Welcome back to a new school year. We hope you and your family had a restful summer and that the return to school, college or other learning arrangements has gone as smoothly as possible. As always if you have any feedback on how things have gone – on transport, on support for starting a new school, on summer holiday activities – you can send this to us via our feedback page.
There’s a lot going on this term – the HPCI Annual Survey will launch next month, the Local Area SEND Reform Plan roll-out has started, the new post-16 transport system is underway, and there’s the possibility of an Ofsted inspection of Local Area SEND. We’ll keep you up to date as all these things develop.
This update covers:
Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) & Alternative Provision – Parent Webinars on 10 September 🎒
The government has launched a consultation on Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) and Alternative Provision. Families told us that this topic was missing from the recent SEND reform consultation, so this is an important opportunity to share your views.
There is a lot of overlap with the wider SEND reform proposals, and any changes will impact most heavily on those children and young people who may need EOTAS in the future, so do share your views if you can. Your child doesn’t need to already receive EOTAS or alternative provision for you to take part.
The consultation is available online and closes on 18 September 2026.
To help parent carers understand the proposals and contribute to HPCI’s response, we are holding two online discussion sessions:
Thursday 10th September 2026 from 12.00-13.30
Thursday 10th September 2026 from 19.30-21.00
Both sessions are open to all parent carers in Hertfordshire, and you can book using the links above. It’s your opportunity to influence the HPCI response to the consultation.
Hertfordshire Adult Social Care Community Information Drop-in Event – 16 September 🤝
HCC is running a free drop-in event for anyone looking for adult social care information advice or support for themselves, a family member, or someone they care for (aged 18+). Hosted by Community Catalysts and HCC Adult Social Care, it brings together a wide range of local care, support and wellbeing services in one place.
Find out more and book your free ticket here.
Casey Commission Big Conversation on Care 🗣️
The Big Conversation on Care launched on 29 July and is part of a nationwide review of adult social care provision. Feedback shared through the Big Conversation will help inform the Casey Commission’s work and recommendations for the future of adult social care. You can also find more information here and take part here.
Muscular Dystrophy UK survey 📋
If you care for someone with a muscle wasting or weakening condition, you might want to take a few minutes to complete Muscular Dystrophy UK’s survey.
Your feedback will help the charity understand how to reach and support more people across the muscle wasting community, especially people who have not accessed support before.
Take part by 30 September: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/H6I43X/
