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Schools white paper published: what it means for families 📘
The Department for Education has published a new school’s white paper called Every child achieving and thriving (23 February 2026). This sets out the government’s long‑term plans to improve education and strengthen support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
What the white paper is
A white paper is a document where the government shares the changes it would like to make in the future. It is not new law and nothing in your child’s current support changes at this stage.
A national consultation is now open
Alongside the white paper, the government has launched a national consultation called SEND reform: putting children and young people first. This gives families, young people, professionals and settings the chance to share their views before any changes are made. The consultation is open until 18 May 2026.
To find out more
Read the schools white paper: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving
Easy‑read and accessible versions are also available.
Take part in the national SEND reform consultation: https://consult.education.gov.uk/send-reform/
What happens next
We will continue to share updates in future Local Offer bulletins as more national information becomes available. For now, this is an opportunity for families and young people to have their voices heard as part of the national conversation.
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Partnerships for inclusion of neurodiversity in schools programme
The partnerships for inclusion of neurodiversity in schools (PINS) project is a national initiative aimed at improving the experiences and inclusion of neurodivergent children in mainstream schools.
It focuses on helping schools better identify and address the needs of neurodivergent pupils while strengthening partnerships between parents, carers, and educational institutions. The project is now in its second year, with nine new primary schools participating across the East Riding.
The PINS website is now live and can be accessed by all schools.
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East Yorkshire Parent Carer Forum Events 🎟️
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Cuppa and Chat – Hornsea ☕
Tuesday, 10 March | 10am–11.30am
Hornsea Town Hall, HU18 1PA
Cost: Free | Travel and childcare costs can be reimbursed.
Join us for a casual Cuppa and Chat at our new Satellite Hub in Hornsea. Enjoy a relaxed and informal cuppa while engaging in conversation with other parents and carers. Members of the Local Authority will be present, including representatives from the Local Offer, Transport, a local councillor, and the In‑House Provision for adult services.
🔗 Book your place
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Cuppa and Chat – Bridlington (with The Well) ☕
Wednesday, 11 March | 11.30am–1pm
The Family Room, Christ Church, Quay Road, Bridlington, YO15 2AE
Cost: Free | Travel and childcare costs can be reimbursed.
Please come and join us at our new satellite hub in Bridlington for a relaxed and informal cuppa and chat. We will be co- hosting this event alongside The Well to offer advice, support and signposting to parent carers of children and young people with SEND in the Bridlington area. We will also be joined by SENDIASS and the Mental Health Support Team.
🔗Book your place
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Brunch Club – Patrington🥐
Wednesday, 18 March | 10am–12 noon
Patrington Primary School, HU12 0RW
Cost: Free | Travel and childcare costs can be reimbursed.
Come along and join us for a chat with representatives from the LA, Health, the EYPCF and other parents and carers, share experiences, ask questions and offer peer to peer support all whilst enjoying breakfast!
🔗Book your place
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Cuppa and Chat – Beverley☕
Tuesday, 24 March | 10am–12pm
Beverley Enterprise Centre, Beck View Road, Beverley, HU17 0JT
Cost: Free | Travel and childcare costs can be reimbursed.
We invite you to come and enjoy a relaxed and informal cuppa while engaging in conversation. Members of the Local Authority will be present, including representatives from the Local Offer, Speech and Language Therapy, Neurodiversity, Barnardos and Sensory Processing.
🔗 Book your place
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Cuppa and Chat – Gilberdyke (with Unique Friends) ☕
Wednesday, 25 March | 11am–12pm
The Annex, War Memorial Hall, Clementhorpe Road, Gilberdyke, HU15 2UG
Cost: Free | Travel and childcare costs can be reimbursed.
Please come and join us at our new satellite hub in Gilberdyke for a relaxed and informal cuppa and chat. We will be co- hosting this event alongside Unique Friends to offer advice, support and signposting to parent carers of children and young people with SEND in the Gilberdyke/Goole area. We will also be joined by members of the Local Authority and Health including the Local Offer and Speech and Language Therapy.
🔗Book your place
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Are you a parent / carer of a child 0-25 with SEND and want to share your experience and knowledge to help improve lives for families across the East Riding?
Being a volunteer of the Steering Group involves representing the PCF at meetings with the local authority, health, and other external organisations alongside other PCF Steering Group members, attending and helping at EYPCF events, check-in and chats, and workshops around the region.
Clearly time is an important element, our experience shows that those who have children linked into local SEND provision are passionate about getting the best care, not only for their own children, but for others too. So many of the parents who come to us for advice are happy to pass on their own experiences in meetings and in consultations.
Interested? Email: admin@eypcf.co.uk to find out more.
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Post‑16 Drop‑in Support for Home‑Educated and Young People not in Education 🧭
A series of free Post‑16 information and application support drop‑ins is taking place across East Riding libraries this spring, designed for home‑educated and out‑of‑education young people aged 13–19, including those with SEND.
These sessions offer relaxed, one‑to‑one support with:
- Exploring sixth form, college and apprenticeship options
- Writing CVs and personal statements
- Completing applications
- Preparing for interviews
Young people and families can attend without booking.
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Driffield Library, Tuesday, 3 March, 12–2pm
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Beverley Library, Wednesday, 4 March, 1–3pm
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Withernsea Library, Tuesday,10 March, 12–2pm
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Hedon Library, Thursday, 12 March, 11:30am–1:30pm
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Pocklington Library, Friday, 20 March, 10am–12pm
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Kids - East Riding Early Years SEND Groups
Specialist groups for children aged 0–5 years with special educational needs and disabilities. Sessions focus on supporting social, communication and motor skills in a friendly, inclusive environment. Families can also access advice to help with their child’s development.
Where and when
Beverley Children’s Centre
Thursday, 12.50pm–2pm
Withernsea Children’s Centre
Friday, 10am–11.30am (term time only)
These groups are by referral only.
📞01482 467540
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Dads' groups at our children's centres
Our children's centres host dedicated dads' groups, offering welcoming spaces for dads to spend quality time with their children and meet other dads.
Sessions are run at Cottingham Children’s Centre on the last Saturday of the month, at Marshlands Children's Centre in Old Goole on the first Saturday, and the Play and Learn Dads 0-5 group at Bridlington Family Centre once a month.
We also offer access to a range of digital resources, giving dads easy ways to stay informed and involved, even when they can't join sessions in person. Visit our page for more information and to access the free NHS learning for emotional health, child development and parenting, or connect with us through our Facebook page.
By working together with dads, we can help every child thrive and strengthen families across our community..
Infant formula recall – February 2026
Some batches of infant formula products have recently been recalled.
This is because they might contain a harmful toxin called cereulide, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
Please encourage parents and carers to check if they have batches of Aptamil, Cow & Gate and SMA brands of formula as listed on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) infant formula recall webpage: Infant formula recalls | Food Standards Agency
The affected batches are unlikely to still be on shop shelves but may be in cupboards. If you have an affected batch, do not use it. You can return it to the store and exchange it for an unaffected batch.
Any first stage formula can be offered to babies if residents are experiencing supply issues of their usual infant formula.
Share our awareness post (Tuesday, 10 February at 3pm) on our Children's Centres Facebook page or FISH Facebook page.
Advice for East Riding parents and carers
If you have already fed one of the recalled formulas to your baby and are concerned about symptoms, contact your GP or call NHS 111.
Pleaste note: Any first stage formula can be offered to babies if residents are experiencing supply issues of their usual infant formula.
If you are a parent/carer and have any questions regarding infant feeding, please contact our East Riding Integrated Specialist Public Health Nursing Service (ISPHNS), or your Children's Centre for trusted advice:
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Supporting Every Child Across East Riding: Dingley’s Promise Inclusive Training 🌟
Across East Riding, early years provisions have access to the Comic Relief Dingley’s Promise FREE Inclusive Early Years Training, available until June 2026. This training helps practitioners across our area strengthen the way they support all our early years children, as well as disadvantaged children and those with emerging or identified SEND needs.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing a short spotlight on some of the courses we think you may find of interest which are included in this East Riding training offer. We’re beginning with one of the core foundations of high‑quality early years care: Inclusive Practice. Ensuring every child feels welcomed, understood, valued and feels they belong in their environment, this is a brilliant opportunity for our early years provisions to embrace all our children.
Even better, parents are welcome to explore these courses too
Although the content is designed primarily for early years professionals, families may find the online modules practical, informative, and a helpful insight into inclusive approaches used across settings.
We look forward to sharing more about this local offer and how it continues to strengthen inclusive provision for children across our community.
How East Riding’s Early Years practitioner training supports your child and how this training is available to access at home too!
Early Years provision can complete the Dingley’s Promise Inclusive Practice Online Course online training that helps practitioners understand different ways children learn, communicate, and feel included. Parents can access this training too, which means it may also support everyday family life.
At home it may help with:
calmer routines (mornings, bedtimes, transitions)
helping children express feelings
encouraging independence
building confidence and a sense of belonging
When children feel understood and supported, they thrive in nursery and at home.
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 Support for children feeling anxious about attending school
Tips for supporting children experiencing anxiety about school, including Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) has been co-produced with parents and carers, the parent carer forum, and SEND collective voices.
It includes top tips for parents and carers, schools, and other professionals, and is intended to sit alongside the EBSA graduated approach document.
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 Healthy Minds in East Riding: Directory of Support
This interactive resource was co-produced by key partners who provide support for our children, young people, and families' emotional health and wellbeing.
It is for professionals and parents to help guide them towards the help and support available for children and young people.
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Let us know your website feedback💬
Your feedback matters. Every comment and suggestion helps us improve the Local Offer and shape the development of the new platform to better meet the needs of children, young people, and families with SEND.
📧 Share your thoughts: localoffer@eastriding.gov.uk
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The Families Information Service Hub does not have control over the content, accuracy or availability of external websites linked in this newsletter. Including a link does not mean we endorse the site or the views expressed on it.
The next bulletin is planned for mid‑March 2026.
If you would like to submit information, news or events for consideration, please email us before 12 noon on Wednesday 11 March.
Please note that submission does not guarantee inclusion.
Thank you.
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