Together for inclusion and impact in Early Years

Join us for the 2026 Early Years SEND Conference in either Leeds or London. This national event is created to inspire, connect and support everyone working with children with special educational needs and disabilities in the Early Years sector.

We'll bring together practitioners, leaders and experts from across the country to share real experiences and practical approaches that make a difference every day to children and families.
Whether you are a SENCO, nursery manager, practitioner or local authority lead, you’ll leave with fresh ideas and a stronger sense of community.

Conference highlights:

• Meet educators, parents and professionals to share insights, strategies, and resources to support children with SEND
• Gain a certificate of attendance for Continuing Professional Development 
• Develop leadership within SEND practice
  
• Contribute to shaping the future of SEND practice and early years teaching 

2026 Theme, Speakers and Topics

We’re delighted to welcome a panel of leading Early Years experts whose experience spans school leadership, SEND practice, neurodiversity, charity leadership and lived experience as parents and professionals.

	Viv Trask-Hall Viv Trask-Hall is a former Headteacher and Executive Headteacher, Viv began her teaching career specialising in the Early Years. From there she has taught across all age ranges and often in schools in challenging circumstances. Part of the team that established a Co-operative Trust and a Multi-Academy Trust, she’s endlessly passionate about supporting other professionals to help young people feel safe, supported and ready to learn. When she isn’t busy fulfilling her responsibilities as Head of Product and Innovation at Thrive, Director of a MAT, a foster carer leading a Mockingbird constellation, and as a school governor, you’ll find Viv travelling the UK in her motorhome or cooking up a feast in her outdoor kitchen.
	Emma Lee Emma Lee is an EYSEN Tutor at Best Practice Network. Before her current role, she was a Nursery Manager and SENCO in the Early Years. However, her most important role is mum to Jack. Jack was born with a low-incidence SEND need. This experience means that Emma has a wealth of knowledge of the Early Years SEND journey from both the perspective of the parent and setting support. She will share what the early years looked like for Jack and give a parent’s perspective on the role of the SENCO.
	Cheryl Warren Cheryl Warren is a multi award winning trainer and consultant working across the UK and is clear on her mission, to provide early years spaces that enable our neurodivergent children to thrive, not just survive. Cheryl’s passion and specialism for understanding and acceptance for neurodiversity within early years comes from her 30 years as a professional and also as a parent of two neurodivergent children herself. She is an advocate for true neurodiversity affirming practice, enabling ALL children to be heard, to be given the tools and connections to thrive and to be celebrated and accepted for their uniqueness. Her work has now taken her international with speaking invitations across Europe and has just had her first book published on this important subject.
	Catherine Mole Catherine Mole has been a charity leader for over 25 years and is passionate about equity and inclusion for children and young people with disabilities. She became the Chief Executive of Dingley’s Promise in 2015 and has grown the organisation from a small local charity to a national one that delivers training and influences policy alongside its core local support services. She was awarded an MBE in 2011 for her work with disadvantaged children, and today is a mentor for ACEVO, a national speaker, and an advisor to a range of governmental and non-governmental bodies around early years SEND inclusion. This year Catherine received the Charity CEO of the Year Third Sector Award.

Stay tuned and check back for updates or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for announcements.
If you have already booked your free ticket, you’ll also receive our monthly conference newsletter with the latest updates, speaker news and session previews straight to your inbox.