The free SEND conference for Northumberland parent carers ran at County Hall, Morpeth, on 10 November with 50 services. Here is what it offered.

Updated 11 November: this event has now taken place. Anything the Northumberland Parent Carer Forum shares from the day will be on its website, which is also the way to contact it.

Parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) could meet 50 services and support organisations in one room at County Hall in Morpeth on Tuesday 10 November 2026, from 9.30am to 2.30pm. The Northumberland SEND Conference is free, lunch is included, and the Northumberland Parent Carer Forum will arrange free transport for families who ask for it.

Overview

  • When: Tuesday 10 November 2026, 9.30am to 2.30pm
  • Where: County Hall, Morpeth, NE61 2EF
  • Cost: free, with refreshments and lunch
  • Who it is for: parent carers of children and young people with SEND across Northumberland
  • Getting there: free transport can be requested through the forum’s transport form
  • Updates: the conference page and the forum’s Facebook event

Why the forum is holding it

This year’s conference is called Navigating SEND Together… Building Understanding. The forum, which says its inbox is run mainly by volunteers, put the reason for it plainly:

“We know that navigating the world of SEND can be challenging for families. Finding the right information, understanding available services, knowing where to turn for advice and connecting with the right people can sometimes feel overwhelming. Families can spend a great deal of time trying to find the support they need for their children and young people.”

“That’s why we’re bringing a wide range of services, professionals and support organisations together under one roof, making it easier for families to discover what’s available to them across Northumberland.”

It is run in partnership with the NPCF SEND Network, Northumberland County Council and NHS North East and North Cumbria, and brings together people from health, education, social care and the voluntary and community sector.

What happens on the day

The forum’s poster lists service spotlight talks, peer support, legal advice, an information marketplace, wellbeing activities, and food and drink. In the forum’s words, families can:

  • “Meet services and support organisations face to face and learn more about what they offer.”
  • “Access information, advice and guidance about SEND support, services and pathways.”
  • “Attend information talks from service leads and ask questions directly.”
  • “Discover local community groups, charities and practical support for their family.”
  • “Connect with other parent carers and take some well-deserved time for their own wellbeing through our drop-in activities.”

The conference page describes it as “a free, community information event where you can meet and speak directly with teams from Health, Education and Social Care, plus organisations who support families with SEND, alternative needs and/or disabilities.”

Who will be there

The forum has published a list of 50 providers. The council teams include the Statutory Assessment and Review Team, which handles education, health and care plans (EHCPs), the Educational Psychology Team, the Disabled Children’s Team, Early Help and Family Hubs, Education Welfare, the Northumberland Virtual School, Adult Social Care and Independent Travel Training. From the NHS come Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, its paediatric physiotherapy team, CNTW’s Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS), the Be You mental health support team and the 0-19 Growing Healthy Service.

List of providers 1 to 26 at the Northumberland SEND Conference 2026, from Northumberland College to Independent Travel Training
Providers 1 to 26 booked for the conference. Photo: supplied by Northumberland Parent Carer Forum

Independent advice comes from Northumberland IASS, Healthwatch Northumberland, PALS and Irwin Mitchell Solicitors. Charities and community groups on the list include Carers Northumberland, Wecan, The Toby Henderson Trust, the North Northumberland Branch of the National Autistic Society, Down’s Syndrome North East, Disability North, Unique, North East Fireflies, The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company and the Little Swimming Company with Coalwave Charity. Northumberland College, Northumberland Skills and the Careers Guidance Team will be there for families thinking about what comes after school.

List of providers 27 to 50 at the Northumberland SEND Conference 2026, from Wecan to Disability North
Providers 27 to 50 booked for the conference. Photo: supplied by Northumberland Parent Carer Forum

What it means for you

If you care for a child or young person with SEND in Northumberland, this is a chance to put questions to the EHCP team, therapists, mental health services and advice charities on the same day, without a referral or a waiting list. You do not need to pay, and if getting to Morpeth is the problem, ask for the free transport before the day. Professionals who work with families are asked to pass it on: the forum wants the poster shared in newsletters, waiting rooms, schools and community venues.

“Every share could help a family discover a service, find an answer, meet someone who understands or realise that support is available closer to home.”

Questions go to the forum at enquiries@npcf.co.uk. More about the forum is on the Northumberland Local Offer.