News | NASS

Claire Dorer OBE to step down as Chief Executive of NASS after 21 years

On Monday 11th May, Claire Dorer OBE announced that she will step down as CEO of NASS at the end of 2026, after 21 years leading the membership association.

Leadership isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being real

In this guest blog, Julie Liddell from Still Human (Part of Edwin People), writes about how behind every leadership role is a human being navigating complexity, pressure and, at times, isolation. And while leadership can look like certainty from the outside, it often feels like holding everything together for others.

A new outcome measure tool to measure the impact of therapy on learners’ quality of life and access to education

Northern Counties School was our 2025 Innovation Award winner for developing a groundbreaking therapy outcome measure tool, designed to better capture the impact of therapy on learners with complex needs—supporting improvements in wellbeing, independence, and access to education. In this guest blog, Louise Allport, Assistant Head (Therapy), explains more.

From Mental Health to Social and Emotional – what difference does it make?

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.

How can a trauma-informed approach in special schools support the diverse and complex needs of learners?

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.

SEMH: The missing foundation of teacher education

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.

Real-world risk scenarios special schools face (and what they teach us)

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.

What about special schools and APs?

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

From small steps to clear impact: Why connected data matters in special schools

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

New guidance on restrictive interventions: Key legal implications for 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.

Is your school ready for new statutory allergy guidance in September?

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