What are they?
The Community Inclusion Forums promote inclusion of children and young people with SEND and additional needs to enable them to achieve the best possible outcomes. The forums provide opportunities for staff across the sector to be empowered to meet these needs, through the sharing of effective practice, providing peer support, and an awareness of emerging research. Schools are organised into community groups based on their geographical area to encourage closer collaboration, information sharing and networking opportunities. Through the collaboration of stakeholders, we intend to enable access, knowledge, and development of the Local Offer.
Who are they for?
All SENCos in Suffolk schools have been invited to take part in the forums as well as anyone with a pastoral or inclusion remit within a school.
A list of schools and their areas can be downloaded here. Each area forum is chaired by a specialist teacher from the Whole School Inclusion team and an Educational Psychologist from the Psychology and Therapeutic Service.
Other Specialist Education Service staff will also attend, along with representatives from Early Help and Health services.
When and where do they meet?
The Community Inclusion Forums meet once every half term in venues central to each community.
Future dates for Community Inclusion Forums in 2024-25
Meeting times are 1.30 – 3pm.
Autumn Term 2024
Wednesday 27 November
Bury & Central – Abbeygate Sixth Form, Beetons Way, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3TT
Coastal – Wickham Market Primary School, Dallinghoo Road, Wickham Market, IP13 0RP
Ipswich & South Suffolk – Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX.
Thursday 28 November
West Suffolk – West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU.
Lowestoft & Waveney – Riverside, 4 Canning Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ
Spring Term 2025
Wednesday 29 January
Bury & Central – West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU.
Coastal – venue to be confirmed
Ipswich & South Suffolk – Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX.
Thursday 30 January
West Suffolk – West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU.
Lowestoft & Waveney – Riverside, 4 Canning Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ
Wednesday 26 March
Bury & Central – West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU.
Coastal – venue to be confirmed
Ipswich & South Suffolk – Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX.
Thursday 27 March
West Suffolk – West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU.
Lowestoft & Waveney – Riverside, 4 Canning Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ
Summer Term 2025
Wednesday 21 May
Bury & Central – venue to be confirmed
Coastal – venue to be confirmed
Ipswich & South Suffolk – venue to be confirmed
Thursday 22 May
West Suffolk – venue to be confirmed
Lowestoft & Waveney – venue to be confirmed
Wednesday 2 July
Bury & Central – venue to be confirmed
Coastal – venue to be confirmed
Ipswich & South Suffolk – venue to be confirmed
Thursday 3 July
West Suffolk – venue to be confirmed
Lowestoft & Waveney – venue to be confirmed
Contact details for each community
Agendas and minutes for each community are emailed to all schools in that community. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for your community or if you have missed any of the agendas or minutes, please use the email addresses below.