Rotherham’s children and young people with SEND will benefit from a major upgrade to staff training, as Labour sets out the most comprehensive SEND training offer ever introduced in England.
Shaped by feedback from parents, the plan will ensure every child is taught by staff trained to support a wide range of needs. After years of inconsistent provision, Labour’s reforms aim to give families across Rotherham the confidence that their child can thrive in their local nursery, school or college.
Backed by £200 million, the new training will be available to all teaching staff, improving support for pupils with diverse needs, including visual impairments and speech and language challenges. It will cover proven approaches such as assistive technology and whole‑school awareness of additional needs.
A strengthened SEND Code of Practice will make clear that every early years setting, school and college must provide SEND and inclusion training for all staff, ensuring every teacher in Rotherham, and across the country, is reached.
MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough, John Healey said:
“SEND is a hugely important issue for families across Rotherham, and that’s clear from the hundreds of parents and teachers I’ve spoken with. Everyone agrees the system needs to change.
“By creating specialist places and upskilling teachers, Labour is making sure need is identified earlier, help comes more quickly and parents don’t have to fight tooth and nail for the support they deserve.
“Crucially, this move shows Labour is listening, and creating a system where every child in Rotherham can achieve and thrive.”
This announcement builds on Labour’s £3 billion investment to create around 50,000 inclusive places in mainstream schools, backed by expert staff and shaped by extensive engagement with parents, teachers and SEND experts. It comes alongside the £740 million already committed to delivering over 10,000 specialist places.