SEND Workforce Development
This webpage now lists the wide range of SEND training available to Sheffield settings from a number of providers. This is part of the Workforce Development area of the whole city SEND and Inclusion Strategy. This new approach is a work in progress and we are hoping to make it easier to locate specific training from a number of providers by listing it all on this webpage.
The training has been separated by the areas of healthy child development and to reflect the broad areas of need by the SEND Code of Practice (Communication and Interaction / Cognition and Learning / Social, Emotional and Mental Health / Sensory and/or Physical), plus one category for systems and processes. Please use the buttons below to navigate to the area of training that you are looking for.
Where no dates or locations are listed on the website, this is because there are multiple dates available and these are listed on the Eventbrite booking page. Costs to settings have been indicated as applicable.
For any queries or feedback about this new approach, please contact enquiries@learnsheffield.co.uk.
Communication and Interaction
Social Communication
| Autism Education Trust (AET). Early Stages Good Autism Practice |
This new 2025 course includes updated knowledge and understanding of Autism, practical support packs of resources and access to the new AET Progression Framework which you can establish in your setting to track pupil’s progress.
Audience: Any practitioners who work with Autistic pupils or those with social communication differences in Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1
Location: In-person- see below
Sessions:
| Booking Code |
Dates / Location |
| EY ASCETS 01 |
Tuesday 11th November 2025, 9.30am - 3.30pm at The Quadrant |
| EY ASCETS 02 |
Tuesday 3rd March 2026, 9.30am - 3.30pm at The Quadrant |
| EY ASCETS 03 |
Tuesday 19th May 2026, 9.30am - 3.30pm at The Circle |
Cost: £75 for full days training and 1 follow up/networking session
Training Team: ASCETS
How to book: Email EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk including your name, setting and the booking code of the session you would like to book.
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| Autism Education Trust (AET) Primary Good Autism Practice (GAP) |
This new 2025 course includes updated knowledge and understanding of Autism, practical support packs of resources and access to the new AET Progression Framework which you can establish in your setting to track pupil’s progress.
Audience: Any practitioners who work with primary or early secondary. There is a sound understanding of autism (theory) mixed with practical approaches and strategies.
Location: In-person (Moorfoot Building, Sheffield)
Cost: £75 for full days training and 1 follow up coaching session.
Training Team: ASCETS
How to book: Book Now
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| Autism Education Trust Train the Trainer Programme |
A 3-day programme which allows a member of staff to become part of the licensed AET Training Team. Training can be delivered within own school or academy trust. Access to all AET resources are included. Attendance at regular CPD is expected.
Audience: Primary and Secondary SENDCOs (or a member of staff who meets the AET Train the Trainer criteria)
Location: In-person
Cost: £500 per person, which includes 3 days training, on-going CPD and access to a trainer account for AET materials (worth £350)
Training Team: Lucy Cooper, Joy Sykes, Laura Chambers, Alicea Shepherd
How to book: Email lucy.cooper@sheffield.gov.uk for details of how to apply
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| Creating Neuroaffirming Environments: A Two-day Practical Training |
Are you supporting children who struggle with transitions, sensory overload, or seem constantly dysregulated ; with or without a diagnosis? Do traditional behaviour strategies often feel ineffective or frustrating?
This two-day training provides practical, compassionate solutions tailored to these challenges.
Day 1 – Adapting Environment, Provision, and Practice Experience a day through the eyes of a neurodivergent or emerging neurodivergent child to deepen your understanding of their unique challenges. We’ll explore how play and special interests can be powerful tools to engage and support these learners. Learn how to adjust your environment, teaching provision, and daily routines to reduce sensory overload, lower cognitive demands, and provide visual and communication supports. Walk away with actionable strategies to create a calmer, more inclusive space where every child can flourish.
Day 2 – Reflecting on Practice and Behaviour Support Join a facilitated forum to reflect on the strategies you’ve tried, share what’s worked or not, and learn from others’ experiences. We’ll then explore behaviour support through a neurodivergent lens; focusing on understanding the reasons behind behaviours and adopting compassionate, effective approaches that promote regulation and build positive relationships. Gain practical tools to reduce distress and prevent escalation in your classroom.
Audience: Ideal for teachers, TAs, SENDCos, and leaders committed to creating truly inclusive, neuroaffirming learning environments for all children, including those without formal diagnoses.
Location: In person (The Quadrant)
Sessions:
Friday 3 October 2025 and Friday 7 November, both 9.30am-4.00pm.
Please note that you must be available for both sessions.
(Booking code EY Neuro Env)
Cost: 3 tokens for Early Years Professional Development Training Package subscribers. Please contact EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk for pricing if you do not subscribe.
Training Team: Simon Airey
How to book: Email EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk including your name, setting and the booking code of the session you would like to book.
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| Demand Avoidance |
Gain practical Insights into anxiety driven behaviours and practical strategies build trust-based supportive approaches in school. The session will include:
- Understanding the Autistic Demand Avoidant profile
- Understanding and identifying contributing sources of stress and anxiety as part of a Demand Avoidant Profile and how to reduce them
- Identifying Supportive Approaches and Strategies
Audience: Suitable for all staff working in school settings (Primary to Post 16) / A.P / Special / Hubs/IR’s
Location: In-person (Moorfoot Building, Sheffield)
Cost: £75
Training Team: Colette Taylor / Kelly Turner
How to book: Book Here
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| Developing an outstanding SEND base, the four areas of engagement |
A full day training designed for hubs/IRs/SRPs looking at the four areas of engagement from the Autism Education Trust. The four areas are, Understanding the AuDHD individual, positive and collaborative relationships, enabling environments and curriculum, learning and preparation for adulthood. We look how through these four areas we can develop practice, within SEND bases and maximise the potential for pupils within these spaces. We explore themes such as skills-based curriculum, timetables, environment set up, integration, relationships with parents, understanding behaviours etc.
Audience: Staff from Hubs/IR/SRPS/SEND bases
Location: In-person (Moorfoot Building, Sheffield)
Cost: £75 per person for the full day. There is the opportunity for some outreach support via the action plan after.
Training Team: Alicea Shepherd, Julie Wilson and Laura Scott
How to book: Book Here
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| Meeting Autistic Need – The Low Arousal Approach |
The Low Arousal Approach is a supportive, non-confrontational strategy designed to reduce stress and anxiety for autistic pupils by minimising demand overload and avoiding escalation. It focuses on understanding behaviour as communication and promotes calm, empathetic responses that prioritise emotional safety and regulation.
Audience: Suitable for all staff working in school settings (Primary to Post 16) / A.P / Special / Hubs/IR’s. We do recommend the following documents are reviewed prior to attending:
Location: In-person (Moorfoot Building, Sheffield)
Cost: £75 full day plus a follow up Low Arousal Audit within school
Training Team: Colette Taylor / Laura Chambers (both of whom are qualified Studio 3 Train the Trainers)
How to book: Book Here
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| School Based Menu of Support |
As a 5–25 service our core offer ensures each school is supported by a dedicated Link Teacher who works closely with SENDCos to help every pupil thrive throughout their school journey. In addition to our centralised training and as part of our Graduated Response, Link Teachers can also deliver staff meetings tailored to individual school needs. The following sessions may be offered:
- Progression Framework
- Making Sense of Neurodivergence in Schools
- arental Drop-In Sessions
- Teacher Surgery – drop-in sessions
- Suitable researched and evidence-based neuro affirmative interventions.
- Bespoke Workshop devised with school needs.
How to access: Contact your Link Teacher or the ASCETS team
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| Social Confidence |
Managing social situations can be challenging for some young people. This course will cover areas of social skills and attendees will be provided with a 6-week intervention they can use with pupils.
The course covers:
- What we mean when we talk about ‘social skills’.
- Why some children and young people might struggle to attain social confidence.
- How schools can support social confidence at different levels: systemically, as a targeted intervention and at an individual level.
- How to structure and run a targeted intervention for a small group using lesson plans supplied.
- How to find opportunities within a school day to reinforce social confidence.
Audience: TAs, pastoral workers
Location: In person (Moorfoot Learning Centre)
Sessions:
Tuesday 12 November 2025 9.00am-12.00pm
Wednesday 13 May 2026 9.00am-12.00pm
Cost: £100
Training Team: Educational Psychology Service
How to book: Email Educational.Psychology@sheffield.gov.uk including your name, setting and which session you would like to attend.
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