Keep up to date with all of the latest news, headlines and features from across the SEND sector.
July 2026 A new guide from Live Music Now highlights the important role that music can play in supporting autistic pupils in autism resource bases (ARBs) and offers practical, evidence-informed strategies for education professionals.
July 2026 The Children’s Commissioner for England is inviting children and young people to share their views through “The Big Future,” the largest survey of its kind on childhood experiences, aspirations and concerns.
July 2026 Early years providers in England will need to prepare for a series of important changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, with updated guidance coming into force on 1 September 2026.
July 2026 Education professionals are being encouraged to contribute to a government call for evidence that will help shape a new cross-government mental health strategy for England.
July 2026 A major independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism has highlighted growing psychological distress among young people and raised important questions about how support is provided across education, health & public services.
July 2026 Ambitious about Autism has launched a new series of autism and employment guides designed to help autistic young people build confidence, understand their rights, and successfully navigate the workplace
July 2026 A free resource developed by the University of Cambridge, is offering education professionals practical support to strengthen inclusion and belonging across mainstream schools.
July 2026 The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a consultation on plans to change how funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is distributed in mainstream schools in England.
July 2026 Schools and colleges should focus on carefully planned adaptations and targeted support rather than lowering expectations for learners with additional needs, according to new guidance from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF).
July 2026 Schools and colleges are being urged to play an even bigger role in supporting children’s mental health after a report revealed that more than one million young people were referred to mental health services in England during 2024-25.
July 2026 The guidance sets out expectations for how schools can better meet the needs of pupils who require additional support, while ensuring they remain connected to mainstream education wherever possible.
June 2026 The Excellence in Reception Teaching Framework highlights the essential knowledge and practice that early years professionals need to deliver strong outcomes for all children.
June 2026 Researchers are looking for young people and their families and carers, that have taken part in a Care (education) and Treatment Review, to give their lived experience as part of the CECiLiA project into improving them.
June 2026 Over 1.8 million pupils in England have special educational needs (SEN). This is an increase of 91,400 (5.2%) pupils since 2025.
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.
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.
June 2026 The DfE have produced a new package of resources to help settings improve school attendance.
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.
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.
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.
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