2026 promises to be a landmark year for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The long-awaited Schools White Paper is expected to outline the government’s vision for SEND reform, acknowledging that the current system struggles to meet rising levels of need and often fails to provide the support young people require.
Some key reforms already announced include:
- A £3 billion pledge to expand and fund specialist and inclusive learning spaces in mainstream schools.
- The proposal to centrally fund the full cost of SEND provision from 2028–29 to prevent councils from accumulating further debt.
- A national SEND training programme to ensure every teacher receives support on SEND and inclusion, addressing long-standing gaps in confidence and consistency.
Against this backdrop of policy change, NGA will be hosting a SEND conference, bringing together expert speakers from across the education sector. The event will support boards in understanding how the SEND system can be improved in practice and will explore the multiple perspectives that shape effective SEND provision.
We are delighted to now share our agenda, featuring speakers from across the sector including Ofsted, Nasen, ASCL and Parentkind.
Agenda highlights:
- Welcome – Emma Balchin, Chief Executive, NGA
- White Paper round-up – Fariha Choudhury, Senior Policy and Impact Officer, NGA
- Ofsted insight on SEND & AP – David Mills, HMI (presentation + Q&A)
- Panel session: Working together to improve outcomes for pupils with SEND
Chaired by Amanda Wright, Head of Whole School SEND, Nasen
Rosemary Lovatt, Head of Consultancy, NGA
Margaret Mulholland, SEND and Inclusion Specialist, ASCL
Matthew Dent, Head of Policy and Research, Parentkind - Pupil engagement session - Meaningful inclusion begins with placing pupils at the heart of everything we do. You will hear directly from young people with SEND as they share their lived experiences of school life, and reflect on how decisions shape their learning, participation and sense of belonging.
With thanks to Aaron King, Director of 9000 Lives for facilitating this session
This session includes contributions from young people with SEND - please engage respectfully and thoughtfully. - 'From Identification to Belonging: Inclusive Governance for Neurodiverse, Multilingual & Vulnerable Pupils.' Nicola Maher, Chair of Governors, Anglo European School, Ingatestone
- Close – Emma Balchin, Chief Executive, NGA
Book your place today to join the live conversation.