The National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) welcomes the Government’s announcement of a £200 million investment to support SEND training for staff working across early years settings, schools and colleges. This commitment recognises the importance of equipping the wider workforce with the knowledge and confidence to support children and young people with SEND.
Parent carers often tell us how much difference skilled, informed and understanding staff can make to their child’s experience of education. Investment in training has the potential to support more consistent approaches, improve confidence among practitioners, and strengthen inclusive practice across settings.
To maximise the impact of this funding, it will be important that training is
high-quality, practical and supported over time. Education settings also need the capacity and wider support to embed learning into everyday practice, alongside access to specialist expertise where needed.
NNPCF believes that the involvement of parent carers and those with lived experience of SEND will be key to shaping effective training. Co-production and meaningful engagement can help ensure that learning reflects the realities of children’s lives and leads to positive outcomes.
This announcement is a welcome step forward. NNPCF looks forward to continuing to work constructively with the Department for Education and partners to support improvements that make a real difference for children and young people with SEND and their families.
Full DfE article here: £200 million landmark SEND teacher training programme – GOV.UK
