SEND in Early Years Conference 2026

Get the highest quality CPD from experts at your convenience, with nasen's SEND CPD on Demand - The ultimate flexible training resource. This webinar explores how effective data collection and analysis can improve decision making, and have positive impact on SEND provision across settings . • The importance of sound, evidence and data informed decision making • The decisions we make – provision management • What data sets do we use • How do we analyse data and why • The difference evidence based practice makes Full access to this resource is available for £10.

Inclusion Beyond SEND is a one-day conference exploring AT, AI, skills and the future of access to learning . Taking place at the University of Surrey, Guildford , on Thursday 17th September 2026 , the event brings together education, SEND, assistive technology, inclusive AI, curriculum, careers, widening participation and future pathways. The central question for the day is: How do we design access, confidence and independence into learning from the start, rather than adding support later? The day will include: Opening keynote from Paddy McGrath , VP, Head of Education EMEA at Everway Online afternoon keynote from Matthew Wemyss , on AI, agency and inclusion Panel discussion chaired by Al Kingsley MBE 12 workshops across 5 connected strands A curated partner and exhibitor showcase Opportunities to connect with schools, charities, practitioners, technology providers, careers professionals and wider education partners The five strands are: Early help, SEND reform and designed-in access Assistive technology and digital independence AI, bias and inclusive practice Curriculum, creativity and future-ready learning Careers, skills and future pathways This is a deliberately curated event, designed to be small enough for real conversation and connected enough to influence practice more widely. Inclusion is not only about helping young people get through school. It is about helping them access the future. Access, confidence and independence. For every child.

For education professionals working with a child or children with Down Syndrome in Hertfordshire or the surrounding counties. This THREE PART training course is for education professionals in Hertfordshire and the surrounding counties and will focus on supporting pupils with Down Syndrome aged 4-16 years in both mainstream and special schools. The training will be delivered by Helen Long (SENCO, Specialist Advisory Teacher for children with Down Syndrome, teacher, parent, and trainer). The three parts are as follows: 1) An online workshop: 'Introduction to Down Syndrome' - Tuesday 22nd September, 4pm - 5:30pm, online 2) Face to face: 'Supporting Pupils with DS at School' - Friday 9th October, 9am - 3:30pm, at Hilltop Community Centre, The Downs, Hatfield AL10 8JP. This will cover key points on the following topics: Reading - how to teach reading and how to use it across the curriculum and to teach expressive language Literacy - including spelling and recording information Maths Behaviour and Social Development 3) Bespoke guidance and training at your school focused on the individual child(ren) with DS you support. A DS Specialist Advisor will visit your school as part of our Resources into Schools programme. This includes an assessment of the individual child's challenges and a recommendation for a resource and/or additional training which will be provided by DS Achieve in school. Please note: The number of Resources into Schools applications available is based on the number of professionals attending the training and the number of children with Down Syndrome at the setting. Each application supports one child. The total number of applications is limited to the number of professionals trained. For example: 2 professionals attend; 1 child at the school = 1 application 2 professionals attend; 2 children at the school = 2 applications 2 professionals attend; 3 children at the school = 2 applications

Join us for the third session in our literacy leaders series with Alex Quigley. Leading literacy continues to be complex and fast moving. Leaders are working within a shifting context of national policy development, curriculum and assessment change, and the introduction of a new Ofsted framework. Alongside this, literacy habits beyond school are evolving and influencing learners in new ways.  This exclusive twilight series with literacy expert Alex Quigley provides space to explore these challenges in depth, alongside practical approaches and school and trust level strategies that strengthen literacy leadership over time. Each session includes: Focused input from Alex Quigley Provocation and discussion points linked to current national context Opportunities for professional dialogue and shared practice across settings Time for questions and reflection The sessions are designed with literacy leadership at the centre, while remaining strongly relevant to classroom practice across phases and settings.

How do you build an inclusion strategy that works in practice, not just on paper? Developing your Inclusion Strategy Inclusion is more than a policy. It's the culture, systems and everyday practice that help every child thrive. Join education leaders, SEND professionals and inclusion specialists for a full day of practical strategies, real-life case studies and evidence-informed approaches that you can take back to your own setting.

Explore and understand the challenge of increasing school absence for disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, and those known to children’s social care. You will come away ready to implement new ideas and proven strategies in your school. This year, almost two in five disadvantaged pupils (37.9 per cent) were persistently absent. This is also double the rate for their better-off peers. Similar statistics apply to those with SEND and those known to children’s social care. This means the attendance gap has widened by 6.7 percentage points, rising from 14.5 per cent in pre-pandemic 2018-19 to 21.2 per cent this year. This online session has been designed to help school leaders identify the causes and consequences of differences and disadvantages and put in place proven strategies to help improve attendance and outcomes for those learners.

Join us for the Manchester Early Years SEND Roadshow hosted by Best Practice Network - free to attend for everyone in EY & childcare Due to popular demand, we are running a roadshow of Early Years SEND conferences, finishing on EYSENCO Day with a conference and celebration in Manchester! Welcome to the Manchester date for the Early Years SEND Roadshow! Join us at The Midland Hotel in the heart of Manchester, UK for an exciting event focused on special educational needs in early childhood. This in-person conference will bring together educators, parents and professionals to share insights, strategies, and resources to support children with SEND. Discover innovative approaches, engage in interactive panel discussions and connect with like-minded individuals passionate about inclusive education. We can't wait to see you there! The event is free to attend for everyone involved in early years education and childcare. Spaces are limited so book your free ticket now. It promises to be a day jam-packed with SEND CPD, talks, networking and conversations which will support your career in the Early Years, while you explore our latest programmes & access expert advice.

Wales’s leading education event, providing over 50 CPD-accredited seminars, networking opportunities, and access to education suppliers on topics spanning classroom practice, inclusion, leadership and staff support Ticket prices per seminar £10-£20

Join us for the Bristol Early Years SEND Roadshow hosted by Best Practice Network - free to attend for everyone involved in EY & childcare Due to popular demand, we are running a roadshow of Early Years SEND conferences, finishing on EYSENCO Day with a conference and celebration in Bristol! Welcome to the Bristol date for the Early Years SEND Roadshow! Join us at Watershed in the heart of Bristol, UK for an exciting event focused on special educational needs in early childhood. This in-person conference will bring together educators, parents and professionals to share insights, strategies, and resources to support children with SEND. Discover innovative approaches, engage in interactive panel discussions and connect with like-minded individuals passionate about inclusive education. We can't wait to see you there! The event is free to attend for everyone involved in early years education and childcare. Spaces are limited so book your free ticket now. It promises to be a day jam-packed with SEND CPD, talks, networking and conversations which will support your career in the Early Years, while you explore our latest programmes & access expert advice.

Join Dr Kelly So and Dr Joel Wilson for learning, reflection, and discussion on inclusive practice for education professionals. Join the Inclusion Room! At Elevate Educational Psychology Solutions, we are delighted to introduce our monthly training offer, ‘Psychology for Schools’ . We aim to offer sessions grounded in the psychology of education, creating a safe space for SENCOs, teachers, and school leaders to deepen understanding and grow as professionals. Our first three-session unit focuses on Adaptive Teaching for SEND , exploring inclusion across classroom practice, whole-school systems, and individual problem-solving. ***** This session: October 2026 - Beyond Differentiation: The Psychology of Inclusive Teaching What inclusive practice really looks like in the classroom Our first session will explore how psychology can help us move beyond traditional models of differentiation, towards a deeper understanding of how classroom teaching can be genuinely inclusive for all learners. ***** We understand how busy and demanding school days can be. That’s why we are passionate about creating this space to pause, reflect, and breathe. We hope to give you an opportunity to step back, learn alongside others, and reconnect with why your work matters so much. We really look forward to seeing you in The Inclusion Room soon!

Following their record breaking conference in March 2026, join nEdEx (Network for Education Excellence) this October for The National Education Leaders Conference 2026, a dynamic and crucial event designed to equip heads, trust leaders, and senior staff with the insights and tools needed to navigate the evolving educational landscape. Hosted on Thursday 8th October 2026 at the Double Tree Hilton, Milton Keynes. We understand the complexity of leadership roles, which is why the 2026 conference is structured to offer maximum flexibility for delegates. Beyond the main agenda, which will feature industry leading keynote speeches, delegates have the power to curate their own day. You can choose from bespoke sessions across 6 dedicated, key-themed rooms, which open up in both the morning and afternoon, allowing you to deep-dive into the areas most relevant to your current priorities.

This course is being delivered online, and a recording will be available for up to 30 days after the event has ended. Facilitator - Philip Wood - Partner, Browne Jacobson This course will provide participants with an overview of the EHCP consultation and amendment process, including the responsibilities of both schools and local authorities as part of that process. The course will look at the legal framework surrounding EHCPs and will consider: what makes an EHCP effective; what a placement consultation should look like; and how unlawful or unreasonable decisions can be challenged. Throughout the course, participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and will receive practical guidance on how to navigate the EHCP minefield. Aims By the end of the session participants will: Understand the requirements for specificity in Education, Health and Care Plans; Be clear on the legal timescales relating to EHCP consultations and amendments; Be able to prepare a robust response to consultation; and Be able to confidently challenge unlawful or unreasonable decision making. Comments from members "Fascinating to understand the law behind decisions and feel empowered moving forward with contact with our LA" - Claire Sadler, Middleton Primary, Nottingham "It was a great session to sign up as I am new SENCo in September covering a maternity post" - Juliette Frampton, Atlantic Academy Portland "Fab and just what I hoped to get from this session" - Beaumont Hill Academy, Durham "Very informative" - Paul Provins, Middle Leader - Inspire Acadaemy, Chatham  "Very valuable" - SENCo - Milton Road Primary School, Cambridge "Very useful" - Shaw Primary Academy, Basildon