Advancing SEND Knowledge and Skills for Teaching Assistants (Spring 2026)

Advancing SEND Knowledge and Skills for Teaching Assistants

This training programme has been designed for teaching assistants to further advance their knowledge and skills around working with pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It is suitable for all teaching assistants working with all age groups in both mainstream and specialist settings. This training can follow on from the SEND & the Role of the Teaching Assistant programme but it is not necessary to have completed the SEND & the Role of the Teaching Assistant programme first - both programmes are aimed at whichever you feel best match your needs. The programme is being provided in partnership between Fusion SEND Hub and Sheffield Inclusion Task Force.

The programme will be delivered online via TEAMS over four one-hour sessions. You will be emailed a workbook and participants are required to complete practical ‘gap tasks’ between sessions and make reflection notes in your workbook. Once the sessions have been successfully completed, participants can submit their completed workbook if they wish to receive a certificate of programme completion.

Programme Content

Session One – Supporting neurodivergent learners

We will go into greater depth about the specific needs and strengths often associated with autism and ADHD, and explore some practical approaches for supporting learners with these profiles in school.

Session Two – Scaffolding and promoting learners’ independence

We will explore why independence and problem-solving can be more challenging for learners with SEND, and develop approaches to promote these skills through our daily practice.

Session Three - Supporting learners with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN)

We will go into greater depth about speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). We will explore the ways in which school can present additional challenges for learners with this profile of need, and some practical approaches and principles for supporting them.

Session Four - Supporting learners with social, emotional and mental health needs

We will go into greater depth about social and emotional development, and mental health (SEMH). We will explore the ways in which school can present additional challenges for learners with this profile of need, and some practical approaches and principles for supporting them.

The sessions will be delivered via TEAMS during the spring term 2026:

• Session 1 - 3.30-4.30 - Thursday 19th March 2026
• Session 2 - 3.30-4.30 –Thursday 23rd April 2026
• Session 3 - 3.30-4.30 –Thursday 14th May 2026
• Session 4 - 3.30-4.30 –Thursday 18th June 2026

Cost of the Programme Cost of the Programme

• Individual Price: £80 per Teaching Assistant

Discounts for Multiple TA’s from the same school:

• 2 or more TAs: 25% off → £60 per Teaching Assistant
• 10 or more TAs: Maximum price of £600 for the whole group.

Important: Only the agreed participants should attend the sessions.

What’s Included

• Each participant will receive a workbook via email.
• Participants need to complete gap tasks between sessions and make reflection notes in their workbook.
• After finishing the sessions, participants can submit their workbook for a Certificate of Completion.

Note: We do not record sessions.

Whole School, MAT’s or Locality Training Options

The programme can also be delivered to your entire school, MAT or a group of schools in your Locality. Please do not book through the Eventbrite booking system but contact us directly if you would like to know more about the ways we can deliver this programme directly to your school(s) at enquiries@fusionsendhub.co.uk. Here are some of the options plus costs:

• 4 x 1-hour staff meetings = £800.
• 2 x twilight sessions = £600.
• 1 x half-day session = £600.