Our friendly, knowledgeable team are ready to chat
Call us: 01784 222 300
Apply now: complete application form
GET IN TOUCH
Our friendly, knowledgeable team are ready to chat
Call us: 01784 222 300
Email us: info@esfapprenticeships.co.uk
GET IN TOUCH
For delegates
For employers
Empower your SEND and inclusion teams, build confident leaders to elevate your whole-school SEND provision
Looking to embed consistent, high-quality adaptive teaching across your entire staff body without relying on external consultants?
Our SEND Leadership and Development Programme goes beyond core classroom support. It equips SENCOs, and Inclusion Leaders to become strategic practitioners who drive school-wide improvement, manage SEND resource budgets, implement evidence-based adaptive teaching frameworks (such as the EEF "5-a-day"), lead staff CPD, and make data-driven decisions that align directly with your School Improvement Plan (SIP).
Funding for this apprenticeship
£0
Cost to delegate
£7,000
Funding value for this apprenticeship
£350
Maximum cost to non-levy paying schools
Benefits for employers
Designed to build long-term capacity from within, this programme turns your experienced support staff into strategic internal leads who can share the leadership load and elevate teaching standards.
- Equip senior support staff with the skills to spot provision gaps, deploy resources where they are needed most, and deliver a practical work-based project tied directly to your School Improvement Plan.
- Strengthen classroom support across your entire school by embedding practical teaching principles and scaffolding techniques into your support team.
- Build an internal coaching culture by equipping your support staff with peer mentoring tools and Action Learning Sets to nurture colleague confidence and drive consistent school-wide practice.
- Develop an operational deputy who can execute your SEND plan, manage daily administration, and offload higher-tier responsibilities from your SENCO.
Course content
Empowering your SEND Team and inclusion leaders with the specialist operational and pedagogical expertise required to partner effectively with your SENCO or inclusion lead to drive exceptional school-wide outcomes.
Key areas of focus include:
- Leading inclusive practice and statutory compliance: Navigating statutory frameworks, EHCP & ISP administration, SEND reform, and high-needs funding caps to ensure compliant, high-quality provision across your setting.
- Designing high-impact staff development and coaching: Applying adult learning theories, peer coaching, Action Learning Sets (ALS), and instructional mentoring to upskill colleagues and embed a whole-school culture of continuous improvement.
- Strategic TA deployment and resource management: Operationalising frameworks like MITA (Maximising the Impact of Teaching Assistants), conducting organisational needs analyses (ONA), and managing SEND budgets to align with your School Improvement Plan.
- Beyond core classroom support: The curriculum equips practitioners to drive school-wide improvement, manage SEND budgets, implement adaptive teaching frameworks (such as EEF "5-a-day"), lead adult learning/CPD, and utilise data-driven decision-making.
Levy funding
The Growth and Skills Levy (formerly known as the Apprenticeship Levy) is essentially a fund set up to support the training and development of staff through apprenticeships. Funds are collected and put into a digital account for employers.
- Who pays it? Anyone with an annual wage bill over £3 million.
- How does it benefit your school? The money in this account can be used to pay for apprenticeship training for both your existing staff and any new apprentices you hire. Apprenticeships are available for anyone aged 16 and over, from Level 2 right up to Level 5, covering a wide range of skills.
See all >
Case Study
Manor Fields Primary School
“The support we've had from ESF has been so positive and so worthwhile. They have really gone the extra mile for my staff and care about them as individuals - the impact on staff confidence has been transformative.”
Case Study
Knebworth Primary and Nursery School
“When we were looking for a training provider to support us with upskilling current staff, ESF Apprenticeships seemed the perfect choice! They came highly recommended by other primary schools in the area. It has been so rewarding to see our staff engaging in such a high-quality qualification.”
Case Study
Melbourn Primary School
"I'd definitely recommend the course to other Headteachers. It's been an excellent way to give staff an opportunity to develop their skills when they're still in school. We are seeing the benefits every day for our children."
Develop your workforce
Complete our short online form and we’ll be in touch to discuss your needs.
First course starts: | January 2027
Build a culture of inclusive practice by leading staff development and SEND strategy
Do you want to shape how your entire school approaches inclusion by upskilling colleagues and leading staff development?
Our higher level SEND Leadership and Development programme is designed for practitioners who want to drive strategic change beyond individual classrooms.
Step up from managing day-to-day SEND provision to leading strategic inclusion across your whole school. You’ll develop the expert coaching and training skills needed to upskill staff, audit provision, and build high-impact SEND strategies that deliver real results for every pupil.
Upon completion, you will achieve a Level 5 Learning and Development Consultant Business Partner apprenticeship
Funding for this apprenticeship
£0
Cost to delegate
£7,000
Funding band for this apprenticeship
What will I gain from the SEND Leadership and Development programme?
Master mentoring skills to coach newer support staff and share your SEND expertise with confidence.
- Master advanced inclusive practice and gain the expertise to drive SEND leadership
- Elevate your role from taking instructions to guiding peers. Gain formal mentoring skills to coach newer support staff and share your SEND expertise with confidence.
- Master organisational needs analysis, instructional coaching, and evidence-based staff training.
-
Bridge statutory SEND frameworks with whole-school improvement, equipping teachers and support teams with the expertise needed to transform pupil outcomes at scale.
Who is it for and how does it build on existing training and experience?
Apprenticeships are a great way to build on the skills and knowledge you already have, while also gaining practical, hands-on experience in a real-world setting. They offer a unique blend of theoretical learning and on-the-job training, allowing you to apply what you learn on the programme to your everyday work.
This apprenticeship is designed for experienced SENCOs, SEND or Inclusion Leaders and Support Staff Managers, who wish to progress into a more senior role to develop their strategic skills. It has been developed to build on skills and knowledge you may have gained from previous qualifications, such as NASENCO or NPQ SENCO, as well as practical experience in your setting.
SEND Masterclasses
Exclusive invitations to interactive sessions led by an expert in SEND and inclusion.
Benefit from high-impact sessions for schools and nurseries. You’ll be brought up to date in various aspects of SEND and mental health by leading speech and language therapists, dyslexia assessors, educational psychologists, autism specialists and a range of other experts.
- Held every month during term time (attendance optional)
- 2-3 hours presentation and interaction
- Your chance to ask the expert!
- Downloadable resources
- Recordings available on-demand
Study with us
Starting: January 2027
Some of our other SEND apprenticeships
UPSKILL
Level 5 Speech, Language and Communications Leadership Programme
Enables teachers and TAs to lead communication interventions across their setting, drive strategic change, and provide a vital link with specialist services. Includes the Higher Level Communications Practitioner award.
UPSKILL
Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant
A new progression pathway for experienced teaching assistants to improve outcomes and advance their careers. Choose to focus on Literacy, Language and Literacy, SEND, or SEMH. Includes an optional add-on to gain HLTA status.
NEW HIRE / UPSKILL
Level 3 Teaching Assistant with SEND Training
Suitable for both new and existing TAs, this programme covers both theory of childhood development and practical skills to support teachers. Provides foundational knowledge of how to support children with SEND.