Welcome

By Annamarie Hassall MBE, Chief Executive, nasen

Welcome to the March edition of nasen Connect.

This hasbeen atough term forour sector.Against the backdrop of achallenging period, ourworkforcedeliverededucation in schools, colleges, settings and, of course, remotely.Teachers,teachingassistants andleaders have been giving their all. The discretionary extra effort goes on, addressing wider socialissues, such as food andfuel poverty andmarshalling resources forat-homelearning.

With nasen membershipstanding at over 80,000, ourphones arebusier than ever We receivecallsfromSENCOs and practitioners who wanttomobilisethe right resources to support children andyoung people with SEND or talkoverthe pressure points in leading on SEND provision for their setting. Ourmembership has broadened too, with increasing numbers joining from local authorities and earlyyearssettings.

Iwant to thank you all foryour dedication andyour continued quest forpractical andstrategic solutions.Above all, Iwant to sayhow muchyou arevalued, appreciatedand hownecessaryyou all are.

Thenewly publishedSEND and AP Improvement Plan heralds astep-change for

Tel: 01827 311500

Fax: 01827 313005

Email: education@nasen.org.uk improvement at atime when it is vitally needed. It outlines the principle of right support, right place and right time, for placing the voice of experience at the heartofthe improvements and committing to coproduction for the work to come. It calls for the detail on National Standards, on funding and on important processes such as digitisation of EHC plans. Most of all, the strategic commitment to inclusion stands out. Look out for our shortdigests on what the SENDAP improvement plan says, and why it matters.

Whatdoyou think?Tellusat welcome@nasen.org.uk

The Marchedition of Connect magazine includes highlights on thenasen NorthernIrelandAdvisoryGroup, employabilityand SEMH.

Lookout forthe launch of the annual nasen Awards, opentonominations fromacross thesector.

Do sharenasen Connect magazineacross yournetworksbyusing the followinglink, https://nasen.org.uk/nasen-connect, and encourage themtosignupfor free nasen membership, whichis funded through our sponsorsand charitable efforts.

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The views herein are not necessarily those of the editor or nasen.

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Beccie Hawes from Cadmus Inclusive, outlines how a‘shoestring approach’ to supporting pupils with SEMH needs made an impact.

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Nicola Turner from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, examines the help that is out there for young people.

35 / Employability skills forindependent living

Matthew Jones outlines how aspecialist college supports learners with SEND to build their employabilityskills.

39 / Support forcare leaversinFEand HE

Jade Ward looks at some statistics and outlines options available for young people and those who supportthem.

43 / Peer mentoring

SENDCO Paul Willis, outlines his school’s approach to mentoring, and discusses the impact of anew initiative thatthe school students have taken as their own.