News

Keep up to date with all of the latest news, headlines and features from across the SEND sector.

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News listing

Turn Everyday Technology into Inclusive Teaching

May 2026

nasen and Concero have partnered to deliver exclusive accessibility training for school staff, helping you make the most of the tools already available in your school.

New free course from Words Matter helps improve positive communication with children

June 2026

Words Matter, the charity working to end childhood verbal abuse, has launched a free, first-of-its-kind online course to help parents, carers, educators & adults communicate with children in ways that support their mental health & wellbeing.
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More details released around ‘Experts at Hand’ promised in the SEND reform

June 2026

The DfE have announced that learners with SEND will get specialist support without needing a diagnosis, as the government begins rolling out a new Experts at Hand service.

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Updated tools and support for improving attendance

June 2026

The DfE have produced a new package of resources to help settings improve school attendance.

Internet Matters launches new research today highlighting heightened online risks for children with additional needs

June 2026

Internet Matters has today launched its Every Child Safe Online: Additional Needs Research, highlighting that children with additional needs continue to face significantly higher levels of harm online.

DfE releases new guidance on suspension and permanent exclusion

June 2026

The updated July 2026 Department for Education guidance on suspension and permanent exclusion is now available.

The Big Future Survey- engaging young people in shaping education and society

June 2026

The Children’s Commissioner for England has launched The Big Future survey to capture the views of children and young people across the country.



Education Endowment Foundation publishes new evidence on improving school attendance

May 2026

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), in partnership with the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF), has published four new evaluation reports examining approaches to improving attendance and reducing persistent absence in schools.

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Changes to eligibility for FSM for the 2026 to 2027 academic year

May 2026

From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit attending maintained schools, academies and free schools will be entitled to receive a free meal.

nasen LIVE 2026 agenda now available

May 2026

The full agenda for nasen LIVE 2026 is now available, showcasing a packed day of seminars, panels and sector-led discussion for everyone working to support children and young people with SEND.

nasen briefing: NFER research on SEND pressures in mainstream schools

May 2026

The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) has published its latest report: “High-SEND schools: Patterns and pressures in mainstream provision.”

‘Get Set Progress Internship’ applications for blind and partially sighted job seekers opening soon

May 2026

The Thomas Pocklington Trust are opening applications for the 2026/27 Get Set Progress Internship this summer. Ahead of this, they have a webinar to support blind or partially sighted job seekers to feel confident about programme and applying.

New report explores why pupils with SEND are clustered in certain schools

May 2026

Increasing proportions of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities are becoming concentrated in a small number of mainstream schools in England, placing pressure on those schools & raising questions about fairness across system.
SEND Reform Consultation Formal Response by Whole School SEND hosted by nasen

Putting children at the heart of SEND reform - Whole School SEND response to the 2026 consultation

May 2026

Whole School SEND (WSS), hosted by nasen has submitted its formal response to the Department for Education’s SEND Reform Consultation, Putting Children and Young People First.

Jake running TCS London Marathon 2026 on behalf of nasen

Jake completes the London Marathon for nasen

May 20206

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Jake, who recently completed the London Marathon in support of nasen.

Artificial Intelligence guidance for schools updated

May 2026

On 19 May, the DfE updated guidance to help schools and colleges use AI safely and effectively, balancing innovation with safeguarding. The refreshed materials, first launched in 2025, support all staff from teachers to senior leaders.
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Rising suspensions and steady exclusion rates: what the latest data means for schools

May 2026

The latest DfE statistics on suspensions & permanent exclusions, spring term 2024/25, highlight continued pressures on the system.

Free Training for Early Years and Primary Staff from Down Syndrome UK

May 2026

Down Syndrome UK, a parent-led charity, working to support and raise expectations for individuals with Down Syndrome, have two webinars that are free for educational professionals in primary and early years settings.

Free mental health and wellbeing programme to support autistic pupils in secondary schools

May 2026

In this Mental Health Awareness Week, Ambitious about Autism are highlighting their free toolkit and programme, ‘Autistic and OK’.

New report highlights SEND as the leading barrier to future learning

May 2026

The Pearson School & College Report 2026 highlights growing pressures and priorities around special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across schools and colleges.