UK government sets SEND training requirement for all staff with £200m rollout
The Department for Education has confirmed £200 million for a national SEND and inclusion training offer, alongside a new expectation in the SEND Code of Practice that all staff across nurseries, schools, and colleges receive training.
The UK government has announced a £200 million training program focused on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and inclusion across England, alongside a new expectation that staff working in nurseries, schools, and colleges receive training.
Published by the Department for Education (DfE), the package applies to the English education system and follows feedback from parents gathered through the government’s national conversation on SEND. The move forms part of a wider reform agenda aimed at addressing long-standing gaps in confidence and consistency across the workforce.
SEND training becomes a national expectation across England
A central change is the introduction of a new expectation in the SEND Code of Practice that all staff across early years settings, schools, and colleges in England receive training on SEND and inclusion. The DfE said training has been inconsistent, with almost half of primary and secondary teachers reporting that additional support would improve their confidence in meeting the needs of students with SEND.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says: “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.
“This is a key part of our mission to reform the SEND system so that schools can take children from forgotten to included and give parents the confidence that the right support will be there at every stage of their child’s education.”
Training focuses on classroom adaptation and assistive technology
According to the DfE, the funded training program will deepen staff knowledge of how to adapt teaching for a wider range of needs, including visual impairments and speech and language needs. The program will also cover the use of assistive technology, such as speech-to-text dictation tools, and approaches that build awareness of additional needs across classrooms.
Delivery is expected to begin next year and will combine online self-study with live, in-person sessions, reflecting the workload pressures across the education workforce.
The package also includes:
training materials developed with experts for schools and colleges to use for in-house SEND and inclusion training
additional training for teaching assistants, to be developed with the sector
a new early years continuing professional development program focused on inclusive practice, child development, and practical strategies for supporting children with SEND, available to early years practitioners in England
Further education sector flags workforce impact
The DfE said the training rollout will extend across early years, schools, and colleges, with further education identified as a key part of the workforce strategy.
David Hughes, Chief Executive at the Association of Colleges, says: “This is a positive investment to support the training on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) for staff in early years, schools and colleges. Colleges across the country do a wonderful job in supporting students with a vast range of abilities to participate and succeed on academic and vocational courses.
“Colleges are highly inclusive and this substantial investment should help them to build on the brilliant work that they do. The timescale is realistic, and will allow the DfE to engage with colleges to make sure that the training offer fits the distinct needs of college students, and the lecturers and support staff who work with them.”
ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.
