In this blog, you will learn:
About the £200 million investment in SEND Teacher training in the UK.
What the UK government hopes to achieve with the SEND Teacher training programme.
What teaching staff will learn in the programme and why it is important.
What the features of the teacher training packages are and how the training courses will be delivered.
How to find and apply for the best local authority SEND jobs.
According to the ITT Insights Survey, 65% of Initial Teacher Training providers are concerned about teachers’ readiness to support pupils with more complex needs. For parents of children with SEND, it’s crucial that educators understand how to adjust their teaching to support their children's needs in the classroom.
After consultations, the UK government has announced plans to provide SEND training for all educators. In the hopes of creating a more inclusive SEND system, the government has pledged a multi-million-pound SEND training package for teaching and support staff.
In this blog, we explain what the SEND Teacher training programme is, including who it will benefit, what teachers will learn, and how it will be delivered.
What is the SEND Teacher training programme?
As part of the Schools White Paper, released in February 2026, the UK government announced plans to invest in training staff across every school, college and nursery.
The Schools White Paper promises a new and improved SEND training entitlement, that ensures teaching and support staff can access high-quality professional development.
From September 2026, a new training package of over £200 million (over 3 years) will be available to all staff working across early years, schools and in post-16 settings nationwide.
All teaching staff will have access to training that enhances their role and builds their ability to recognise and support diverse needs. The programme will prepare educators to succeed in both mainstream and SEND settings and to create inclusive environments where every student can thrive.
The training is a key part of the government’s wider £3 billion plan to create 50,000 specialist places in mainstream schools by 2030 and strengthen the SEND system overall.
What does the UK government hope to achieve with the SEND Teacher training programme?
According to the Department for Education, 1 in 7 secondary school teachers lack confidence in identifying SEND, highlighting ongoing gaps in expertise. In response, the government has pledged £200 million to train and upskill teaching staff in SEND and inclusive practices, supporting its wider SEND reform commitments.
Investing in teacher training is the first step to reforming the SEND system and creating a high-performing, inclusive school system that supports every pupil. The training programme aims to address gaps in expertise by expanding specialist training and professional development for teaching staff.
The former 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.”
The programme aims to provide more consistent support to SEND pupils in local nurseries, schools and colleges. With specialist SEND training, mainstream education settings will be better equipped to educate children with SEND.
Tom Rees, Chair of the Expert Advisory Group on Inclusion said, “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.
The programme is designed to reassure parents that their children will get the support they need to succeed at their local school. It eases the stress of navigating SEND services and helps pupils thrive in their own community.
What will teaching staff learn in the SEND training courses?
Through the UK government’s SEND Teacher training programme, teaching staff will learn:
To adapt teaching to support a wide range of classroom needs, including visual impairments and speech or language needs.
To utilise tools and technology which can transform how children access education, such as assistive technology like speech-to-text dictation tools.
To work effectively with parents and restore confidence that their children will be supported throughout every stage of their education.
To build awareness and understanding of additional needs among all students, helping to create a more inclusive environment where every child feels valued and supported.
To ensure children feel safe, included and welcome in school.
Practical skills to provide targeted support for every student to reach their full potential.
How will be the programme and courses be delivered?
The training and courses will be delivered through:
Flexible teaching schedules.
Online self-study sessions.
In-person lessons.
Why is the SEND Teacher training programme important?
According to a YouGov survey of more than 1,000 teachers, only 1 in 10 believe the current SEND system works well, with 72% explicitly stating the system is not working. Providing teaching staff with SEND training is crucial and can be especially beneficial for children who find learning difficult and those with complex needs.
The training program’s support and expertise will be essential to strengthening children’s safety and confidence, helping boost attendance, achievement, and overall wellbeing. When staff have the knowledge and confidence to support students early and effectively, this can lead to positive outcomes.
Dr. Julian Grenier, CBE, Early Years Consultant, said, “Making inclusive practice the norm in early years is vital and this programme can help make that happen.”
The SEND Teacher training programme aims to address the skills gap by providing materials and SEND strategies for all teaching staff, regardless of experience, to build more inclusive classrooms.
If implemented well, this initiative can strengthen teachers’ confidence and skills over time. However, its success depends on ongoing support and access to expert guidance in schools.
What are the features of the teacher training package?
The teacher training programme will feature high-quality training materials developed alongside experts to provide the best possible support and training. These materials will be shared with every mainstream and SEND setting to enable in-house training for all staff on SEND and inclusion.
The training packages will also consist of a new Early Years CPD programme to provide free, accessible training focused on inclusive practice, child development and practical strategies for supporting children with SEND.
Local authority SEND recruitment specialists
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