Measures to improve SEND training for school staff

The government has announced over £25 million worth of contracts to improve training for school staff in dealing with pupils with additional needs, as well as provide additional support and advice for families.

Part of these measures include nasen and University College London (UCL) working together on a SEND school workforce contract. This will bring together schools, voluntary organisations and experts, to help schools deliver high-quality SEND. The contract is worth £3.4million over two years.

What's more, a £20million contract with the Council for Disabled Children, in partnership with Contact, was announced, with the aim of providing families and young people with SEND with impartial advice, support and information about the services and support on offer.

Lastly, a £3.8million contract with Contact, in partnership with KIDS and the Council for Disabled Children, was announced, with the aim of promoting and developing strategic participation by young people and parent carers.

Alongside these new contracts, the Department has developed new tools in partnership with nasen and Action for Children to create a job description and specification for Level 3 Early Years Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs).

Minister for Children and Families, Nadhim Zahawi said: "The new contracts we are announcing today, worth more than £25 million, will build on the progress we have seen over the last four years to make sure children, young people and their families have access to excellent support to help guide them through the new system.
We are also putting in place new measures to improve the SEND training available to school staff, including tools to develop the role of early years SEND coordinators – building on a commitment set out in our Early Years Workforce Strategy."