Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) Training

Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) Training – Online Course

Course overview
This online course introduces Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and explores how professionals can support children and young people with additional learning needs. It covers inclusive practice, different types of SEND, reasonable adjustments, Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans, sensory needs, positive behaviour support and safeguarding responsibilities. Learners will develop an understanding of how to identify support needs, reduce barriers to learning and work collaboratively with families and relevant professionals. The course takes approximately one hour to complete and is CPD accredited.

Please note: This course provides introductory knowledge of SEND awareness and support. It does not replace any practical, regulated or role-specific training an employer may require.

What the course covers
• Understanding Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
• Different types of SEND and available support services
• Support for children under five and children aged five to fifteen
• Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans and personal budgets
• Independent support, guidance and professional responsibilities
• Relevant legislation and responsibilities relating to SEND
• Barriers to learning and reasonable adjustments
• The emotional impact of SEND on relationships and belonging
• Sensory needs, sensory processing and appropriate support
• Language, communication and behaviour
• Supporting successful transitions
• The graduated approach to identifying and meeting needs
• Gathering information and recognising potential additional needs
• Additional specialist support and the role of specialist teachers
• The Engagement Model
• Understanding challenging behaviour and its possible causes
• Positive behaviour support plans and their implementation
• Safeguarding and protection
• The role of local safeguarding children boards

Who is it for?
This course is suitable for professionals who support children and young people in education, early years, healthcare and social care settings. It may be particularly useful for:
• Teachers and teaching assistants
• Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs)
• Nursery practitioners and childminders
• School support staff and learning support professionals
• Youth workers and family support workers
• Healthcare professionals and therapists
• Social workers
• Foster carers and residential childcare staff
• Professionals involved in early intervention and additional needs support
• Organisations providing induction, refresher training or continuing professional development

Practical benefits
• Develop an understanding of different types of SEND and the support available
• Explore ways to promote inclusive learning and participation
• Understand the purpose of EHC Plans and the graduated approach
• Recognise barriers to learning and consider appropriate reasonable adjustments
• Understand how sensory needs may affect children’s experiences
• Explore positive behaviour support strategies for challenging situations
• Recognise the importance of safeguarding and professional responsibilities
• Improve understanding of collaborative working with families and specialist services
• Support more consistent and person-centred approaches to children’s needs
• Gain a CPD-accredited digital certificate following successful completion of the assessment

What learners will be able to do
• Explain the core principles and terminology associated with SEND
• Recognise the importance of SEND awareness in everyday practice
• Identify different types of additional needs and relevant support options
• Understand individual responsibilities and professional role boundaries
• Recognise potential barriers to learning and the purpose of reasonable adjustments
• Explain the role of EHC Plans and the graduated approach
• Identify ways to support sensory needs and positive behaviour
• Understand the importance of safeguarding and appropriate action when concerns arise
• Communicate effectively with families, colleagues and relevant professionals
• Recognise when additional advice, specialist support, reporting or escalation may be needed
• Apply appropriate good-practice principles to help create inclusive environments

Is this training a legal requirement?
The supplied course information states that there is no single UK law requiring every employee to complete SEND training. However, organisations supporting children and young people have responsibilities under the Children and Families Act 2014, the Equality Act 2010 and the SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years. These frameworks relate to identifying and meeting needs, preventing discrimination and providing appropriate support. SEND training can help staff understand these responsibilities and contribute to inclusive practice. Employers should determine the training needed for their staff according to their roles and organisational requirements.

Assessment and certificate
The course is assessed through an online multiple-choice test. After successfully completing the assessment, learners can download their CPD-accredited digital certificate immediately. The course is delivered online, takes approximately one hour to complete and can be studied at the learner’s own pace using a suitable device.