Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will outline the Department's progress on the development of the £200 million SEND teacher training programme, and when further detail on implementation can be expected.

The government is investing £200 million in a new special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and inclusion training package to help teachers, leaders, teaching assistants and support staff across early years settings, schools and colleges feel more confident supporting children and young people with SEND. The programme forms an important part of the government’s plans to improve inclusion and expertise across mainstream education settings.

The SEND teacher training programme will be delivered in phases, and the department has set out a timeline for the key elements.

From late September, the department will publish free in-house training materials to help all staff in schools and colleges to understand proposed SEND reforms, build a shared vision for inclusion, and plan professional development for the rest of the year. The first phase of the early years training programme is also available from September.

In December and spring 2027, the department will publish further materials covering pedagogy, creating inclusive environments and working with parents.

In Autumn 2027, we will launch new fully funded SEND and inclusion training courses for teachers, leaders, teaching assistants and further education support staff in mainstream schools. A more comprehensive early years offer will also launch at this point, including in-depth webinars and local support networks.