(UK) Govt ok's $264M to increase training for early ID of special needs

June 16, 2026, Nursery World - DfE backs MPs calls for increased early years SEND training - Nursery World

The Government has backed calls from Parliament’s Education Committee to increase access to training on the early identification of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) for early years educators.

Responding to the committee's Solving the SEND Crisis inquiry, the Department for Education highlights plans for SEND Reforms, published alongside the Schools White Paper, which include the introduction of new National Inclusion Standards to apply across all education settings, including early years provision.

The standards will ‘equip early years settings, schools and colleges to intervene early and effectively’ and ‘set out evidence-informed tools, strategies and approaches for educators to draw on to identify and support children and young people with additional needs,’ the response states.

The DfE also highlights plans for a £200 million [$264M] national training programme to run across all phases of education over next three years. . . .