Services for children

SEN bulletin October 2025

    Message from Madhu

    It was lovely to see so many of you at the recent network meeting—thank you for making the time. I’m really looking forward to seeing even more of you at the upcoming conference. A number of Headteachers have now taken part in Esther’s sensory needs training and found it really insightful. If you haven’t already, do speak to your Heads about it—it’s a brilliant example of the impact of our SENDCo cluster work. And finally, a huge thank you to all the schools and colleagues who supported the LA during the recent Ofsted visit—your contribution was truly appreciated.

    Celebrate

    Thinking of giving your SEND Information Report a refresh, look at this one from Lady Margaret Primary that includes accessible language and visuals to really engage families.

    If you have something to celebrate with colleagues in the SEND space – let us know! sendline@ealing.gov.uk

    Upcoming training and networks

    SENCO Conference

    To support you all for the year ahead, our highly regarded and well established SENCO conference will take place on 12 November 2025 at Trailfinders. We are excited to be hearing from Amjad Ali, a noted speaker and inclusion lead in a large Trust. About Amjad Ali | Try This Teaching Amjad Ali SENCO conference keynote speaker 2025

    Thursday 12 November 2025, 9.15am-3.30pm at Trailfinders

    New Projects – expressions of interest

    We are pleased to offer two new opportunities for schools to engage in focused, collaborative work aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND:

    Occupational Therapy (OT) Project

    This project will focus on embedding OT-informed strategies to support pupils with sensory and motor needs. It will involve:

    • Commitment of up to two staff members (e.g. Teaching Assistant, HLTA, deputy SENDCo etc)
    • Participation in two days training programme with follow up gap tasks.
    • Practical implementation of OT strategies in the classroom.
    • Engagement with two case studies where strategies can be trialled at a deeper level.
    • Commitment for the participants to deliver the training and share the learning/resources with colleagues internally
    • Sharing of learning and impact with other schools in your cluster.

    Dyslexia/Literacy Programme

    This project will support schools in developing whole-school approaches to identifying and supporting learners with dyslexia and literacy difficulties. It will involve:

    • The commitment of the Literacy Lead and an additional nominated member of staff
    • Participation in 2 network meetings, one at the beginning of the programme and one at the end.
    • Active engagement in 2 bespoke training and development days with the programme lead. These days will be planned with the school.
    • Implementation of strategies and tools within your school setting.
    • Sharing of learning and impact with other schools in your cluster.

    Your head teachers have been invited to share their expression of interest – and if interested please register your interest by emailing Sam sendline@ealing.gov.uk, including

    • Which project(s) you are interested in
    • The name, role and email contact of the staff member/s who would be involved

    Secondary SENCO Network 16 October

    Thursday 16 October 2025, 2-3.30pm Online

    Online – sign up to ensure you receive resources shared in the session and the teams link.

    Joint secondary SENCO and Inclusion Leads Seminar

    Thursday 6 November 2025, 9.30am – 12.30pm, EEC

    Find the full list of ELP Training here: ELP SEND Training Brochure Link

    ELP outreach team

    ELP occupational therapy

    OT handbooks now available – Book a visit with Esther to get the most from them. You can find them here: SENDLine Advice and Resources under sensory and independence.

    Esther Mellor esthermellor@theotpractice.co.uk

    Autism Education Trust

    Ealing LA funds training from the AET which is free to schools and delivered through our Special schools. Once training has been completed schools can access a very extensive range of resources from the AET at no cost to them. If you have used an AET resource that you would particularly recommend,

    SENDline and SENCO Induction Programme

    This year the induction programme will be a series of 5 one hour online sessions on themes such as Ealing systems and resources, identifying SEND, transition, the SEND register, technology, statutory elements, ofsted, funding, working with partners and families, send in the whole school, and developing the strategic role. There will be space for your questions and sharing practice.

    First session: Tuesday 4 November 2025, 2pm – 3pm, online

    Speech and language therapy

    Look out for the SaLT brochure coming into schools this month. We say goodbye to Maddy Burnett and Rachel Smith this term and welcome Alice Parker. Ealing Families Directory | Speech and Language Therapy

    SEN Governors

    Do you meet regularly with your SEN Governor? Has your Governing body Clerk listed the name of your SEN governor? There is lots of support for governors available, so do signpost your governing body.

    Draft guides

    DRAFT Ealing ordinarily available provision shared expectations for inclusion This draft guidance has been developed for practitioners to reflect and strengthen their provision for all pupils, including thise with SEND.

    DRAFT Ealing SEND mainstream banding funding guidance This draft framework has been developed with representatives from London Borough of Ealing Council, all phases of schools and with a representative of Ealing Parent Carer Forum, Ealing Contact and SENDIAS, and with contributions from therapy leads. It has drawn from analysis of data and feedback from schools and wider partners, and a variety of models from other Local Authority areas.

    NASEN Resources

    NASEN is updating its membership model. The new structure introduces three tiers - Core (Individual Free), Plus (Individual Paid), and Organisational (Organisational Paid) - offering more tailored CPD access, benefits, and tools: nasen's big reveal | Nasen

    Twilight Talks – a series of talks which focus on new research. Free from NASEN

    Share a Resource

    This resource has been suggested by Ealing school workforce adviser Therese McNulty: Professional supervision for school headteachers and leaders and FE leaders

    National CPD

    A suggestion from the many free and low cost webinars and training sessions available nationally: Evidence-informed teaching | Inclusion in Practice

    SEN in the news

    The SEND in Crisis survey of 1,000 at Bett shares some of the concerns of teachers about SEND reform, and some interesting views about possible over or under identification of SEN needs. What do you think? SEND in Crisis Whitepaper | Bett UK

    Signposts for parents

    Parenting Service autumn/winter workshops

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    Top Tip

    This month’s top tip is from Halina Rooney at Little Ealing Primary. Remind parents that, for children with EHCPs, it is their responsibility to tell the LA if they change address. This is particularly important if they move to an adjacent LA, as their EHCP will move with them. Let your office staff know the impact, so that they are also aware of the importance of updating SENAS.

    Access and inclusion

    Updates and reminders from Aretha Banton, Assistant Director SEND and Inclusion.

    Level Descriptors

    Level descriptors will be the mechanism by which provision is described and funded for pupils with EHCPs. Already in place in special schools and ARPS, these workshops led by Helen Redding are your chance to understand how they work and feedback will go to the working group. Many of you have already signed up - Links below:

    The workshops for primary schools will be held on:

    The workshop for secondary schools will be held on:

    Monday 20 October 2025, 1.30pm – 3.30pm, Ealing Education Centre

    LGFL resources

    Message for SENCOs from Belinda Evans, LGFL

    Unlocking Learning for All: The Power of Symbols in Your Classroom

    LGfL partners with Widgit to promote inclusive learning through the LGfL Widgit Symbol Collection. A new support portal showcases three schools that use symbols throughout their everyday situations, where all learners can access the curriculum and navigate the wider school environment effectively.

    Symbols aren't just pictures; they are potent visual representations of words or concepts. This visual aspect is key because it can make learning clear, relatable, engaging and interactive. They benefit all learners, enhancing communication and independence.

    Using symbols effectively isn't about lowering expectations; it's about adapting our approach to meet the needs of each child, and it's our responsibility to make our teaching and environments adaptive to that child's needs. Symbols can be a key tool in this adaptation, giving voice to every learner.

    Find out more at the LGfL curriculum blog post here or at the LGfL symbols portal here

    EHAP Pilot

    Many of you are participating in the pilot of a new EHAP form, which runs until the 15 October. Watch this space for an update. A feedback for the new form, if you have been using it, is here:

    https://forms.office.com/e/EB379vt1F0

    Thank-you for subscribing to the SEN Bulletin. If you are reading this offline, you can subscribe here, by adding it to a gatekeeping subscription:

    SEN bulletin | Ealing Grid for Learning

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    Last updated: 14 Oct 2025