University hosts SEND conference

The University of Derby is hosting a Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) conference titled ‘Pursuing Inclusive Outcomes through Co-operation and Collaboration’ on Friday, June 12.

The event will explore the crucial role of securing positive inclusive outcomes for children and young people with SEND. It will focus on the vital place of collaboration and collegiate work in delivering the best possible outcomes for learners. The conference is aimed at the workforce for SEND and inclusive practice and students studying in this area.

The event will also host special presentations and musical performances from children and young people. Key note speakers include Melsa Buxton and Pam Wooding who will deliver a thought provoking insight into creating inclusive education for learners with SEND’s through collaboration and the development of professional learning communities.

Brian Lamb OBE will also present on the recent SEND reforms and discuss the philosophical and practical issues. Brian chaired the Lamb Inquiry into parental confidence which informed the reforms. He is also a visiting professor at the University of Derby and founding chair of Achievement for All - a charity that aims to improve the outcomes of children with SEND and has worked in more than 3,000 schools.

Brian said: "The SEND reforms are the biggest shake up of provision for children and parents in the last 30 years. It is crucial we take the opportunity they bring to radically transform the lives and experience of children and young people with SEND in our education system. I will be looking at how well the first nine months of the reforms have gone in meeting expectations for a greater focus on better outcomes for children and young people through enhanced partnership working across all the statutory agencies, schools and parents and young people. 

“I am really looking forward to also hearing from the participants at the conference and how they are rising to the challenge of the reforms and what else can be done to ensure that they are successful.”

There will also be a range of valuable workshops with practical and innovative content.  These workshops are led by experts in the field, including:

• Dyscalculia and mathematical development: strategies for ‘exclusion’ - visiting Professor Steven Chinn.
• Mentoring through collaborative research - Dr Deborah Robinson and members of the University of Derby professional development network.
• Using soft data to demonstrate academic and social inclusion - Shally Shaleri-Palmer, St. Martins Special School.
• Supporting learners with dyslexia – creating a dyslexia friendly organisation and a review of effective practices from the learners' perspective - Dee Caunt, CEO, The Dyslexia Association and Sarah Chapman, Winner of the National Diversity Awards ‘Positive Role Model for Disability 2014’ and Derbyshire's Inspirational Woman of the Year 2015.

Dr Deborah Robinson, senior lecturer (SEND and inclusive practices) said: “This conference promises to be a celebration of our commitment to work together to bring positive outcomes to children and young people in our region. With a wide range of workshops in inspiring speakers, it will give us all something to think about.”