What a shame Isos didn’t ask @natspec about the impact of Safety Valve agreements on colleges & post-16 students. We could have told them about unwillingness to place in specialist colleges, undue pressure to cease EHCPs, reluctance to fund therapies….

Great to see Laurence Turner MP mention Victoria College during Education Questions yesterday, raising the crucial issue of capital funding for specialist FE colleges. We're encouraged by the Minister's agreement to meet and look forward to the next steps @larry_turner

RT @PubAffairs: Top #Job: Senior Policy Officer @Natspec From £45,000 | Home based, with frequent travel across the country, in particular….

We're recruiting! We are seeking an experienced, dynamic policy officer, with a strong track record in lobbying, providing policy advice, analysing government policy and preparing consultation responses to join our policy team. Apply by 4 August:

We're looking for a Senior Quality Manager to oversee our quality support services. This is a vital post that will be part of our senior leadership team, shaping the way Natspec supports members and the wider sector. Apply by 6pm Weds 25 June:

RT @benbastin: Great couple of days at the @Natspec conference. Inspired by our sector. Also great to have a shout-out from @Jacqui_Smith1….

For our final #NatspecNC25 keynote, we have a panel session looking at anxiety, chaired ably by our own Ruth Perry and with contributions from Natasha Devon, Dr Rebecca Johnson and Dr Sam Brice

RT @HeX_Productions: Drum roll please. the winner of our @Natspec champagne competition is Kate Vincent from ROC College. Congratulations!….

As the final part of our morning keynote, we're hearing from Denise Olander about the ongoing process of changes to @Ofstednews inspections, and what this may mean for high needs learners.

We're now hearing from FE Commissioner @ShelaghLegrave, about the further education system, SEND provision's place in it, funding, government and leadership. #NatspecNC25

RT @ShelaghLegrave: Listening to Dame Christine Lenehan speaking @Natspec. Post 16 institutions do inclusion ‘better’, recognising the bril….

Our keynote at #NatspecNC25 this morning looks at policy. Currently, we're hearing from Dame Christine Lenehan about the vision for a more inclusive SEND system, and how post-16 is already in a better place, but where can we go from here?

RT @shanechowen: Thrilled to be at @Natspec annual conference in beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon. We'll be hearing from minister @Jacqui_Sm….

Our second keynote speaker is Dr Alan Watkins, speaking to the Natspec Conference about wicked problems; how they are multi-dimensional problems that require multi-dimensional solutions.

Our first keynote speaker is Professor Kevin Fong, talking to us about his incredibly varied career (from NASA to medicine) and how all that experience has led him to become a problem solver, tackling very complex systems. #NatspecNC25

We're all ready for Natspec National Conference in gloriously sunny Stratford-upon-Avon - looks like it'll be a wonderful day!

Finally, Claire was asked about post-16 transport for learners with SEND. She made it clear that transport support should be based on learner need, rather than age, highlighting the issues associated with learners losing transport when they turn 16.

She also answered a question on our call for a review of specialist college designation, which currently excludes specialist colleges from key capital funding streams.

Claire was asked about Natspec’s call for a dedicated ministerial brief for SEND in FE under the FE and Skills Minister and why this would give learners in specialist FE provision the visibility and representation they currently lack in policymaking.

This morning, Natspec CEO @ClareH_Natspec gave evidence to the Education Committee's FE and Skills Inquiry. She highlighted key issues for learners with SEND, including poor links between mainstream & specialist, undervalued non-accredited learning and funding issues.