How can we build a truly inclusive education system that meets the needs of every child and young person with SEND? 

Despite increased national attention and ongoing reform efforts, many children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across England continue to experience inconsistent support and unequal access to the provision they require. The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) reports that demand for SEND services has risen sharply, with requests for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) growing by more than 40% since 2020. This escalating demand has intensified pressure on local authorities and schools already navigating staffing shortages, funding challenges, and a rising number of tribunal cases due to dissatisfaction with current support. 

The continued rollout of the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan presents a crucial opportunity to strengthen accountability, improve consistency, and raise outcomes. Yet significant questions remain about long-term resourcing, local implementation, and how reforms can be effectively embedded across the education, health, and care sectors. Delays in assessments, variable quality of provision, and fragmented multi-agency collaboration continue to present key barriers to progress. 

The Institute of Government & Public Policy is proud to introduce the National Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Conference 2026, the tenth edition of this leading national event. Returning to London for 2026, the Conference will bring together SENDCOs, inclusion leads, headteachers, MAT and school leaders, local authority professionals, charities, and social enterprises to discuss practical insights, policy updates, and collaborative opportunities for those committed to improving SEND provision nationwide. 

Join us at the National Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Conference 2026 in London to discover actionable strategies for meeting the SEND Code of Practice, strengthening whole-school inclusion, and maximising funding to deliver high-quality SEND support.