Help shape the future of Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) in West Northamptonshire

13 May 2026

Parents, carers, young people, professionals and community members are invited to be part of community conversations, that will lead to the community coproducing the new SEND and Inclusion Strategy for West Northamptonshire. 

How will it work?

Each event will be delivered using Whose Shoes?®, a powerful and practical engagement tool that moves systems beyond high‑level SEND ambitions to explore what change genuinely means for individuals, families and services. 

Whose Shoes?® embeds co‑production through empathy and compassion – walking in my shoes. Using an interactive board game, community conversations are carefully facilitated to stimulate focused discussion. The resources enable participants to explore diverse lived experiences, perspectives and voices in a safe, creative and inclusive way. 

Community Conversations (Adults) 

All sessions run from 10am to 2pm.

Refreshments and lunch will be included. 

Dates and venues

• Tuesday 9 June – Central Hall, Northampton Museum, NN1 1DP 
• Thursday 11 June – Auditorium, Daventry iCON Centre, NN11 0QB 
• Monday 15 June – 2nd Floor Council Chamber, Towcester Forum, NN12 6AD 
• Tuesday 16 June – The Venue, Brackley Football Club, NN13 7EJ  

Find out more and register your interest on Eventbrite. 

We will also be holding sessions for children and young people, designed by our educational psychology team, to ensure their voices are heard and included in shaping the new strategy. 

If you would prefer something more relaxed, West Northants Voices in Partnership (the Parent Carer Forum) warmly invites you to a coffee morning. You will still have the chance to explore Whose Shoes? resources and share your views and experiences in a smaller, highly supportive setting.

• Wednesday 17 June – The Link Café, Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, NN1 1DP, 10am to midday (please note that Museum only opens to the public at 10am)

Find out more and register your interest on Eventbrite. You can also scan the QR code above.

Can’t attend? We have extended the deadline for our SEND survey, so you still have time to share your views via: 

• SEND Survey for parents/carers and professionals (open until 17 June) 
• SEND Survey for children, young people and families (open until 17 June) 

What happens next?

The insights shared through the surveys and these community conversations will be central to shaping a draft SEND and Inclusion Strategy for West Northamptonshire (2027 to 2030). 

The draft strategy will be shared for public consultation in September, providing further opportunities for everyone to influence its direction.  

This is not a consultation on pre‑determined decisions. Instead, it is a genuine, values‑led process, rooted in listening and learning together.  

Input from families, children and young people, professionals and communities will continue to shape the strategy at every stage, ensuring it reflects lived experience and shared priorities. 

• June–July: Community conversations inform the draft strategy 
• September: Draft strategy shared for wider comment and further co‑production 
• Later this year: Final SEND & Inclusion Strategy agreed 

This is a real opportunity to influence change – not just for now, but for the future of children and young people with SEND across West Northamptonshire.