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Leading early years membership organisation the Early Years Alliance has announced details of its two upcoming in-person Connect Roadshows. 

The full-day events, entitled Celebrating SEND – a world without limits, will be held at TTS Offices, on Heyworth Road in Nottingham on 1 May 2025, and at Engineer’s House in Bristol on 16 October 2025. Both days will run from 9:30am – 4pm.  

The two events will focus on what children with SEND can do and will include discussions on how, as educators, we can promote true inclusivity in our practice to ensure that no child is left behind.  

The Roadshows will include a range of inspirational keynote speakers who will share their knowledge, experience, scientific findings and practical ideas. Through this, attendees will have the opportunity to find out more about a range of topics focused on supporting children with SEND, including expert talks on responding to sensory systems, challenges around feeding and mealtime and the neuroscience of neurodiversity. Both days will also explore how learning environments and approaches to provision can support inclusive practice.  

Keynote speakers at both events include: 

• Catherine McLeod (CEO, Dingley's Promise) 

• Cat Jewkes (TTS) 

• Lucy Wood (early years dietician) 

• Professor Sam Wass (Baby Development Lab at the University of East London and child psychologist in the multi-award-winning Channel 4 show The Secret Life of 4 and 5- Year-Olds) 

• Cheryl Warren (early years consultant)  

• Sue Newman (Boogie Mites) 

The May event will also include inspirational speaker Musharaf Asghar, while the October event will feature Emma Pinnock - Director of The Essential Education Group 

These keynote speakers will also join Early Years Alliance CEO Neil Leitch and the Alliances communications and external affairs direction Shannon Pite in a panel discussion to discuss what changes are needed to ensure that all children with SEND get the support they deserve. 

Tickets for the Alliance Connect Roadshows: Celebrating SEND, a world without limits are priced at £55 per person for members and £95 per person for non-members. 

Roadshow attendees will also have the chance to win a mini-sensory space bundle worth around £200 which includes; a mini pop-up sensory pod, light up recordable domes, light up lanterns and a vibrating guinea pig. 

Tickets for both dates are available at   

Agenda 

9.30am - 9.45am: Refreshments and networking 

9.45am - 10.00am: Welcome and introductions - Michael Freeston - Alliance director of quality improvement 

10.00am - 10.25am: Celebrating inclusive early years practice: how early years professionals can provide the best foundation for children with SEND - Catherine McLeod - Dingley's Promise 

10.30am - 10.55am: Wondering why in the early years - Catherine Jewkes - TTS 

11.00am - 11.30am: Feeding challenges and neurodivergence - Lucy Wood - Early years dietician 

11.30am - 11.50am: Refreshments 

11.50am - 12.20pm: A blooming buzzing confusion: young brains and neurodivergence - Professor Sam Wass - Baby Development Lab at the University of East London and child psychologist in the multi-award-winning Channel 4 show The Secret Life of 4 and 5-Year-Olds 

12.25pm - 1.00pm: 
May event: Musharaf Asghar - Inspirational speaker and journalist 

October event: Emma Pinnock - Director of The Essential Education Group 

1.00pm - 2.00pm: Lunch and networking 

2.00pm - 2.55pm: Panel discussion – Building a brighter future: What needs to change to ensure that all children with SEND get the support they deserve - Keynote speakers will join Neil Leitch, Alliance CEO. Chaired by Shannon Pite, Alliance communications and external affairs director. 

3.00pm - 3.30pm: Belonging and connection – The power of becoming a neurodiversity affirming educator - Cheryl Warren - early years consultant 

3.35pm - 3.50pm: Sue Newman - Boogie Mites 

3.50pm - 4.00pm: Prize draw and close