New £200m programme to train every teacher in SEND

The government aims to ensure that more children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can thrive in their local nursery, school or college. It is launching what it believes is the most ambitious and comprehensive SEND training offer ever delivered in England.

Responding to feedback from parents through the national conversation on SEND, the government is striving to provide classrooms with teachers who feel confident supporting a wide range of needs. For too long, SEND training has been inconsistent. Almost half of teachers say they need more support to feel confident meeting pupils’ needs. The reforms aim to give parents renewed confidence that their child can achieve and flourish in their local school.

The government is backing this initiative with £200 million, offering new training for all teaching staff. It believes this will deepen understanding of how to adapt classroom practice for a broad spectrum of needs. This includes visual impairments and speech, language and communication needs. Teachers will also learn how assistive technologies, such as speech‑to‑text tools, can transform access to learning.

A strengthened expectation in the SEND Code of Practice will confirm that every member of staff in every nursery, school and college should receive training on SEND and inclusion.

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.

“This is a key part of our mission to reform the SEND system so that schools can take children from forgotten to included.”

School leaders welcomed the investment but stressed the need for wider reform.

Responding to the announcement, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“Given the increasing complexity of need schools are seeing, it is only right that teachers and support staff are given high-quality training in this area.

“However, training alone will not be enough – it must be part of a comprehensive package of reform and investment.

“Investment under the previous government failed to keep up with increased demand, leaving families at the mercy of a messy local authority postcode lottery – made worse by shortages of specialists like educational psychologists and speech and language therapists in some areas. It is vital that the government rebuilds the supports services that have been decimated under previous administrations.

“It is crucial all these things are addressed by the government’s long awaited SEND reforms.”

Natalie Walsh, executive principal of SENDSCOPE, said:

“The ambition behind this SEND training offer is welcome, but its impact will rest on how thoughtfully it is designed, delivered, and sustained over time. Training must be led by experts and practitioners with deep, current experience of working with children and young people with SEND.

“To be effective, it needs to be practical, evidence informed and closely embedded in everyday classroom practice, rather than existing as a one-off or purely theoretical exercise. Models that draw on professionals who remain on the frontline, and that emphasise deliberate practice, inclusion and meaningful adaptation, are more likely to build genuine confidence and competence among staff.

“At its core, high-quality SEND provision is rooted in high-quality teaching. What benefits pupils with SEND ultimately strengthens learning for all, and this principle should sit firmly at the heart of any national training offer.”

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.

“It is particularly positive that this training will reach the whole workforce, including teaching assistants and support staff.”

Cathie Paine, CEO of REAch2, said:

“Great teaching is only great teaching if it works for every pupil.”

National investment “gives us the chance to turn inclusive practice from an aspiration into a lived reality.”

David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, said:

“Colleges are highly inclusive and this substantial investment should help them to build on the brilliant work that they do.”

Hilary Spencer, CEO of Ambition Institute, said:

“Supporting teachers and leaders to develop their skills and knowledge more consistently will be really important in enabling our education system to be even more inclusive.”

Bill Watkin, SFCA Chief Executive, said:

“Sixth Form Colleges welcome the government’s recognition of the need for additional support and funding.

“College teachers play a vital role in meeting the diverse needs of SEND students.”

The package forms a central pillar of the government’s SEND reforms, spanning early years through to age 25. The government aims to ensure every child feels safe, supported and able to succeed.