CPD & Training for School Staff
Strengthen your school's capacity to support children with SEND through high-quality, practical professional development delivered by experienced specialists.
Why Professional Development in SEND Matters
The quality of SEND provision in any school depends fundamentally on the knowledge, skills, and confidence of the staff who deliver it. The Teachers' Standards are clear that all teachers must adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils, and that teachers must have a clear understanding of the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Despite this expectation, many teachers report that they received limited training on SEND during their initial teacher education and that they would welcome more opportunities to develop their understanding. Research consistently shows that effective CPD can have a significant impact on the quality of teaching and, consequently, on the outcomes for children with SEND.
For teaching assistants and other support staff, professional development is equally important. These staff often work most closely with children who have the most complex needs, and ensuring that they are well-trained and effectively deployed is a key factor in the quality of SEND provision.
School leaders, including SENCOs, have a responsibility to identify and address gaps in staff knowledge and to create a culture where continuous professional learning is valued and supported. The Early Career Framework (ECF) now provides a structured programme of development for newly qualified teachers, but ongoing CPD throughout a teacher's career remains essential.
Areas of SEND Training for Schools
SEND covers a broad spectrum of needs, and schools may find it helpful to identify specific areas where staff would benefit from additional training. Common areas of focus include autism spectrum conditions, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties, sensory processing differences, social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, and physical and medical needs.
Beyond condition-specific knowledge, there are also broader areas of practice where CPD can make a real difference. These include the graduated approach and how to implement it effectively, writing and reviewing high-quality SEN Support plans, working with parents and carers as partners, understanding and using assessment data to inform provision, creating sensory-friendly and communication-friendly classrooms, and de-escalation and positive behaviour strategies.
Many schools find that a combination of whole-staff training and more targeted sessions for specific groups of staff works well. For example, whole-staff sessions on autism awareness can help to build a shared understanding across the school, while more in-depth training for SENCOs and specialist teaching assistants might focus on assessment tools, intervention programmes, or specific therapeutic approaches.
The best CPD tends to be practical, evidence-based, and directly relevant to the challenges that staff face in their own classrooms and roles.
The Early Career Framework and Ongoing Development
The Early Career Framework (ECF), introduced by the DfE, provides a structured programme of support and professional development for teachers in the first two years of their career. The ECF includes specific content on adaptive teaching and meeting the needs of diverse learners, which is directly relevant to SEND.
While the ECF represents an important step forward in ensuring that new teachers are better prepared, it is widely recognised that two years of structured development is not sufficient to cover the full breadth and depth of knowledge needed to support all children with SEND effectively. Ongoing CPD throughout a teacher's career is essential, and schools play a key role in providing and facilitating access to this development.
For SENCOs, the National Award for SEN Coordination provides a foundation of specialist knowledge, but the landscape of SEND is constantly evolving. New research, updated guidance, and changes to local and national policy mean that SENCOs need to stay current and connected with the wider professional community.
Many local authorities offer SENCO networks, specialist teaching services, and training programmes that schools can access. National organisations such as nasen (the National Association for Special Educational Needs) also provide a range of resources and training opportunities. ChildWize offers an additional route to specialist-led CPD that can be tailored to the specific needs of a school.
How ChildWize Delivers CPD for Schools
ChildWize offers a range of CPD and training options designed specifically for school staff. Our group sessions are delivered by experienced specialists, including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists, and behaviour consultants, who bring both clinical expertise and an understanding of the realities of working in schools.
Sessions can be delivered online, making them easy to fit around the school day, and can be tailored to the specific needs and context of the school. Popular topics include autism awareness and strategies for the classroom, supporting children with sensory processing differences, creating communication-friendly learning environments, trauma-informed approaches to behaviour, effective use of the graduated approach, and working with parents as partners in SEND support.
In addition to group CPD sessions, ChildWize allows schools to book one-to-one consultations with specialists. These can be used for case-specific advice, where a specialist provides guidance on supporting a particular child, or for coaching-style sessions where a teacher or SENCO can discuss their practice and develop their skills with the support of an expert.
ChildWize group sessions are designed to be interactive, practical, and directly applicable. Participants receive follow-up materials and resources that they can use in their own settings, helping to ensure that the learning translates into improved practice.
Key Takeaways for School Leaders
Investing in high-quality CPD for school staff is one of the most effective ways to improve the quality of SEND provision. When teachers and support staff feel confident and well-equipped to meet the needs of children with SEND, the impact is felt across the whole school community.
It may be worth considering your school's current CPD offer in relation to SEND. Are there areas where staff knowledge could be strengthened? Is there a balance between whole-staff awareness-raising and more specialist, targeted training? Are newly qualified teachers and early career teachers being supported to develop their understanding of SEND?
Building CPD into the school's regular professional development cycle, rather than treating it as a one-off event, tends to produce more sustained impact. Ongoing reflection, peer learning, and access to specialist advice can all contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
ChildWize is here to support schools with flexible, specialist-led CPD that can be tailored to your needs. Whether you are looking for a whole-staff session, a targeted workshop, or individual specialist consultations, we can help you find the right professional development for your team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What SEND training should all teachers receive?
All teachers benefit from a working knowledge of common SEND needs, inclusive teaching strategies, the graduated approach, and how to work with the SENCO and external specialists. The Teachers' Standards require all teachers to adapt their teaching to respond to the needs of all pupils, including those with SEND.
Can ChildWize deliver CPD sessions for whole school staff?
Yes. ChildWize offers group CPD sessions that can be delivered to whole staff teams or specific groups such as teaching assistants, SENCOs, or newly qualified teachers. Sessions are delivered online by experienced specialists and can be tailored to your school's context.
What is the National Award for SEN Coordination?
The National Award for SEN Coordination is a postgraduate-level qualification that SENCOs in maintained schools must hold or be working towards within three years of appointment. It covers areas such as leadership, the legal framework for SEND, and strategies for supporting children with a wide range of needs.
How can schools identify CPD priorities for SEND?
Schools may find it helpful to audit staff confidence and knowledge through surveys or self-assessment tools, review the SEND profile of the school to identify common areas of need, and consider feedback from lesson observations, parent surveys, and external reviews such as Ofsted inspections.
Are ChildWize CPD sessions suitable for teaching assistants?
Absolutely. Many of our CPD sessions are designed to be accessible and relevant to all school staff, including teaching assistants, learning mentors, and pastoral staff. Sessions can also be tailored specifically for support staff roles if preferred.
Related School Resources
SENCO Resources & Support
Practical tools, guidance, and specialist connections to help SENCOs champion inclusive practice and meet every child's needs.
Supporting SEND in the Classroom
Practical, evidence-based strategies for classroom teachers to create an inclusive learning environment where every child can make progress.
Multi-Agency Working for Children's Needs
Bringing together schools, health professionals, social care, and families to provide joined-up support for children with complex or overlapping needs.
Related Services
Educational & SEND Support
Navigating the SEND system can feel overwhelming. Our specialists are here to guide you through the process and make sure your child gets the support they are entitled to.
Behavioural Support
If your child's behaviour is causing concern at home or school, our specialists can help you understand what is driving it and find positive strategies that work.
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Social Communication Disorder
When a child finds it difficult to use language appropriately in social situations, everyday interactions can become a source of confusion and frustration. ChildWize connects you with specialists who can help.
Ready to Connect with a Specialist?
Whether you are a parent, teacher, or SENCO, ChildWize can help you find the right specialist support. Create a free account to browse our directory and book a session that fits your schedule.