In this issue:
Consultation: Have your say on the new SEND Strategy (all ages)
We want your feedback on our proposed SEND Strategy for Hertfordshire 2026 - 2029.
We want to find out:
- Do the ambitions reflect what matters most to children and young people with SEND and their families?
- Are there any parts which are missing, unclear or need strengthening?
- What do you think is the single most important priority for us to focus on?
The consultation opened today (Friday 14 November) and closes Friday 6 February 2026.
You can find the proposed strategy (along with an easy read version) and the link to the consultation survey on our SEND strategy webpage.
There will be other consultation activities too - like online or in person events, and activities for children and young people. We'll have details of these to share with you soon.
Marcus's Hertfordshire Health Walks blog
Marcus is a Supported Intern currently working with the Local Offer team. We recently asked him to find out more about the Hertfordshire Health Walks and to share his experience by writing a blog.
In the blog, the Hertfordshire Health Walks team share their perspective too, on how the walks can benefit parents and young people alike.
“Hertfordshire Health Walks offer a fun, free and sociable programme of over 70 weekly walks across the County. We have walks for all abilities – our shortest walks last up to 30 minutes and keep to a gentle pace on flat paths. But we also have longer, brisker walks too."
Read Marcus's blog on Hertfordshire Health Walks and learn how you can join a walk near you
Make sure you complete the annual HPCI survey - closing 16 Nov (all ages)
The annual HPCI survey closes soon - make sure you share your views and experience of SEND services. The more people take part, the more accurately it will reflect the experiences of all families of children and young people with SEND in Hertfordshire. If you haven’t shared your views and experiences yet, please take the HPCI annual survey before it closes on 16th November 2025.
Following your feedback, this year there is also a shorter version for families who would find that easier.
🔗 Find out more about the annual survey and share your views.
Head Up! Free disability mentoring scheme for students (ages 14-18)
Head Up! is accepting mentee signups for their 2026 mentoring programme!
Head Up! is a free mentoring scheme which supports 14-18 year-olds who self-identify as disabled (or anyone who has a physical/mental health condition, SpLD, or neurodivergence). If you know a young person who would like to be a 'mentee' and receive support from Head Up!, the mentoring scheme is open for new sign-ups for the 2026 cycle starting in January.
As a mentee, they'll be paired with a student or recent graduate according to subject or condition. They'll meet online for an hour per month for at least 1 year, and can cover topics such as UCAS, exams, or the broader issues that come with disability. They'll also be able to attend the events that run throughout the year covering disability, education, and university. They can sign up to attend just these events if they'd prefer.
Safeguarding policies are available at head-up.org; mentors have DBS checks and safeguarding training.
Need extra support for your family? (all ages)
Families First is Hertfordshire’s early help initiative, bringing together local services to support families facing challenges. Whether you're dealing with parenting concerns,
mental health, school attendance, financial stress, or more - Families First can help you access the right support before problems grow.
- Available to all families with children under 18 (or under 25 with additional needs)
- Easy access to trusted services across Hertfordshire
- Relationship support, parenting courses, cost of living support and much more
If you feel your family might benefit from extra support, there is also support available via a Families First Assessment.
Find out more on the Families First Website
Support your young child's language and communication (ages 0-5).
Would you like to support your young child's language and communication?
FOLLOW is an easy to use set of ideas that parents and carers can use with their little ones to help develop speech, language and communication skills at home.
You'll find lots of tips for talking and development information for parents and carers.
Check out the FOLLOW tips for talking
Events
View all activities and courses
Carers in Herts - Chorleywood and Rickmansworth Hub for carers
Monday 17 November, 10.30am, Chorleywood
Our Carer Support Hubs allow you to meet with other carers, share information, support each other and chat over a cuppa.
SPACE - Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) workshop
Tuesday 18 November, 6.30pm, online
A workshop to help parents and carers understand more about OCD - a serious anxiety disorder, characterised by obsessions and compulsions, which can significantly affect daily life.
DSPL2 - SEN Coffee morning, Stevenage
Tuesday 25 November, 10am, Peartree Primary School Stevenage
If you have a child or young person with SEND and would like to meet other parents for support, please join us.
ASD social support group for young people, Abbots Langley
Once a month on a Thursday evening, Abbots Langley Baptist Church
We are a small group run by a small team of staff and neuro-divergent volunteers. We aim to create a safe space where young people can come along, be themselves and meet others in a similar situation. We also run a Parents/Carer group in a room next door for anyone that wishes to stay on site and have a cuppa and a chat whilst the sessions are running. For more information, and dates, contact: aaagroup@little-grove.org