SEND and inclusion newsletter for practitioners and professionals- Issue 11, May 2026

Welcome to the updated version of the eleventh  edition of the Shropshire SEND and Inclusion Newsletter. 

This newsletter is aimed at practitioners and professionals who work with children and young people with SEND in Shropshire. Through this newsletter we hope to keep you informed about developments and opportunities in SEND, act as a point of reference for key information, share best practice and develop supportive professional networks

This newsletter is sent directly to the inbox of anyone who has subscribed, at the end of each half term. To ensure you don't miss out, please subscribe by clicking on the 'Sign up to this newsletter' link at the end of this page and update your preferences in the Schools section to include the SEND and Inclusion Newsletter. In addition, a web version has been uploaded to the Shropshire Learning Gateway. 

• EHCP Team Update – May 2026
• Shropshire Youth Advisors Programme
• Updated guidance: CAMHS STW e-referral portal
• Emotion Coaching in the Early Years
• Best Practice Network Early Years SENCO Level 3 training
• Shropshire's Guide to Neuro- Affirming Language
• Barnardo's Education Community (BEC) - Training offers
• Shropshire ADHD Training
• Updates from the Neurodiversity Practitoners
• SEND Meet & Chat Family Drop- In
• And Finally

EHCP Team Update – May 2026

Recovery Project Update

We know how important it is to keep you updated, so we wanted to share some good news about the EHCP Team. We’ve recently brought in several experienced EHCP Case Officers who are here to help us tackle the backlog of Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs) and Annual Reviews. The new team members have been with us for two weeks and are already making a positive difference.

You may notice that your case officer changes, but please don’t worry – this is simply so we can make sure overdue assessments and requests to update plans are sorted out as quickly as possible.

As part of this Recovery project, we would like to provide some reassurances to both parents and settings of any Year 6 pupils currently going through the EHCNA process who have not yet been allocated a secondary school placement from September 26.

The Recovery Team will initially be focussing on drafting and finalising any outstanding EHC plans a number of children and young people across a few key priority areas including those for Year 6 pupils. If you have not yet received a Final version of your child’s EHC plan which names a Secondary provision from September 26, please be assured this will be prioritised by a member of the Recovery Team so that we can name a secondary setting for your child before the end of the summer term, where process aligns with this aim.  A Recovery Case Officer will be allocated within the next two weeks, and they will contact you directly by the end of May half term to introduce themselves. This person will be dedicated to overseeing the drafting of your child’s EHC plan, sending out appropriate consultations all the way through to the Final being issued.

Once an appropriate secondary setting has been named, the SENCOs at your child’s current primary school and the new school, will work with you to plan a supportive transition (visits, handover of information, reasonable adjustments). 

We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding during this process so far.

Contact information:

• EHCP Team email address: EHCPTeam@shropshire.gov.uk
• EHCP Team phone number: 01743 254267 (Mon-Weds 8.45am-5pm, CLOSED THURSDAYS, Fri 8.45am-4pm)

Training

We’ve provided training on EHCNAs and Annual Reviews to schools and settings, and we’re excited to be co-producing training for parent carers as well. This new training will be available over the Summer and Autumn Terms 2026, and we’ll make sure it’s advertised widely so as many parent carers as possible can benefit.

New Look Paperwork

We’ve listened to your feedback about our EHCP templates and have worked together to create a new template that’s clearer and easier to understand for young people, parent carers and settings. This updated template will be launched in the new academic year 2026/2027, and we’ll also introduce Annual Review paperwork that matches the new design.

Contact info:

• Email: EQA@shropshire.gov.uk 
• Sign up to this newsletter

Spot Light on our Team I have been a dedicated member of the Shropshire Council team for 20 years, beginning my journey in Learning and Skills, where I spent 9 years developing a strong foundation in education services. Over 11 years ago, I moved into SEND, bringing with me a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of how systems and processes work behind the scenes. Throughout my time in Shropshire, I have seen many changes across services and legislation. My extensive knowledge of SEND within the county, combined with my long-standing commitment, means I am able to offer valuable insight and continuity to families and colleagues alike — as I often say, I’m “part of the furniture” now! Outside of work, I am a proud mum of two children, one of whom is neurodiverse, giving me not only professional expertise but personal understanding too. Family life has recently become even more lively with the arrival of a mischievous new puppy. When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me enjoying caravan holidays, spending time outdoors and making memories with my family. In June, I will be taking on an incredible challenge — a skydive to raise money for the amazing work of the West Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. It’s a brave leap for a brilliant cause.

Shropshire Youth Advisors Programme

We are recruiting to an exciting opportunity for any 16–25 year olds you work with who may be interested in joining Shropshire Youth Advisors programme.

Shropshire Youth Advisors will help design and shape how all young people in Shropshire have a voice and influence decisions that affect them.

This is a unique opportunity for young people to:

• help design a county-wide youth voice framework
• learn how decisions are made locally
• influence services and priorities
• be part of shaping future opportunities for young people

This opportunity is open to all young people aged 16–25.

• General flyer
• Easy Read version

Link to expression of interest form or QR code below  - Shropshire Youth Advisors - Expression of Interest – Fill in form

If a young person is interested, please ask them to complete the Expression of Interest form
🗓 Deadline: 29 May 2026

Young people will then be invited to attend one of three online introductory workshops in early June (afternoon, evening and weekend options available) to find out more before deciding whether to take part.

Those who continue will be involved in a series of hybrid workshops to design and co-produce the youth voice framework for Shropshire, with opportunities to influence decisions both locally and at a county-wide level.

If you would like any further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Please share with colleagues and on your social media platforms

📧 youthvoice@shropshire.gov.uk

Updated guidance: CAMHS STW e-referral portal

An updated version of the CAMHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (STW) e-referral portal guidance has now been published.

The e-referral portal was introduced alongside the new CAMHS STW service in April and is designed to make referrals more straightforward and consistent. It brings together information requirements in one place, helping to reduce duplication and streamline the process for both referrers and the service.

What’s changed in the latest guidance?

• A direct link to the live portal is now included to simplify access:
  https://referrals.mpft.nhs.uk/external
• Access arrangements have been clarified. The system currently accepts logins from a defined set of email domains (including @nhs.net; @mpft.nhs.uk; @shropshire.gov.uk; @telford.gov.uk), with a simple route to request access for other organisations if needed via camhsstw.bso@mpft.nhs.uk
• Referral form copy – a copy of the form is always generated and then sent by email back to the referrer, this ensures it can be copied onto the CYP case records * I have raised a query regarding any CIC as a copy of the referral must also always be copied to the social work team at LacTeam.Admin@shropshire.gov, I am checking if this can be included in the form

Please could you share with your teams to ensure they are aware of the new E referral option, data on use and any feedback on its use will be shared through contract review meetings before any decision is change the referral process to E referral only.

Emotion Coaching in the Early Years

Shropshire Virtual School is delivering a Two-Day training course for Early Years Senior Leaders on Emotion Coaching in the Early Years on the 8th and 15th September with two subsequent online workshops on 22nd September and 6th October. This opportunity is Fully Funded by our Virtual School.  Emotion Coaching is a relational approach to support emotional regulation in children and young people and manage behavioural outbursts. This will be tailored to those working in EYFS settings.The 2-day interactive course covers: • What is Emotion Coaching and how we can use it • Why it supports children and young people to understand and manage their emotions • Trains you to be an Accredited Trainer. Please see Flyer for details and to register your interest.

Best Practice Network Early Years SENCO Level 3 training

Best Practice Network are again offering Early Years SENCO level 3 training. This is a short window as you would need to apply by June 7th to start in June. However, it is showing later cohorts are also available. Early Years SENCO 2026 | Best Practice Network

Shropshire's Guide to Neuro- Affirming Language

Neuro-affirming language means using respectful, person-centred, strength-focused language that avoids reinforcing stereotypes and stigma around neurodiversity.

A very useful guide has been produced by Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin Council together that can be useful to support your conversations with parent carers when discussing children's needs.

Neuro-Affirming Language Guide

Barnardo's Education Community (BEC) - Training offers

Barnardo’s Education Community (BEC) is a UK-wide online mental health and wellbeing programme for staff working in, or alongside, education settings supporting babies, children, and young people. Each of our training offers are tailored to provide practical tools, evidence-informed approaches and reflective opportunities that help create nurturing, responsive and emotionally healthy educational environments. Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) Invisible Backpack Package

Shropshire ADHD Training

Our Neurodiversity Practitioner Team are offering Understanding ADHD training at two settings over the summer. This is a two part course for just £40 subsided by the SEND & AP Change Programme. Please see the below flyers for information and how to book.

• Understanding ADHD For primary, secondary and post-16 educators at Moreton Say CofE Primary School
• Understanding ADHD For primary, secondary and post-16 educators at Holy Trinity CofE Primary School Oswestry

Updates from the Neurodiversity Practitoners

The neurodiversity practitioners are continuing to work with schools and other services to support neurodivergent children and young people. The latest newsletter can be accessed HERE

SEND Meet & Chat Family Drop- In

Hosted by Shropshire Early Help.

Please share with your parent carers.

Each session will have different professionals available.

And Finally

Thank you for all you continue to do to support our Shropshire children. Have a restful half term and enjoy the warm weather, refreshed for that last half term before the summer!

Contact info:

• Email: eqa@shropshire.gov.uk 
• Sign up to this newsletter