You don't need to have all the answers. Whether you're new to SEND or looking for support with a specific topic, learning opportunities can help you better understand your child's needs, the support available, and the options open to your family.

Many parents and carers tell us that learning more about SEND helps them feel more confident when talking to professionals, making decisions, and supporting their child through different stages of life. It can also help you feel more prepared for changes and transitions, whether your child is starting school, moving to a new setting, or becoming more independent.

As well as providing practical information and advice, training sessions can be a chance to connect with other parents and carers who share similar experiences. Knowing you're not alone and learning from others can be just as valuable as the information itself.

Here you'll find courses, workshops and events covering a range of SEND topics, helping you build knowledge, gain confidence and find the support that's right for your child and family.

Specific special educational needs and disability training

Specific special educational needs and disability training showing course title, price, dates, format of training and course provider
Course titlePrice Format of training Course provider
Caring for People with Psychosis and SchizophreniaCost

Free for 4 weeks
Web based Future Learn
Level 2 Specific Learning Difficulties Free Web based The Aim Group
Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties Free Web based The Aim Group

Neurodiversity awareness training

Autism and ADHD training table showing course title, price, dates, format of training and course provider
Course titlePrice Format of training Course provider
A parents' guide to supporting children and young people: ADHD and autismFree YouTube NHS
Autism courses and awareness training courses Various Web based accredited Future Learn
CPD ADHD AwarenessCostWeb basedThe Aim Group
CPD Autism AwarenessCostWeb basedThe Aim Group
General autism training

Find autism training providers via the NHS website.
Various Various Various
Level 2: Understanding Autism Free Web based The Aim Group
Level 3 Understanding AutismFreeWeb basedThe Aim Group
Neuroscience in Early Years - Help Your Child Process Negative EmotionsCostWeb basedThe Aim Group

General training and support

General training table showing course title, price, format of training and course provider
Course titlePrice Format of training Course provider

Anti-bullying training (PDF, 566.7 KB)

Free Downloadable  booklet Kent Youth County Council
Behaviour support from Kent Family HubsFreeWeb basedKent Family Hubs
Family Learning Courses from Kent Adult Education Various In person and online Kent Adult Education

General parenting courses

Free

Use access code Invicta
Web based In Our Place
General parenting courses from the NHSFreeVideosNHS
Information sessions for parents from Information Support and Advice (IASK) Free In person and online Information Support and Advice Kent (IASK)

Laws and regulations of SEND children and young people

Various

Including a subsidised training fund
In person and Zoom IPSEA
Level 2: Behaviour That Challenges Free Web based The Aim Group
Level 2 Bullying In Children And Young PeopleFreeWeb basedThe Aim Group
Moving up to secondary school for children with additional needsFree OnlineIn Our Place
Parents Course Lego Bricks Based Therapy Approach at HomeCostPostalLego®

Communication

Speech, language, and BSL communications.

Training communication courses table showing course title, price, format of training and course provider
Course titlePriceFormat of training Course provider
British Sign Language (BSL) and lipreadingVariousZoomHi Kent
Family SignFreeYouTube videosNational Deaf Children's Society
Helping babies and young children learn skills for talkingFreeWeb basedNHS
Kent Family Hubs - Help develop your child's speech and languageFreeWeb based Kent Family Hubs
Learn MakatonVariousOnlineMakaton
Level 1 British Sign LanguageFreeOnlineThe Aim Group

Mental health

Mental health courses table showing course title, price, format of training and course provider
Course title PriceFormat of trainingCourse provider
CPD Children And Young People's Mental HealthFreeWeb based The Aim Group
CPD Effects of Social Media on Children and Young People’s Mental HealthCostWeb basedThe Aim Group
Level 2 Children And Young People's Mental HealthFreeWeb basedThe Aim Group
Level 2 Distressed Behaviour In ChildrenFreeWeb basedThe Aim Group