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All UK teachers will get SEND and inclusion training
Department for Education promises training for all
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By Peter Clark (Senior Editor, Autism Info Center) Thursday 22nd January 2026 |
The UK's Department for Education (DfE) has announced that every teacher and school staff member in England will receive training on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and inclusion.
Backed by a £200 million investment, this "landmark" programme aims to upskill the entire education workforce to ensure better support for neurodivergent pupils in mainstream settings.
The initiative introduces a new requirement in the SEND Code of Practice, expecting all staff in nurseries, schools, and colleges to undertake this training.
Historically, such expertise was often limited to specialists or SENCOs.
The new curriculum will focus on practical skills, such as understanding autism, ADHD, and speech and language needs.
For example, staff will be trained in adaptive teaching methods and the use of assistive technology like speech-to-text tools.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the move as essential to taking children "from forgotten to included".
This addresses long-standing concerns from the sector, where nearly half of teachers have reported lacking confidence in supporting people with complex needs.
Source: Tes Magazine (UK)
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/
Further reading, listening and viewing...
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