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See all of Natspec’s upcoming training below.
Self-advocacy and the Learner voice
Tuesday 27 January 2026, 3:45pm–5:00pmDo 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–3:30pmThis 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–5:00pmAre 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, 9:30amThis 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, 10:00amAn 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–12:30pmHands on training in improving the quality of your reports
Introduction to job coaching
Tuesday 10 February 2026, 10:00am–12:30pmThis 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–12:30pmThis 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–3:30pmLearn 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–5:00pmInterested 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–12:30pmThis 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–5:00pmWould 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–12:30pmThis 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–3:30pmComputers, 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, 10:00pmLearn 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–12:00pmNew 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–12:00pmA 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–12:30pmIntroductory training suitable for people working with a broad range of learners with SEND,
Introduction to job coaching
Tuesday 21 April 2026, 10:00am–12:30pmThis 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–12:30pmJoin 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, 9:30amThis 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–2:30pmThere 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, 10:00amAn 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–12:30pmHands-on training in improving the quality of your reports
Securing employer engagement for work based learning programmes
Tuesday 12 May 2026, 10:00am–12:30pmThis 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–12:00pmThis 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–12:00pmAs 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–12:30pmLearn 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–11:59pmThis 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–12:30pmThis 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–12:00pmA 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.
