About us

SEND Family Voice Redcar & Cleveland

We are a group of parents whose children each have an array of special educational needs. We feel incredibly passionate about ensuring the services in our area meet the needs of all our children and young people. We want to make sure that each one of our families feel fully included, supported and empowered throughout their journeys in caring for someone with additional needs.

SEND Family Voice supports young people with special educational needs and their families

Emma Hebb

Chair

My name is Emma Hebb and I am the Chair of the parent carer forum in Redcar & Cleveland, recently renamed as ‘SEND Family Voice, Redcar & Cleveland’.

My journey into the world of SEND started in early 2016 when our youngest child was diagnosed with autism. At the time he was pre-verbal, still in nappies and was frustrated which was being demonstrated by challenging behaviours. We, as a family, had no idea where to turn for help and support. We had missed out on early help from lots of services so I was on a mission!

I attended every course and workshop I could find to help us understand autism, our son and the journey we were about to embark on. Our son started a local specialist school in Redcar and has grown so much during that time. We find ourselves going back through the assessment process again with our oldest child who is in a local secondary school, and so much has changed since the first time around so it has become a bit of a minefield to navigate – so we are learning again.

A positive from all the information and knowledge I had learnt lead me to a change of career and I retrained as a teaching assistant specialising in SEND working in a local primary school for just over 4 years. I am keen to ensure all parents and carers know about everything that is out there and available to them, so they do not have to struggle like we did.

We are working hard at Send Family Voice, Redcar and Cleveland to engage with professionals as well as parents and carers to help spread the word about what we do, and how we can help, whichever point you are at on your journey.

Kerry Cassidy

Vice-Chair

Hi, I’m Kerry I am Mam to 2 amazing little boys who are 7 and 5 years old. My eldest was diagnosed autistic at the age of 4 and diagnosed with ADHD aged 7. He has attended a special provision school since nursery. My youngest was also diagnosed autistic at the age of 4 and he attends a SEN base but has been accessing a lot of mainstream lessons.

I joined the forum March 2024 after attending some of their sessions and became part of the steering group. I am also vice chair, early years and portage lead so I visit portage groups over the Redcar and Cleveland area to chat to parent/carers.

I am dedicated to helping parents in our area gain information about what is out there for them and for their voices to be heard.

Julia Conway

Parent Wellbeing & Events Co-Ordinator

I am a mum of 13 year old twin girls and a 11 year old boy. One of my girls is Autistic, has DCD(dyspraxia) and SPD.

I first became aware of the forum a number of years ago when I attended some sessions in order to learn how to support my daughter, pre diagnosis.

Having worked previously as a teacher, and now having personal experience of SEND, I want to support the forum as they have supported me.
I hope is to help make the journey of SEND parents a little easier.”

Clare Allen-Mulroy

Parent Representative

Hi I am Clare I have 3 gorgeous kids 2 girls an a boy all with SEN. I joined the forum after all 3 kids experienced inadequate transitions with education and social care to try and make things better.

My kids are adopted ,I have a passion for improving things for adopted families as well as all SEN families. I have a professional background in nursing and Occupational therapy.

I joined because I’d just been through a really bad year fighting for support for my kids and felt isolated. I wanted to join with others who would understand and at the same time try to make a difference for other families

Julia Walker

Parent Representative

I am a parent of three boys. One of my children has a diagnosis of autism and OCD.

I would like to help other parents who have been in similar situations and offer support and guidance to them.

SEND Family Voice’s aim is to improve families’ quality of life.

Supporting young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families

We feel incredibly passionate about ensuring the services in our area meet the needs of all our children and young people.