• Understand the latest developments in SEND and Alternative Provision reform
• Examine the implications of emerging national inclusion standards
• Explore how schools can prepare for evolving accountability and support frameworks

• Explore how trusts and schools can develop inclusive mainstream provision that enables more children and young people with SEND to thrive within their local school community.
• Understand the principles of "Inclusion by Design" and how proactive planning can reduce barriers to learning and participation.
• Examine the importance of early intervention and the role of deploying specialist expertise more quickly to support children before needs escalate.
• Consider how resources can be targeted effectively to ensure children with the most complex needs receive timely and appropriate support.
• Reflect on the future direction of SEND reform and the opportunities for trusts, schools and local partners to shape a more sustainable and inclusive system.

• Understand the principles of a whole-school approach to SEND
• Explore practical strategies for developing inclusive classroom practice
• Examine how leadership teams can strengthen SEND across all areas of school life
• Identify approaches to building staff confidence and capability

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

Hannah Sheridan, Senior SEND Advisor

Lucy Pelling, Head of Assessment Centre, Outreach and Development, Moon Hall Assessment Centre

This panel will be discussing the next phase of SEND and Alternative Provision reform and examining what successful implementation should look like for schools, local authorities and families. Panellists will debate the opportunities and challenges presented by national reform, the future of statutory support, accountability measures and how the sector can ensure that policy translates into improved experiences for children and young people.

Rachael Latham, sports broadcaster & TV presenter

Liz Johnson, Three-time Paralympic medallist 

Adil Ghani, Lead Consultant, The Ability People

• Understand practical approaches to promoting resilience, self-belief and growth mindset among children and young people with SEND
• Examine how representation and positive role models can challenge perceptions, raise aspirations and engage hard-to-reach learners
• Discover how schools can embed inclusion, diversity and wellbeing through impactful pupil engagement initiatives and athlete-led programmes

Consider three case studies of impactful practice - Belong, Thrive, Achieve

Vasilis Strogilos, Associate Professor, Inclusive Education, SEND, University of Southampton

Hannah Lovegrove Campion, Head of SEND, Independent Schools Association

Jane Green MBE, Founder/ Chair, SEDSConnective

This panel will be discussing how schools and trusts can develop effective provision for children and young people with increasingly complex needs. Drawing on experiences from mainstream, specialist and independent settings, panellists will explore workforce development, specialist expertise, inclusion bases, early intervention and practical approaches to improving outcomes through high-quality provision.

• Examine the latest evidence on the effectiveness of inclusion bases
• Explore how inclusion bases  can support greater inclusion within mainstream education
• Consider whether inclusion bases acts as a pathway to participation, a safe space, or both
• Identify practical strategies for developing inclusive, evidence-informed specialist provision that improves outcomes for children and young people with SEND

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

Hannah Sheridan, Senior SEND Advisor

This panel will be discussing how stronger partnerships between schools, families and support services can improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Panellists will explore co-production, parental confidence, communication, advocacy, transitions and the importance of ensuring that children and families remain at the centre of decision-making.