NeuroAware CIC

07/10/2026

LAST DAY TO SIGN UP!

Today is the last day to sign up to the Confidence Building Adventure Weekend in Calvert Lakes. Unfortunately, at the moment, we do not have enough participants for the trip to go ahead.

I've sent another reminder email to interested parties so please do let me know if you are still interested or can no longer go. Thank you! 😊

07/10/2026

Today's musings from the child:

My actions: after watching a very simple make up tutorial on blending, I am applying the finishing touches. I do not know how to do this, but the world loves a trier.

Child after one glance: "Mother, your face looks like it was made on Windows XP"

😂

06/10/2026

Based in Hartlepool - great opportunity for adults! Please contact CLIP for further info.

Good morning everyone, we have something totally awesome to announce right now!!! :D

🌱 GROWING FORWARD – FREE 8-WEEK PROGRAMME 🌱

Would you like to build your confidence, wellbeing and self-awareness, meet new people and explore what you might like to do next?
Our relaxed and supportive Growing Forward programme includes nature-based activities, mindfulness, simple wellbeing techniques, group discussions and practical activities.

Starts Thursday 29 October and every Thursday for 8 weeks.
10am–12 noon
CLIP Community Allotment, Hartlepool
Adults aged 19+
FREE

Everyone completing the programme will receive a Certificate of Achievement.

Please note: this is an 8-week programme and participants will need to commit to booking and attending the full 8 weeks.
Places are limited, so booking is essential via the link: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/HBOO

Any questions, please email [email protected] or comment below :)

Team CLIP

04/10/2026

North Star EBSA Outreach – Bridging the Gap Between Home and School

Are you a school, SENDCO, inclusion team or education professional who may be interested in collaborating in relation to EBSA Outreach?

The wonderful is developing an outreach model to address this attendance gap through a consistent, trusted adult who works alongside the young person, family and school. The approach focuses on understanding and reducing barriers, strengthening protective factors, developing personalised strategies and supporting gradual re-engagement with education.

They are particularly interested in supporting primary-aged children and young people in Key Stage 2 & 3.

Please contact Lotti at for further information.

03/10/2026

Little SENDsations have opened nominations for their SENDsational Gala Awards. If you know of someone in your community or family who makes a difference to the SEND world - let them know by nominating them!

We nominated a school staff member last year, this year it is a service user 😊

Nominations for our SENDsational Gala 2027 Awards are officially OPEN! 🖤💛

This is your chance to recognise the amazing people, families, professionals and organisations making a difference across our SEND community.

🏆 SEND Professional Award — sponsored by Delves Lane Village Store
🏆 Inclusive Education Award — sponsored by Pippy’s Hair
🏆 Family Carer Award — sponsored by OHB Nails
🏆 Inclusive Organisation Award — sponsored by Barbering by Mel
🏆 Young Carer Award — sponsored by Kane’s World
🏆 Community Champion Award — sponsored by Healing Hands Massage
🏆 Heart of SEND Award — sponsored by Adam Ingram Windows & Gutters
🏆 Diane Moss Courage Award 💛

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised? Someone who goes above and beyond, makes a difference or has a story that deserves to be celebrated?

🌟 Get your nominations in now! 🌟

https://forms.gle/nG2xrZ88mFKwWqr56

And a HUGE thank you to all of our incredible sponsors for getting behind our awards and helping us celebrate our SEND community. 🥹🖤💛

Who will you be nominating? 👀

02/10/2026

I’m very pleased to share that NeuroAware CIC is now an approved CPD provider with The CPD Group.

I’m currently developing training modules on SEND law, EHCPs and neurodiversity, for individuals and organisations. The modules will be accredited and approved, and will bring together professional knowledge with lived experience.

Training from someone who’s been there, lived it and probably owns a questionable T-shirt.

More details coming soon. If you’d like to discuss training for your organisation, please do get in touch.

29/09/2026

A potentially important change for families going through the SEND Tribunal process…

HMCTS is piloting SEND Appeal Resolution Meetings (SARM), offering another opportunity to resolve refusal to assess and refusal to issue appeals before a full hearing.

Crucially, if no agreement is reached, the appeal continues to Tribunal as normal.

28/09/2026

Could anyone recommend a child psychologist/counsellor who can work with a young, neurodivergent individual in relation to moderate to severe anxiety? Within County Durham/North East.

Because .

Thank you!

26/09/2026

📊 ARE GIRLS MORE LIKELY TO BE REFUSED AN EDUCATION, HEALTH AND CARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT (EHCNA)?

The latest 2025 Department for Education figures reveal a concerning pattern across the North East.

In 10 out of 12 local authorities, a higher proportion of EHCNA requests for girls were refused at the initial decision stage compared with boys.

The differences in some areas are substantial.

📍 County Durham: 44.5% of requests for girls were refused, compared with 28.1% for boys.

📍 Sunderland: 65.8% for girls, compared with 53.6% for boys.

📍 Hartlepool: 46.8% for girls, compared with 26% for boys.

Across England, the overall refusal rate was 26.6%.

These figures raise important questions about how SEND needs are recognised, evidenced and assessed, particularly for girls whose difficulties may present differently, be less immediately visible or not be as visible due to high masking tendencies.

An EHCNA is about establishing whether a child or young person requires additional support through an EHCP. Families should not have to wait until difficulties become overwhelming before their child's needs are properly considered.

💚 At NeuroAware, we believe every child deserves to have their individual needs recognised and understood.

Have you experienced difficulties getting an EHC Needs Assessment agreed for your daughter? We'd welcome hearing your experiences in the comments.

Source: Department for Education, EHCNA requests and outcomes, 2025.

25/09/2026

📊 EDUCATION, HEALTH AND CARE NEEDS ASSESSMENTS (EHCNAs): DOES YOUR POSTCODE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Unfortunately, it does! In 2025, an EHCNA request was nearly FOUR TIMES as likely to be refused in Sunderland than in Stockton (sorry Sunderland parents).

When a parent, carer or education setting requests an EHCNA the local authority must decide whether the legal threshold for assessment is met.

But how often are these requests refused across the North East?

I've looked at the latest Department for Education figures to compare refusal rates across all 12 North East local authorities, including County Durham, for 2025.

The figures show the percentage of requests refused at the initial assessment decision stage.

💚 A refusal is not necessarily the end of the road.

Under Section 36(8) of the Children and Families Act 2014, a local authority must secure an EHC needs assessment where the child or young person has or may have SEN, and it may be necessary for special educational provision to be made through an EHCP.

Parents and young people have a right of appeal against a refusal to assess.

At NeuroAware, I help families understand their rights, prepare evidence and navigate the EHCNA process.

📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.neuroaware.org.uk

Source: Department for Education, SEN2 statistics, 2025 calendar year.