Why choose SSSEND?

Specialist Status in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SSSEND) sets a benchmark for excellence in supporting diverse learners, strengthening both your professional practice and impact.

Consider this increasingly popular status if you want to:

  • Gain professional recognition with a competency based accreditation
  • Validate your current expertise in SEND at an advanced level
  • Confirm expert knowledge, skills, behaviours and effective practice related to SEND
  • Showcase your ability and sustain your impact and influence on other professionals, learners, and your organisation

Pricing

  • Non-member: £245
  • Member: £215.60 with use of member discount code*

Upcoming dates

We have one upcoming date available to book below:

  • 2 June 2026

Book now

Member discount

Our membership brings together professionals from across the sector. Together, we form a strong and dedicated network that will shape the future of FE and skills. As a member, you benefit from a range of exclusive discounts and benefits.

*Members are eligible for the discounted rate. Please enter the discount code provided in your member portal at checkout.

Not a member? Find out more and join today.

Who is it for?

The status can be attained by working people in these broad categories:

  • Educators, leaders, and support staff in an educational setting or environment who already embed SEND into their learning and working environments.
  • Professionals at any career stage aiming to validate their expertise in SEND practice at an advanced level.

SSSEND is designed to acknowledge the exceptional capabilities of professionals leading the way in SEND practice, and to ensure these high standards are consistently met and exceeded. 

These professionals can use evaluation and feedback to understand the impact of SEND work and will be able to showcase a direct or indirect impact on learners' achievement, progress and employability. In addition they will have self-awareness of their own SEND strengths and areas for development, ensuring SEND practice is accessible and inclusive.

What to expect

Whether you're a teacher, leader or member of FE professional services, the SSSEND process accommodates diverse roles and busy schedules.

Key features:

  • 12-week, competency-based online validation process
  • Inclusive and flexible timetables
  • Non-member price: £245 to participate and gain the accreditation
  • Member price: £215.60 to participate and gain the accreditation

Take your first step

Gain recognition, drive impact and develop your skills while supporting students, colleagues, and workplaces. 

SSSEND validates your expertise, and helps you drive meaningful, lasting change that advances SEND goals, not only within your organisation, but across the sector.

Book now

Specialist status highlights:

Requirements to undertake the validation programme:

  • Be working in an educational setting or environment, either on a paid or voluntary basis
  • Support from your organisation
  • Be in a position to demonstrate
    • A high level of effective practice and application of SEND in an educational environment*
    • Opportunities to further develop advanced knowledge, skills and behaviours related to SEND policy and practice to continue demonstrating the most effective practice in your own setting**
    • Opportunities to apply SEND knowledge, skills and behaviours with your own role, professional setting and/or organisation
    • Opportunities to evidence impact of the SSSEND validation process on your own practice, learners, colleagues or organisation in accordance with  the nine core competencies in the programme framework
  • There is no requirement to hold formal qualifications in SEND to access the programme.

*The SSSEND process validates and confirms existing advanced knowledge, skills, behaviours and effective practice related to SEND. The programme does not contain learning materials.

**The SSSEND is not suitable for those seeking an introductory programme to SEND. Applicants who are currently building their knowledge and skills in SEND may need to undertake CPD prior to registering for the SSSEND programme.

  • Non-member: £245 for the 12-week SSSEND accreditation
  • Member: £215.60 for the 12-week SSSEND accreditation
  • Re-accreditation is likely every three years at a nominal fee, promoting ongoing professional growth and impact in SEND practice