SEND Together Conference
A supportive and informative event for parent carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) living in Central Bedfordshire.
Join SNAP PCF for a day designed to inform, support, and empower parent carers. Hear from professionals and local services, connect with other families, explore support available in Central Bedfordshire, and help shape future services for children and young people with SEND.
Enjoy free refreshments, a light buffet lunch, and a complimentary copy of our Supporting your Neurodivergent Child/Young Personbook.
With thanks to Central Bedfordshire Council for funding this conference.
Conference Speakers & Sessions
Updates from senior leadership at Central Bedfordshire Council
Hear the latest updates from Amana Gordon, Director of Children’s Services, and Daniel Newbolt, Service Director for Education and SEND at Central Bedfordshire Council.
The Role of the SENDATS Team – Gayle Raybold, Senior SEND Advisor at Central Bedfordshire Council
Learn more about the role of the SEND Advisory Teachers (SENDATS) Team and how they support children and young people with SEND within educational settings.
An Introduction to Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) Training – Educational Psychology Team
Have you heard of NVR and wondered what it is? The Educational Psychology Service will provide an introduction to Non-Violent Resistance (NVR), including its background and the key ideas behind the approach.
Whether a young person is experiencing emotional distress, withdrawing from school or the community, or displaying behaviours that feel difficult to manage, NVR offers a calm and compassionate framework that focuses on:
- Presence
- Empathy
- Connection
- Resilience
The session will also include co-production conversations and table-top discussions where parent carers can share experiences of parenting programmes and support, they have previously accessed, discuss what has worked well, and help shape how NVR-based support could best support families locally.
What parents are saying about this training?
"I originally thought oh no. not another parent training course. I was wrong this course is invaluable. Non-violent resistance is about learning to increase your presence as a parent, to be a consistent and visible presence in your child’s life, whilst re-building your relationship with them through non-confrontational ways. As a family you might be struggling with your child’s behaviour, this framework uses strategies that help to de-escalate those behaviours moving away from traditional parenting techniques."Parent
Role of the Mental Health Support Teams in Schools – Laura Gill, Clinical Team Lead/ Family Systemic Psychotherapist Central Bedfordshire Community Access Service
We will give an overview of the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) offer who work in schools and colleges to support the emotional and mental wellbeing of children and young people. MHSTs are a national programme and were introduced to provide early help for mental health difficulties before they become more serious. From September all mainstream schools in Central Bedfordshire will have a MHST offer.
Anxiety is the most common Mental Health issue that we deal with, we will explore how this effects Young people and their families and some strategies that may help within the home and school with a child that is anxious.
Laura Gill is the Clinical Team Lead of the CAMHS Central Bedfordshire Community Access Service. She has worked as a Systemic Family Psychotherapist in different CAMHS teams for over 25 years.
Heather Ferguson is a Registered Children’s Nurse with over 20 years' experience in the NHS. 13 years of this experience was as a School Nurse and 2 years in CAMHS MHST, this has given her a strong understanding of children’s physical, emotional, and mental‑health needs.
Helen King is a psychodynamic therapist with a teaching background who has worked with Young People and their families for over 25 years.
Sensory Processing Differences and ARFID – Emma Cronly-Dillon and Lisa De-Ath
Emma Cronly-Dillon has worked with a special interest in paediatric dietetics for almost 20 years. Lisa De-Ath is an experienced paediatric dietitian who has worked with children and young people for over 18 years.
Sensory processing differences can have a significant impact on children’s eating behaviours and food preferences. Emma and Lisa will explore:
- Why sensory differences can affect eating.
- How this links to ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
- Practical ways families can support children to meet their nutritional needs.
Information Stalls & Support Services – Visit these before the guest speakers 9.15am – 10am, during lunch time, or after the guest speakers 2.20pm – 3.15pm
SNAP Parent Carer Forum
Meet the SNAP PCF team and find out more about how we represent and support parent carers across Central Bedfordshire.
Home-Start Bedfordshire
Home-Start Bedfordshire is a local children and family charity providing free services, courses and resources to protect, preserve and promote the foundations of childhood.
Their team supports and empowers parents, carers, and families to give children the best possible start in life. They offer confidential and non-judgemental support and will be available during the conference to answer questions about the services they provide for SEND families.
Blue Sky Carers
From April 2026, Blue Sky Carers became the provider of Adult Carer Support Services in Central Bedfordshire replacing Carers in Bedfordshire.
Their team supports unpaid carers looking after a family member, friend or loved one. Whether you are new to caring or have been supporting someone for years, they are there to help carers feel informed, supported, and confident.
Central Bedfordshire SENDIASS
Central Bedfordshire SENDIASS provides free, confidential, and impartial information, advice and support for children and young people aged 0–25 with SEND and their parent carers.
Central Bedfordshire Local Offer
The Local Offer website acts as a one-stop hub for information, services and support available to children and young people with SEND and their families.
Representatives from the Local Offer Team will be available to:
- Explain how the Local Offer works.
- Help families navigate the website.
- Signpost support, services, and activities are available locally.
Conference Timetable
Time
Session
9:15am – 10:00am
Sign in, refreshments, visit stalls and speak with professionals
10:00am – 10:15am
Welcome and opening from SNAP PCF
10:15am – 10:30am
Updates from Amana Gordon and Daniel Newbolt
10:30am – 10.50am
The Role of the SENDATS Team
10.50am – 12:00pm
Introduction to Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) Training and co-production discussions
12:00pm – 12:45pm
Light buffet lunch
12:45pm
Welcome back
12:45pm – 1:30pm
Role of the MHST’s in Schools
1:30pm – 2:15pm
Sensory Processing Differences and ARFID
2:15pm
Conference close from SNAP PCF
Until 3:15pm
Opportunity to continue visiting stalls and speak to professionals
Included with Your Booking
✔ Free light buffet lunch
✔ Refreshments throughout the day
✔ Access to speakers and support stalls
✔ Opportunities to ask questions and share feedback
✔ Free copy of SNAP PCF Supporting your Neurodivergent child/young person book
Booking Information
Booking details
To book please complete the booking link you will receive a pop-up message at the end of the booking form to confirm your place at the conference.
Booking link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9K5QTW5
Please support us by helping to ensure our events are a compassionate space where you can connect, learn, and share with others who understand the SEND journey.
Please read our policy ‘Parents information & guidelines when attending our events’ https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/7b8e1eef-d013-478e-9434-a89176527112/downloads/9078a8e3-ebf0-4841-a3db-35095e2b3ab1/Parent-carer-guidelines-when-attending-SNAP-PC.pdf?ver=1779358752033
A warm welcome awaits, we look forward to seeing you on the 3rd of July 2026.
