OnDemand: The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Conference 2026
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You can watch all the insights, key sessions, and expert discussions from The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Conference 2026 by purchasing our OnDemand Event. Access full recordings of every session, including presentations from leading industry speakers, and watch at your own pace.
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2026 Strategic Partner
2026 Overview
Following the Government’s recently announced SEND reforms and Schools White Paper, this conference provides a timely and comprehensive deep dive into the future of SEND provision across education. Explore what the shift towards earlier intervention, strengthened mainstream inclusion, and new Individual Support Plans (ISPs) means in practice, alongside the changing role of EHCPs reserved for children with the most complex needs within a reformed national framework.
Navigate emerging national inclusion standards, new expectations for schools to meet a wider range of needs without escalation to statutory plans, and the workforce development priorities required to deliver specialist SEND support in every setting. This conference will empower you to implement inclusive teaching practices, foster a school-wide culture of belonging, and leverage assistive technology and AI to support every learner.
Join us to examine the implications of targeted and specialist provision pathways, strategic financial planning under the new funding model, and strengthen multi-agency collaboration, and learn how genuine co-production with parents and carers can drive better outcomes for all children.
Designed for schools, trusts and local authorities, this event will support leaders and practitioners to understand and respond confidently to a rapidly evolving national framework. Secure your place today and join a community committed to creating a more equitable and inclusive future for every child.
2026 Supporters Included
2026 Agenda
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Professor Dame Sonia Blandford, Emeritus Professor of Social Mobility, Plymouth Marjon University
Case Study: Exploring Practical Whole-school Strategies to Creating Truly Inclusive School Environments
Thomas Keaney, CEO and Founder, The Complete Education Solution (TCES) Group
Key Supporter Session
Support Maths Teaching and Learning: Develop Conceptual Understanding and Fluency with Dreambox Maths
- DreamBox Maths builds confidence – especially for anxious or lower-attaining pupils. The hyper-adaptive online maths development programme is effective for disadvantaged, SEND and EAL learners due to the scaffolded instruction, visual modelling and personalised pacing
- Digital manipulatives – Reveals mathematical structures and addresses misconceptions
- Hyper-personalisation – Adjusts each student’s journeys based on how they solve problems, not just whether answers are right or wrong
- Comprehensive reporting – Progress tracking and identifies gaps back to KS1, helping to close them automatically
- Fluency building – Develops fluency based on true understanding, rather than simply memorisation
Jonny Bennett, Director of Business Development at Daisy Education, provider of DreamBox Maths, Daisy Education
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Case Study: Developing a Skilled SEND Force
- Implementing strategies to build a whole-school culture of shared responsibility for SEND provision
- Exploring what effective professional development looks like for your workforce, from initial training to ongoing career-long learning and investing in targeted high quality professional development
- Identifying your ideal staffing model to support pupils with SEND and multiple vulnerabilities
- Understanding the specific training needs of your workforce to build confidence and competence, and improve staff retention
Anna Heaton, Executive Principal and Trust Lead for Secondary SEND and Inclusion, Delta Academies Trust
Case Study: Navigating the EHCP Process: Best Practice for Timely and Effective Plans
- The EHCP journey: understanding the complete EHCP process, from initial needs assessment to annual review
- Identifying and avoiding common pitfalls that can cause delays and legal challenges
- Applying best practices for writing person-centred and legally compliant EHCPs
- Developing strategies to improve the timeliness and consistency of EHCPs
Alex Stafford, Senior Solicitor, IPSEA
The Power of Co-Production: Working Effectively with Parents and Carers
- Examining the challenges in transitioning to Adult Services over the last ten years, and how the Chailey Heritage Foundation has adapted to, and performed against them
- Understanding the legal and ethical requirements for parental involvement in SEND provision and the practical approaches for working effectively with parents and carers
- Establishing methods to ensure the child’s voice are central to all decisions-making, and a look into the Foundation’s priorities moving forward
Paula Marten, Assistant Headteacher, Chailey Heritage Foundation
Questions and Answers
Lunch Break
Case Study: How Can Professional Learning Foster An Inclusive Culture Across A School Or Trust?
This session will provide an introduction to the National Institute of Teaching’s new free evidence toolkit that provides access to the global systematic evidence on teacher training and development. Learn about what makes effective ‘inclusive professional development’ where not only knowledge and skills are built but also importantly staff beliefs and attitudes are addressed, encouraging reflection on difference, equity, and participation.
Nicola Arkinstall, Senior Research Fellow, National Institute of Teaching
Case Study: Effectively supporting SEND Parents
- Paying attention to trauma
- Supporting parents and careers through a diagnosis
- Supporting parents and careers with support
Chrissa Wadlow, Founder, Sunshine Support
Case Study: Raising Expectations: Re-Imagining What Children With Down Syndrome (and Other SEND) Can Achieve
Nicola Enoch, CEO, Down Syndrome UK | Positive About Down Syndrome
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Professor Dame Sonia Blandford, Emeritus Professor of Social Mobility, Plymouth Marjon University
Conference Close
Pricing Options
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2026 Speakers
Nicola Arkinstall
Senior Research Fellow
National Institute of Teaching
Thomas Keaney
CEO and Founder
The Complete Education Solution (TCES) Group
Anna Heaton
Executive Principal and Trust Lead for Secondary SEND and Inclusion
Delta Academies Trust
Nicola Enoch
CEO
Down Syndrome UK, Positive About Down Syndrome
Professor Dame Sonia Blandford
Emeritus Professor of Social Mobility
Plymouth Marjon University
Paula Marten
Assistant Headteacher
Chailey Heritage Foundation
Chrissa Wadlow
Founder
Sunshine Support
Alex Stafford
Senior Solicitor
IPSEA
Testimonials
Excellent and up to date training that recognises the challenges to achieving positive outcomes for all children.
Very good conference with opportunity to hear from a variety of speakers with a wealth of expertise and opportunity to access resources for school.
I find this conference extremely useful in staying up to date and also hearing about what is happening in other areas of SEND.
Excellent event, insightful and thought provoking to inform future planning and best practice.
Amazing Event! We will be using this learning throughout our Kumon Centres up and down the country.
The conference was a fantastic opportunity to hear from those in our sector that are fighting for the needed change. We can feel isolated in our roles and feel that we are fighting a battle for these children that no one is listening to. This event left me with a renewed faith that there are people out there, in all areas of the SEND world, who are pushing forwards for change.
