2026 Early Years SEND Conferences

Choose which event you'd like to attend

Join Early Years practitioners, SENCOs, leaders and sector experts for a free day of practical insight, shared learning and connection.

Manchester

Early Years SEND Roadshow - Manchester

Join us in Manchester for a free Early Years SEND Roadshow designed for everyone working in Early Years education and childcare. Enjoy a day of expert talks, interactive discussions, networking, CPD and practical advice to help you better support children with SEND.

Date: 25 September 2026

Time: 9:30am – 4:00pm

Venue: The Midland, 16 Peter Street, M60 2DS

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Bristol

Early Years SEND Roadshow - Bristol

Join us in Bristol for a free Early Years SEND Roadshow designed for everyone working in Early Years education and childcare. Enjoy a day of expert talks, interactive discussions, networking, CPD and practical advice to help you better support children with SEND.

Date: 2 October 2026

Time: 9:30am – 4:00pm

Venue: Watershed, 1 Canon's Road, BS1 5TX

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London

Early Years SENCO Day & Conference - London

Join us in London for a free Early Years SEND Conference and EY SENCO Day celebration for everyone working in Early Years education and childcare. Enjoy a day of keynote talks, interactive discussions, networking, CPD, awards and expert advice to help you better support children with SEND.

Date: 9 October 2026

Time: 9:30am – 4:00pm

Venue: The Minster Building, 21 Mincing Lane, EC3R 7AG

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What attendees said

Feedback from our SEND conferences

Earlier this year, Early Years SENCOs, practitioners and leaders joined us for a day of practical CPD, expert insight and professional connection. Here is what attendees had to say.

“

Great interactive workshops related to my work, plus professional advice and discussions.

“

I really enjoyed all my time at the convention. I felt empowered, encouraged and supported throughout the whole event.

“

Well organised event, excellent CPD - worth attending.

“

Every one of the speakers were just amazing, I found the whole day extremely informative.

“

I cannot honestly pick out the most useful part, as every part of the day was useful, from networking to listening to the amazing speakers.

Watch the highlights

See what our SEND conferences are like

Take a look back at our Leeds and London SEND conferences from earlier this year, including the atmosphere, speakers, workshops and conversations that shaped the day.

Leeds

Leeds SEND Conference highlights

Watch highlights from our Leeds event and hear from those involved in the day.

London

London SEND Conference highlights

Watch highlights from our London event and get a feel for the insight, energy and networking from the day.

Guest speakers

Hear from leading voices in Early Years SEND

Our Early Years SEND Roadshows will feature expert speakers and workshop hosts who will share practical insight, real experience and useful strategies to support inclusive practice across Early Years settings.

Workshop Host

Paula Wint

Teacher/Trainer, Boogie Mites

Paula joined Nottingham City Council as an EY Transition Worker for the Autism Team before moving to Stoke-On-Trent, where she set up as a Boogie Mites Teache /Trainer 6 years ago. Paula has introduced the joy of Boogie Mites active music making to hundreds of parents, educators and children in the area, sharing her passion for the incredible power of music to support the development and wellbeing of everyone involved. Pula is currently working with Dingley’s Promise Centres training the teams and adapting Boogie Mites music activities for a wide range of special educational needs.

Workshop Host

Liv McLennan

Teacher/Trainer, Boogie Mites

Liv has introduced the joy of Boogie Mites active music making to hundreds of parents, educators and children across the South of the UK, sharing her passion for the incredible power of music to support the development and wellbeing of everyone involved. Liv is currently working with Dingley’s Promise Centres training the team and adapting Boogie Mites music activities for a wide range of special educational needs. Liv also runs music workshops with adults with long term health conditions (mental health, dementia and lung health conditions).

Speaker, London

Jay Sparkle

Safeguarding & Inclusion Specialist, Jay Sparkle Consultancy

Alongside Jay's role as founder of Jay Sparkle Consultancy, he continue to serve as an educator, keeping him closely connected to the realities of Early Years practice. Jay holds a BA (Hons) in Early Years Education and a Level 7 in Strategic Leadership, and is an experienced SENDCO. He's also certified to deliver Safeguarding Training, equipping nurseries and schools with the knowledge and confidence to create safe and inclusive environments.

Speaker, London

Sam Wass

Director, Institute for the Science of Early Years

Sam Wass is a psychologist and neuroscientist who studied at Oxford, London, and Cambridge. He is Professor and Director of the world-leading Institute for the Science of Early Years at the University of East London, where he currently manages research projects funded by the European Research Council, European Union, Medical Research Council UK and others which examine how diverse early life environments influence the development of attention and stress circuits in the brain. He is published over a hundred academic articles and is one of the top 2% most cited neuroscientists in his field.

Speaker, London

Meggie Fisher

Head of Quality, Dingley’s Promise

Having worked for many mainstream early years providers Meggie is now the Head of Quality for Dingley’s Promise, working closely with the teams in their specialist centres to ensure delivery of high-quality teaching and excellent inclusive practice and support for children. She is passionate about creating the best start for every child, recognising the unique opportunity we have to build strong foundations for lifelong learning and celebrating each child as an individual.

Speaker, London

Meggie Fisher

COO, Dingley’s Promise

Lee is a highly experienced and passionate early years professional who has worked in early years forever 16 years. He is dedicated to creating inclusive environments, removing barriers for children and their families, and working together to give every child the very best start in life. Lee believes that there is a one size fits one approach to supporting children with SEND and is passionate about supporting best practice to enable children to reach their full potential with the support and confidence they need. As the first COO of Dingley's Promise Lee has brought drive and passion to the support we deliver and the expansion of our services and enabled our strong growth since 2023.

Speaker

Viv Trask-Hall

Head of Theory and Practice, Thrive Approach

Viv Trask-Hall is Head of Theory and Practice at Thrive, an experienced education leader and advocate for inclusion. A Distinguished Fellow of the International Forums of Inclusive Practitioners, she has a strong track record in driving innovation in education and social and emotional development. With leadership experience as a SENCO, Headteacher, Executive Headteacher and MAT founder, Viv has supported schools through major transitions and has seen first-hand Thrive’s impact on behaviour, attendance, attainment and mental health.