The SEND Conference
Salford Professional Development is proud to bring you The SEND Conference.
This event will bring together sector leaders, professionals, and parents to reflect on the current system and explore meaningful changes that can positively impact the young people at the heart of this discussion.
Over the past year, the number of young people assessed as having SEND has risen significantly. According to recent data from the Department for Education, approximately 1.6 million school pupils in England have SEND. This includes 1.2 million receiving support without an EHC Plan (14% of all pupils) and over 400,000 with an EHC Plan—an increase of 12% from last year.
Through insightful discussions, engaging presentations, and valuable networking opportunities, this conference aims to equip delegates with key knowledge and strategies to build and sustain a thriving SEND provision.
At a glance
Learning Outcomes
- What is an RARPA Framework? How finding an alternative way of assessing learners away from the traditional framework.
- Enhancing your SEND Provision
- Tackling Challenging behaviour, what do we need to do to support staff dealing with the day-to-day issues in the classroom
- Funding, what is available and how to access it
- Transitions, how change effects behaviour and supporting that change from the start, including supporting the move from mainstream to a SEND focused provision.
- Autism, Information, advice and Diagnosis
- EHCP; Supporting the creation and implementation of EHCP’s in the day to day running for the school.
Who Should Attend?
Headteacher, Deputy heads, Careers advisors, Safeguarding officers, Teachers, Equalities Officers, Learning Mentors, Online tutors, Teaching Assistants, Youth Workers.
Agenda 2025
08:30
Registration, Refreshments, Exhibition and Networking
09:30
Opening Remarks from the Chair
09:40
Extended Keynote Session: How We Got to Here: The Origins of 150 Years of Assembly-Line Factory Education
- Creating a sense of belonging
- From sorting and ranking to personal bests
- Embracing human variation and neurodiversity in schools
10:10
Smartbox Assistive Technology
Session Title: Working Towards a Communication-Friendly School
- Explore how schools can work towards becoming communication-friendly by embedding a range of strategies and tools across the whole environment.
- Learn from real classroom examples where students who use AAC are supported to take part, connect, and thrive alongside their peers.
10:40
Session Title: Inclusive Leadership
- Improving outcomes for children and their families.
11:00
Refreshments, Exhibition and Networking
11:30
Session Title: Becoming a Trauma Informed School
- Through supporting children who have experienced trauma with their trauma we can create a caring school environment where all children can thrive.
12:00
Session Title: A Parent's Story
- Navigating the SEND education system as a parent, including the challenging battle for support, the complex processes involved, and the personal impact it has on families.
12:30
Session Title: Communication Gaps and the Importance of Sign Language
- Understanding Hearing Loss
- The Importance of Communication
- Benefits of Teaching Sign Language
- Myths and Misconceptions
- Teaching Strategies
13:00
Lunch, Exhibition and Networking
14:00
Afternoon Keynote: Alternative Provision
What’s the alternative: Applying a high quality, innovative, ambitious alternative provision to meet the needs of our most vulnerable students
- Alternative provision as a social justice
- Alternative provision as an adaptive curriculum innovation
- Alternative provision as an idea, not just a destination or intervention
14:30
Panel Discussion: Tackling Challenging Behaviour
- What steps are being taken to support teachers with Challenging behaviours
- Support mechanisms for you as educators in challenging situations
Speakers:
- Jessica MacRae, AT Specialist
- Sherann Hilman MBE, National Lead for Children and Families, Head of Family Services
- Lorenza Pye, Founder, Eliza says
- Stephen Steinhaus, CEO, Solihull Alternative Provision Multi Academy Trust
- Vanessa Jenkins, Senior TISUK Trainer
- Joanne Spurgeon, Representative, British Association for Supported Employment (BASE)
- Melanie Appleyard
15:00
Refreshments, Exhibition and Networking
15:30
Session Title: The Benefits of Emotional Wellbeing for Children and Adults
Discover how emotional wellbeing shapes the future of children and supports the resilience of adults. This talk explores:
- How early emotional support leads to better life outcomes for children.
- Practical tools to understand and manage behaviour.
- The power of relationships, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
- Why staff wellbeing matters—improving motivation, health, and job satisfaction.
- What individuals and school leaders can do to foster a healthy, balanced environment.
16:00
Session Title: Transitions
- When Should Schools Begin the transitions process
- What does life after school look like
- Support for pupils leaving full time education
16:30
Closing Remarks from the Chair
Director of Pedagogy and Professional Development, Educational Author, Educational Consultant, Director of Professional Development
16:40
Close of Conference
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