Home » Membership » Member benefits »
Natspec runs events exclusively for staff at our member colleges. These include networking opportunities, chances to contribute to national conversations, as well as one off training sessions.
See also the full calendar of all Natspec events, including all training and opportunities which are also available to non-members.
Natspec Peer Exchange Week 2026
Monday 19 January 2026, 12:00am–11:59pmA great opportunity for Natspec members to share effective practice, learn from one another and tackle challenges together.
Admissions network
Monday 26 January 2026, 1:00pm–2:00pmThis network gives member colleges the opportunity to discuss approaches to the assessment process and share good practice.
The ILR drop-in and Q&A session
Wednesday 28 January 2026, 11:30am–1:00pmThis session gives colleagues the opportunity to ask and discuss ILR related issues or queries, especially in advance of upcoming data returns.
Natspec member meeting – Wales
Thursday 29 January 2026, 2:00pm–4:30pmNatspec member meeting for Wales.
SEMH network
Friday 30 January 2026, 9:00am–11:00amThis online network for Natspec members and affiliates who have an interest in provision for learners with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.
Fundraisers network
Tuesday 3 February 2026, 2:00pm–3:00pmThis free event, for Natspec members only, is an opportunity for staff responsible for fundraising to network and share ideas and practice.
PMLD network
Thursday 5 February 2026, 3:30pm–4:45pmA network for staff in Natspec colleges and affiliates working with students with PMLD aged 16-25. Teaching staff, managers, therapists, care staff and learning support staff can share information and discuss ideas and issues relating to provision for learners with PMLD.
Safeguarding network
Friday 6 February 2026, 10:30am–12:00pmThis free safeguarding forum is open to all DSLs and others with safeguarding responsibilities within Natspec member colleges.
Natspec member meeting – Wales
Thursday 12 February 2026, 2:00pm–4:30pmNatspec member meeting for Wales.
Natspec member meeting – West Midlands
Thursday 26 February 2026, 10:00am–12:00pmNatspec member meeting for West Midlands.
Autism network
Tuesday 3 March 2026, 3:30pm–4:30pmMeet with staff from Natspec member and affiliated colleges to discuss your work with autistic learners, share ideas, recommendations for training and compare experiences.
Natspec member meeting – North East / Yorkshire and the Humber
Wednesday 4 March 2026, 1:00pm–3:00pmNatspec member meeting for North East / Yorkshire and the Humber region.
Learner voice network
Thursday 5 March 2026, 10:00am–12:30pmThis network is for Learner Voice Practitioners working in Natspec member colleges and affiliates. This is an opportunity to meet other practitioners, hear about their work and share ideas around best practice.
HR network (incl. employment law update)
Thursday 5 March 2026, 10:30am–12:30pmThis is a free online HR networking event for Natspec members.
Quality network
Thursday 5 March 2026, 3:00pm–4:30pmNetwork meeting for staff in member colleges who work in quality roles.
Natspec member meeting – South East
Friday 6 March 2026, 10:00am–11:30amNatspec member meeting for South East.
Transition out network
Monday 9 March 2026, 11:00am–12:00pmThis network is aimed at staff in member colleges who are involved in the transition process from college towards their onward destination.
Sensory impairment network
Wednesday 11 March 2026, 4:00pm–5:15pmThis online network is for staff from Natspec member colleges and affiliates who are specialist sensory impairment teachers or in a role that involves supporting learners with sensory impairments.
Governance professionals network
Thursday 12 March 2026, 11:00am–12:30pmThis free, member-only meeting will compare approaches to supporting and advising governors, give you an opportunity to share practice, and discuss what constitutes good governance in specialist colleges.
Data and MIS network
Thursday 12 March 2026, 3:00pm–4:30pmIf you have Data/MIS/ILR responsibilities at any of our member colleges, join us to discuss your issues.
Quality event 2026
Tuesday 17 March 2026, 10:00am–4:00pmThe Natspec quality event, for Natspec members and affiliates, gives attendees an opportunity to focus on the quality of their provision.
Admissions network
Tuesday 17 March 2026, 12:00pm–1:00pmThis network gives member colleges the opportunity to discuss approaches to the assessment process and share good practice.
Finance managers network
Wednesday 25 March 2026, 2:00pm–4:00pmThis is a free, Natspec members-only event, for finance and business managers.
Natspec Innovation Awards 2026 online ceremony
Thursday 26 March 2026, 1:30pm–2:30pmJoin us for the announcement of the winners of the Natspec Innovation Awards 2026
SEND Leadership conference
Tuesday 21 April 2026, 10:00am–4:00pmThis conference is for current and previous delegates of our SEND leadership programme
Care network
Wednesday 6 May 2026, 12:00am–11:59pmCome and join Care network's in-person meeting
Natspec member meeting – Wales
Thursday 7 May 2026, 2:00pm–4:30pmNatspec member meeting for Wales.
SEMH network
Friday 8 May 2026, 9:00am–11:00amThis online network for Natspec members and affiliates who have an interest in provision for learners with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.
Student Voice Parliament
Thursday 14 May 2026, 10:00am–2:00pmThis event is for students from Natspec member colleges to come together, discuss and collaborate on topics that are important to them and to make sure their collective voice is heard.
Safeguarding network
Friday 15 May 2026, 10:30am–12:00pmThis free safeguarding forum is open to all DSLs and others with safeguarding responsibilities within Natspec member colleges.
Admissions network
Tuesday 19 May 2026, 11:30am–12:30pmThis network gives member colleges the opportunity to discuss approaches to the assessment process and share good practice.
Governance professionals network
Thursday 21 May 2026, 11:00am–12:30pmThis free, member-only meeting will compare approaches to supporting and advising governors, give you an opportunity to share practice, and discuss what constitutes good governance in specialist colleges.
Natspec member meeting – Wales
Thursday 21 May 2026, 2:00pm–4:30pmNatspec member meeting for Wales.
The ILR drop-in and Q&A session
Tuesday 2 June 2026, 11:30am–1:00pmThis session gives colleagues the opportunity to ask and discuss ILR related issues or queries, especially in advance of upcoming data returns.
Natspec member meeting – North East / Yorkshire and the Humber
Wednesday 3 June 2026, 1:00pm–3:00pmNatspec member meeting for North East / Yorkshire and the Humber region.
PMLD network
Thursday 4 June 2026, 3:30pm–4:45pmA network for staff in Natspec colleges and affiliates working with students with PMLD aged 16-25. Teaching staff, managers, therapists, care staff and learning support staff can share information and discuss ideas and issues relating to provision for learners with PMLD.
Autism network
Tuesday 9 June 2026, 3:30pm–4:30pmMeet with staff from Natspec member and affiliated colleges to discuss your work with autistic learners, share ideas, recommendations for training and compare experiences.
Transition out network
Monday 15 June 2026, 11:00am–12:00pmThis network is aimed at staff in member colleges who are involved in the transition process from college towards their onward destination.
HR network (incl. employment law update)
Thursday 18 June 2026, 10:30am–12:30pmThis is a free online HR networking event for Natspec members.
Quality network
Thursday 18 June 2026, 3:00pm–4:30pmNetwork meeting for staff in member colleges who work in quality roles.
Data and MIS network
Thursday 18 June 2026, 3:00pm–4:30pmIf you have Data/MIS/ILR responsibilities at any of our member colleges, join us to discuss your issues.
Natspec member meeting – South East
Friday 19 June 2026, 10:00am–11:30amNatspec member meeting for South East.
Employment network
Monday 22 June 2026, 12:00am–11:59pmDo join us for our summer in-person network meeting!
Sensory impairment network
Wednesday 24 June 2026, 4:00pm–5:15pmThis online network is for staff from Natspec member colleges and affiliates who are specialist sensory impairment teachers or in a role that involves supporting learners with sensory impairments.
Fundraisers network
Friday 26 June 2026, 2:00pm–3:00pmThis free event, for Natspec members only, is an opportunity for staff responsible for fundraising to network and share ideas and practice.
Natspec Annual General Meeting 2026
Tuesday 30 June 2026, 10:30am–11:30amJoin us for this year's Natspec Annual General Meeting
Finance managers network
Tuesday 30 June 2026, 2:00pm–3:30pmThis is a free, Natspec members-only event, for finance and business managers.
Natspec member meeting – West Midlands
Thursday 2 July 2026, 10:00am–12:00pmNatspec member meeting for West Midlands.
Learner voice network
Thursday 2 July 2026, 10:00am–12:30pmThis network is for Learner Voice Practitioners working in Natspec member colleges and affiliates. This is an opportunity to meet other practitioners, hear about their work and share ideas around best practice.
Admissions network
Thursday 9 July 2026, 2:00pm–3:00pmThis network gives member colleges the opportunity to discuss approaches to the assessment process and share good practice.
An introduction to learner voice work
Thursday 24 September 2026, 12:00pm–1:00pmJoin us in learning about the services and support Natspec offers its members and affiliates and get a taste for the work going on in the Learner Voice Network and Student Voice Parliament.
Safeguarding network
Friday 2 October 2026, 10:30am–12:00pmThis free safeguarding forum is open to all DSLs and others with safeguarding responsibilities within Natspec member colleges.
Finance managers network
Tuesday 13 October 2026, 10:30am–12:30pmThis is a free, Natspec members-only event, for finance and business managers.
Learner voice network
Thursday 15 October 2026, 10:00am–12:30pmThis network is for Learner Voice Practitioners working in Natspec member colleges and affiliates. This is an opportunity to meet other practitioners, hear about their work and share ideas around best practice.
Fundraisers network
Tuesday 20 October 2026, 2:00pm–3:00pmThis free event, for Natspec members only, is an opportunity for staff responsible for fundraising to network and share ideas and practice.
Employment network
Tuesday 10 November 2026, 10:00am–12:30pmThe Natspec employment network is a free event where members can network with people in various roles from across our membership, to discuss hot topics and swap ideas.
HR network (incl. employment law update)
Monday 16 November 2026, 10:30am–12:30pmThis is a free online HR networking event for Natspec members.
Care network
Wednesday 18 November 2026, 2:00pm–4:30pmThis is a free, members-only event for staff in care roles.
Data and MIS network
Thursday 19 November 2026, 3:00pm–4:30pmIf you have Data/MIS/ILR responsibilities at any of our member colleges, join us to discuss your issues.
Quality network
Monday 23 November 2026, 3:00pm–4:30pmNetwork meeting for staff in member colleges who work in quality roles.
Student Voice Parliament
Thursday 26 November 2026, 10:00am–2:00pmThis event is for students from Natspec member colleges to come together, discuss and collaborate on topics that are important to them and to make sure their collective voice is heard.