Training & Events

Developing Early Attention​ and Listening Skills

This professional learning course on developing early attention and listening skills, has been written and produced collaboratively by RISE NI, SENIS MLD, SEN EYIS, the School Improvement Service and the Language and Communication Service.   

Our aim is to present to you a toolkit to help you informally assess attention and listening skills, in your setting with individuals, groups or whole setting.

In this training there are five sessions: 

Introduction to early attention and listening skills Sensory Motor skills Attention skills Listening skills Attention and Listening Baselines

 

Phonological Awareness Programme

Created by the Language and Communication Service, the Phonological Awareness Programme offers a fresh approach to this fundamental area of learning. We have split each area into small chunks to allow you to learn at your own pace and delivered the course via Google Classroom so you can access the lessons and materials when and where you need them.

Alongside the lesson videos, you will have access to;
 + over 300 newly created resources and games,
 + example videos of how to use each resource,
 + a progression continuum with detailed charts, and
 + a 5 minute informal assessment tool.

SEND Implementation and SENCo Support

This learning area contains modules of SEND training resources and guidance materials for SENCos/Learning Support Coordinators, senior leaders, teaching and non-teaching staff in schools and educational settings. It replaces the old SEND Website which will no longer be accessible. Click on the ‘Documents’ link on the menu on the right of the Dashboard page to find the following topic areas:

Graduated Response (WEP and SpEP) Leadership and Management Parent and Carer Leaflets Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Policies Provision Mapping SEN and Medical Categories SEND Podcasts School Development Day Packs Views of the Child

Some of these resources are also available on the public-facing EANI SEND Website on the new SENCo Support page https://send.eani.org.uk/sencosupport

AIMS:

 

To provide an understanding of changes to the SEN Framework To share updates on changes to legislation, regulations and the draft Code of Practice To host resources and materials to support staff who are working with children and young people with SEN in your school or setting.

 

TIME/DATE:

This learning area is open year-round.

Development and Implementation of a Social Behaviour Emotional Wellbeing Plan, Incorporating the Pupil’s Voice

Aims

Outline the process for developing, monitoring and reviewing a Social Behaviour Emotional Wellbeing (SBEW) plan in line with the planning arrangements for pupils with a SBEW profile of need. (SBEW Proforma available in the updated SEN Resource file) Develop an understanding of how to unlock the pupil’s voice to contribute to the development of their SBEW Plan Increase awareness of how to use the pupil’s voice to shape, support and monitor progress

Delivery Dates:

14/10/2025 14.00-15.45

20/01/2026 14.00-15.45

24/03/2026 14.00-15.45

19/05/2026 14.00-15.45

Overview of the Social, Behavioral and Emotional Wellbeing (SBEW) Chapter within the SEN Resource File

AIMS:

To outline the shift from managing behaviour to understanding and supporting children and young people experiencing SBEW needs
Provide guidance on establishing a whole school ethos firmly built on collective care, Trauma Informed Practice and the Principles of Nurture
To know and understand how developing proactive and collaborative approaches leads to an evolution in how support is provided to pupils experiencing SBEW needs

Course Details: Each individual member of staff attending must complete an individual registration. Registration for the first session in the course will automatically register the applicant for the subsequent sessions in the set.

PLEASE NOTE: This training takes place online using MS Teams on 2 separate days. Participants must attend BOTH dates in the applicable set of sessions. Links will be issued approximately one week prior to commencement of course.

24 September & 1 October 2025 - 2.15-4pm (each day)

26 November & 3 December 2025 - 2.15-4pm (each day)

28 January & 4 February 2026 - 2.15-4pm (each day)

4 March & 11 March 2026 - 2.15-4pm (each day)

27 May & 3 June 2026 - 2.15-4pm (each day)

SBEW & Neurodiversity

Our training hopes to:

Enhance your understanding of Neurodiversity
Further your understanding of Social Behavioural and Emotional Wellbeing needs
Look at how we can use neurodiverse language that is respectful, supportive and inclusive for neurodiverse individuals.
Explore how we can use inclusive teaching strategies supporting neurodiverse students with Social Behavioural and Emotional Wellbeing.

 

Course Details: Each individual member of staff attending must complete an individual registration. Attendance is only required at one session. Links will be issued approximately one week prior to commencement of course.

21 January 2026 - 14:00 - 16:00

18 February 2026 - 14:00 - 16:00

25 March 2026 - 14:00 - 16:00

Supporting Learning in a Specialist Provision - Primary

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY 

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Programme aims to provide an opportunity for Primary Specialist Provision staff to explore how to plan for delivering the NI Curriculum, to effectively meet the needs of pupils within their setting

Course Structure/Content:

This session has been specifically developed to support the following -
1. Explore the rationale for a teaching, learning and assessment model using 3 IEP cycles,
2. Outline tools for identifying pupil needs,
3. Highlight possible models of curriculum delivery,
4. Suggest methods of monitoring and evaluating learning,
5. Signpost to relevant CCEA documentation.

Time: 3.00pm - 4.00pm

Suggested Audience:

Primary Specialist Provision Teachers, School Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordintors (SENCo)

Course Details: 

MS Teams

Setting Up a Specialist Provision - Early Years Classroom

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY 

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Programme aims to provide staff from Specialist Provisions with guidance on how to set up an Early Years Specialist Provision classroom and support them to meet the needs of each individual pupil.

Course Structure/Content:

This session outlines three important areas for Specialist Provsion staff to consider when setting up their classroom.

1. Physical Structure 
2. Visual Schedules 
3. Activity Systems 

Each of these areas are covered in detail with real-life examples. 

SPS staff will model their use, followed by supporting discussion about how they can be adapted to suit your own individual classroom environment. 

Course Details:

Location: EA Centres

Length: 9.30am - 3.30pm

Suggested Audience:

Early Years Specialist Provision Staff, Foundation Stage Specialist Provision Staff, School Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordinators (SENCos)

An Overview of Baselining and Tracking in a Specialist Provision - Early Years/Primary

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Programme aims to  establish the purpose and process of baselining pupils, with a focus on identifying and overviewing appropriate baselining tools for each stage. 

This session will outline the Baseline and Tracking support available from the SPS. 

Course Structure/Content:

This session has been specifically structured to support the following -

1. The purpose of Baselining - 
• Why we need to baseline our pupils. 
• How baseline assessments fit into planning and how they impact practice.         

2. An overview of resources - A summary of some available baselining resources, outlining the cost, the provider, and an overview of how to use each resource. 

3. Summary of support - Outlining how SPS can support settings with baselining and tracking. 

Course Details:

MS Teams

Time: 2.30pm -4.00pm

Suggested Audience:

Early Years & Primary Specialist Provision Staff, School Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordinators (SENCo)

Setting up a Specialist Provision - Primary Classroom

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Programme aims to provide staff from Specialist Provisions  with guidance on how to set up an Primary Specialist Provision classroom and support them to meet the needs of each individual pupil.

Course Structure/Content:

This session outlines three important areas for Specialist Provsion staff to consider when setting up their classroom.

1. Physical Structure.
2. Visual Schedules. 
3. Activity Systems. 

Each of these areas are covered in detail with real-life examples. 

SPS staff will model their use, followed by supporting discussion about how they can be adapted to suit your own individual classroom environment. 

Course Details:

EA Centres

Length: 9.30am -3.30pm

Targeted Audience:

Primary Specialist Provision Staff, School Leadership, Learning Support Coordinators (SENCos)

An Overview of Quest and Q skills CCEA Assessment Framework

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Information Session aims to provide an overview of Quest and Q-Skills as a tool to assess pupils in a Specialist Provision  with a focus on using CCEA Assessment Frameworks within your classroom. 

Course Structure/Content:

This session has been specifically structured to support the following:     

1. Understand how to access CCEA Resources for SEN.

2. Understand the progression of the assessment continuum.

3. Explore the CCEA developmental stages, Quest, Q Skills & SEN Framework for Thinking Skills & Personal Capabilities.

4. Learn about CCEA work in development.

5. Learn how to access CCEA Curriculum Resources & Guidance.

Course Time:

3.00pm - 4.00pm

Suggested Audience: 

Early Years & Primary Specialist Provision Staff, Senior Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordinators (SENCo)

Course Details:

MS Teams

Physical Structure in a Specialist Provision - Early Years

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Programme aims to provide an opportunity for Specialist Provision staff to explore how to implement Physical Structure within their Early Years classroom to better support the individual needs of their pupils. 

Course Structure/Content:

This session has been specifically structured to support the following -   

1. Understand the importance of structuring an Early Years Specialist Provision classroom.   
2. Explore how the physical structure can be adapted.                                                         
3. Identify ways to label and organise resources and areas.                   
4. Explore ways to reduce distractibility to support pupil learning.

Course Details:

MS Teams

Time: 3.00pm - 3.45 pm

Suggested Audience:

Early Years Specialist Provision Staff, Foundation Stage Specialist Provision Staff, School Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordinators (SENCos)

Visual Schedules in a Specialist Provision - Early Years

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Programme aims to provide an opportunity for Specialist Provision staff to explore how to implement  Visual Schedules within their Early Years classroom to better support the individual needs of their pupils. 

Course Structure/Content:

This session has been specifically structured to support the following:

1. To develop an understanding of visual schedules and the benefit for pupils.

2. How to develop a pupil individual schedule.

3. Develop an understanding of the range and progression of schedules that may be required to meet individual pupil needs.

Course Details:

MS Teams

Length: 3.00pm - 3.45 pm

Targeted Audience:

Early Years Specialist Provision Staff, Foundation Stage Specialist Provision Staff, School Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordinators

Developing Activity Systems to Promote Pupil Independence in a Specialist Provision - Early Years

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY

Training Aim:

This Professional Learning & Development Programme aims to provide an opportunity for Specialist Provision staff to explore how to implement Activity Systems within their Early Years classroom to better support the individual needs of their pupils.  

Course Structure/Content:

This session has been specifically structured to support the following:

1. To develop an understanding of activity systems and the benefit for pupils.

2. How to develop an activity system.

3. Develop an understanding of the range and progression of activity systems that may be required to meet individual pupil needs.

Course Details:

MS Teams

Time: 3.00pm - 3.45pm

Targeted Audience:

Early Years Specialist Provision Staff, Foundation Stage Specialist Provision Staff, School Leadership Team, Learning Support Coordinators (SENCos)