In this issue:
SEND summit announced - shaping future SEND provision in Hertfordshire
Last week, Councillor Mark Watkin, Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, announced that we will be holding a SEND summit in September to shape future SEND
services across the county and help inform Hertfordshire’s new SEND Strategy for 2026–2031.
While we’ve made real progress in listening more closely to a wider range of voices and acting on what we hear, we know that people still feel disconnected from the process. That must change. This summit is part of our commitment to making sure everyone has the opportunity to be heard—and to influence what happens next.
We want to listen and learn from the lived experience of parents and children who use our services. We’re inviting people to get involved in pre-engagement activities to help shape the summit:
Find out more about the SEND summit and how you can get involved
Our supported intern, Louis, reflects on his year in the Local Offer team (ages 16+)
This month, we celebrated the achievements of three incredible Supported Interns as they completed their year-long internships within various areas of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services.
Supported Internships are designed for young people aged 18–25 with a Special Educational Need or Disability. As part of their college, these students spent their final year gaining valuable work experience 2 days a week, supported by dedicated Job Coaches.
One of the interns, Louis, has done a great job in supporting us in the Local Offer team and we've asked him to share his experience by writing a blog.
"My name is Louis, and I was a supported intern at the Hertfordshire County Council, and I want to share my experience at the council and what skills that I have gain from my time having work experience there."
Read Louis' blog on his experience as a Supported Intern
Just Being Me Events - creating inclusive events for young adults (ages 14+)
Founded by sisters Rina and Gabi, Just Being Me Event's aim is simple: to create fun, inclusive spaces where individuals with disabilities, along with their families and carers, can enjoy meaningful social experiences—free from judgment or barriers. They believe in the power of community, belonging, and celebration.
In our latest guest blog, you can learn all about the team behind Just Being Me and the impact their inclusive events are having on young adults with SEND (plus, book your ticket for the SEND Silent Disco!).
Read the guest blog from Just Being Me
Support for unpaid carers - Carers' week - 9-15 June
This week was Carers week, a chance to throw a spotlight on unpaid carers and the vital role they play in communities. This year's theme is 'Caring about Equality' and focusses on the inequalities that unpaid carers can face. These can include poverty, poor health, and missing out opportunities in their education, careers and personal life.
You are a carer if you look after a family member, friend or neighbour who without your support would not be able to manage. They may have a physical or learning disability, dementia, mental health problems, may misuse drugs or alcohol or may be ill or frail.
Carers in Herts provide the space and opportunity for you to discuss practical and emotional concerns around caring and to share experiences with others. They can provide the information you need to make choices about your life and caring role and ways to have your voice heard by the people who plan services that affect your life.
They offer a range of free workshops and training related to caring, but also courses and learning events to help with your life outside caring through our Carers and Learning project.
Once you have registered for their services, you will receive a free carer’s information pack, regular updates about events, and the biannual newsletter Carewaves.
Have you heard of Carefree?
Carefree is a charity that transforms vacant hotel rooms into vital breaks for full-time unpaid carers. Hundreds of hotels nationwide donate their vacant rooms to Carefree every day. This gives carers a wide range of choice on the date and location of an ideal getaway.
By registering with the charity, full-time unpaid carers can take an annual break in a hotel for £33. To be eligible you need to be over 18 years of age and provide more than 30 hours of unpaid care per week.
Update on the Plan for Children and Young people (all ages)
Hertfordshire County Council's work on a new Plan for Children and Young People has continued through the spring. This is Hertfordshire's Plan for all children and young people in the county. Feedback from the survey and engagement meetings with children, young people and their families as well as partner agencies and Children's Services staff has been used to inform the draft of the plan, setting out the priorities for the work we do to support children and young people in the next 5 years. 
We are grateful to all of you who took the time to share your views.
The plan now includes the vision, goals and ambitions we have for children and young people, and the support systems needed to help them achieve positive outcomes. The draft plan will go through the political process over the next few months with a view to it being launched before the end of the year.
Events
View all courses and activities
Author event - Disabled and Proud - Welwyn Garden City
26 June, 7-8.30pm, Welwyn Garden City central library
Welwyn Garden City Library are delighted to be welcoming Cathy Reay, author of the children's book 'How to be Disabled and Proud (or at least kinda sorta okay with it...)'. This evening event is aimed at parents and carers to help support and advocate for their children. The book is filled with friendly advice, important lessons and explains concepts like the social model of disability in a really accessible, child friendly way.
Thumbs up Thursday - inclusive playgroup for ages 5-11
Thursdays 9.30am - 11am, Royston
Run by Outside of the Box, this is a fun and inclusive play session and an opportunity for youngsters who aren't in school (or struggling to attend) to socialise in a friendly, inclusive and therapeutic environment. Parent/carers also get a chance to meet others in a similar situation.
DSPL 8 SEND Information Fayre
Thursday 26 June, 9.30am - 12.30pm, Warners End Community Centre, Hemel Hempstead
Come along and chat with professionals in the SEND field, meet other parents in a safe and relaxed environment. Free advice, activities and refreshments.
Hertfordshire Dyslexia Association: Navigating Senior School
Monday 16 June 7pm - 8.30pm, online, £5 for non-members
Are you feeling overwhelmed on how to support your dyslexic child who are navigating senior school? This online session will provide valuable advice on how to navigate through this new chapter in your dyslexic child's life.