Planning your next steps in SEND

Have your say: 

• Are there ways in which you would like to develop your knowledge about SEND? 
• Are you interested in gaining experience in SEND practice? 
• How might you do this? 

Share your ideas about your next steps in relation to developing your knowledge, skills and experience in relation to SEND in the Comments. 

Look at plans which others have formulated and comment on at least one of these – do they give you any ideas about your next steps? 

Here are some further sources which may help you with formulating your plan and identifying next steps. 

Further information about SEND: 

Some national charities offer training about a particular SEND need, e.g.:

• National Autistic Society Training,
• Nasen,
• British Dyslexia Association Services – British Dyslexia Association.

Many of these charities also produce regular publications, e.g. National Autistic Society The Spectrum magazine, which are often linked to membership of a particular organisation, e.g. Individual Membership – British Dyslexia Association.

There are also national magazines and other publications on SEND, e.g. The Disability Review Magazine and SEN magazine.

There are numerous books on SEND, although for the most detailed information about a particular area of SEND, specialist organisations or academic publications are the best sources of up-to-date information and research. Some publishers have a particularly strong focus on SEND, for example Sage publications and there are academic journals which focus specifically on SEND, e.g. The Journal of Special Educational Needs, The British Journal of Special Education, or the disability studies journal Disability & Society.

Opportunities for volunteering and working in SEND:

Schools, including specialist schools for SEND

These are listed on your local authority website and Leeds Local Offer. Roles include SEND specialist support and SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) or specialist teacher of the deaf. Employment opportunities are also advertised.

Early years settings

You might become a SENCO or work with individuals or small groups of children with SEND needs.

SEND Charities and voluntary organisations

• An example of a volunteer organisation in Leeds: Doing Good Leeds.
• Health and social care work, e.g. SEND support worker in the community.
• Special educational needs nurses and other medical support roles, e.g. Speech and language therapist, Audiologist.