d1cc46223de7" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/09d1bb6f-537e-4b77-9230-922957062da8@51b8cdb9-ebb0-4a74-8e67-d1cc46223de7

15/04/2026

FREE Carers Wellness and Information event for unpaid carers in Cromer!

For more information contact Carers Voice at info@carersvoice.org or 07932095260

As a parent carer you can join Carers Voice free membership to hear about involvement opportunities, carers meeting and to receive their free newsletter. Click her to join 👉 https://www.carersvoice.org/carer-voice-membership/

It's 2 weeks until our FREE Carers Wellness and Information Event for unpaid Carers taking place in Cromer!

We welcome all unpaid Carers and the people they are caring for! We look forward to seeing you there 😊
(Plus there will be free cake!)

14/04/2026

Event guide for That's What I Call Autism 2026 event now available 👉 https://nowautism.norfolkautismpartnership.org.uk/

This is a free to attend event celebrating autistic creativity, identity and community!

Check out their page to view the line up of Autistic Speakers and Makers Market 👉 https://www.facebook.com/norfolkautism?

14/04/2026

Norfolk Sendiass are at the Kids Norfolk Coffee and Connect session TOMORROW!

Norfolk SENDIASS offer free and impartial information, advice and support about special educational needs & disabilities (SEND) for children, young people, parents and carers.

This week!

13/04/2026

Did you know that everyone with a learning disability in the UK is entitled to free Annual Health Checks once they turn 14? 👇

Did you know that everyone with a learning disability in the UK is entitled to free Annual Health Checks once they turn 14?

This can help to identify any medical issues early on, otherwise, problems could be missed and lead to more serious consequences.

To get a health check, ask your GP to add your child to the Learning Disability Register. This can be done at any age, but they will only be invited for checks once they're 14.

After the check, your child should be given a Health Action Plan to help them stay well. This can also be used to shape any health outcomes in their EHC plan, SEN support plan, or adulthood transition review.

Learn more in our Annual Health Checks factsheet 👉 contact.org.uk/annual-health-checks-fs

Or read our FAQs for detailed answers to common questions and concerns 👉 contact.org.uk/annual-health-checks

13/04/2026

Autism Explorers!
A community group within Norfolk to support SEN families, providing fun themed
Sensory Saturdays with child-led play and skills development, autism friendly trips for all
and support for parents and carers.

Find out more here 👉 www.autismexplorersnorwich.com

Follow them on Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/1CfU6jbdnH/?mibextid=wwXIfr