News

NASS CEO, Claire Dorer, reflects on a proposal in the SEND Reforms consultation that could signal the end of a 12-year categorising of ‘Mental Health Needs’ as a distinct category of SEND, and a return to ‘Social and Emotional Needs’ within the SEND Code of Practice and proposed Specialist Provision Packages.

In this guest blog, Julie Harmieson from TISCUK outlines how trauma-informed practice can be embedded across special school settings to better understand behaviour, support regulation and create environments where both learners and staff can thrive.

In this guest blog, Matthew Harris from St Edward's School shares what drove his school to partner with St Mary’s University to launch the UK’s first Primary PGCE with an SEMH enhancement. He highlights how too many teachers start their careers feeling unprepared to support pupils with SEMH needs, leaving some of the most vulnerable children without the understanding and help they deserve.

In this guest blog, Rachel Barker and Craig Cotton-Betteridge from AssuredPartners, explore real-world risk scenarios facing special schools and the lessons they offer for creating safer, more resilient learning environments.

A guest blog from Dr Anita Devi that reflects on three key areas for special schools and Alternative Provision (AP) in relation to the SEND Reforms

Guest blog by Tim Handley, Former Headteacher and now Chief Product & Technology Officer at Edu Intelligence on the impact of connecting data in special schools

DfE has issued updated guidance on the use of reasonable force and other restrictive interventions in schools which is coming into force in April 2026. In this guest blog for NASS, Gemma Nicholas, Senior Associate at law firm RWK Goodman, outlines the key legal implications and practical considerations for specialist provision.

New statutory allergy guidance is coming in September 2026 and in this guest blog, The Allergy Team, which is co-producing the new guidance with the Government, explains what to expect and how schools can prepare

NASS special school leaders share their thoughts on this week's Schools White Paper and SEND Reform Consultation

As the Government unveiled its SEND reforms today, we share our initial concerns about what’s missing and our views on a set of proposals where costs appear to drive decisions and where the vital role of special schools risks being sidelined. Here's our full response and our determination to stand up for the children, families and schools who deserve better.

NASS CEO expresses her exasperation about the growing disconnect between political messaging and the lived reality of children with SEND, their families and the schools that support them. When special schools become the target of blame for systemic failures, it diverts attention from the real issues and creates a genuine risk of children being left without the specialist placements they need.