SEND In Mind

At Drama in Mind CIC we have partnered with NW Consultancy, a leading expert supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

Our Promise To You:

Is to offer expert support and advocacy for children, young people, and families navigating Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services.

Autism & Learning Disabilities: Coaching, Mentoring & Training

We provide person-centred coaching, mentoring and training to support children, young people, families and professionals living, working or supporting individuals with autism, learning disabilities and neurodivergent needs.

Our support can help with confidence, communication, emotional wellbeing, self-expression, relationships, behaviour, independence and navigating change.

Workshops

Our creative and practical workshops use drama, discussion, role play and real-life scenarios to build understanding and promote more inclusive and supportive environments.

Workshop topics include:

EHCPs – understanding the process, support and advocacy

Understanding Autism & Neurodiversity – building awareness and acceptance

Learning Disabilities – understanding different needs and ways of communicating

Challenging Behaviour – exploring behaviour as communication and supportive responses

Masking – understanding why people mask and the impact it can have

Transitions Throughout Education – supporting young people through changes in school, college and wider education

Workshops can be tailored for young people, parents/carers, schools, professionals, organisations and workplaces.

Available for:

About

Nicola - SEND, Inclusion and Growth/Director

Nicci is a Certified Autism, Neurodiversity & Learning Disabilities Champion Coach, Mentor and Licensed Trainer, with IPSEA SEND Law training (Levels 1–3). I offer 1:1 mentoring for parents, carers, and professionals navigating the complexities of SEND.

With over 15 years’ experience in education, I have worked as a Teacher, Lecturer, and CTL, and hold both a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and an Executive MBA, bringing together a deep understanding of child development with strong leadership and strategic skills.

I am passionate about advocating for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

As a parent of two neurodiverse children, I understand firsthand the challenges of navigating the education system and securing person-centred support, and I am dedicated to empowering families to ensure every child’s needs are met.

nw.consultancy@outlook.com 07516 613217

SEND Cafe - Drop in

Join us for our welcoming SEND Café, a relaxed drop-in space for parents and carers of neurodivergent children and young people.

Hosted by Nicci Willingham of Drama in Mind & NW Consultancy, these informal sessions provide an opportunity to connect with others who understand the SEND journey, ask questions, share experiences, and access practical advice and support in a friendly, non-judgemental environment.

Whether you're looking for guidance around education, navigating SEND processes, or simply a chance to chat over a coffee with others who "get it", you're warmly invited to drop in.

Session Dates

1st Septemeber

Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Venue: Casco Lounge, Grays RM20 2AD

Click here to register.

SEND Webinar

SEND Transition to Secondary School Webinar

Helping Year 6 families prepare for secondary school with confidence

The move from primary to secondary school is a big step for any child — and for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the transition can bring additional questions, uncertainty and anxiety for both children and their families.

Our Transition to Secondary School for SEND Pupils webinar is a practical, supportive one-hour session designed to help parents and carers understand the transition process, prepare for the move, and feel more confident in supporting their child.

What will the webinar cover?

During the session, we will explore:

How to plan for a successful transition to secondary school
What phased transfers are and when they may be appropriate
Key considerations for pupils with SEND
Practical ways to reduce anxiety and build confidence
Important questions to ask schools and professionals
How parents can effectively advocate for their child
What families can do before, during and after the transition
A live Q&A session, giving parents the opportunity to ask questions

The aim is to give families practical information, reassurance and strategies they can take away and use immediately.

Session Dates: Tuesday 15 September 2026

Price: £6.50 per ticket

Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Venue: Online Webinar

Click here to register or scan the QR code on the poster.

Recommend to Everyone

“Nicci has been a wealth of support to my family and I since commissioning her 9 months ago. She has listened to our needs, supported and empowered me to build a plan to achieve what we needed to. Her presence at meetings has been such a comfort, and her knowledge of all things SEND is second to none. Nicci has such a passion for her work, which shines through in absolutely everything she does!."

Can’t recommend enough!

"Nicci has been an amazing support to our family. We had no idea how to deal with the SEND system, but she helped us get an inclusive EHCP and handled complaints without any stress. Calm, confident, and so supportive—she got the results we needed. We can’t recommend NW.Consultancy enough!"

Brillant!

“I didn’t think it was possible until Nicci came along. She helped my daughter get the support she needed at school. Without her, she couldn’t even attend. After one meeting, the school changed their ways and started the EHC Needs Assessment. Nicci supported us through the hardest days, always available when we needed her..”