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Registration, refreshments and exhibitor viewing
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Welcome and introduction
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OPENING KEYNOTE: The SEND and Alternative Provision reforms: what they mean for practitioners and families
Much-anticipated reforms to SEND provision are in the pipeline. The opening keynote will look at key developments – including the SEND and Alternative Provision Green Paper, the Department for Education’s SEND and AP Improvement Plan, and the new Area SEND Inspection Framework - to examine what they mean for children and young people, their families, providers and leaders.
The presentation will include:
• Update on the key political and policy drivers for change in relation to children and young people with SEND
• Overview of how the drivers for change might affect children and young people and their families
• Making commitment to change meaningful and relevant for your local area and the people it serves
• Action points for partners in the SEND change process to inform next steps
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Protecting children with disabilities and complex needs from harm in residential care settings
This presentation will reflect on key findings and recommendations from the national review into safeguarding children with disabilities and complex needs in residential settings. Phase 1 of the review looked at the abuse and harm to children living in three residential homes in Doncaster and Phase 2 of the review set out national recommendations to improve the safeguarding system.
The session will focus on:
• What systemic issues in the residential special school and care system have been uncovered?
• What needs to happen to ensure the voices of children with complex health needs and disabilities are listened to?
• What changes are needed to the roles of different professionals in keeping children with the most complex needs safe?
• What are the conditions for efficient and effective commissioning so that children with disabilities and complex health needs can access the very best support?
Speaker
Panel lead, Review into safeguarding children with disabilities and complex needs in residential settings
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Refreshments and exhibitor viewing
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Perspectives, needs and strengths of deaf young people transitioning to adulthood: Lessons from the READY study
The READY study (Recording Emerging Adulthood in Deaf Youth) is a groundbreaking research project that aims to better understand the barriers and opportunities deaf young people face as they transition to adult independence. The study gathers data on self-determination and wellbeing from deaf young people and charts the complex relationships between these outcomes and being deaf in the modern world.
Learn about the main findings and potential implications for policy and practice.
Speakers
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (choose 1A, 1B or 1C)
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Breakout 1A: Understanding and supporting children and young people with ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that may impact a person’s ability to regulate their emotions and affect attentional control. This session will explore how ADHD presents in children and young people.
Attend this session to:
• Learn more about ADHD and best practice in working with children and young people with the condition
• Understand the importance of movement and executive functioning skills
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Breakout 1B: Successful supported internship programmes: taking a partnership approach
Supported internship schemes are a key factor in ensuring young people with SEND move into employment. For programmes to be effective, genuine partnership working is needed between education providers, local authorities and employers.
Since 2021, London South East Colleges and The Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley have been leading a highly successful supported internship scheme in partnership with Bromley Council and Mencap. This has brought huge benefits to both the learners and the organisations involved.
This session will explore the reasons for the scheme’s success with key partners discussing their roles and sharing best practice.
Speakers
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Breakout 1C: Raising Rochdale case study: Transforming SEND systems by listening to families
With support from the Council for Disabled Children, Rochdale Council’s SEND team embarked on ambitious work to develop an integrated service for children and young people with SEND. It went on to create a multi-agency alliance to improve support and outcomes for the 8,000 children and young people in Rochdale with SEND.
Attend this session to:
• Learn from Rochdale’s award-winning SEND Alliance – how to create sustainable partnerships
• Explore emerging findings from the new What Works in SEND programme, which looks at systemic enablers and barriers to effective SEND systems
Speakers
Assistant Director for Integration and Health
Children’s Services, Rochdale Borough Council
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Lunch and exhibitor viewing
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AFTERNOON KEYNOTE: Supporting pupils with SEND through alternative provision
Under government plans for the future of SEND, alternative provision will form an integral part of local systems. Many children with SEND end up in Alternative Provision – often because their needs have not been properly identified or met in mainstream schools.
The presentation will include:
• the role AP plays in supporting children with SEND, including highlighting best practice
• missed opportunities for early intervention
• patterns of attendance and coerced moves off roll for pupils with SEND
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (choose 2A, 2B or 2C)
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Breakout 2A: Grassroots support for refugee and Black and minority ethnic children with SEND
The Education & Skills Development Group is a charity working with disadvantaged communities in West London including asylum seekers and refugees. Its Special Education Needs and Disability project aims to bridge the gap between families, schools and local authorities to ensure children with SEND get the support they need.
Attend this session to:
• Find out more about the specific challenges facing young refugees with SEND
• Get practical tips on engaging and working with families with refugee status
• Learn how to build relationships between key partners
Speakers
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Breakout 2B: Self-regulation difficulties in the early years: working in partnership with children and parents
Self-regulation starts when children are babies and develops most in the early years. This session will provide an overview of self-regulation, what it means and some of the key factors that affect a child’s capacity to self-regulate.
Attend this session to:
• Understand how to effectively support and work in partnership with children and their parents/carers to promote the development of self-regulation skills
• Gain a range of practical tips and advice to enable you to implement strategies to ensure best practice within your own setting
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Breakout 2C: Embracing Difference, Ending Bullying programme: Promoting Inclusion in Schools
Research shows children and young people with SEND are more likely to be bullied at school. LGBTQ+ education charity Diversity Role Models was selected by the Department for Education to deliver a programme to empower schools to take a stance against all types of bullying.
Attend this session to:
• Understand more about the prevalence of bullying in schools from our research and how it affects different groups including children with SEND
• Find out about the Embracing Difference, Ending Bullying programme; plus the lessons learned and its progress and impact from working with more than 200 schools
• Learn more about the power of storytelling and its role in developing empathy
• Gain practical tips and best practice guidance to prevent and tackle bullying in your setting
Speakers
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Refreshments and exhibitor viewing
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THE BIG DEBATE: Transition to adult services: how do we make it easier for young people and families?
The transition from children’s to adult services can feel like a leap in the dark for young people with SEND and their families. Moving on from familiar services and professionals is daunting and many families find themselves facing fresh battles to secure the right support. This debate will explore some of the challenges and solutions. What can professionals who work with children and young people, commissioners and policy makers do to ensure young people and families have the information and help they need?
Speakers
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Sum-up and close of conference