Strengthen Culture in Education: Reduce Exclusions-Better Understand SEMH

A powerful, half-day online training for education leaders who want to create emotionally available, trauma-informed school cultures where staff and students thrive.

Learn practical, evidence-based strategies that improve attendance, reduce exclusions, and strengthen relationships — all aligned with Ofsted’s expectations for inclusive leadership.

Event Description:

The number of pupils identified with SEMH needs has more than doubled in the last decade (DfE, 2024). Exclusions are rising, attendance is falling, and staff are under increasing pressure to “do more with less”.

This training helps leaders address the root causes — building a whole-organisation approach to emotional availability, belonging, and behaviour.

Delivered by SEMH specialists from Learning Partnership West (Ofsted Outstanding), this session combines psychology, leadership practice, and lived experience to help you lead lasting cultural change. Within their 2025 Outstanding Ofsted report, Ofsted noted their practice around behaviour and inclusion was worthy of sharing. So that is what they are doing.

Leading from the Top Down

Discover how trauma-informed and relational practice truly works in real school settings. Explore the policies, systems, and leadership approaches that make it sustainable and see how they drive genuine change across your whole school or college community. Learn how developing an emotionally available environment can lead to lower exclusions, fewer suspensions, and stronger relationships built on trust, belonging, and care.

What You’ll Learn:

1. Building a People-First School Culture
Discover how to create a culture rooted in unconditional positive regard, strong relationships, and a person centred apprach. Learn how to design staffing structures that truly support staff and student well-being.

2. Understanding Student Needs from the Inside Out
Use ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and attachment theory to shape compassionate practice — ensuring your interventions support rather than re-trigger students.

3. The Emotionally Available Adults
Develop strategies for creating safe, nurturing spaces where reflection is part of the daily rhythm of school or college life. Ensure you understand what it takes to be a professional working in education, and understand what the minimum expectations are to work with students experiencing trauma.

4. Reimagining Attendance
Explore person-centred, trauma-informed approaches that improve attendance through universal support systems creating accountability and inclusion at every level. Explore how staff can lead this.

5. Reducing Exclusions and Restoring Belonging
Say goodbye to isolation rooms and punitive detentions. Learn how to embed co-regulation, relational repair, and restorative practice at the heart of your school culture.

Why Attend:

• Meet Ofsted expectations: Demonstrate inclusive leadership under Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development frameworks.
• Strengthen staff retention: Build a culture where people feel safe, valued, and supported.
• Reduce exclusions and improve attendance: Proven impact through relational and restorative practice.
• Lead with confidence: Develop clear strategies that align values with everyday leadership decisions.

Your Speakers:

Nicola Lace MA, QTLS, PGCE, BA(hons) - Headteacher and Director of Education

Nicola has been working in education since 2009, with a career dedicated to supporting learners often excluded from mainstream provision. She has spent over a decade and a half championing SEND and alternative education, specialising in working with NEET young people and those facing significant barriers to learning.

Nicola’s practice is rooted in a deep commitment to neuro-inclusion and universal strategies that meet the diverse needs of all learners. A strong advocate for neurodiversity, Nicola holds an MA in Education and brings experience across a wide range of settings — from secondary schools and prisons to further education and independent training providers.

Based in the South West, she has also contributed to national policy and practice as part of the Education and Training Foundation’s Centres for Excellence in SEND. Nicola’s voice in the sector is informed, compassionate, and unapologetically learner-centred.

Ella Edwards DSL, QTS - Head of Safeguarding

Ella is Head of Safeguarding and Trauma-Informed Practice at LPW. She leads on safeguarding across their services, ensuring that children and young people receive safe, consistent, and supportive care.

Ella is passionate about embedding trauma-informed approaches into everyday practice, helping staff recognise the impact of trauma and respond in ways that build trust, resilience, and emotional safety.

She loves seeing young people feel heard, understood, and empowered to reach their full potential, and is committed to sharing best practice and leading initiatives that make that possible.

Mia Casey SENCo, PGCE, BSc - Head of SEND and Inclusion

Mia is an experienced Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) with over a decade working across mainstream, specialist, and alternative education settings. Currently Head of SEND and Inclusion at LPW School, she leads on inclusion strategy, EHCP processes, and multi-agency collaboration to support pupils with complex SEN and SEMH needs.

Mia holds a First-Class BSc in Psychology, a PGCE (graded Outstanding), and a NASENCo qualification with distinction. She is also a qualified Trauma Informed Schools Practitioner with distinction, and has extensive additional training in Adverse Childhood Experiences, PACE, and Trauma Informed Leadership.

Her approach is grounded in trauma-informed, relational practice and evidence-based pedagogy. Known for her calm, reflective manner and deep commitment to pupil wellbeing, Mia creates inclusive, engaging learning environments that foster trust, resilience, and achievement. She is passionate about helping every child reach their potential—cognitively, socially, and emotionally.

Practical Details:

Date: 9th December – 9:00am to 12:30pm
Format: Live online (Teams)
Duration: 3.5 hours
Cost: £98 + VAT (Introductory Offer) (normally £140 + VAT)

Shape the culture of your school or college — and lead the change from exclusion to belonging.

Book your place now – spaces are limited.

"Nicola and Mia have provided a framework that exceeds the Ofsted outstanding award. It is generational work and should be considered if not replicated by all education establishments. The main message? “Relentless care”. That ability to be relentless in your ability to care for these young people whilst ensuring that you manage your own emotions. Amazing CPD!" Previous attendee