Specialist Spotlight: Supporting Learners with Social Communication Needs (Cross phase)
- Online
- 16 Nov 2026 (15:30 - 16:30)
This spotlight session is aimed at teachers, support staff, SENDCos and inclusion leaders. It explores the role of oral language as the foundation for learning, enabling pupils to access the wider curriculum and supporting their social and emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and peer relationships. Participants will develop an understanding of typical and atypical language development, recognise early signs that a pupil may require additional support, as well as understand the importance of early identification, evidenced-based, targeted intervention, and progress monitoring.
The session will discuss practical strategies to support communication and language in the classroom, create inclusive learning environments, and meet children's needs in line with the proposed SEND reforms. It will also explore effective partnerships with parents and caregivers. The session will include practical activities and opportunities for reflection.
Due to the interactive nature of these sessions, recordings will not be made available after the event.
Online
Suitable for: SENCO, Teacher, Support staff, Senior Leader
Meet your trainer
Dr Ashley Blake
Ashley's role as Senior Partnerships Manager at OxEd focuses on building partnerships that support the wider adoption of evidence-based approaches to oral language assessment and intervention. Ashley has experience supporting children in mainstream primary schools with SEND, and holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham, where she investigated the relationship between cognition and language in children and adults with Developmental Language Disorder.
