Solving the SEND crisis is a priority for the government and will require a whole system response, starting in the critical earliest years of life. Our Insights webinar explored the role that health visiting has to play in this, focusing on solutions together, including early identification, timely intervention, and integrated support – laying the foundations for a brighter, more inclusive future for every baby and child with SEND.

In December 2024, the cross-party Committee launched a call for evidence to find solutions to the growing crisis in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). In response, the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) placed babies, children, and families at the heart of its submission – advocating for a collaborative, effective approach to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities. As the SEND crisis continues to place increasing strain on families and services, there has never been a more crucial time to come together to be innovative and share best practice and research to improve support for babies and children with SEND.

Our session included:

  • The Health Visitor’s role in SEND across the pathway, including supporting parents and the Institute of Health Visiting response to the SEND inquiry – Maddie Rew, Programme Manager (Health Visiting Professional Services), iHV
  • ‘A good level of development and SEND’ Alice Jones Bartoli, Deputy Director, National Children’s Bureau
  • ‘Toilet Training in 4 Steps – A Toilet Skill Development Programme’, June Rogers MBE, Paediatric Continence Specialist. This session will aim to debunk myths about waiting for ‘readiness’ before starting toilet training and provide an overview of the Down Syndrome UK, ‘Step by Step’ Toilet Skill Development Programme.

📄 Presentation Slideset: Improving the lives of babies and children with SEND

💡 You can add your learning and record your CPD time in your membership portal