Like most websites we use cookies. In order to deliver a personalised, responsive service and to improve the site, we remember and store information about how you use it. This is done using simple text files called cookies that sit on your computer. These cookies are completely safe and secure and will never contain any sensitive information. They are used only by us.
Virtual SENDCo Network
These meetings are new to the Leicester City offer this academic year and have been calendared to fit between the face-to-face SENDCo network meetings to provide more regular communication opportunities.
Areas covered:
- Provide updates for SENDCos of any new developments in SEN both at a national and local level.
- Provide updates on changes to systems and processes within Leicester City. This academic year we will be covering these key areas:
- Building parent/carer confidence in school’s offer for children and young people with SEND.
- How to improve the accessibility of School Information Reports whilst meeting the statutory requirements.
- Supporting children and young people with Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA).
- Updates on inclusive provision reviews.
- Updates on any changes to top up funding.
- Updates on the use of Individual Health Plans (IHPs) in schools.
- Updates on the ELSEC and PINs projects.
- Updates on Alternative Provision (AP).
- Updates on support for transition for children and young people with SEND.
Course Outcomes:
- Refreshed and updated information or ideas will be used by the SENDCos in their role.
- Up to date information regarding new resources, assessment material, websites etc. that support the work of SEN in the school, can be
Termly sessions will take place on:
Times: 3.45pm - 4.45pm
- Wednesday 26 November 2025
- Tuesday 3 February 2026
- Thursday 21 May 2026
Who is this course for:
SENDCoS, SEND leads
Cost:
Free to city SENDCos
Venue:
Online Via Microsoft Teams
£0.00
Designated Specialist Provision (DSP) Leadership Network Meetings
Time -1.30pm -3pm
- Monday 15th June 2026 (In person - New Parks House)
These twice yearly meetings are for Headteachers to attend to:
- receive LA updates regarding systems and processes e.g. placement, funding, ongoing support
- develop and agree quality assurance procedures e.g. quality assurance reviews
- network with other DSP Headteachers
- talk to LA colleagues with responsibilities for DSP support e.g. QIT, SES
They can be attended by school Headteachers who have a DSP.
£0.00
SENCO Health Event - Cancelled
This course has been cancelled
- 9:00 Refreshments
- 9:15 Welcome by Janet Harrison: Understanding CYP health offer and where to turn.
- Market place workshop: An opportunity to talk to each service about their wide ranging roles and services including CAMHs, Paediatricians, SALT, Care navigators, Mental health professionals, Occupational therapy and many more.
- Question and Answer session with health professionals.
- Speech and Language toolkit launch Sarah Jeffries (SALT): A new resource to support SAL in schools.
Light refreshments such as Tea, Coffee and Juice will be provided, Lunch will need to be brought.
Time: 9.00-3.00
Location: City Hall, Attenborough Hall LE1 1FZ
£0.00
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) (EY & Primary)
COURSE FULL
Time: 9.00am - 3.30pm
Cost: Free
Venues: New Parks House, The Hall G.1, LE3 9RN
Dates:
- EBSA EY & Primary: Tuesday 13th January 2026 & Thursday 26th February 2026
To ensure that this course is completed you will need to attend both dates.
This course aims to provide participants with a greater understanding of pupils who experience EBSA and barriers to engaging in education and school. Pupils facing these barriers often have complex issues that are inextricably linked with mental health and wellbeing, and this course will explore how best to support children and their families through the use of evidence based tools and approaches to improve engagement and attendance.
Course Outcomes:
Participants will:
- Explore the latest theory and understanding around the needs of pupils who struggle to come to school and/or engage with education
- Develop a graduated approach for CYP who are struggling to engage with education including early identification of pupils.
- Be supported to understand the main ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors for a “live” school case.
- Learn strategies to use at a whole school and individual student level.
- Explore strategies for parents and careers to support their CYP in engaging with education.
£0.00
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) (Secondary)
Time: 9.00am - 3.30pm
Cost: Free
Venues: New Parks House, The Hall G.1, LE3 9RN
Dates:
EBSA Secondary: Tuesday 21st April 2026 and Tuesday 5th May 2026
To ensure that this course is completed you will need to attend both dates.
This course aims to provide participants with a greater understanding of pupils who experience EBSA and barriers to engaging in education and school. Pupils facing these barriers often have complex issues that are inextricably linked with mental health and wellbeing, and this course will explore how best to support children and their families through the use of evidence based tools and approaches to improve engagement and attendance.
Course Outcomes:
Participants will:
- Explore the latest theory and understanding around the needs of pupils who struggle to come to school and/or engage with education
- Develop a graduated approach for CYP who are struggling to engage with education including early identification of pupils.
- Be supported to understand the main ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors for a “live” school case.
- Learn strategies to use at a whole school and individual student level.
- Explore strategies for parents and careers to support their CYP in engaging with education.
£0.00
Restorative Approaches Network
Dates:
- Thursday 16 October 2025
- Thursday 26th March 2026
- Thursday 11 June 2026
Time: 13:00-16:00
Venue: New Parks House, Pindar Road, Leicester, LE3 9RN
Fee: Free
This network aims to share current knowledge, understanding and further training around Restorative practices.
Support participants to be reflective on their practice and share good practice with others.
Steer the networks to address the needs and developments you wish to see in your schools.
£0.00
Element 3 Top Up Funding Virtual Clinics
Dates - (1 hour: 3.30pm – 4.30pm)
Thursday 18th September 2025
Wednesday 21st January 2026
Thursday 21st May 2026
Fee: Free to City SENDCos
Venue: Online Via Microsoft Teams
Overview:
During these sessions we will cover any recent changes to the Element 3 Top Up application process. We also invite you to bring any specific questions you may have regarding completing the form.
Course Outcomes:
- Be supported in understanding the funding application process including the graduated response and Element 2.
- Be supported to evidence the graduated approach and have a clear golden thread.
- Be supported to write SMART outcomes, linked to the Child or Young person's needs and provision.
- Be supported to create a timetable that reflects the needs and provision of the child or young person, including how to link it to the outcomes and costings included in the application.
- Be clear on how to supply evidence and what types of evidence are beneficial when making an application.
- Be clear on the panel process, how panel come to a decision, the difficulties they experience when forms lack clarity and the benefits of attending a panel as an observer or participant.
- Feel confident about applying for high needs funding and the process involved.
£0.00
SENDCO Induction Network Meeting
Dates:
- Wednesday 24th September 2025
Or
- Wednesday 5th November 2025
Times: 1.00pm - 4.30pm
Who is this course for:
- New SENCos
- SENCos who are new to Leicester City
- Assistant SENCos
- Any SENCo wanting a refresher
Cost: Free for all Leicester City Schools
Venue: Training room G.1 New Parks House, Pindar Road, Leicester. LE3 9RN
Areas Covered:
We will be looking at:
- The SENDCo Role
- SEND systems.
- The graduated response.
- What to do/who to involve and how to involve them at each stage.
- Requirements for involving outside agencies
- What makes an effective JPM.
- Introduction to E3 / EHCPs
- SENCo yearly planner.
- SEND Audits
Course Outcomes:
- Better understanding of the SEND systems in Leicester City
- An opportunity to network with other SENCos
£0.00
IAP Network
1.00 - 4.00pm G.1 The Hall New Parks House
- Monday 17th November 2025
- Monday 26th January 2026
- Monday 27th April 2026
- Monday 22nd June 2026
Internal Alternative Provision (IAP) Network Meetings
These half-termly meetings are for Heads, SENDCos or IAP staff to attend to:
- share good practice
- develop resources e.g. assessment and audit tools
- network with other schools
- talk to LA colleagues with responsibilities for alternative provision
- access free training (funding permitting)
They can be attended by school teams who have an IAP or who are considering opening one.
£0.00
Education, Health and Care Plan Auditor Training
As part of our drive to quality assure Education, Health and Care Plans in Leicester City, we are looking for SENDCos to come and join our team of professionals from SES and SENDSS to review the compliancy and quality of EHCPs.
You will need to commit to the auditor training on Thursday 8th January 3.00 pm - 4.30 pm at New Parks House.
You will then be asked to independently audit 4 plans per year which will be sent to you via email in January, April, June and September. Each audit will take approximately one hour, and you will be given a 10 working day time scale to return your audit.
We will also invite you to join group moderation sessions where you will be able to work with other auditors on achieving a consistent approach to the process.
If you would like to express an interest, or request further information, please contact QualityInclusion@leicester.gov.uk
£0.00
TA Network
Dates & Price
- Tuesday 23 September 2025, 12:30 - 15.00pm
- Thursday 15 January 2026, 12:30 - 15.00pm
- Wednesday 10 June 2026,13:00pm - 17:00pm
Free for 2 delegates
(Leicester City School).
£20 for extra delegates.
Venue: New Parks House, Pindar Road, Leicester, LE3 9RN
A network meeting for Teaching Assistants who have attended Making Sense of Autism Level 1 Training.
Participants will benefit from learning how to help their children with Autism to help manage change whilst sharing with other TAs how they support the children they work with.
This will be ran by the LCI Team
£20.00
SENDCo Networks
Dates: These termly sessions will take place on the following dates:
- Thursday 9th October 2025 - 9am to 12pm
- Wednesday 18th March 2025 - 9am to 3.30pm
- Thursday 25th June 2026 - 9am to 3.30 pm
Who is this course for: All SENDCos
Fee: Free to city SENDCos
Venue:
Training Room G.1
New Parks House
Pindar Road, New parks
Leicester. LE3 9RN
Areas covered:
- Provide the opportunity for SENDCos to keep abreast of new developments in SEN both at a national and local level.
- It is also a time to share ideas with other practitioners, to ‘troubleshoot’ issues and refresh and gather new resources that support the SENDCo role.
Course Outcomes:
- Refreshed and updated information or ideas will be used by the SENDCo in their role.
- Up to date information regarding new resources, assessment material, websites etc. that support the work of SEN in the school, can be shared with all staff.
£0.00
Designated Specialist Provision (DSP) SENDCo / Lead Teacher Network Meetings
All meetings are held in person at New Parks House
1.30pm -3pm
- Wednesday 29th October 2025
- Wednesday 4th March 2026
- Wednesday 10th June 2026
These termly meetings are for SENDCos and Lead DSP teachers to attend to:
- share good practice and LA systems and processes
- develop resources and quality assurance procedures e.g. assessment and audit tools
- network with other DSPs
- talk to LA colleagues with responsibilities for DSP support e.g. QIT, SES, SENDSS
- share transition information
They can be attended by school teams who have a DSP.