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.
Social, Emotional and Mental Health
| Relational Practice (Trauma Informed) Conference 2025/26 |
This is the annual Relational Practice Trauma Informed) Conference 2025/26 - How Relational Practice supports the new SEND and Inclusion Strategy.
It will be focused on the importance of Relational Practice in 'healthy child development', which is at the heart of the new SEND and Inclusion Strategy (formerly known as the SEND Manifesto).
Our keynote speakers are Jenny Mosley - Educational Author, Consultant and Trainer and Alice Barker from Carr Manor Community School in Leeds.
Please note, this conference is for Sheffield schools only.
Audience: Sheffield school leaders and SEND practitioners.
Location: In person (Niagara Conference and Leisure)
Session: 10 October 2025
Cost: £75 per delegate
Training Team: Keynote Speakers and Inclusion Taskforce Leaders
How to book: Book Here
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| Resilient Sheffield |
At a time when attendance is one of the most urgent challenges facing schools, ‘Resilient Sheffield’ offers an inspiring and practical learning space for educators who are ready to reframe the conversation - from monitoring attendance to nurturing belonging.
Join Sheffield’s Virtual School Team & Motional, and expert speakers across education, psychology, and systems-thinking as we explore what drives emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), and how whole-school emotional health approaches can unlock long-term resilience in learners - and in the staff who support them.
Whether you’re a Designated Teacher, SENDCO, Inclusion Lead, or SLT member, this is a rare opportunity to connect with thought-leaders and gain practical tools for change.
Audience: Designated Teacher, SENDCO, Inclusion Lead or SLT member.
Location: In person (Learn Sheffield)
Sessions: 25 September 2025, 26 September
Cost: Free to Sheffield schools and settings
Training Team: SEND Strategic Leads & Motional
How to book: Book Here
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| Accredited Team Teach, levels 1 and 2 |
Practical de-escalation and crisis intervention strategies to minimise risk and manage conflict safely and respectfully. Building individual confidence and expertise to support with behaviour.
Audience: All roles across early Years, primary, secondary, post-16
Location: In person
Cost: TBC
Date: Friday 10 October 2025
Training Team: Fusion SEND Hub
How to book: Book Here
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| Functional Analysis and Multi-element Plans |
Functional Analysis leading to multi-element plans is a useful tool for understanding a young person, particularly when they are displaying challenging behaviours.
This approach:
- Provides a greater understanding of the functions of observed behaviours so support can be targeted and nuanced.
- PConsiders the child’s voice as central.
- PRespects that all adults around the child are key to developing recommendations (not just the school).
- PProvides a structured way of exploring a child’s needs and developing a plan to support.
- PIt’s a ‘live’ document - you can review, adapt and change as appropriate.
Audience: SENDCo, Pastoral Leaders, SLT, teachers, TAs
Location: In person (Moorfoot Learning Centre)
Sessions:
- Wednesday 5 November 2025 9.00am-12.00pm
- Wednesday 4 March 2026 9.00am-12.00pm
- Wednesday 6 May 2026 9.00am-12.00pm
Cost: £150 (For training and 1:1 follow up online session with an Assistant EP based on an individual pupil to prepare and complete a MEP.)
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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| Emotional Coaching |
Emotion coaching is a relational approach which supports children and young people to learn from moments of heightened emotion and develop more effective responses. This approach is supported by extensive evidence base and complements trauma informed/attachment aware approaches.
Children who have regular experiences of emotion coaching are better able to control their impulses, self soothe when upset, pay attention, achieve more academically and are more resilient and able to self-regulate. It also
promotes positive relationships between adults and children in school.
This training looks at how Emotion Coaching supports emotional regulation and emotional literacy development and will teach you the tools to use this approach in your practice, focusing on four easy to remember steps.
Audience: TAs, Teachers, SENDCos
Location: In person (Moorfoot Learning Centre)
Sessions:
- Wednesday 8 October 2025 9.00am-12.00pm
- Wednesday 11 February 2026 9.00am-12.00pm
- Wednesday 29 April 2026 9.00am-12.00pm
Cost: £150 (Training and two follow-up online small group sessions with an Assistant EP to reflect on your experiences of using emotion coaching, sharing successes and exploring any challenges that may have arisen.)
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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| Behaviour and Big Feelings |
This online, 4 part course will empower you to respond to children's 'behaviour and big feelings' with confidence. We will explore the connection between behaviour and emotions in a meaningful way, considering:
- Causes and triggers that contribute to a child's dysregulation
- The impact of attachment, SEND and trauma on 'behaviour'
- Communication and teaching styles based in connection and co-regulation
- Effective responses to a variety of dysregulated behaviours including hitting, throwing and biting
- How to use your environment to de-escalate situations
- Activities and resources to help children learn about feelings and how to regulate them
- How to ensure an approach to behaviour and big feelings that is supportive and inclusive of neurodivergent children
- What 'self-control' really means and how to help children develop it
There will be sharing of information, lots of practical tips, and time for reflection and questions. Participants are welcome to bring any questions they may have relating to current 'real-life' challenges.
Audience: All early years practitioners, childminders, managers, SENCos, teachers, teaching assistants, year 1 teachers and leaders.
Location: Online
Sessions:
| Booking Code |
Dates/Location |
| EY BBF 01 |
Thursday 9 October 2025
Thursday 23 October 2025
Thursday 13 November 2025
Thursday 27 November
All 9.30-11.45am.
Please note that you must be available for all sessions.
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Cost:2 tokens for Early Years Professional Development Training Package subscribers. Please contact EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk for pricing if you do not subscribe.
Training Team: Sarah Emerson
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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| Empathy Dolls |
Discover the Power of the Empathy Dolls Approach – A Transformative Training for Early Years Practitioners.
Launched in 2006 by renowned early years trainer and author Kirstine Beeley, the Empathy Dolls Approach has been transforming early years practice for nearly two decades. With thousands of practitioners trained across the UK, this proven and powerful method continues to be at the forefront of emotional development support in early childhood settings.
This unique, hands-on training introduces a specially designed Empathy Doll that becomes a trusted emotional companion for children. More than just a soft toy, the doll acts as a powerful tool to help young children explore, process, and begin to articulate their emotions—something that can often feel overwhelming and confusing during the early years.
Through interactive workshops and real-life case studies, you will:
- Deepen your understanding of emotional development in the early years, grounded in up-to-date brain science
- Explore the vital role of co-regulation and why it's key to helping children manage big feelings safely and effectively
- Learn practical strategies to use the Empathy Doll in your setting to support co-regulation , resilience, and emotional wellbeing
Understand how to tune into non-verbal cues and respond to children’s emotional needs in a meaningful way.
At the end of the day, you’ll take home your very own Empathy Doll (RRP £100+), allowing you to begin embedding the approach straight away in your own setting.
Join a growing community of practitioners around the world who have seen the difference this approach makes not just for the children in their care, but for their own confidence and emotional insight as professionals.
Audience:
All early years practitioners, childminders, managers, SENCos, teachers, teaching assistants, year 1 teachers and leaders.
Location:
In person- see locations below
Sessions:
| Booking Code |
Dates/Location |
| EY EMPDOLL 01 |
Saturday 11 October 2025, 9.30am-3.30pm
Primrose Family Hub
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| EY EMPDOLL 02 |
Friday 14 November 2025, 9.30am-3.30pm
St Marie’s School
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Cost: 2 tokens for Early Years Professional Development Training Package subscribers. Please contact EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk for pricing if you do not subscribe.
Training Team: Sarah Emerson
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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| Trauma and Attachment with Educational Psychologists |
This training from the Educational Psychology Service aims to:
- Raise awareness and understanding of attachment and how disruption to healthy attachment might lead to trauma
- Reflect on theory and neuroscientific evidence for attachments and trauma
- Consider how attachment and trauma may present in behaviour
- Explore strategies staff can use to support children and young people who have experienced trauma
- Consider how staff, in particular, key adults, can implement and use relational approaches and act as Emotionally Available Adults
- Explore whole setting approaches to implement trauma informed practice
Audience: All early years practitioners, childminders, managers, SENCOs, teachers, teaching assistants, year 1 teachers and leaders.
Location: In person (The Quadrant)
Sessions:
| Booking Code |
Dates/Location |
| EY TA 01 |
Wednesday 12 November 2025, 9.00am-12.00pm
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| EY TA 02 |
Tuesday 5 May 2026, 9.00am-12.00pm
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Cost: 1 token for Early Years Professional Development Training Package subscribers. Please contact EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk for pricing if you do not subscribe.
Training Team: Educational Psychology Team
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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