Moving Forward is Portsmouth’s annual event designed to help families and professionals navigate the next steps after education for young people aged 14-25 with Special Educational Needs and / or disabilities (SEND).

More than 48 exhibitors attended the event at City of Portsmouth College on Friday 20 March, including colleges, community groups and charities, health and social care services, housing and financial advice, parent and family groups, day services, and employment and training providers.

The array of exhibitors offered information on education, careers and employment, health, housing, money matters, community activities, family support, and day services.

Alongside young people and families, schools and colleges from across the city brought along groups of students to the event, which saw an estimated 500 attendees.

Cllr Nick Dorrington, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council, said: “For many families of children and young people with SEND, it can be difficult to find clear and reliable information about the services that can support them or what options are out there. Moving Forward helps bring everything together in one place and highlights the range of help and opportunities available for life after education.”

Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health & Care at Portsmouth City Council, added: “It was fantastic to see lots of young people, families, and organisations. Portsmouth has a fantastic network of services and community groups, and this event highlights the array of opportunities available. I’m so pleased so many exhibitors and visitors came along today, with some valuable connections made for young people and families.”

Now in its fourth year, the Moving Forward event took place at the City of Portsmouth College’s Sixth Form Campus at Tangier Road for the first time. The campus provided a fully accessible space including a dedicated ‘breakout corner’.

The Council worked closely with the college to plan and deliver the event. Students from the college played an important role, supporting the event on the day and helping with a promotional photoshoot and video.

Moving Forward is part of a wider programme of support for families of children and young people with SEND in Portsmouth. Information about future SEND events will be shared on the Portsmouth Local Offer website: portsmouthlocaloffer.org.