So, over the past 18 months, our teams have been busy setting up SEND Roadshows and bringing them to districts across the county.

Held at our family hubs, the roadshows are a free event that have been carefully designed to support families who have a child or a young person with SEND regardless of whether they have a diagnosis, or an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

They allow families to reach vital services and have face-to-face discussion with providers in a welcoming environment.

Since the very first one in November 2023, we have held 14 events and reached more than 400 families across Kent. But we don’t want to stop there.

Our teams are working hard planning another eight events set to be held across the county this year.

If you are a parent or carer of a child or young person with SEND, here is what you can expect …

What are the SEND Roadshows?

The SEND Roadshows are designed with families in mind. They bring together a wide range of services in one welcoming space, making it easier for you to get the support, information, and guidance you need—all in one visit.

These events are a safe and supportive environment where you can speak face-to-face with professionals who understand your journey. Whether you have questions, need advice, or just want to talk things through, there’s someone there to help.

One of the most valuable parts of the roadshows is the chance to connect with other parents and carers.

Since the very first one, we have used feedback from the families in attendance to shape what they are today.

Originally, we held presentations that families could sign up to attend, but families told us they wanted to have their own conversations with the services and to be able to drop in at their own convenience.

Our roadshows are therefore now set up so that each service has their own table where you can drop in at any time and have personal conversations at your own pace.

Best of all, the roadshows are completely free. We work closely with both local and national organisations to make sure families get the right support, right where they live.

Come along and see how the SEND Roadshows can make a difference for you and your family.

Who can I speak to at the roadshows?

Our roadshows have a wide range of services in attendance that can provide support through ages 0 to 25.

Whether you want to speak to KCC staff about the Kent’s Local Offer, or connect with community groups in your area, the roadshows can host up to 21 services in one space.

Each will have its own stall set up and a person available to speak to face-to-face offering information, advice and guidance on what they have to offer.

There is no need to book, you are welcome to just drop in and ask any questions you like.

So please come along and have a cup of tea and chat with us about support available in your area.

Parent feedback

To make sure we are proving the right information, we have gathered feedback from guests who have visited previous roadshows.

One parent said: “I have been overwhelmed with info, but in a good way. It’s allowed me to gain contacts for future information and events.”

Others have described them as “welcoming and inclusive” and praised the fact there was “lots of information” presented “in a friendly and positive way”.

With stalls from different service providers all in one place, another parent said, “there is a lot more support out there that we didn’t realise” and another explained, “it really has given me what I need and more”.

One key piece of feedback we have had is from a parent who said they now felt their child “can be supported even without a diagnosis”.

The SEND in Kent Podcast

Alongside our SEND Roadshows, we have recently launched our brand-new SEND in Kent Podcast - a webinar series created by the SEND Information Hub team.

The hub works with parents, young people, and partners to gather feedback and make improvements.

The podcast was launched after parents told us they wanted answers to their questions directly from those who can offer further support and guidance and not just KCC.

Each episode will cover a different topic. Our first on June 11, was designed for families at the beginning of their SEND journey who would like to know about support available in Kent.

Future episodes are set to include transitioning into secondary school, phased transfer, post-16 and inclusion in mainstream schools.

To listen to our first episode, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP0bk2w3tgA

When will the next Roadshows take place?

The next SEND Roadshow is due to take place in Folkestone on Monday 15 September from 2pm to 4pm at the Castle Hill Family Hub.

Another has been organised in Canterbury at the Whitstable Family Hub on Wednesday 12 November from 9:30am to 11:30am.

The exact dates and locations for other areas are yet to be confirmed.

To keep an eye out for further updates on when we are visiting a family hub near you visit: https://www.facebook.com/KentFamilyHub

For more information, or to be added to the mailing list about upcoming roadshows, email: sendroadshows@kent.gov.uk