Broaching potential Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) with parents is one of the most delicate yet critical responsibilities an Early Years leader will face. This session delivers practical, empathy-first strategies to help nursery managers and SENDCos navigate these sensitive initial conversations with total confidence. Attendees will learn how to build psychological safety and avoid defensive dynamics by anchoring discussions in a child’s unique strengths.

We will explore how to strip away intimidating clinical jargon, replacing it with objective, tracker-based observations that present a clear, neutral developmental picture. Finally, the session outlines how to guide parents seamlessly toward collaborative co-production and manageable next steps for external support. Participants will leave equipped with actionable scripts and a framework to transform high-stakes meetings into powerful partnerships.