On Friday 16 January, the Department for Education unveiled the most ambitious and comprehensive SEND training offer ever seen by the English education system – recognising the power of our workforce to transform children’s life chances.

The new training offer will cover children with SEND from their earliest years, through to age 25, restoring parents’ confidence that their children will be supported through every stage of their education. 

Key features of the training package include: 

• A new Early Years Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme, providing free, accessible training focused on inclusive practice, child development, and practical strategies for supporting children with SEND – available to all early years practitioners
• High-quality training materials, developed alongside the sector, and shared with every school and college to support the delivery of training to all staff on SEND and inclusion - ensuring every teacher is reached
• New, free CPD courses for teachers and leaders in colleges
• Investment in training for teaching assistants and support staff, developed in collaboration with the sector – ensuring support staff feel equipped and confident to support pupils with SEND

This is a significant step in reforming the SEND system with a £3 billion investment to create tens of thousands of specialist places in mainstream and special schools, supported by skilled educators. These changes ensure children and young people with SEND can thrive in inclusive settings close to home, with staff who understand their needs and help them to succeed. 

You can read a letter to the sector from Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, outlining the offer.