On June 1st, we were proud to host our very first EYFS SEND Conference — and what an incredible way to begin.
Delivered in partnership with Mark Wright and the team at Hays Recruitment, whose support in promoting the event was instrumental in its success, the day brought together passionate professionals from across the sector. We were also delighted that Mark and his colleague could join us in the networking space, contributing to the collaborative spirit that defined the event.
This free, full-day conference reflected everything we stand for: Everyone Belongs, Learns and Grows. From the very start, the atmosphere was energised with purpose, curiosity and a clear determination to make a difference within the system.
An Inspiring Start to the Day
We opened with a thought-provoking keynote from Kerry Murphy (Diverse Pathways), who explored neurodivergent communication through play. Kerry encouraged delegates to reflect on their own play patterns, emphasising that there is no single ‘right way’ to play—a message that resonated widely.
Julie Mellor (Attention Autism) delivered two impactful keynote sessions. Her first centred on the fundamentals of communication, while her second introduced The Curiosity Programme, focusing on how we connect and communicate with young children with social communication differences and autism.
Alison Parr (Whole School SEND) challenged us early on by asking: What does adulthood really mean? She explored how we prepare pupils for the future through meaningful, everyday experiences—from Food Technology to school trips—highlighting the importance of long-term thinking in early years provision.
Amy Ruscillo (NHS Speech and Language Therapy), who focused on Creating Communication-Friendly Environments in EYFS Settings. Her session highlighted practical ways to adapt environments, interactions and routines to better support communication for all children, reinforcing the importance of intentional, inclusive practice in everyday provision
Embedding Inclusive Practice
A key moment in the conference came from Jo Harrison, Chief Education Lead at St Bartholomew’s MAT, who spoke about Evidencing Typicality in the EYFS.
Jo explored how the real shift in education is not about preparing for inspection moments, but about consistently living and evidencing strong, inclusive practice every day. She highlighted that typicality is rooted in what children regularly experience—how environments remove barriers, how adults interact with precision, and how learning is designed so every child can access and succeed.
Her message reinforced the importance of intentional curriculum design, early identification, and continuous reflection—ensuring inclusion is not something added on, but something deeply embedded.
A Day of Collaboration and Shared Practice
The conference featured four rich panel discussions, creating space for open, honest and professionally generous conversations:
- Creating Inclusive Early Years Environments
Melanie Robertson (Caudwell Children), Anne Ratcliffe (PDSS), Kerry Murphy (Diverse Pathways), Julie Mellor (Attention Autism) - Leadership, Workforce Development and Culture
Jo Harrison (St Bartholomew’s MAT), Anna Latos (Springfield School), Jane Mackin (Rocklands Primary), Sarah Armitage (Pure Potential Journey Ltd), Helen Dos Santos (Horizons Coaching) - Communication, Interaction and Emotional Regulation
Nicola Goodman (Caudwell Children), Debbie Wilshaw (SpeakWrite), Hayley Cheetham (The Sensory Storyteller), Louise Davies (Dyslexia Association Staffordshire) - Working with Families: Partnerships, Trust & Co‑Production
Anna Latos (Springfield School), Dr Miles (GP), Kelly Ziemann (Merryfields School), Maija Hemmings (MHAT Central Team – parental voice)
Across these sessions, a powerful theme emerged:
there is no single blueprint for success—effective practice must always be shaped around the needs of children and their communities.
A Collective Effort
This conference would not have been possible without the dedication and collaboration of so many individuals.
A special thank you to Sarah Latham and Maija Hemmings, whose leadership and commitment brought the event to life.
We are also grateful to:
- Manor Hall Trust and the Research & Development Team, particularly Christopher Best and Alex Povey
- Neil Brannigan, for his inspiring role as host
Our Contributors
We extend our sincere thanks to all of our speakers and contributors, including:
Kerry Murphy, Julie Mellor, Alison Parr, Amy Ruscillo, Jo Harrison, Nicola Goodman, Debbie Wilshaw, Hayley Cheetham, Louise Davie, Melanie Roberts, Anne Ratcliffe, Helen Dos Santos, Anna Latos, Jane Mackin, Kelly Zimann, Sarah Armitage and Dr Miles.
Each of you brought expertise, insight and generosity that made the day truly impactful.
Our Exhibitors
We are also incredibly grateful to our exhibitors, who enriched the experience by sharing resources and expertise:
Caudwell Children, Busy Bodies, Pure Potential Journey Ltd, MPFT, Sensory Storyteller CIC, Horizons Coaching, Polly Pin, Hays Recruitment, The Fidget Box and SpeakWrite.
A Shared Commitment to Change
The feedback from delegates has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting:
- The quality and depth of discussion
- Practical strategies that can be implemented immediately
- The powerful sense of shared purpose across the room
One of the strongest messages from the day was clear:
communication, regulation and learning are built through relationships, not in isolation.
Looking Ahead
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway is this: we are not working alone.
Together, through collaboration, shared thinking and collective action, we can create meaningful and lasting change for children and families.
This may have been our first EYFS SEND Conference—but it will not be our last.
We are already looking ahead to next year, ready to continue learning, sharing and strengthening the system—one thread at a time.
