Nursery World Conference: Hear from experts on the proposed early years SEND reforms
‘SEND reforms in the early years: Effective inclusive practice’, will look at in more detail at the proposed SEND reforms outlined in the Government’s Schools White Paper which include introducing a new tiered approach to support and the creation of digital Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for all children with identified SEND.
The conference aims to help better prepare the sector for the introduction of the proposed reforms, which are expected to come into effect from September 2029, hearing from a member of the Department for Education’s SEND Development Group, Catherine Mole, who is also chief executive of Dingley’s Promise. She will look at what the tiered approach to support –‘Targeted, Targeted Plus and Specialist’ – means in practice and how fast-track specialist provision packages and Education, Health and Care Plans will continue to be used for those with the highest needs.
The Best Practice Network (BPN), who will be delivering accredited Early Years SENCO training on behalf of the Government as part of the SEND reforms, will also speak at the conference. Anne Watson, head of BPN’s EYSEN Programme, and Emma Lee, the Programme lead, will cover what knowledge, understanding and skills are needed by SENCOs and what training is available, including examples of universal inclusive best practice.
Other speakers at the conference include:
- Jane Harris, chief executive of Speech and Language UK on 'Speech, Language and SEND: What early years settings need to know'
- Early years consultant and former member of the Department for Education Inclusion in Education Expert Advisory Group, Julian Grenier on 'Reimagining Inclusive Education: what society do we want for our children?'
Delegates will also choose two out of six workshops to attend during the day, covering a range of areas including the importance of intentional and relational approaches, inclusive environments, positive affirming language and practical inclusive strategies.
The day will close with a debate on ‘The Reality of SEND Reform: Addressing opportunities and challenges’, with panellists – Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, parent Cristina Di Santo, Dr Sharon Smith, co-director of the Special Needs Jungle, Catherine Mole, chief executive of Dingley’s Promise and early years consultant Julian Grenier.
Nursery World is the UK's leading magazine and website for practitioners and decision-makers across the early years education and childcare sectors.
Local authority advisory teachers, private nursery managers, pre-school leaders and childminders are among more than 100,000 Nursery World readers who span private, voluntary, independent and maintained provision.
A monthly title serving the early education and childcare workforce, Nursery World combines unrivalled news coverage with in-depth reports and practical features, so enabling readers to keep pace with and respond to the frequent changes in government policy.
