Webinar: How new government-funded training can help you spot and support SEND in your setting by MA Exhibitions

About This Webinar

Best Practice Network (BPN) has been awarded a new Department for Education contract to deliver accredited Early Years Special Educational Needs Coordinator (EY SENCO) training to settings across England from 2026. This offers 9,500 training places to practitioners in group-based or PVI early years settings, and childminders.

In this webinar, BPN will provide details about the course, and together with a panel of early education experts, discuss more broadly how early years practitioners can identify and support children with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND). The session aims to give participants practical tools and suggestions that will help in day-to-day practice, as well as in-depth information about the EY SENCO training on offer.

This is a great opportunity for all in the sector, as the number of children being identified with SEND is rising. According to the DfE’s December 2025 Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers, at least one child with SEND is being supported within 84% of school-based providers, within 90% of group-based providers, and among 23% of childminders.

Best Practice Network

Best Practice Network is the UK’s largest provider of early years apprenticeships and the leading provider of Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT). It recently trained thousands of early years SENCOs, demonstrating its commitment to raising standards in the sector. With over 20 years of experience, it works closely with nurseries and nursery chains to deliver high-quality training that enhances staff expertise and supports career progression. Its programmes are designed to develop skilled practitioners who create outstanding learning environments for young children. www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/early-years

Presenters

Emma Lee

Programme Lead, Best Practice Network

Emma Lee is the Programme Lead for the EYSEN qualification at Best Practice Network, bringing over 17 years of experience across the children, young people, and families sector. She holds a BA (Hons) in Working with Children, Young People and Families, alongside her SENCO qualification, and has extensive experience supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families.

Throughout her career, Emma has worked across a range of early years educational settings, including significant experience in the role of SENCO. In these roles, she has led inclusive practice, supported effective multi-agency collaboration, and championed positive outcomes for children with additional needs.

Emma is deeply passionate about improving outcomes for children with SEND and is committed to creating inclusive, supportive environments where all children can thrive

Cheryl Warren

Trainer and Consultant, Aperion SEND Training and Consultancy

Cheryl is an award-winning trainer and consultant working with early years settings across the UK and internationally, she is passionate about creating neurodiversity-affirming environments where neurodivergent children can truly thrive. Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience as a parent of two neurodivergent children, Cheryl supports educators to build inclusive, connected, and responsive practice that celebrates every child’s uniqueness.

Her work focuses on embedding meaningful neurodiversity-affirming approaches within early years provision through training, consultancy, speaking engagements, published articles and her recently published book on neurodiversity in early childhood.

Zara Smith

Editor, Coram PACEY

Zara Smith is an experienced early years professional and former childminder, nursery manager, and SENCo. As Editor and Writer for Coram PACEY’s Childcare Professional magazine, she champions the vital, often magical role of childminders. She promotes holistic, inclusive approaches that supports the wellbeing of children and families and empowers early years educators to create truly inclusive environments where every child can flourish.

Susie Drake

Executive Headteacher, Haltwhistle Primary Academy

Susie is the Headteacher of Haltwhistle Primary Academy, a school of 250 children aged 3-11 years. The school is located within an area of rural deprivation, distanced from the medical hubs, specialist provision and wider care services within the North East. This has presented unique challenges when supporting families to access the range of support required to meet their children’s needs.
In her role as the Strategic Lead for the Great North Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, Susie has aligned the delivery strategy for the hub with the need for inclusion focused support to strengthen expertise across the North East. She also contributes to network and professional development delivery.

Gabriella Jozwiak (host)

Gabriella Jozwiak is a freelance journalist who has written for Nursery World for over a decade. She also writes about children around the world for other publications, focusing on early childhood development, education, health, trauma and conflict.