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COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

SEND

 

Early years settings are seeing a significant increase in the number of children who require Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support. This growing demand brings both new challenges and opportunities for staff working across all roles.

Our SEND Early Years Community of Practice (CoP) is a structured yet informal network that brings together early years practitioners, leaders, and support staff to navigate these challenges collectively. Open to all staff working with children who may need SEND support, the CoP offers a safe, confidential space to:

  • Share knowledge, strategies, and good practice

  • Reflect on real-life experiences in a supportive environment

  • Discuss complex or sensitive issues without judgement

  • Build confidence in decision-making and inclusive practice

  • Improve outcomes for children with SEND through collective learning

By coming together regularly, we strengthen our ability to respond to children’s needs with empathy, skill, and consistency, while supporting one another as professionals in an increasingly complex landscape.

Upcoming Events
Feb 03
SEND Community of Practice Online Sessions
3 Feb 2026, 16:00 – 17:00

This is a supportive space for EY practitioners to come together, share experiences, and discuss common challenges around SEND.

 

Do you work with young children?

Do you have children in your setting who need additional support?

Do you need strategies that really work to support children’s development and enable them to make progress?

Join our Specialist Learning Network led by Shannon Sulston from Co-op Academy Delius, a Special school in Bradford.

The Community of Practice will bring together Early Years educators from across our region (West and South Yorkshire) and across the sector (Childminders, PVIs, Schools).

Shannon will provide the expertise, whilst you, as like minded practitioners will support one another; sharing the challenges and successes of the journey, developing practice across settings and really making a difference to young children's lives.

Book here

Feb 26
Dixons Allerton Academy Visitor Session
26 Feb 2026, 16:00 – 17:30

Dixons Allerton Academy is a mainstream school where the Reggio Emilia approach is deeply embedded across the Early Years Foundation Stage. We are delighted to open our doors to share our practice with fellow educators.

In addition to exploring our Nursery and Reception environments, the session will focus on how our provision supports pupils with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN). Following a tour of the setting there will be an opportunity to reflect on your own practice and gather practical ideas - specifically for enhancing early literacy skills - to take back to your own setting.

Book your place here

May 19
SEND Community of Practice Online Sessions
19 May 2026, 16:00 – 17:00

This is a supportive space for EY practitioners to come together, share experiences, and discuss common challenges around SEND.

 

Do you work with young children?

Do you have children in your setting who need additional support?

Do you need strategies that really work to support children’s development and enable them to make progress?

Join our Specialist Learning Network led by Shannon Sulston from Co-op Academy Delius, a Special school in Bradford.

The Community of Practice will bring together Early Years educators from across our region (West and South Yorkshire) and across the sector (Childminders, PVIs, Schools).

Shannon will provide the expertise, whilst you, as like minded practitioners will support one another; sharing the challenges and successes of the journey, developing practice across settings and really making a difference to young children's lives.

Book here

MEET YOUR COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE LEADER...

Shannon Sulston - Assistant Headteacher .jpg 

Shannon Sulston is the Assistant Head at Co-op Academy Delius. She has been teaching at Co-op Academy Delius for the past nine years, after completing her PGCE placement in Primary Education.  For the past six years Shannon has been Early Years Lead within Rockets pathway.  In Rockets pathway they support the children to have an exciting and positive start to their school experience and ensure they are baselined in preparation for the next part of their Delius journey. 

 

JOIN

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