Bridging the SEND, Transition Collective

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Event overview

This ’conference’ offers the opportunity to work with senior leaders to tackle the SEND cliff edge, explore the transition from school to FE, but also beyond 18, as the SEND need doesn’t go away.  SEND support officially extends to the age of 25, but it often falls off- – hence the term ‘cliff edge’.   ‘How do we support SEND and Neurodiversity all life long and into the workplace?   This session will create practical solutions to create transitions from education to employment. The Government’s Schools White Paper is expected before the event, and it’s set to include their plans for SEND reform, which makes the timing even more important.  The White Paper will set the direction; this Collective is where the sector shapes its response, bringing together senior leaders, practitioners and employers to co-create practical solutions and policy recommendations to influence the national conversation.  The outcome will be a sector-wide report on bridging SEND transition, from education to employment.  This will produce action-focused outcomes. The morning is devoted to scene-setting, with a focus on the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.  In the afternoon, attendees break into small working groups for the collective intelligence part of the day, focusing on creating an action-focused report. Prof Amanda Kirby Chair of the ADHD Foundation, and Emeritus Professor at the University of South Wales, and Dr Vikki Smith, Visiting Professor University of Sunderland will work to give attendees something that supports SEND learners and their organisation through the transitions the system keeps failing them on.  

The Principles of Information, Advice and Guidance and Their Importance for Widening Access

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Event overview

Delivered by the International Centre for Guidance Studies at the University of Derby, this NEON Access Academy Training one-day online course will look at Information, Advice and Guidance theory and practice, and relate this to working with learners and students from under-represented groups.  By the end of the course participants will: understand and be able to apply career development theories to their own work in their own particular context be able to describe the skills and techniques for successful one-to-one guidance know the different approaches that are used in relation to group work sessions and individual session and consider the benefits and challenges of each approach consider specific challenges of working with particular client groups and how IAG can be used to support them towards positive careers outcomes. This course is ideal for those wishing to develop their skills and ensuring that the learners, with whom they interact, receive the best possible IAG.  It is particularly relevant for: Heads of Widening Participation or Careers Services Higher education professionals who regularly advise learners from under-represented backgrounds Schools’ liaison or community outreach professionals Uni Connect professionals. We expect this event to be exceptionally popular. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.  

Focusing on Academic Writing

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Event overview

This event is especially for Early Career Researchers.  Jackie Dohaney who is a Lecturer and a member of the Learning and Teaching Team in the Institute for Academic Development at the University of Edinburgh will lead this session with a focus on academic writing, what makes a piece of writing academic and how to develop your academic style.  

The Engage Summit 2026: “Imagining an inclusive future for Higher Education”

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Event overview

The Engage Summit, a gathering of people who care deeply about the future of universities and their connection to society. This is more than a conference; it’s a chance to come together as a community of practice, united by a shared commitment to change.  The Summit will bring people together to collectively imagine an engaged Higher Education sector of the future, and plan how to get there. Drawing on the NCCPE’s (National Coordination Centre for Public Engagement) Engaged Futures programme, they will be showcasing innovative practices that are helping to realise a radically new kind of university system and considering how we can align our efforts to effect lasting change.  Programming involves thoughtful and inspiring plenaries and an interactive exhibition area, with interactive exhibits, discussions, workshops and posters all being part of the schedule.  The event itself will be accessible, inclusive and open to anyone in the engagement sector who would like to take part.