SEND Workforce Development

Adrenal insufficiency (AI) happens when the body doesn't make enough cortisol from the adrenal glands. This can be because of a primary adrenal issue or a lack of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) due to medication use. In children, AI symptoms like slow growth, tiredness, feeding troubles, tummy aches, throwing up, and longer illnesses can be vague at first. Treating AI involves using hydrocortisone to replace the missing cortisol. During times of physical stress, like being sick, hurt, or having surgery, the body needs more glucocorticoids to avoid a serious adrenal crisis, which can be life-threatening if not treated.

This course is designed to give participants a comprehensive understanding of the emergency care of a child who suffers from Adrenal insufficiency, and it also covers the recommended annual update training for staff to ensure confidence and competency in looking after a child who has Adrenal Insufficiency.

The course covers:

• What is adrenal insufficiency and Addison's disease?
• What are the signs and symptoms, daily care, and treatment?
• Adrenal crisis: How to recognise one and what to do
• How to prevent and prepare for adrenal crisis emergencies
• Escalation plan: What should be included in the plan
• How should the emergency medication, intramuscular hydrocortisone, be stored.

Audience: Any staff who work with someone with this condition

Location: Online

Cost: Free to Sheffield settings

Training Team: Health Needs in Education

How to book:

Date	Time	Booking Link
Tuesday 4th November	2.30-3.30pm	Book Here
Thursday 26th March 2026	2.30-3.30pm	Book Here
Tuesday 14th July 2026	2.30-3.30pm	Book Here

Advance care planning is crucial for improving care for individuals nearing the end of their lives. It involves creating personalised documents called advance care plans (ACPs) that record patients' preferences for future medical interventions. The ReSPECT process helps healthcare professionals and patients share an understanding of the patient's condition, values, fears, and how treatments align with their personalised care.

Advance care planning for children and young people is a complex intervention that requires support, appropriate support, resources, and skilled staff. Improving end-of-life care will require coordination between Health and Local Authorities. It will involve engagement with schools (education providers) and other services such as faith groups, funeral directors, care homes, hospices, independent and voluntary sector providers, and employers.

The course covers:

• What is ReSPECT
• Information about ACP
• What does this mean in school
• Roles and responsibilities

Audience: Any staff who work with someone requiring this care

Location: Online

Cost: Free to Sheffield settings

Training Team: Health Needs in Education

How to book:

Date	Time	Booking Link
Monday 1st September 2025	9.00-10.00am	Book Here
Wednesday 7th January 2026	9.00-10.00am	Book Here
Thursday 22nd May 2026	9.00-10.00am	Book Here

About 50% of children in the UK have some form of allergic condition, and approximately 6-8% have a confirmed food allergy. As a result, these children are at a high risk of experiencing anaphylactic shock. Taking all allergic conditions seriously is crucial, especially in school settings. With the increasing number of children with allergies, it has become essential for education and childcare providers to receive practical training on allergy management and anaphylactic shock. This training equips you with the necessary skills to effectively support children with allergies and ensure compliance with relevant laws.

As caregivers, we are responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of children with allergies. The Anaphylaxis & Allergy Training equips us with the necessary tools, such as the step-by-step emergency anaphylaxis procedure and effective care plans, to fulfil this responsibility and ensure the safety and protection of the children in our care.

The course covers:

• Increase awareness and understanding of different types of allergic reactions.
• To understand allergy action plans.
• To know how to recognise if an allergy is mild-moderate or severe and how best to treat it.
• To know how to use an Adrenaline Auto-Injector (AAI).
• Guidance for caring for students with allergies in schools

Audience: Any staff who work with someone with this condition

Location: Online

Cost: Free to Sheffield settings

Training Team: Health Needs in Education

How to book:

Date	Time	Booking Link
Tuesday 2nd September 2025	3.30-4.30pm	Book Here
Wednesday 5th November 2025	9.00-10.00am	Book Here
Tuesday 6th January 2026	3.30-4.30pm	Book Here
Wednesday 26th March 2026	9.00-10.00am	Book Here
Wednesday 20th May 2026	3.30-4.30pm	Book Here
Monday 13th July 2026	9.00-10.00am	Book Here

ME/CFS is relatively common in children, affecting at least 1% of teenagers. It is the leading cause of extended absence from school. Symptoms of ME/CFS may include extreme fatigue after normal activities, pain (including headaches), malaise and dizziness, nausea, sleep disturbance, and impaired mental functioning (poor concentration, distractibility, difficulty focusing, poor memory, 'brain fogging'). We typically find that children and young people with ME/CFS have a finite amount of energy capacity, and the normal "recharging of batteries" is impaired. If the available energy is surpassed, the young person experiences a 'payback' over the next day or two where they may feel 'fluey' and wiped out. This is also known as a "Boom and Bust" cycle. In our experience, young people with ME/CFS may also be more likely than those without fatigue to experience anxiety and low mood. Managing ME/CFS involves determining the amount of high-energy activity time a young person can spend daily without experiencing this payback. This is called the baseline.

The course covers:

• What is chronic fatigue syndrome?
• How common is it?
• What are the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?
• How can schools help with chronic fatigue syndrome?
• What does Sheffield Children’s offer?

Audience: Any staff who work with someone with this condition

Location: Online

Cost: Free to Sheffield settings

Training Team: Health Needs in Education

How to book:

Date	Time	Booking Link
Tuesday 4th November 2025	11.00-12.00pm	Book Here
Thursday 26th March 2026	11.00-12.00pm	Book Here
Tuesday 14th July 2026	11.00-12.00pm	Book Here

This Diabetes Training Course is for anyone caring for children with diabetes, including school staff, parents, guardians, youth workers, and childminders. It teaches essential skills for monitoring and managing diabetes in school settings.

Managing diabetes is crucial for children's short- and long-term health. In the UK, about 35,000 children and young people under 19 have diabetes—96% have type 1, 2% have type 2, and 2% have rare forms or undefined diagnoses.

The number of diabetes diagnoses has doubled since 1996, making awareness of its health risks essential. Support for children with diabetes is increasingly important for those working in childcare and educational environments.

This training provides valuable knowledge for teachers and caregivers responsible for children with diabetes. Participants will gain insights into key areas of diabetes management.

The course covers:

• What is diabetes
• Management in school
• Equipment CGM/pump/pen therapy
• Snack and lunchtime
• Hypoglycaemia
• Hyperglycaemia
• Sports and exercise
• Residentials
• Workshops:
• hands-on pumps and pens
• Blood testing equipment.
• Glucagon/Ogluodemonstration

This course is a hybrid session, allowing you to attend in person or online. The in-person option includes hands-on experience with the diabetes nurse specialist and equipment, which is not available online. While we recognise that some staff may have time constraints, we encourage you to take advantage of the learning opportunities offered in the in-person session. We would recommend that at least one person from each setting attends in person, where possible.

Audience: Any staff who work with someone with this condition

Location: Hybrid (online or in person)

Cost: Free to Sheffield settings

Training Team: Health Needs in Education

How to book:

Date	Time	Booking Link
Tuesday 2nd September 2025	10.30-12.00pm	Book Here
Wednesday 5th November 2025	10.30-12.00pm	Book Here
Tuesday 6th January 2026	10.30-12.00pm	Book Here
Wednesday 26th March 2026	10.30-12.00pm	Book Here
Wednesday 20th May 2026	10.30-12.00pm	Book Here
Monday 13th July 2026	10.30-12.00pm	Book Here

In the UK, there are approximately 64,000 children with epilepsy, which means about 1 in every 220 children. This suggests that, on average, there could be one child with epilepsy in every primary school and five in each secondary school. These statistics highlight the prevalence of epilepsy among school-aged children, underscoring the importance of being prepared to support them.

This comprehensive training is designed to equip you, the school staff, with the necessary knowledge and skills to support a child with epilepsy at school. It explains the different types of seizures and their symptoms, and most importantly, details what to do to help a child who is having a seizure.

Furthermore, it covers the responsibilities, policies, and procedures related to the well-being of children with epilepsy. The course is divided into five sections and includes a practical, step-by-step guide for what to do and what not to do when a child has a seizure, making it easier to understand and follow.

The course covers:

• Describe what epilepsy is
• The different types of seizures
• The signs and symptoms of seizures
• Common triggers
• How to administer first aid for a seizure
• Basic information on treatments, including VNS and a ketogenic diet
• Administration of buccal rescue medication and protocols
• How Epilepsy Affects Education and Well-being

Please note that any child or young person who is prescribed rectal emergency medication, such as Diazepam or Paraldehyde, will require separate in-person training sessions for selected staff. These sessions take place on the second Wednesday of each month from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and spaces are limited due to the nature of the training and the small number of children prescribed emergency medication via this method.

We do not advise that all school staff receive training in administering rectal medication; rather, only a select few should be trained. This includes staff who work directly with the child or emergency first aid responders. Generally, it is recommended that schools have 2-3 staff members trained in the rectal administration of emergency medication, although some special schools may prefer to have up to 6 staff trained.

It is not appropriate for all staff to be trained due to the sensitive nature of the medication. Other staff members are encouraged to attend the virtual epilepsy awareness sessions offered below.

The training does not expire! If staff members have previously been trained and are comfortable administering the medication, they do not need to attend again. We are more than happy to offer refresher training to those staff who wish to review the administration process.

Audience: Any staff who work with someone with this condition

Location: Online

Cost: Free to Sheffield settings

Training Team: Health Needs in Education

How to book:

Date	Time	Booking Link
Tuesday 2nd September 2025	9.00-10.30am	Book Here
Tuesday 4th November 2025	3.00-4.30pm	Book Here
Tuesday 6th January 2026	9.00-10.30am	Book Here
Thursday 26th March 2026	9.00-10.30am	Book Here
Thursday 21st May 2026	3.00-4.30pm	Book Here
Tuesday 14th July 2026	9.00-10.30am	Book Here

Living with hydrocephalus can be quite challenging, especially because many people don't fully understand the condition. Hydrocephalus is a condition with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation in the brain, leading to increased pressure inside the skull. It's important for schools to be aware of this condition and to know how to support students who have it and may need a shunt system to manage it. This training also covers the signs of shunt malfunction, which is crucial as it can be life-threatening.

The course covers:

• What is Hydrocephalus?
• What is a Shunt?
• What are the considerations for schools?
• What adaptions should be considered?
• Information and resource sharing.

Audience: Any staff who work with someone with this condition

Location: Online

Cost: Free to Sheffield settings

Training Team: Health Needs in Education

How to book:

Date	Time	Booking Link
Tuesday 4th November 2025	2.00-3.00pm	Book Here
Thursday 26th March 2026	1.00-2.00pm	Book Here
Tuesday 14th July 2026	1.00-2.00pm	Book Here

Suction, a procedure that uses vacuum pressure to remove fluid from a person's airway, is considered low-risk. When people cannot clear their airways of fluids such as saliva, mucus, and vomit, it provides a safe and effective solution. The suction procedure should not cause pain or discomfort and can significantly improve a person's quality of life.

Suction should only be performed on children and young people with suction machines, and a healthcare professional should write a care plan for suction. It's crucial that only those signed off as competent by a professional can carry out suction, ensuring the safety and well-being of the patient.

Specific types of suction should only be performed in a child's care based on an individual healthcare plan and when the caregiver is competent. The child's care plan, a comprehensive guide designed to ensure safe and effective suction, will include a maximum depth for suction, which must be followed.

This course will cover the following types of suction training:

• Nasal suction: uses a soft, flexible catheter passed a short length into the nasal cavity.
• Nasopharyngeal suction: uses a soft, flexible catheter inserted into the nostril and towards the back of the mouth (the pharynx).
• Oral suction: uses a hard plastic 'yankaeur' catheter in the mouth and goes no further than the back of the teeth.
• Oropharyngeal suction: uses a soft, flexible catheter along the roof of the mouth and down the throat. A specialist health professional must prescribe this and be risk-assessed based on a child's needs.

This course will cover the following topics:

• Reasons and appropriate timing for suctioning
• Identifying and labelling relevant anatomy and suctioning sites
• Recognising potential risks associated with suctioning
• Infection control procedures
• Documentation and care plan requirements

The course will also include a manikin assessment, during which you will need to:

• Demonstrate the correct suctioning procedure
• Show the proper use of suctioning machines
• Perform troubleshooting techniques

Audience: Any staff who work with someone who requires this care

Location: In-person (Sheffield Children’s Hospital)

Cost: Free to Sheffield settings

Training Team: Health Needs in Education

How to book:

Date	Time	Booking Link
Wednesday 3rd September 2025	9.00-11.30am	Book Here
Monday 3rd November 2025	9.00-11.30am	Book Here
Monday 5th January 2026	9.00-11.30am	Book Here
Friday 27th March 2026	9.00-11.30am	Book Here
Friday 22nd May 2026	9.00-11.30am	Book Here
Friday 10th July 2026	9.00-11.30am	Book Here

A tracheostomy is an artificial opening in the windpipe (trachea) maintained by a tracheostomy tube, allowing easier breathing, especially for children.

Air flows directly through the tracheostomy tube, bypassing the nose and mouth so it doesn't get warmed, moistened, or filtered. Because children with tracheostomies may struggle to clear secretions, proper care is essential to prevent blockage. The tapes securing the tube should be changed daily or when soiled, while the tube needs replacing weekly or monthly, depending on its type.

Tracheostomy care is vital for preventing infection, promoting healing, and keeping the airway safe. A qualified caregiver must be present to perform suctioning, change tape, and handle emergencies. This caregiver could be a trained educational staff member focusing solely on the child's needs. Multiple trained staff should be available to ensure consistent care and support during breaks or other duties.

This course will cover the following topics:

• Reasons for needing tracheostomies
• Caring for a child/young person with a tracheostomy
• Tracheostomy suction
• Changing a tracheostomy tube
• Providing basic life support to a child with a tracheostomy while waiting for an ambulance in an emergency
• Documentation, care plans, and risk assessment
• Preparation of equipment

The course will also include a manikin assessment, during which you will need to:

• Demonstrate the correct procedure for tracheostomy care/change at
• Demonstrate knowledge of tracheostomy emergency care
• Perform troubleshooting techniques

This training program provides annual refresher courses for experienced staff and an introductory session for new employees involved in tracheotomy care. New staff members are required to complete individual competency sign-offs in addition to this course. Competency must be achieved within six months of completing the training.

Audience: Any staff who work with someone who requires this care

Location: In person (Sheffield Children’s Hospital)

Cost: free to Sheffield settings

Training Team: Health Needs in Education

How to book:

Date	Time	Booking Link
Wednesday 3rd September 2025	12.00-4.00pm	Book Here
Monday 3rd November 2025	12.00-4.00pm	Book Here
Monday 5th January 2026	12.00-4.00pm	Book Here
Friday 27th March 2026	12.00-4.00pm	Book Here
Friday 22nd May 2026	12.00-4.00pm	Book Here
Friday 10th July 2026	12.00-4.00pm	Book Here