Safeguarding Bulletin - 21 January 2026
£200 million landmark SEND teacher training programme
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced new courses available to all teaching staff. The training will aim to deepen knowledge of how to adapt teaching to meet a wide range of special educational needs in the classroom, including visual impairments and speech and language needs. The DfE says the courses are being funded by a £200million investment.
Behind the training will be a new expectation set out in the SEND Code of Practice, that all staff in every nursery, school and college should receive training on SEND and inclusion – making sure that every teacher nationwide is reached.
When child abuse and neglect are identified, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are more highly represented.
Whilst the DfE have instigated this new initiative with effective and inclusive education in mind, understanding the child’s world and seeking to ensure positive and supportive relationships are the cornerstone of effective safeguarding and we look forward to seeing what opportunities this new programme brings to safeguarding practice.
Find out more about the specific risks for children with SEND on our information page packed with free resources.
Free Webinar: Prevention, necessity and proportionality - the implications of the new guidance on restrictive interventions
We are holding 2 free webinars in the first quarter of 2026 to discuss the implications of the new guidance for restrictive interventions, including use of reasonable force in schools in England. Click the button to sign up for the date of your choice:
Book now: 5th February 2026 4pm - 5pm
Book now: 10 March 2026 4pm - 5pm
The differences between girls’ and boys’ online experiences
The online gender gap is narrowing. The Gender Gap Report draws on data from Internet Matters’ Digital Wellbeing Index - an annual UK survey of 1,000 9-to-16-year-olds and their parents.
Top-line findings show the gap between genders is narrowing: girls and boys increasingly spend their time online in similar ways (such as with social media). However, differences remain when it comes to gaming. Boys and girls are broadly positive about the time they spend online, highlighting how it supports their wellbeing. Internet Matters also present their recommendations to government including mandating robust age assurance for all children, and supporting schools and teachers in delivering media and digital literacy.
BBC's SEND in the Spotlight podcast
SEND in the Spotlight is a relatively new podcast series, presented by Woman’s Hour's Nuala McGovern. Each week it delves into a key aspect of special educational needs and disabilities - or SEND - each week, and brings together families, young people, teachers, experts, and decision-makers. Selected episodes include:
Each week Woman’s Hour presenter Nuala McGovern delves into a key aspect of special educational needs and disabilities - or SEND - and brings together families, young people, teachers, experts, and decision-makers. Selected episodes include:
Local authorities - looking at the role local authorities play in the SEND system.
Mainstream inclusion - Teaching SEND pupils in mainstream schools. What's working and what isn't?
EHCPs - an expert guide - Everything you need to know about getting an EHCP for your child.
School Standards Minister Georgia Gould starts a national conversation on SEND.
National consultation on children’s use of technology
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Education have this week announced a national consultation on children’s use of technology.
The consultation will look at options including raising the digital age of consent, implementing phone curfews to avoid excessive use, and restricting potentially addictive design features such as ‘streaks’ and ‘infinite scrolling’.
Immediate action announced includes an expectation that Ofsted will check school mobile phone policy on every inspection, with schools expected to be phone-free by default.
There will also be screen time guidance produced for parents of children aged 5 to 16, which is in addition to guidance for parents of under-fives that will be published in April.
Sign up for our free safeguarding Bulletin
Interested in membership?
Join over 3,500 DSLs and nearly 40,000 staff in 1,500 education settings receiving high value support, consultancy and the tools you need to keep the children in your care safe.
Shopping cart
Action Required