SEND Inclusion and Learning

Governance

This programme reports into the ALDCS SEND Steering Group and works closely with education and inclusion networks across London.

2026 LIIA SEND Inclusion and Learning Conference

2027 LIIA SEND Inclusion and Belonging Conference

Join education and SEND leaders from across London for the 2027 LiiA SEND Inclusion & Belonging Conference on Thursday 18th March 2027 — a pan-London event bringing together schools, early education providers, post-16 settings, local authorities and partners to celebrate what great inclusion looks like in practice.

Following the success of our inaugural conference, which welcomed over 200 delegates and 40 exhibitors, the 2027 conference will be bigger and even more focused on sharing the practice that is making a real difference to children and young people with SEND.

With 60 exhibitors, inspiring keynote speakers, practical workshops and dedicated opportunities to network with colleagues from across London, the conference will provide space to share ideas, learn from one another and celebrate the people and settings creating cultures of inclusion and belonging.

Free tickets available to secure from Monday October 12th 2026. Ticketing details and timings will be released at www.liia.london and also via email comms and LinkedIn.

‘What Works Well in SEND Inclusion’ – LiiA Practice Spotlight

LiiA ‘Practice Spotlight’ is a sector led improvement programme, shining a light on practice across London Children’s Services that is transforming the lives of children and families. This academic year, Educational settings will have access to a range of scalable case studies, celebrating effective inclusive practice across a range of schools and colleges pan-London.

Our ‘What works well in Inclusion’ Practice Spotlight, brings together the showcased work of all exhibiting settings and Local Authorities at our most recent SEND ‘Inclusion Conference’. All of the work showcased within the spotlight was endorsed via the 2026 LiiA ‘Investing in Inclusion’ programme. This bank of effective practice examples, thematically presented, provides a rich practice guide that can be utilised by Local Authority colleagues and school leaders alike.

To see the outstanding array of innovative practice examples, please visit the ‘What Works Well in SEND Inclusion’ page.

Updates for Educational Settings

Inclusion and Belonging Programme 2026/2027 Educational Settings

The LiiA ‘SEND Inclusion and Belonging Programme’ celebrates and showcases the inspiring practice taking place across London to ensure children and young people with SEND can thrive, participate and feel a deep sense of belonging in their early years setting, school or post-16 provision. The programme will shine a light on settings that are creating genuinely inclusive cultures, where difference is valued, barriers to participation are removed, and children and young people are supported to develop their confidence, relationships, independence and sense of self. Through the programme, we want to share what works, celebrate progress and inspire others. We will showcase the approaches, cultures and everyday practices that make a meaningful difference to the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND. We are looking for settings across London that can showcase how they are going beyond simply providing support, to creating environments where children and young people are known, valued, listened to and able to be themselves. Application guidance for educational settings is attached. To make a direct application, please follow the link here: LiiA SEND ‘Inclusion and Belonging Programme’ Application Form – Educational Settings

Inclusion Base Effective Practice Call 2026/2027 Educational Settings

Following the Department for Education’s recent Inclusion Bases in Schools guidance, LIIA is keen to showcase innovative and effective practices that already exist across mainstream settings in London. We want to capture different examples of inclusion bases that specialise in a range of areas, like autism, speech, language and communication, SEMH and more. This is designed to inspire the development of practice across London during this demanding time. We want to hear from innovative schools and settings that:

• Improve outcomes for children and young people
• Enable pupils to participate successfully in mainstream school life
• Strengthen inclusive practice across the whole school
• Make effective use of specialist expertise work in partnership with families and other professionals

Educational settings are able to nominate themselves within this call. Participants will be invited to exhibit in the SEND Inclusion and Belonging Conference and within the digital LiiA Practice Spotlight. For application guidance and further information, visit the link here: Call for Effective Practice Examples: ‘Inclusion Bases’ Across London – LIIA

LiiA London Schools Inclusion Network

Following the Department for Education’s recent Inclusion Bases in Schools guidance, LIIA is keen to showcase innovative and effective practices that already exist acroHaving listened to feedback of school leaders, we are delighted to announce the launch of the LIIA ‘London Schools Inclusion Network’!

A pan-London forum that will meet half-termly, the network will offer school leaders an opportunity to discuss and share best practice during this evolving tie for SEND and Inclusion. From SEND Reform preparation, to understanding National Inclusion Standards and evaluating impact through data, it will be a collaborative and impactful space led by its members. Our first meeting will be Tuesday 13^th October from 10am – 11:30am. For membership enquiries, purpose or Terms of Reference, please contact Matthew Rees. For Membership registration please follow the link here: LIIA London Schools Inclusion Network – Registration of Interest Form

LiiA ‘Inclusion and Belonging’ Schools Data Dashboard

LiiA ‘Inclusion and Belonging’ Self Evaluation Tool

The LiiA Inclusion and Belonging Self-Review Tool is a practical leadership resource designed to support schools to reflect on their current inclusive practice, understand the barriers experienced by their pupils and develop a clear, evidence-informed School Inclusion Strategy.

The tool is structured around the seven principles of inclusion identified by the Department for Education (DfE) and provides a framework for schools to consider how these principles are reflected in their own policies, practices and provision. The Self-Review Tool provides a structured opportunity for school leaders to bring together data, professional knowledge, pupil and family voice, and evidence of current practice. For each of the seven principles, leaders will consider their current position, identify strengths and areas for development, and explore the evidence underpinning their judgements. This enables schools to distinguish between what they know, what they believe, and what they need to investigate further. The process culminates in the identification of a small number of strategic inclusion priorities. These priorities can then be translated into the school’s ‘Inclusion Strategy’. The tool demonstration will be shared on 12^th October 2027. Register via the link here: School Inclusion Intelligence Dashboard / Self-Review Toolkit Demonstration – Fill in form

UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award

As part of LiiA’s pan-London support offer, we share with you an ongoing opportunity to engage in the UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting Schools Award. The award provides a practical framework for creating an inclusive school culture where every child is valued, respected and supported to participate in school life. Grounded in children’s rights, RRSA helps schools strengthen belonging, pupil voice, wellbeing and equality, while supporting wider inclusion priorities.

In London, state-funded schools can access Rights Respecting Schools Award membership for free until March 2028, thanks to support from the London Mayor’s VRU. This includes training, resources and accreditation at Bronze, Silver and Gold, and support from a Professional Adviser. Schools will also receive a free starter pack of resources worth £180. For further information on the award, visit the link here: Register for the Rights Respecting Schools Award – UNICEF UK

Updates for Local Authorities

Inclusion and Belonging Programme Local Authorities

LiiA is inviting 10 London local authorities to take part in our new SEND ‘Inclusion & Belonging Programme’ 2026/27, celebrating the innovative practice taking place across London to improve outcomes and create better experiences for children and young people with SEND.

As local areas prepare for the next phase of SEND reform, we want to shine a light on the great work already happening across London — from Preparation for Adulthood and SEND employment, to improved transitions, co-production, partnership working and approaches that help young people to thrive, participate and feel a genuine sense of belonging.

Participating local authorities will have the opportunity to showcase their practice, share learning with colleagues and build connections with other London leaders. Successful LAs will be invited to present their work through the LiiA Practice Spotlight and exhibit at the 2027 LiiA SEND Inclusion & Belonging Conference in March, alongside schools, education providers and other partners from across London.

We are looking for local authorities with innovative, impactful practice and a story to share – helping us to celebrate what is working across London and inspire others as we collectively shape the future of SEND inclusion. For application guidance, please follow the link here: LiiA SEND ‘Inclusion and Belonging Programme’ Application Form – Local Authorities

Inclusion Base Effective Practice Call Local Authorities

Following the Department for Education’s recent Inclusion Bases in Schools guidance, LIIA is keen to showcase innovative and effective practices that already exist across mainstream settings in London. We want to capture different examples of inclusion bases that specialise in a range of areas, like autism, speech, language and communication, SEMH and more. This is designed to inspire the development of practice across London during this demanding time. We want to hear from Local Authorities that commission or work with settings that:

• Improve outcomes for children and young people
• Enable pupils to participate successfully in mainstream school life
• Strengthen inclusive practice across the whole school
• Make effective use of specialist expertise work in partnership with families and other professionals

Local Authorities can directly nominate (settings should apply) or encourage local settings to apply for this practice call. For application guidance and further information, visit the link here: Call for Effective Practice Examples: ‘Inclusion Bases’ Across London – LIIA

Local Authority Trust Support Offer

This programme will support local authorities to explore the opportunities presented by the Local Authority Trust model proposed in the Schools White Paper. Drawing on national examples of effective partnership and cluster working, LiiA will facilitate learning, peer support and strategic development for local authorities interested in strengthening collaboration between schools. Through workshops, showcases and targeted support for participating authorities, the programme will help develop locally appropriate models that improve system leadership, school collaboration and inclusive outcomes for children and young people. The LiiA offer is aggregared into three tiered arhcitecture to support early exploration, alongside support from Department for Education colleagues.

Stages

1. Explore

Initial confidential conversation and orientation: Shared understanding of the proposition

2. Understand

Fact-finding, evidence gathering and facilitated exploration: Clear picture of opportunities, issues and questions

3. Connect

Connect LA leaders with relevant DfE expertise and other appropriate experience :Enhanced access to national policy and implementation insight

To complete an expression of interest to access this offer, please click on the link here: LiiA Local Authority Trust Offer – Express of Interest

Promoting Inclusion Professionals Network (PIPN)

The Promoting Inclusion Professionals Network (PIPN) has been developed to ensure that good practice can be shared amongst all, cover common trends occurring around school exclusions and utilise resources effectively through partnership working. The group aims to create a strategic partnership across authorities regarding school exclusions. LiiA will be supporting the development and delivery of this key pan-London network. The membership of the group is open to any LA working to avert exclusions and promote attendance; whilst the current membership consists or a large number of London LAs, the option of membership is wider than London based organisations. The group has been expanded out to the voluntary sector as well as other partnership services, which feel that they have an effective role to play in the work of the group. If you would like to attend as a PIPN mmber, please register your interest using the link here: PIPN – Exclusions and Attendance

LiiA ‘Inclusion and Belonging’ Schools Data Dashboard

The ‘Inclusion and Belonging Schools Data Dashboard’ will provide schools and system leaders with meaningful intelligence to understand and strengthen inclusive practice. Bringing together a range of educational, attendance, SEND and inclusion indicators, the dashboard will enable schools to benchmark themselves against similar settings, ide9o strengths and areas for development, and support evidence-informed decision making. The dashboard will underpin school improvement by helping leaders monitor progress towards creating more inclusive and equitable learning environments. It will also support completion of the LiiA ‘School Inclusion Self Review Tool’ The dashboard will be tested and trialled with a focus group prior to regional launch.

As such, we welcome you to a launch event on the 12^th October 2026 to see the dashboard in demonstration mode and will provide an opportunity to engage with LiiA on future developments of the tool. Sign up for the workshop is available via the link here: School Inclusion Intelligence Dashboard / Self-Review Toolkit Demonstration – Fill in form