Every Newham SEND family deserves to be heard

We are a group of Newham parents and carers of children aged 0-25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We tell the council, health and education services what families are really going through - so your experience shapes the support you get.

Join our community - it's free Learn more about us

Funded by the Department for Education · Supported by Contact · Members of the National Network of Parent Carer Forums

Every child learns differently & every family deserves support.

Not every disability is visible. Every family’s experience is valid.

The values we stand for, in every family we support.

NPCF, Families Supporting Families.

Family Fun Day Organised By NPF & Space4Me

Peer support, practical guidance and a network of families who understand.

Parent carers in Newham working side by side to shape the services our children rely on.

Every family’s journey is different, and every one matters.

How we help

One umbrella, four ways we support Newham families

Just like the umbrella in our logo, everything we do shelters and strengthens local families. Each colour represents part of our work.

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Your Voice

We gather the views of parent carers through surveys, coffee mornings and events, then take them directly to decision-makers in education, health and social care.

How your voice travels →

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Working together

Parents from the forum sit in the meetings where decisions get made - from the start, not after everything is settled. Services call this "co-production". It just means planning things together.

See where we sit →

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Information

From EHCPs to short breaks, we help you find your way through the SEND system with plain-English guidance, jargon busting and signposting to Newham's Local Offer.

Explore SEND support →

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Community

Caring for a child with additional needs can feel lonely. Many parents tell us they feel isolated. You don't have to do this on your own. Our wellbeing events and meet-ups connect you with other parents who truly understand.

Upcoming events →

Supporting each other

Simply listening to each other

Sharing our experiences

A safe space

Who we are

Run by parent carers, for parent carers

We are all parents and carers of children and young people with SEND ourselves. As carers, we understand first-hand the issues and challenges families face: securing the right educational provision, accessing services, and navigating contact with the local authority.

Using your experience, we work with the council, health and education services to make sure that your views shape the support services your family needs.

Meet the forum

0-25Age range of the children & young people we represent

FreeMembership for every Newham parent carer

100%Independent & parent-led, funded by the DfE

1Of 150+ forums in the National Network of Parent Carer Forums

What has changed

Because parents spoke up…

None of this happened by accident. Each one started with a parent telling us something wasn't working.

The autism pathway was improved
The council communicates better with families
More inclusive sports and activities across the borough
Short breaks were reviewed

New parent workshops were introduced
We helped the council choose the provider for a new £15 million special needs school, funded by the Department for Education
Parents get issues sorted directly with council staff at our coffee mornings

Add your voice

We believe that parents and carers are stronger when they work together to achieve good outcomes for all our children and young people and their families.

What families say

Voices from our community

"Before I found the forum I felt like I was fighting the system alone. Now I know other parents who've walked the same path and our views actually reach the people running services."

- Parent of a 8 year-old with autism, East Ham

"My family and I are very grateful for the wonderful experience we are having this summer. Thank you to the sponsor of this summer event (Newham SEND Short Breaks 2026 Swimming) and to the forum and MD for making it possible. We truly appreciate your generosity and support."

Parent Carer - Newham

"The swimming arrangement at East Ham Leisure Centre was outstanding. My family thoroughly enjoyed the experience and appreciated the excellent organisation." (Newham Short Breaks 2026)

Parent Carer - Newham

"Understanding the jargon alone was worth joining for. EHCP, SENDIASS, Local Offer - it finally makes sense, and I feel a little more confident in school meetings now."

- Parent carer, Stratford

"The coffee mornings are a lifeline. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone who gets my experience as a special needs mum, without having to explain everything first."

- Parent Carer - Newham

"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the committee members in our noble forum, particularly our Chair, Yamou, the their education, time, energy given, all of which has been the success of our forum. You have all made a genuine difference to some of our problems which we had fought for without answers, but your untiring efforts have helped us to succeed in problems relating to housing, travel assistance, school placement and many more problems. Through your help, you have brought in key officials in Newham council to join our meetings, which created spaces for us to air out our grievances and complaints. I am truly grateful for your efforts and hard work and pray that all of these will continue to benefit us all. Thanks"