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The voice of specialist further education

Upcoming training

See all of Natspec’s upcoming training below.

Self-advocacy and the Learner voice

Tuesday 27 January 2026, 3:45pm–5:00pm
Do you want to understand how learner voice and self-advocacy empower learners, clarify staff responsibilities and create meaningful ownership across colleges and wider settings?

Access the world through a smartphone

Wednesday 28 January 2026, 1:00pm–3:30pm
This course will give staff the knowledge to help learners discover accessibility features and apps on phones, which in turn should reduce people’s requirement for human support to support basic skills.

Preparing foundation learners for successful transition to mainstream courses

Wednesday 28 January 2026, 3:45pm–5:00pm
Are you interested in effective strategies for preparing foundation learners to overcome barriers and achieve successful transitions into mainstream courses with confidence?

Developing the PMLD curriculum for learners aged 16-25

Thursday 29 January 2026, 9:30am–12:30pm & Thursday 12 February 2026, 9:30am
This is a course for managers who want to develop a PMLD curriculum that supports good quality of life outcomes through focusing on person centred approaches and preparation for adulthood.

Creating and implementing an effective RARPA process

Tuesday 3 February 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm & Wednesday 4 March 2026, 10:00am
An interactive online training for curriculum managers and practitioners looking for a systematic way to plan provision for learners with SEND, monitor their progress and record their achievements.

Improve your evaluative writing

Wednesday 4 February 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm
Hands on training in improving the quality of your reports

Introduction to job coaching

Tuesday 10 February 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm
This is an interactive workshop for staff supporting students with SEND in the workplace, including learning support assistants, tutors, teachers, and other support roles.

Supporting learners’ Assistive Technology at all stages of their college journey

Tuesday 10 February 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm
This course focusses on key stages in a learner’s journey and highlights the appropriate support required for effective outcomes.

Technology for learners with PMLD

Thursday 26 February 2026, 1:00pm–3:30pm
Learn about the types of technology which can support learners with PMLD and how to effectively support their use with learners.

Use of AI and apps to promote independence

Thursday 26 February 2026, 3:45pm–5:00pm
Interested in the practical use of AI and apps to build independence through accessible tools supporting communication, travel, neurodiversity and physical needs?

Securing employer engagement for work based learning programmes

Tuesday 3 March 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm
This event is for job coaches, work experience coordinators, managers and other staff involved in developing relationships with employers to secure work placements for learners with SEND.

Effective SAR & QIP writing for SEND provisions

Wednesday 4 March 2026, 3:45pm–5:00pm
Would guidance on writing concise, evidence-rich SARs and QIPs that align with the new Ofsted framework and clearly drive improvement be helpful?

Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement in the RARPA process

Tuesday 10 March 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm & Tuesday 24 March 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm
This training is for staff who already have an understanding of RARPA and want to further their knowledge of how to ensure the process is quality assured.

Built-in access

Wednesday 11 March 2026, 1:00pm–3:30pm
Computers, tablets and phones have a wealth of accessibility options already built into the operating systems. All teaching and learning support staff should have an awareness of these features so they can remove barriers for learners.

Quality assuring specialist FE provision

Thursday 12 March 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm & Thursday 26 March 2026, 10:00pm
Learn how to build a rounded, accurate picture of the quality of provision with different quality assurance activities. This two-part training gives you a chance to put theory into practice and reflect on what works for your provision.

Specialist FE: essential information

Wednesday 18 March 2026, 12:00am–11:59pm & Thursday 19 March 2026, 9:30am–12:00pm
New to specialist post-16 further education? This event will guide you through aspects of the sector and give you advice and guidance to ensure quality provision.

Age appropriateness in post-16 SEND provision

Wednesday 18 March 2026, 10:00am–12:00pm
A new training exploring the concept of ‘age appropriacy’ in the context of providing educational opportunities to learners with a complex need or PMLD label.

Understanding behaviour as communication

Wednesday 25 March 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm
Introductory training suitable for people working with a broad range of learners with SEND,

Introduction to job coaching

Tuesday 21 April 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm
This is an interactive workshop for staff supporting students with SEND in the workplace, including learning support assistants, tutors, teachers, and other support roles.

The high needs funding system

Tuesday 28 April 2026, 9:30am–12:30pm
Join us for this online course, aimed at anyone who needs to know and understand how high needs funding works for FE providers.

Developing the PMLD curriculum for learners aged 16-25

Thursday 30 April 2026, 9:30am–12:30pm & Thursday 14 May 2026, 9:30am
This is a course for managers who want to develop a PMLD curriculum that supports good quality of life outcomes through focusing on person centred approaches and preparation for adulthood.

Assistive Technology for physical access

Thursday 30 April 2026, 1:00pm–2:30pm
There are an array of technological solutions for those with physical access needs. This training introduces some of them, explains how they interface with software options and how good assessment leads to enhanced outcomes.

Creating and implementing an effective RARPA process

Tuesday 5 May 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm & Tuesday 19 May 2026, 10:00am
An interactive online training for curriculum managers and practitioners looking for a systematic way to plan provision for learners with SEND, monitor their progress and record their achievements.

Improve your evaluative writing

Thursday 7 May 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm
Hands-on training in improving the quality of your reports

Securing employer engagement for work based learning programmes

Tuesday 12 May 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm
This event is for job coaches, work experience coordinators, managers and other staff involved in developing relationships with employers to secure work placements for learners with SEND.

New to the ILR? Getting it right first time

Thursday 14 May 2026, 10:00am–12:00pm
This training is aimed at staff who have little or no experience of creating or returning Individual Learner Records (ILR) and require an introduction to the basics.

The ILR in practice

Wednesday 20 May 2026, 10:00am–12:00pm
As a follow up to our “New to the ILR” workshop, we look here at a practical application of the cycle of returning Individual Learner Records (ILR), and importantly the analysis of data checking, error reports and their resolution.

Quality assuring specialist FE provision

Thursday 4 June 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm & Thursday 18 June 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm
Learn how to build a rounded, accurate picture of the quality of provision with different quality assurance activities. This two-part training gives you a chance to put theory into practice and reflect on what works for your provision.

Natspec National Conference 2026

Tuesday 9 June 2026, 12:00am–11:59pm
This year’s conference will focus on how specialist FE providers can support young people and unlock their potential through creativity and innovation.

Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement in the RARPA process

Tuesday 16 June 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm & Tuesday 30 June 2026, 10:00am–12:30pm
This training is for staff who already have an understanding of RARPA and want to further their knowledge of how to ensure the process is quality assured.

Understanding and analysing Qualification Achievement Rates

Tuesday 16 June 2026, 10:00am–12:00pm
A new training on identifying how QARs affect your organisation and how to access your own data tables.

Other Events

Please check out Natspec’s events calendar for a full list of events.

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