Andy Ritchie, SEND Access & Inclusion Service Manager at South Tyneside Council, will answer questions about SEND services and the help and support available for families.

SEND participation officers Mehrnaz and Becca and Catherine Ratcliffe from Contact (a support organisation for Parent Carer Forums) will also take part in the video calls.

The ‘question and answer’ sessions are being billed as the first step in a new engagement approach that will ensure parents have a strong voice in the provision of SEND services in South Tyneside.

Parents and carers of children and young people with special education needs and disabilities are being encouraged to book on to one of the virtual sessions, which are being held next Tuesday, October 20th from 10:30am to 11am, Wednesday October 21st from 7pm to 7,30pm and Thursday October 22nd from 1.30pm to 2pm.

There are limited spaces available, so people wishing to take part are urged to book early via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/124403587479