This is a short update, bringing you news about the listening events that HCC are running ahead of the summer holidays.
We’re covering just three important topics this week, all opportunities for parent carers to get involved:
HCC SEND Summit, listening events and survey
In September, Hertfordshire County Council is holding a SEND Summit. This will bring together Councillors, representatives from health, education and social care, and parent carers. HCC say the Summit will use all of the listening, and improvement work that has come before, to decide on the key areas and approach to SEND, which will be laid out in the new SEND Strategy 2026 – 31
Before the Summit, HCC want to hear from children, young people and families, either in person or via a survey. This is a great chance for decision-makers in Hertfordshire to listen directly to the people affected by their decisions.
The lead county councillors for SEND are holding a series of drop in “listening events”, where you can informally share your thoughts and experiences with them. We urge you to go along and share your views if you can do so.
These events are taking place over the next couple of weeks:
You don’t need to book – just drop in at any session. Full details with addresses, and information about parking, wheelchair accessibility and availability of BSL interpretation are available here.
If you can’t make one of these sessions, you can also give your views via this survey that HCC have set up (it is open until 31 July). A shorter version is also available, as is a survey for children and young people.
Finally, HPCI will be at the SEND summit, sharing family feedback with decision makers. If you have anything you would like us to share there, or thoughts about any Herts SEND service, you can always use our feedback form.
A survey about the future of Children’s Social Care in Hertfordshire
HCC is inviting families to help shape the future of children’s social care by completing a short questionnaire. They are asking parent carers (and young people) to share your experiences and ideas for a system that truly supports every child and family. The survey is available here.
Contact’s “Close the Loophole” campaign about transport for 16-18 year olds
Earlier this month Contact launched a campaign for fairer transport for disabled students.
There is a loophole in law so 16-18 year olds may not get the transport they need to get to education or training (despite the law saying they need to attend). You can read Hertfordshire’s 16-18 travel policy here. This sets out a range of travel options, but for those families whose young person needs to be provided with a taxi, the local authority often does not cover the full cost (unless the family is on a low income).
Contact want this loophole in the law fixed. They are asking parent carers and other supporters to add their name to a letter to the Schools Minister. They are calling for a fairer system where transport decisions are based on need, not age. To find out more about the campaign and sign the letter to the Minister, you can click here.
