Events and training
Find out what has been happening and have a look at what events and training are coming up.
Planned events and training
Join us for a friendly chat over a coffee and a biscuit.
Our sessions are held twice a week during term time.
Join us for a friendly chat over a coffee and a biscuit.
Meet other parents and carers of children with SEND, discuss issues, and share insight and ideas.
Our sessions are held twice a week during term time.
Monday
Central Family Hub,
Edward Street,
Grimsby,
DN32 9HL
9:30 – 11:30am
Thursday
Nunsthorpe Family Hub,
Sutcliffe Avenue,
Grimsby,
DN33 1AR
9:30 – 11:30am
We are holding regular pop-up events with professionals from SEND services, health and social care.
Our approach is based on strong evidence that when parents and carers have a good relationship with their child’s school/setting and services and are involved in their learning and experiences, life chances and outcomes for children and young people are improved.
Past events
Yarborough Academy
We had a successful pop-up event at Yarborough Academy on Friday 6 May.

There was a great turn out of parent carers who met with services from across the borough.
This included the school SENCo and support staff, SENDIASS for impartial advice and support for SEND across education, health and social care, an EHCP Coordinator, the SEND Engagement Team, Compass GO, and Sharon Gest from the Specialist Advisory Team.
Phoenix Park Academy

We had a great event at Phoenix Park Academy, Harold Street, Grimsby.
Parent carers from Academies in the Wellspring Trust met together with the SENCo’s, staff, and services across education, health and social care as well as the environmental youth group, Green Influencers.
Students volunteered their time to serve tea, coffee, and home made baked goods.
Parent carers found it useful to have several key services in one place. Some were introduced to new services that they thought would be helpful.
Read more
NELC SEND Local Offer | Successful SEND pop-up event at Phoenix Park Academy (nelincs.gov.uk)
Parents and carers are invited to attend a free sleep workshop online, funded by Humber Transforming Care Partnership.
Following feedback from parent carers the sleep workshops can now be completed over one session.
Sleep Workshop for Parent/Carers
- Monday 25 April 2022 10am-2pm
- Tuesday 17 May 2022 10am-2pm
- Friday 27 May 2022 9.30am-1.30pm
- Monday 6 June 2022 10am-2pm
- Tuesday 21 June 2022 10am-2pm
To book a place please email Claire.Earley@kids.org.uk
Find out more about services to help your child to sleep. NELC SEND Local Offer | Social, emotional and mental health (nelincs.gov.uk)
Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate.
Find an accredited Makaton Trainer. Find Training (makaton.org).
Can you learn the Makaton sign ‘To Understand’?
Find other free resources and information about Makaton Home (makaton.org).
Training
SENDIASS training has been postponed.
You can view recorded sessions of the training on their Parents and Carers page.
Parents and Carers | Barnardo’s (barnardossendiass.org.uk)
Events
Parent practitioner steering group
It is really important to us that parents who have used SENDIASS can help us shape the service and, being part of the steering group, is an opportunity to do this.
The steering group meets for about two hours, four times a year; we have a mix of professionals/practitioners, a member of NELPPF (the parent forum), and parents who have used the service. (We also have a separate young people’s steering group.)
If you would like to become involved with the Parent Practitioner Steering Group, please call us us on 01472 355365 or email nelincs@barnardos.org.uk
More for parents and carers from SENDIASS, Barnardo’s, Parents and Carers | Barnardo’s (barnardossendiass.org.uk)
Groups and sessions from 16+ weeks pregnant.
Focus on baby and child development, weaning, behaviours, diet, sleep, dental health, walking, getting ready for nursery and learning, completing nursey applications, communication, language, health, and more.
- Stepping Stones Triple P- One to one (0-12 years)
- Stepping Stones Triple p- Group (0-12 years)
- Parents Supporting Parents
- Sensory rooms
- Language through listening
- Parenting drop in
- Parenting puzzle (0-5 years)
- Sleep tight
- Counselling for parents
- Young carers
Read more about these courses and how to sign up on the Early years page under Early help and support.
Parent/Carer Workshops
Young Minds Matter provide parent and carer workshops to help increase their understanding of mental health issues and build confidence in supporting children and young people in the family home.
Parent and Carer Workshop Overview :: Young Minds Matter (lpft.nhs.uk)
These are totally free of charge, online and able to be taken at a time that suits you.
Learn about:
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Health Anxiety
- Low mood/depression
- self-harm
- social anxiety
- What is mental health
Autism in Girls and Women Training
We have a limited number of places on the Autism in Girls and Women training from the National Autistic Society.
The course is held online and takes about two hours. We have covered the cost for you to take it. Find out more about the course. Women and girls (autism.org.uk)
We have had a varied range of people sign up to the training including professionals from schools, health and social care, parent carers, grandparents, volunteers, childminders and more.
After you sign up, why not tell your child’s favourite teacher or support staff that they can take this training?
We’ve had 60 people sign up and have about forty places left.
Sign up
If you’d like to take this online training, please contact us at StrategyPolicyandProjects@nelincs.gov.uk and include the following details
- Your name
- The school or organisation you work for
- The email address you would use to set up an account on the National Autistic Society (NAS) website (needed to access the training)
We’ll then send you a code which you enter on your National Autistic Society account to access the training.
We’ll also ask to let us know when you’ve completed the course and to send in a copy of your certificate.
Autism in Schools Parents Forum
Parent carers meet during the forum to stay up-to-date and help to shape the offer. There is one forum every half term.
Infants and Primary Schools
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary Voluntary Academy,
Philip Avenue,
Cleethorpes,
DN35 9DL
Tuesday 17 May, 9:30-11:30pm
Secondary Schools
Grimsby Town Hall, Town Hall Square, DN31 31HU
Tuesday 17 May, 1-2:30pm
Infants/ Primary and Secondary Schools
Grimsby Town Hall, Town Hall Square, DN31 31HU
Tuesday 5 July, 9:30am-1pm
Learn more about Autism in Schools. NELC SEND Local Offer | Autism in Schools (nelincs.gov.uk)
EarlyBird Plus
EarlyBird Plus is a programme for parents and carers of young people aged 4-9 with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The programme is delivered to between four and six families at a time. It is held weekly and consists of eight sessions, each of which are two and a half hours long. Families are also offered two home visits to discuss the programme in more detail and be supported to individualise and personalise the content.
Family support (autism.org.uk)
Who delivers the programme?
EarlyBird Plus is delivered by experienced autism professionals who are employed by North East Lincolnshire Council. They have been trained and licensed by The National Autistic Society to run the programme for families in their local area.
What are the aims of the programme and what will parents/carers learn?
The EarlyBird Plus Programme aims to empower parents/carers by building confidence and developing resilience. Every session includes discussion and participation during which parents/carers are encouraged to consider how the techniques and strategies discussed could be used with their individual child.
Topics covered include:
- understanding autism, sensory differences, and communication
- supporting and developing interaction
- understanding, interpreting, and supporting behaviour
- socialisation and self-awareness
An EarlyBird Plus Programme book will be provided for each family to accompany the programme.
How much does it cost to attend?
This programme is free of cost to parents/carers and accompanying professionals
How can parents/carers access the programme?
Parents / Carers wishing to express an interest in participating in the EarlyBird Plus programme please email EPtraining@nelincs.gov.uk to request an Expression of Interest Form.
Schools and Other Professionals:
Please support your parents and carers wishing to express an interest in participating in the EarlyBird Plus programme by emailing EPtraining@nelincs.gov.uk on their behalf.
Teen Life Autism Programme
The Teen Life Autism Programme is for parents and carers of children and young people aged 10-16 who have autism. It is currently being delivered online.
CDC e-learning courses
The Council for Disabled Children has developed a suite of online training for CDC members and affiliated organisations and services. The courses have been developed to improve knowledge, understanding and practical skills and support in range of key areas that impact children and young people, particularly those with special educational needs and disability.
eLearning courses include:
- Introduction to Mental Health
- Introduction to Children’s Social Care
- Information, Advice and Support
- Holistic Outcomes in Education, Health and Care Plans
- Delivering Quality Annual Reviews *New
- Focus on Health Advice *New
- CETRs and DSRs – to be published in Autumn
- Supporting Children and Young People with SEND and their families: Improving skills and understanding for Health colleagues – to be published in Autumn
Each module takes between 30-45 minutes to complete. The training is free to complete online from any computer/tablet. You can complete it at your own pace.
Take a course- E-Learning (councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk)
Contact is a leading UK charity. They offer information, guidance, and support for families with disabled children.
Family workshops and events | Contact
Brighter beginnings including:
- Speech Language and Communication
- Anxiety
- Toilet training
- Money Matters
- Handling meetings
- Encouraging Positive Behaviour
- Education workshops
- Speech and language
- Sleep workshops
- Siblings workshops
- Growing up workshops
- Wellbeing workshops
Does your child have regular hospital appointments or stays in hospital? Come along to one of our virtual Coffee & Chat drop-ins!
You will meet the Hospital Parent Advisers from our By Your Side team and other parents to share experiences and get advice. Our advisers can help with a range of topics, including benefits, education, sleeping, encouraging positive behaviour and more.
Check their website for upcoming topics.
Online support sessions for adult siblings of people with learning disabilities – Sibs
Catch up with past events.
- Being a sibling carer (held April 13th)
- Feeling confident about safeguarding, with Lisa Curtis, Ann Craft Trust (held June 2nd)
- Mental capacity with Carol McBride (held 28th June)
- Advocacy part 1 with Liz Wilson and Annie Fergusson, Dimensions (held 13th July)
- Self-care (inc mindfulness) with Claire Garthwaite, With Mindfulness (held 21st July)
- Advocacy part 2 with Liz Wilson and Annie Fergusson, Dimensions (held 13th Sept)
- Caring from a distance with Clare Whitfield, Caroline White and Jane Wray, University of Hull (held 27th Sept)
This group brings together parents, carers, and professionals to work together on the Access Pathway.
Contact Harriett Stenton for more information, harriett.stenton@nelincs.gov.uk.
The new date for the SEND Awards is Friday 8 July, 2022. All previous seat holders will be contacted shortly.
The SEND Award Ceremony is an exciting event that was requested by local children and young people who wanted something positive, lively, and empowering to celebrate SEND.
The event has been planned by the local Young Peoples Advisory Group (YPAG).
This just goes to show how much influence you have as a child or young person with SEND. What you say really makes a difference.
There have been many grateful messages from winners, nominees and their families saying how delighted they are to have been recognised. We are equally as proud of those who have helped to make it a reality.
Special guests on the judging panel said: “We loved being a part of this. We need more of it.”
Read the SEND Award nominations.
NELC SEND Local Offer | SEND Award winners and nominations (nelincs.gov.uk).
All of the training opportunities for professionals are now on the ‘Professionals’ page.
Past events
Autism Acceptance Week
Autism Acceptance Week runs from Monday 28 March to Sunday 3 April.
We are hosting a series of pop-up events to showcase our exciting new Autism Book Club in conjunction with the Autism in Schools Project.
Learn more about the activities during the week and check out the full book list for yourself, your child with SEND, their siblings or friends, and professionals. NELC SEND Local Offer | Autism Acceptance Week (nelincs.gov.uk)
Pop-up events
Monday 28 March from 9:30-11:30am. Cleethorpes Library, Alexandra Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 8LG
Tuesday 29 March from 9:30-11:30am. Waltham Library, High Street, Waltham, Grimsby, DN37 0LL
Wednesday 30 March from 9:30-11:30am. Grimsby Library, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, DN31 1HG
Thursday 21 March from 9:30-11:30am. Immingham Library, Civic Centre, Pelham Road, Immingham, DN40 1QF
February
Autism in Schools Parents Supporting Parents Forum
Tuesday, 8 February from 9:30am to 11:30am.
The Forum is held at Grimsby Town Hall, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, DN31 1HU.
Sleep Workshop for Parent/Carers
Tuesday 1 and Tuesday 8 February, 2022 from 10am-12pm
Thursday 17 and Thursday 24 February 2022 from 12pm-2pm
Tuesday 22 February, and Tuesday 1 March 2022, from 10am-12pm
November
Pop-up event at Phoenix Park Academy, Harold St, Grimsby DN32 7NQ.
Friday, 19 November, 2021, 9:30am – 11:30am.
At the event you will be able to speak to:
- North East Lincolnshire SENDIASS | Barnardo’s (barnardossendiass.org.uk)
- An EHCP Co-ordinator
- Compass GO… North East Lincolnshire Mental Health Support Teams – Compass (compass-uk.org)
- Jenny Hodson, Youth Leadership Manager from VANEL
- NELC SEND Local Offer | Short Break (nelincs.gov.uk)
- NELC SEND Engagement Team
October/ November
Introductions to EHCP’s
This one hour introductory session is delivered via Microsoft Teams and is recommended for all professionals working with children and young people with SEND in health services
The session will provide an overview of the SEND reforms statutory duties impacting on health
professionals education, health care assessment and review process the local picture relating
to EHC plans, and providing advice via the EHCP Hub.
2021:
Thursday, 21 October – 1pm
Thursday, 2 December – 1pm
2022:
Thursday, 3 March – 10am
Book onto Introduction to EHCP’s for Health Professionals Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
September
Introduction to EHCP’s
Monday, 20 September- 10am
July
Local authority training
15 July
Resources and effective interventions including: Strategies for SEMH with new SENCo’s
Developing a shared ownership for SEND
Tues 13 Jul 16:00-17:30
This webinar will look at developing a shared ownership of SEND using stakeholder voice in
school improvement. The session will include practical mainstream school improvement
advice for sharing inclusive strategies and SEND good practice.
Suitable for SENCo’s, Headteachers, Senior Leaders, Governors
Improving outcomes for disadvantaged young people at SEN Support
Wed 14 Jul 16:00-17:00
This series of three webinars will support schools to develop an implementation plan to
improve outcomes for disadvantaged children and young people at SEN Support.
Part 2: Developing and Embedding Inclusive Practice – Featuring guest speaker Dr Jim
Rogers.
Suitable for SENCo’s, Headteachers, Senior Leaders, Governors
Sibs for brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults
Introduction to advocacy Part 1: Tuesday 13 July, 7pm – 8.30pm. This session will focus on the rights of your disabled brother or sister, skills in advocacy (including advocating for yourself as well as your brother/sister); and looking after yourself as a sibling too. Led by Liz Wilson (Lead Family Consultant) and Annie Fergusson (Associate Family Consultant), Dimensions.
SENDIASS training- Post 16 Transitions
Monday, 12 July, 12.30pm – 2.30pm
This training is designed for parents/carers of children in years 10 or 11 who have a special education need/disability (SEND). Open for anyone whose child is at SEN Support or have an EHCP. Book a place.
1 July. SAS Assessment tools
June
Leading governance for SEND
Thurs 29 June
Presented by National SEND Lead Malcolm Reeve, this session will introduce the WSS
SEND Governance Review Guide to help governors develop their confidence in supporting
and challenging schools in order to improve outcomes for young people with SEND.
This event is suitable for governors of all school types and phases.
21 June. SENCo Forum
17 June. Forms and procedures with new SENCo’s
May
27 May. TA Management
SENDIASS training- Elective Home Education & Learning through COVID – Awareness Session
Monday, 10 May, 1pm – 2pm
If you have ever thought about Elective Home Educating or would like to know more information surrounding this subject and flexi learning and how learning is taking place during COVID, then this workshop would be suitable for you. It is only an hour session so the information will be brief and local to the North East Lincolnshire area so you must live within the North East Lincolnshire area. Book a place.
Thursday, 13 May- 9:00am-12:00pm. Engagement Model, training for professionals.
An official training package from the Department for Education, The Engagement Model is a statutory assessment tool that helps schools meet their duties in supporting pupils who are working below the level of the national curriculum and who are not engaged in subject-specific study.
6 May. Provision mapping
April
Thursday, 15 April- 9:00am-12:00pm. Engagement Model, training for professionals.
An official training package from the Department for Education, The Engagement Model is a statutory assessment tool that helps schools meet their duties in supporting pupils who are working below the level of the national curriculum and who are not engaged in subject-specific study.
19 April. Down Syndrome training with Humber Academy. All staff
EHCP Hub demonstration. Learn how to use the EHCP Hub
All sessions are the same.
22 April. Transition including Strategies for SEMH and ASD and I&C with new SENCO’s
March
18 March. SEN Information reports with new SENCo’s
SENDIASS training- SEN Support
Thursday, 25 March, 12.30pm – 2.30pm
This training will raise awareness of the SEN Support available within schools and academies with regard to the Graduated Approach. For Parents or Carers of children who do not have
Educational Health Care Plan but do have a special educational need. Book a place.
February
4 February. V SEND and EHCP Hub SENCO Cluster Group
5 February. EHCP Introduction
11 February. EHCARs/VSEND tool and EHC Hub with new SENCo’s
23 February. EHCP introduction
25 February. Person Centered Reviews/ Annual Reviews
SENDIASS training
When Things Go Wrong
Thursday, 25 February, 10am – 12.30pm
An information session for parents and carers of children with a special educational need. Will provide general information about how to raise a concern or how to make a formal complaint. Book a place.
EHCP Hub demonstration. Learn how to use the EHCP Hub
EHCP Hub- Social Care training
EHCP Hub- Social Care training
January
11 January. EHCP Hub- Processing Annual Reviews
12 January. EHCP Hub- Annual Review Training
14 January. EHCP Hub- Annual Review Training
19 January. Pupil and Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing
22 January. EHCP Hub- Social Care training
22 January. EHCP Introduction
25 January. EHCP Hub Introduction
25 January. EHCP Hub- Social Care training
28 January. SEN Registers/ Pupil Passports/ My Plan with new SENCo’s
29 January. EHCP Hub- Annual Review training
December
SENCO Cluster Groups- SENCO’s and LA Staff
The work of the SAS. Health (Compass)
An introduction to selective Mutism. OAW Staff
The SEMH Positive Outcomes Toolkit. SEMH Champions
November
EHCP Hub. Complete an EHCP Annual review. Professionals
EHCP Hub. Complete an EHCP Annual review. Professionals
EHCP Hub. Complete an EHCP Annual review. Professionals
Elective Home Education. Children’s Services
Elective Home Education. Children’s Services
EHCP Introduction. Health
Basic of Reading. Education StaffSENCO Forum. SENCO’s and LA Staff
October
Strategies for Reading
Assessment and Meeting Learning Needs
Specific Learning Difficulties: Dyscalculia
Termly SENCo Forum
VSEND tool and update on EHCP Hub. Schools, SEN and education team
VSEND tool and update on EHCP Hub. Schools, SEND and education team
VSEND tool and update on EHCP Hub. Schools, SEN and education team
VSEND tool and update on EHCP Hub. Schools, SEN and education team
EHCP Introduction. Social Care and Early Help
EHCP Introduction. Social Care and Early Help
EHCP Introduction. Social Care and Early Help
September
Attachment
Selective Mutism
Downright Training
Specific Learning Difficulties: Dyslexia
Specific Learning Difficulties: Dyspraxia
Down Syndrome. Humber Academy Staff
VSEND tool and update on EHCP Hub. Schools, SEN and education team
VSEND tool and update on EHCP Hub. Schools, SEN and education team
August
EHCP Hub demonstration. Health and Social care professionals
EHCP Hub demonstration and workshop. Professionals
July
EHCP Hub demonstration. Schools, SEN and education
EHCP Hub demonstration. Schools, SEN and education
EHCP Hub demonstration. Health and social care professionals
EHCP Hub demonstration. Health and social care professionals
EHCP Hub demonstration. Parents and carers
EHCP Hub demonstration. Parents and carers
EHCP Hub demonstration and workshop. SENCO’s and SEN Managers
EHCP Hub demonstration and workshop. SENCO’s and SEN Managers
EHCP Hub advice givers/professionals training AM session
EHCP Hub advice givers/professionals training AM session
June
EHCP Hub demonstration and training for Parents/carers
EHCP Hub demonstration and training for Parents/carers
April
Education Hearing and Vision Team (EHVT) training
Deaf awareness
Weekly British Sign Language (BSL) tuition to families and professionals from North East Lincolnshire Council who work directly with CYP who are deaf and use BSL
26 sessions
Vision awareness
Training to use specialist equipment in the home to home school. These families have children with an EHCP and high needs.
21 sessions
March
Person-centred planning and preparing for annual reviews
Assistive technology in the classroom
Inclusion and Ofsted
February
Termly SENCo Forum
Specific learning difficulties: Dyscalculia
January
Working memory and the impact on learning
Teachers and TA’s working collaboratively
Communication difficulties in the classroom
October/ November
Strategies for children and young people with Spld
Beat dyslexia
Meeting the needs of children and young people with autism
SENCo Forum
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome disorder
Anxiety and depression
Positive behaviour
Autism
POPAT Phonics
Social media and gaming
Social emotional and mental heath positive outcomes toolkit
Introduction to SEMH
Further attachment
Clicker 7
Managing behaviour
Further attachment
Strategies for children and young people with Spld
Beat dyslexia
Meeting the needs of children and young people with autism
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome disorder
Anxiety and depression
Positive behaviour
July
Super Scaffolding – Supporting children and young people with SEND to write
October/ November
Strategies for children and young people with Spld
Beat dyslexia
Meeting the needs of children and young people with autism
SENCo Forum
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome disorder
Anxiety and depression
Positive behaviour
Autism
POPAT Phonics
Social media and gaming
Social emotional and mental heath positive outcomes toolkit
Introduction to SEMH
Further attachment
Clicker 7
Managing behaviour
Further attachment
Strategies for children and young people with Spld
Beat dyslexia
Meeting the needs of children and young people with autism
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome disorder
Anxiety and depression
Positive behaviour
July
Super Scaffolding – Supporting children and young people with SEND to write