Staff in every school and college should receive training on SEND and inclusion: DfE

The Department for Education (DfE) warned that for “too long”, training on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) has been “inconsistent” - with almost half of primary and secondary teachers saying that more training would help their confidence in supporting pupils with SEND. 

In light of this, new courses available to teaching staff will deepen knowledge of how to adapt their teaching to meet a wide range of needs in the classroom, including visual impairments and speech and language needs, said the Government.

The DfE said in an announcement made last week (16 Jan): “Teachers will learn about the things we know can transform how children access education, such as using assistive technology like speech to text dictation tools and building awareness of additional needs amongst all pupils, so every child can go on to succeed.”

Underpinning the training will be a new expectation set out in the SEND Code of Practice, confirming that all staff in every nursery, school and college should receive training on SEND and inclusion.

Key features of the training package are to include:  

• High-quality training materials, developed alongside experts, to be shared with every school and college to enable in-house training for all staff on SEND and inclusion. 
• Investment in training for teaching assistants, developed in collaboration with the sector over the coming months – to ensure support staff feel equipped and confident to support all students with SEND.  
• A new Early Years 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.  

The Schools White Paper is expected to be published soon, after the Government confirmed in October it was to delay setting out reforms to SEND services until “early in the New Year".

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said: “Every child, wherever they live and whatever their needs, should have the opportunity to go to a local school where they can achieve and thrive.

“That’s why we’re equipping staff across every stage of education with more training on SEND and inclusion than ever before – helping to deliver our vision of a truly inclusive education system.  

“This is a key part of our mission to reform the SEND system so that schools can take children from forgotten to included and give parents the confidence that the right support will be there at every stage of their child’s education.”

Tom Rees, Chair of the Expert Advisory Group on Inclusion, said: “This investment is very welcome and an important step forward as we build a more high-performing and inclusive school system, in which all children can experience success at school. Building confidence and expertise across the school workforce is central to this reform, and high-quality and evidence-based professional development is one of the most effective ways we can achieve that.

“It is particularly positive that this training will reach the whole workforce, including teaching assistants and support staff, who play a vital role in supporting inclusion every day. A well-trained, supported workforce benefits all children, but it is especially important for children who find learning most difficult, so staff can have the knowledge and confidence to support them early and effectively.”

Lottie Winson