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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.

SEND Training

Communication and Interaction Cognition and Learning Social, Emotional and Mental Health Sensory/Physical/Medical Systems and Processes

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

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

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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Team Teach levels 1
Team Teach is accredited training designed to equip schools and educational settings with the strategies and techniques to support children and young people with challenging behaviour. Team Teach promotes the least intrusive positive handling strategy with an emphasis on exhausting all verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques before physical handling methods are utilised. Download: Download the 'Team Teach Level 1' flyer Audience: Anyone who is operating in a low-risk primary or secondary school setting would benefit from this course, which offer a grounding in positive behaviour support strategies applicable across these environments. Location: In person (Aizlewood Mill, Nursery Street S3 8GG) Cost: £140 per person Date: Friday 10 October 2025 Training Team: Fusion SEND Hub How to book: Book Here

Team Teach levels 1

Team Teach is accredited training designed to equip schools and educational settings with the strategies and techniques to support children and young people with challenging behaviour. Team Teach promotes the least intrusive positive handling strategy with an emphasis on exhausting all verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques before physical handling methods are utilised.

Download: Download the 'Team Teach Level 1' flyer

Audience: Anyone who is operating in a low-risk primary or secondary school setting would benefit from this course, which offer a grounding in positive behaviour support strategies applicable across these environments.

Location: In person (Aizlewood Mill, Nursery Street S3 8GG)

Cost: £140 per person

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. Considers the child’s voice as central. Respects that all adults around the child are key to developing recommendations (not just the school). Provides a structured way of exploring a child’s needs and developing a plan to support. It’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.

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.
Considers the child’s voice as central.
Respects that all adults around the child are key to developing recommendations (not just the school).
Provides a structured way of exploring a child’s needs and developing a plan to support.
It’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.

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.

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
EY EMPDOLL 02	Friday 14 November 2025, 9.30am-3.30pm St Marie’s School

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
EY TA 02	Tuesday 5 May 2026, 9.00am-12.00pm

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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Speech and Language Therapy Service Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Training
Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Training Module 1: The role of language skills in emotional regulation Module 2: Compromised attachment, trauma, and communication Module 3: Supporting CYP’s emotional availability through visual support Module 4: Demand avoidance and communication Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Strategies Drawing alongside talking and comic strip conversation Strategies to help with demand avoidance at home and school Emotion modelling Making things predictable to support communication Social stories and power cards Running commentary and social coaching Supporting communication in emotionally dysregulated CYP Talking about behaviour with a CYP with communication difficulties Visually supporting communication for older CYP

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