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The Annual Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Conference 2026

CorpAcq Stadium, Greater Manchester 25 March 2026, 9:00am - 4:00pm

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9:30am
Chair's Welcome Address
Kate Whittlesey, SEND/ School Improvement Consultant
9:40am
A National Perspective on SEND Policy and Provision
  • Questions and answers
Dr Peter Gray, Co-coordinator, National SEN Policy Research Forum
10:00am
Moving from diagnosis-based to needs-based, a new approach to screening for executive dysfunction
  • Background about EFSim's work with schools in West Yorkshire
  • Discussion around the importance of uncovering masking students with objective screenings
  • Prevalence of mild executive dysfunction in the general population
  • Discussion around tracking the progress of executive functioning interventions
  • Questions and answers
Ari Billig, UK Country Lead, Peili Vision
10:20am
Panel Discussion: Tackling Challenges and Driving Inclusion: Strengthening SEND Provision Through Collaboration and Best Practice
  • What are the current issues impacting the SEND system, and what immediate steps can the sector take to address them? 
  • Identifying and overcoming the barriers to ensure provision is truly inclusive and accessible for all learners 
  • How can educational settings work closely with external stakeholders, services and agencies to tackle sector-wide challenges? 
  • Highlighting and utilising the success and positive outcomes we are seeing in the space 
  • Questions and answers


Dr Daniel Stavrou, Assistant Director - Education and Equalities, Council for Disabled Children / National Children's Bureau

Mari Davis, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer, NASS (National Association of Special Schools)

Amanda Wright, Head of Whole School SEND, nasen

Karen Pilling, Deputy Head & SENCo, Chapel Street Community Primary School 

Martin McAndrew, Director - North West, National Network of Parent Carer Forums C.I.C.

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11:00am
Break and Networking
11:30am
Industry Case Study
  • Question and answers 
The Wellbeing Collective Limited
11:50am
Ofsted's New Vision for Inclusive Education
  • Understand how Ofsted's proposed reforms aim to evaluate inclusion as a core pillar across all inspection areas 
  • Gain an overview of the proposed inclusion-specific judgment and what it means for schools, MATs, and local authorities 
  • Discuss how the sector can shape Ofsted's evolving approach through active consultation and what to expect from the rollout of the new framework and report cards 
  • Question and answers 
David Mills, His Majesty’s Inspector Specialist Adviser SEND & AP, Ofsted
12:10pm
Panel Discussion: Making Resource Provision Work: Practical Strategies for Inclusive Education in Mainstream and Specialist Settings
  • Embedding specialist expertise within mainstream classrooms to support diverse learner needs 
  • Strategic approaches to funding, staffing, and sustaining resource provisions in the long-term 
  • Innovative inclusion models that offer the right balance between tailored interventions and whole-school access 
  • Overcoming common barriers to scaling provision in both primary and secondary contexts 
  • Question and answers


Elizabeth Murray, SEND Director for Supporting Education Group 

Beth Gibson MBE, Head of Attendance and Inclusive Pathways, Birmingham City Council

Phillipa Sherlock-Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, The Prince Albert Community Trust

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12:40pm
Lunch and Networking
1:40pm
What are we going to do about the national behaviour emergency?
  • Why is behaviour in schools worse than it was 5 years ago?
  • What's one small action that schools can take to reduce the level of stress in the school day?
  • Questions and Answers
Emma Shackleton, Founder and CEO, Beacon School Support Limited
2:00pm
Strengthening Pathways for Learners in Alternative Provision
  • How can alternative provision be designed and delivered to provide high-quality education and life chances 
  • What strategies and partnerships best support smooth transitions between mainstream schools, PRUs, and specialist settings? 
  • How can early intervention and multi-agency collaboration reduce exclusions and address complex needs before they escalate? 
  • Questions and answers 
Sarah Johnson, President, National Association for Pupil Referral Units and Alternative Provision
2:20pm
Panel Discussion - Strategies for Addressing Behaviour that Challenges
  • Understanding the link between behaviour, trauma, and unmet SEND needs 
  • Developing whole-school, trauma-informed approaches to behaviour and regulation 
  • Supporting staff confidence and consistency in managing complex needs 
  • Sharing evidence-based interventions and successful case studies 
  • Questions and answers


Maxine O'Neill, Headteacher, Hope School 

Lucie Lakin, Principal, Carr Manor Community School

Dr Sue Franklin, Principal Educational Psychologist at Lewisham Local Authority and Chair of the National Association of Principal Educational Psychologists

Stephen Steinhaus, as CEO of Solihull Alternative Provision Multi Academy Trust

Peter Hines OBE, Headteacher, Perryfields Primary PRU

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3:00pm
Afternoon Break and Networking 
3:20pm
The SEND Scrutiny Toolkit: Strengthening Local Accountability
  • An introduction to the new SEND Scrutiny Toolkit, supporting councils to evaluate and improve SEND strategy and delivery 
  • Questions and answers 
Helen Watson, Local Government Association SEND Advisor
3:40pm
Panel Discussion: The Local Authority's Role in Driving High-Quality SEND Provision
  • How can local authorities strengthen SEND strategy and delivery through meaningful co-production with parent carers and young people?
  • What does good look like when it comes to EHCP quality, timeliness and consistency — and how can variation between areas be reduced?
  • How can councils, schools and health partners improve transparency, trust and accountability across the SEND system?
  • What practical steps can be taken to rebuild confidence in local SEND services and improve experiences for families?
  • Questions and answers


Graeme Routledge, School Improvement Advisor (Inclusion and SEND), City of Doncaster Council

Helen Watson, Local Government Association SEND Advisor

Lisa Pinkerton, former Deputy Headteacher, Warwickshire County Council, and Head of Education at Widgit Software 

Martin McAndrew, Director - North West, National Network of Parent Carer Forums C.I.C.

Click here for panellists
4:10pm
Pre-Recorded Session: Autism, Power & the EHCP: Where to next, and how?
Zoe Torsney, English / EAP Lecturer & Consultant; EdDoc Researcher (LJMU)
4:30pm
Chair's Closing Address
Kate Whittlesey, SEND/ School Improvement Consultant
4:35pm
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