More children and young people in East Ham will receive the right support at an earlier stage, with expanded training for staff on SEND and inclusion.
Many teachers report that additional training would increase their confidence in supporting pupils with SEND. In response to this, a new national offer of training is being developed to strengthen expertise across all education settings. The programme will be backed by £200 million and will be available to all teaching staff. It aims to deepen understanding of how to adapt teaching for a variety of needs, including visual impairments and speech and language needs.
The training will cover approaches known to improve access to education, such as the use of assistive technology – including speech-to-text tools – and strategies that help raise awareness of additional needs among all pupils. The intention is to support every child to succeed.
This work will be underpinned by an updated expectation in the SEND Code of Practice, confirming that all staff in nurseries, schools and colleges should receive training on SEND and inclusion. This will ensure that teachers in East Ham, and across the country, benefit from consistent and comprehensive professional development.
Speaking about the new investment, Stephen said, said: “SEND remains a major issue for many families in East Ham, as I hear regularly through my casework and in discussions locally. There is broad agreement that improvements are needed.
“By developing specialist places and equipping teachers with enhanced training, the aim is to ensure that needs are identified earlier, support is provided more quickly, and parents do not have to struggle to secure the help their child requires.
“It is vital that the voices of families, experts and frontline staff continue to shape these improvements, so that every child has the chance to achieve and thrive.”