SEND Workforce Development
This webpage now lists the wide range of SEND training available to Sheffield settings from a number of providers. This is part of the Workforce Development area of the whole city SEND and Inclusion Strategy. This new approach is a work in progress and we are hoping to make it easier to locate specific training from a number of providers by listing it all on this webpage.
The training has been separated by the areas of healthy child development and to reflect the broad areas of need by the SEND Code of Practice (Communication and Interaction / Cognition and Learning / Social, Emotional and Mental Health / Sensory and/or Physical), plus one category for systems and processes. Please use the buttons below to navigate to the area of training that you are looking for.
Where no dates or locations are listed on the website, this is because there are multiple dates available and these are listed on the Eventbrite booking page. Costs to settings have been indicated as applicable.
For any queries or feedback about this new approach, please contact enquiries@learnsheffield.co.uk.
Communication and Interaction
Language and Understanding
| Accredited Makaton |
How to use Makaton, a language program that combines signs, symbols, and speech to support communication for individuals with learning or communication needs.
Download: Download the Makaton Level 1 flyer
Audience: All roles in Early Years, primary, and all phases in special
Location: In person (Talbot Special School)
Cost: £75 per person
Training Team: Fusion SEND Hub
How to book: Book Here
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| Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Training |
Sheffield’s Speech and Language Therapy Service is offering free online DLD training.
Developmental language disorder affects at least one in thirteen children. Training will help you support those with diagnosed and undiagnosed DLD needs.
1. Introductory Module – this needs to be completed before other modules
Module one is split into four sections of 30 minutes. It covers
- What Speech, Language and Communication needs (SLCN) are
- What a Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is
- Impacts of having a DLD
- How to support children and young people with DLD in the classroom
When you have completed the module, you then have an option to:
- Attend a half day in-person practical session where visual support strategies and cued articulation will be discussed in more detail.
Contact us with training feedback and questions. (rebecca.bergmann@nhs.net or rachael.spriggs@nhs.net)
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DLD Practical session for the Introductory Module |
This DLD training is for education staff working with young people in Mainstream Primary Schools including SENCos, Teachers, TAs & Pastoral Support.
This session will look at lots of examples of visual support for universal and targeted provision (i.e. whole class and more tailored) that will benefit children with a range of SEND, not just language disorder. They will also demonstrate how to use cued articulation to support speech sounds and literacy skills.
Aimed at primary age and suitable for secondary adapting resources for KS1 and 2 level.
Please look at the interactive DLD Sway module on the theory before attending the session.
Audience: Mainstream Primary Schools including SENCos, Teachers, TAs & Pastoral Support.
Location: In person
Sessions: 3 November 2026, 23 February, 10 June 2027
Cost: Free to Sheffield schools and settings
Training Team: Speech and Language Therapy Service
How to book:
| Date/Time |
Venue |
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3 November 2026
12.30-3.00pm |
Learn Sheffield |
Book Here |
23 February 2027
1.00-3.30pm |
Learn Sheffield |
Book Here |
8 June 2027
12.30-3.00pm |
Learn Sheffield |
Book Here |
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2. Vocabulary Module
This new module follows the introductory DLD module. You need to complete the introductory module before accessing this module. In this module, we will cover difficulties encountered with learning new vocabulary as well as word finding difficulties - these are both common areas of difficulty experienced by children and young people with DLD.
When you have completed the module, you then have an option to:
- Attend a half day in-person practical session looking at both 1:1, small group and whole class approaches to vocabulary teaching.
| Pre-teaching Vocabulary Workshop |
This DLD training is for education staff working with young people in Mainstream Primary Schools including SENCos, Teachers, TAs & Pastoral Support.
This session will cover the principles behind pre-teaching vocabulary, including how to use different levels of word webs, produce visual support for the classroom and activity ideas.
Aimed at primary age and suitable for secondary adapting resources for KS1 and 2 level.
Please look at the interactive DLD Sway module on the theory before attending the session.
Audience: Mainstream Primary Schools including SENCos, Teachers, TAs & Pastoral Support.
Location: In person
Sessions: 5 November 2026, 25 February, 10 June 2026
Cost: Free to Sheffield schools and settings
Training Team: Speech and Language Therapy Service
How to book:
| Date/Time |
Venue |
|
5 November 2026
1.00-3.00pm |
Learn Sheffield |
Book Here |
25 February 2027
1.00-3.30pm |
Learn Sheffield |
Book Here |
10 June 2027
1.00-3.00pm |
Learn Sheffield |
Book Here |
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To open the Sway in full screen, click here, or click on the 3 dots at the top of the above image and select 'Open in New Window'.
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| Specific Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) Training Modules |
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| Targeted Language Enrichment Activity Programme (LEAP) Training |
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| Targeted Narrative Intervention Programme (NIP) Training |
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| Targeted Vocabulary Improvement Programme (VIP) Training |
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| Supporting the Communication Environment in Inclusion Bases LOCALITY B |
Overview: 4 Modules focussed on supporting the communication environment in Inclusion Bases (Hubs/IRs). This training may be beneficial for all Hub/IR staff but mainly focusses on early communication i.e. social partners and language partners. If you have any questions about suitability, please contact me on stephanie.don1@nhs.net
Please note, it is important to attend all 4 Modules.
Intent
This training has been designed to develop the communication environment and staff confidence in delivering provision to support speech language and communication in Inclusion Bases (Hubs/IRs)
This training is made up of four modules:
- The Fundamentals of Communication
- To understand the overview of communication development
- To understand the Fundamentals of Communication
- To have an overview of the strategies we can use to support the Fundamentals of Communication
- To understand what is meant by Means Reasons and Opportunities
- To understand how to identify Means Reasons and Opportunities
- Visuals in the Environment Part 1
- To understand the role of visuals in making routines and expectations predictable and why this is important
- To understand how visuals can be used to support independence
- To understand the journey to using visuals to support emotional regulation
- To reflect on current practice, acknowledge where it’s going well and where it can be improved
- Visuals in the Environment Part 2
- To understand how visuals can be used to support social understanding
- To understand how visuals can be used to scaffold expressive language skills.
- To reflect on current practice, acknowledge where it’s good and where it can be improved
- Communication and the Curriculum
Implementation
- Face to face delivery (90 minutes)
- Delivered by SLT via presentation, videos, opportunities to explore resources and group case discussion
- Reflection and planning for the children in your setting
Impact
- Staff will have increased confidence in supporting communication within the environment
- Staff will have a clearer understanding about what progress over time looks like for children who are in the early stages of communication
- Inclusion Bases across Sheffield will consistently have communication friendly environments
- Communication friendly environments will enable more tailored specialist input when this is required.
Audience: Audience: LOCALITY B Inclusion Base Staff (Hub/IR).
This training is also available in locality F and G and will be available in other localities in the future. Please attend training in your locality.
Location: St Catherine's Catholic Primary School, Firshill Crescent, Sheffield, S4 7B
Dates and Times:
3rd November 2026, 3:30pm-5.00pm
10th November 2026, 3:30pm-5.00pm
17th November 2026, 3:30pm-5.00pm
24th November 2026, 3:30pm-5.00pm
Cost: Free. Limited spaces. 2 attendees per school
Training Team: Speech and Language Therapy Team – NHS Children’s Hospital
How to book: Book Here
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| Supporting the Communication Environment in Inclusion Bases LOCALITY D |
Overview: 4 Modules focussed on supporting the communication environment in Inclusion Bases (Hubs/IRs). This training may be beneficial for all Hub/IR staff but mainly focusses on early communication i.e. social partners and language partners. If you have any questions about suitability, please contact me on stephanie.don1@nhs.net
Please note, it is important to attend all 4 Modules.
Intent
This training has been designed to develop the communication environment and staff confidence in delivering provision to support speech language and communication in Inclusion Bases (Hubs/IRs)
This training is made up of four modules:
- The Fundamentals of Communication
- To understand the overview of communication development
- To understand the Fundamentals of Communication
- To have an overview of the strategies we can use to support the Fundamentals of Communication
- To understand what is meant by Means Reasons and Opportunities
- To understand how to identify Means Reasons and Opportunities
- Visuals in the Environment Part 1
- To understand the role of visuals in making routines and expectations predictable and why this is important
- To understand how visuals can be used to support independence
- To understand the journey to using visuals to support emotional regulation
- To reflect on current practice, acknowledge where it’s going well and where it can be improved
- Visuals in the Environment Part 2
- To understand how visuals can be used to support social understanding
- To understand how visuals can be used to scaffold expressive language skills.
- To reflect on current practice, acknowledge where it’s good and where it can be improved
- Communication and the Curriculum
Implementation
- Face to face delivery (90 minutes)
- Delivered by SLT via presentation, videos, opportunities to explore resources and group case discussion
- Reflection and planning for the children in your setting
Impact
- Staff will have increased confidence in supporting communication within the environment
- Staff will have a clearer understanding about what progress over time looks like for children who are in the early stages of communication
- Inclusion Bases across Sheffield will consistently have communication friendly environments
- Communication friendly environments will enable more tailored specialist input when this is required.
Audience: LOCALITY D Primary School Inclusion Base Staff (Hub/IR).
This training is also available in locality F and G and will be available in other localities in the future. Please attend training in your locality.
Location: Athelstan Primary School, Richmond Park Way, Sheffield S13 8HH
Dates and Times:
5th November 2026, 3:30pm-5.00pm
19th November 2026, 3:30pm-5.00pm
26th November 2026, 3:30pm-5.00pm
3rd December 2026, 3:30pm-5.00pm
Cost: Free. Limited spaces. 2 attendees per school
Training Team: Speech & Language Therapy Service, NHS
How to book: Book Here
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| Supporting the Communication Environment in Inclusion Bases LOCALITY F |
Overview: 4 Modules focussed on supporting the communication environment in Inclusion Bases (Hubs/IRs). This training may be beneficial for all Hub/IR staff but mainly focusses on early communication i.e. social partners and language partners. If you have any questions about suitability, please contact me on stephanie.don1@nhs.net
Please note, it is important to attend all 4 Modules.
Intent
This training has been designed to develop the communication environment and staff confidence in delivering provision to support speech language and communication in Inclusion Bases (Hubs/IRs)
This training is made up of four modules:
- The Fundamentals of Communication
- To understand the overview of communication development
- To understand the Fundamentals of Communication
- To have an overview of the strategies we can use to support the Fundamentals of Communication
- To understand what is meant by Means Reasons and Opportunities
- To understand how to identify Means Reasons and Opportunities
- Visuals in the Environment Part 1
- To understand the role of visuals in making routines and expectations predictable and why this is important
- To understand how visuals can be used to support independence
- To understand the journey to using visuals to support emotional regulation
- To reflect on current practice, acknowledge where it’s going well and where it can be improved
- Visuals in the Environment Part 2
- To understand how visuals can be used to support social understanding
- To understand how visuals can be used to scaffold expressive language skills.
- To reflect on current practice, acknowledge where it’s good and where it can be improved
- Communication and the Curriculum
Implementation
- Face to face delivery (90 minutes)
- Delivered by SLT via presentation, videos, opportunities to explore resources and group case discussion
- Reflection and planning for the children in your setting
Impact
- Staff will have increased confidence in supporting communication within the environment
- Staff will have a clearer understanding about what progress over time looks like for children who are in the early stages of communication
- Inclusion Bases across Sheffield will consistently have communication friendly environments
- Communication friendly environments will enable more tailored specialist input when this is required.
Audience: LOCALITY F Primary School Inclusion Base Staff (Hub/IR).
This training is also available in locality B and G and will be available in other localities in the future. Please attend training in your locality.
Location: Nether Edge Primary School, Glen Road, Nether Edge, S7 1RB
Dates and Times:
2nd November 2026, 3:30pm-5.00pm
9th November 2026, 3:30pm-5.00pm
16th November 2026, 3:30pm-5.00pm
23rd November 2026, 3:30pm-5.00pm
Cost: Free. Limited spaces. 2 attendees per school
Training Team: Speech and Language Therapy Team – NHS Children’s Hospital
How to book: Book Here
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| Supporting the Communication Environment in Inclusion Bases LOCALITY G |
Overview: 4 Modules focussed on supporting the communication environment in Inclusion Bases (Hubs/IRs). This training may be beneficial for all Hub/IR staff but mainly focusses on early communication i.e. social partners and language partners. If you have any questions about suitability, please contact me on stephanie.don1@nhs.net
Please note, it is important to attend all 4 Modules.
Intent
This training has been designed to develop the communication environment and staff confidence in delivering provision to support speech language and communication in Inclusion Bases (Hubs/IRs)
This training is made up of four modules:
- The Fundamentals of Communication
- To understand the overview of communication development
- To understand the Fundamentals of Communication
- To have an overview of the strategies we can use to support the Fundamentals of Communication
- To understand what is meant by Means Reasons and Opportunities
- To understand how to identify Means Reasons and Opportunities
- Visuals in the Environment Part 1
- To understand the role of visuals in making routines and expectations predictable and why this is important
- To understand how visuals can be used to support independence
- To understand the journey to using visuals to support emotional regulation
- To reflect on current practice, acknowledge where it’s going well and where it can be improved
- Visuals in the Environment Part 2
- To understand how visuals can be used to support social understanding
- To understand how visuals can be used to scaffold expressive language skills.
- To reflect on current practice, acknowledge where it’s good and where it can be improved
- Communication and the Curriculum
Implementation
- Face to face delivery (90 minutes)
- Delivered by SLT via presentation, videos, opportunities to explore resources and group case discussion
- Reflection and planning for the children in your setting
Impact
- Staff will have increased confidence in supporting communication within the environment
- Staff will have a clearer understanding about what progress over time looks like for children who are in the early stages of communication
- Inclusion Bases across Sheffield will consistently have communication friendly environments
- Communication friendly environments will enable more tailored specialist input when this is required.
Audience: LOCALITY G Primary School Inclusion Base Staff (Hub/IR).
This training is also available in locality B and F and will be available in other localities in the future. Please attend training in your locality.
Location: Nook Lane Junior School, Nook Lane, Stannington, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S6 6BN
Dates and Times:
11th November 2026, 3:45pm-5.15pm
18th November 2026, 3:45pm-5.15pm
25th November 2026, 3:45pm-5.15pm
2nd December 2026, 3:45pm-5.15pm
Cost: Free. Limited spaces. 2 attendees per school
Training Team: Speech and Language Therapy Team – NHS Children’s Hospital
How to book: Book Here
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