SEND Workforce Development

This training programme has been designed for more experienced teaching assistants to further advance their knowledge and skills around working with pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Download the 'Advancing SEND Knowledge and Skills for Teaching Assistants' flyer

Audience: Teaching assistants across primary, secondary and post-16

Location: Online

Dates and Times:

Cost: £80 per person (discounts available for multiple bookings, please contact enquiries@fusionsendhub.co.uk for details)

Training Team: Fusion SEND Hub

Book Here

A Communication and Health Passport in health and social care is a customised, easy-to-use booklet or document that provides important information to help individuals communicate their needs to doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. It may also be useful to help other services understand needs in other settings.

Individuals with learning disabilities and autism should have a communication and health passport that can be updated regularly based on changes in their health, well-being, and interactions with health and care services. The passport should be completed and updated by the individual or their careers. This course provides an overview of what local services, including education providers, should consider and highlights the important role of health and social care providers in initiating conversations about communication and health passports.

The course covers:

• What is a Communication and Health Passport?
• Who is it for?
• How is it developed, including all important information about a child's support needs, healthcare, learning disability, communication preferences, and how to make hospital visits or health appointments easier?
• Parents and caregivers are important in keeping the document current and supporting them in doing this

Audience: SENDCOs new/returning/refresher/assistants, KS1/2/3, Supporting Services

Location: Online

Cost: Free to Sheffield settings

Training Team: Health Needs in Education

How to book:

This session is designed to support participants in understanding the Extended Support Plan (EXSP) and its role within a graduated approach to SEND provision.

Audience: This training is designed for new SENDCos, SENDCos new to the city, aspiring and assistant SENDCos, as well as other professionals who are unfamiliar with the EXSP.

Location: In person (Learn Sheffield)

Sessions:
2 November 2026, 9.00-12.00pm
1 February 2027, 9.00-12.00pm
10 June 2027, 9.00-12.00pm

Cost: Free to Sheffield schools and settings

Training Team: SEND Strategic Leads

How to book:

The primary goal of an individual healthcare plan for a child with medical needs is to determine and clearly outline the necessary level of support. This plan outlines the required assistance for school staff, parents/guardians, and the child.

This training is essential for staff responsible for creating, maintaining, and coordinating these plans. It ensures compliance with statutory requirements, guides how to keep children and young people safe while in education and ensures that they receive timely and accurate information. It also includes the recommended annual update training for staff to ensure confidence and competency.

The course covers:

• Understanding the Law & School Policy
• Understanding the concept of a care plan
• Recognising the necessity and significance of a care plan when a child enters school
• Evaluation of risks in school
• Additional arrangements for School Trips
• Health and Safety considerations during a school trip
• Residential and International Trips
• Roles and Responsibilities of Care Planning
• Building confidence in creating care plans through a multi-disciplinary approach

Audience: SENDCOs new/returning/refresher/assistants, KS1/2/3, Supporting Services

Location: Online

Cost: Free to Sheffield settings

Training Team: Health Needs in Education

How to book:

Our aims are for SENCOs to:

• Feel supported as part of a dynamic professional community.
• Be developing and deepening their SEND and wider expert knowledge.
• Be actively developing their leadership skills and practice.
• Have a voice in dialogue and decision making about local area SEND arrangements.

Audience: These in person events are aimed at SENCOs in school-based nurseries/ primary / secondary/ post 16 settings.

The sessions are open for colleagues from Mainstream and Special settings

Location: The sessions will be hosted at Niagara Conference and Leisure Centre, 8am for an 8.30am start and will finish at 12pm.
Niagara Conference and Leisure Centre, Niagara Road, Sheffield, S6 1LU

Cost: Free to Sheffield schools and settings.

Training Team: SEND Strategic Leads

How to book:

Schools and early years settings are required to have policies and procedures for giving medication to children and young people. This course offers mandatory and non-mandatory guidance on implementing and managing such a system, outlining the responsibilities of both staff and parents.

Per the statutory guidance from the Department of Education, 'Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions, ' all education personnel should undergo sufficient training in handling medicines. This comprehensive course gives staff the knowledge and skills to administer medications in school or during school trips confidently. The course includes an overview of how to care for a child with medical needs and, importantly, the legal responsibilities involved. It also covers the proper handling, storage, and disposal of medications and effectively managing dosages per health and safety regulations. It also includes the recommended annual update training for staff to ensure confidence.

The course covers:

• The Law & School Policy
• Understanding the need for medications
• Types of medications
• Risks & adverse effects
• Administration and escalation of concerns
• Roles & responsibilities in safe practice
• Safe Storage
• Documentation & training competency.

Audience: TBC

Location: Online

Cost: free to Sheffield settings

Training Team: Health Needs in Education

How to book:

The course is intended to prepare and equip SENDCOs with the knowledge and skills to undertake their role in the city; it doesn’t replace the NPQ for SENDCOs mandatory qualification.

Audience: This programme is designed for new SENDCOs working in Sheffield, across primary and secondary phases. This includes those who are new to the role, and those who have worked as a SENDCO in another area. We also welcome assistant SENDCOs and aspiring SENDCOs to attend the course.

Location: In person (Learn Sheffield)

Sessions:

1. Session 1 - 15 October 2026, 8.45am-3.30pm
2. Session 2 - 24 November 2026, 8.45-12.00pm
3. Session 3 - 27 January 2027, 8.45am-3.30pm
4. Session 4 - 10 March 2027, 8.45am-12.00pm
5. Session 5 - 6 July 2027, 8.45am-12.00pm

Please note: By clicking to book, you will be booked onto all 5 sessions.

Sessions: 15 October 2026, 24 November, 27 January 2027, 10 March, 6 July

Cost: Free to Sheffield schools and settings

Training Team: SEND Strategic Leads and Fusion

How to book: Book Here

A multi-session online training programme for Sheffield teaching assistants, focusing on key aspects of SEND, including a participant workbook, guided tasks and certificate.

Audience: Teaching assistants across primary, secondary and post-16

Location: Online

Dates and Times:

Cost: £120 per person (discounts available for multiple bookings, please contact enquiries@fusionsendhub.co.uk for details)

Training Team: Fusion SEND Hub

This course is suitable for EYFS leads, teachers and support staff working with children in FS1 and FS2 and is suitable for all settings including schools, nurseries, childcare providers and will cover practical approaches to supporting children in FS1 and FS2 who have SEND. The programme will be delivered via Teams over 3 one hour sessions.

Audience: This course is suitable for EYFS leads, teachers and staff working with children in all FS1 and FS2 settings to support children with SEND.

Location: Online

Dates and Times:

Cost: £60 per person (discounts available for multiple bookings, please contact enquiries@fusionsendhub.co.uk for details)

Training Team: Fusion SEND Hub