Why Strong SEMH Leadership Matters Now More Than Ever

Schools are being asked to respond to rising SEND needs, stretched staff and growing pressure to make inclusion work in the real world - all while academic expectations continue to rise.

For many leaders, the challenge isn't knowing that something needs to change - it's deciding what to prioritise first.

And then deciding how to build an approach to SEMH that works, is sustainable and right for their setting.

That's exactly what this conference is designed to help with.

It's a chance to step back from the day-to-day pressures of running a school, focus on what matters most and learn alongside other school leaders facing the same challenges.

Leave With Fresh Ideas You Can Put Into Practice

From whole-school thinking to classroom strategies, the conference is designed to help you return to school with a clearer direction for SEMH and behaviour, including:

  • How to move away from firefighting towards future planning.
  • What Ofsted is really looking for when inspecting inclusion and SEMH.
  • How the new SEND reforms may affect schools in practice.
  • How SEMH is changing and what school leaders need to be ready for.

Who this conference is for

The National SEMH Conference is aimed at school leaders responsible for SEMH, behaviour and SEND - and the staff who put those decisions into action.

It will be especially relevant for:

  • Headteachers
  • Deputy and assistant heads
  • SENCOs
  • Inclusion leaders
  • Pastoral leaders
  • SEND and SEMH leads
  • Teachers with responsibility for behaviour, inclusion or pupil support

Choose from six focused workshops

Each role comes with its own challenges, so every delegate can choose from six workshops and focus on the topics most relevant to them.

The aim of each workshop is simple: to help you move your school forward with SEMH and behaviour.

What Ofsted Really Looks For When Inspecting Inclusion and SEMH

What does strong inclusive practice actually look like through the eyes of an inspector? This workshop will help you cut through assumptions and focus on the things that matter most when Ofsted looks at SEMH, behaviour and inclusion in your school.

01

How the New SEND Reforms Will Change SEMH Support in Schools

How schools need to approach SEND is changing. This session will explore what the proposed reforms could mean in practice in your school... and the implications for your SEMH support, school policies and systems, and your decision-making.

02

Is Your Support Base A Strength Or A Weakness?

Some support bases help pupils feel safe, included and ready to learn. Others can unintentionally create learned helplessness or separate children from the rest of the school. This session shares a framework for judging your provision objectively.

03

How Schools Win Back The Trust Of Disengaged Families

Disengaged families are not always disinterested families. This session explores how schools can begin repairing relationships and building stronger partnerships with families.

04

When Staff Confuse Behaviour and SEMH: What Effective Leaders Do Next

When staff confuse behaviour and SEMH, schools can end up with inconsistent practice and mixed messages. This workshop looks at how leaders can create a more joined-up understanding across their staff.

05

Why Executive Function Problems Lead To Student Dysregulation

Executive function difficulties can easily be mistaken for defiance, poor attitude or lack of effort. This session explores how those difficulties can drive dysregulation... and what good schools do differently once they understand that connection.

06

More than inspiration - real next steps

Taking a day out of school is never a small decision.

That's why this conference has been designed to offer more than inspiration - bringing together keynote sessions, workshops choices and space to think carefully about SEMH, behaviour and inclusion in your own school.

What you can expect on the day

The National SEMH Conference is structured to include focused learning, thoughtful discussion and time to reflect on the issues that matter most in your school.

From the opening main-stage sessions to your choice of workshops, and from lunch through to the closing keynote, every part of the day is there to help you move SEMH forward in your school.

9:00am

Registration

Arrive, collect your conference materials, enjoy the refreshments and get settled before the day begins.

9:30am

Opening keynotes

We begin with main-stage sessions exploring the wider national context and the leadership pressures affecting SEMH, inclusion and behaviour in schools today.

10:45am

Morning break

Time to grab a coffee, visit our exhibitors and connect with other delegates.

11:15am

Workshop session one

Choose from three workshops on inspection, SEND reform and support bases.

12:15pm

Lunch

Lunch and refreshments are included in your ticket.

1:15pm

Workshop session two

Choose from three further workshops on family engagement, SEMH leadership and executive function.

2:15pm

Afternoon break

Another chance to grab a refreshment, visit our exhibitors, compare notes, and network with other school leaders.

2:45pm

Closing keynote

We come back together for final reflections, key takeaways and next steps.

4:00pm

Close

The conference finishes at 4:00pm.

We may occasionally need to make changes to the published agenda or speaker line-up.

Your keynote speakers

Emma Shackleton

Emma Shackleton

Our co-founder Emma Shackleton draws upon almost three decades of work in mainstream and special schools to inspire educators at all levels to help their schools to understand and meet the needs of pupils with SEMH and behavioural SEND needs.

Emma's talks are engaging, thought provoking and easy to digest, blending up to date research with practical, down-to-earth strategies that can be implemented straight away.

Simon Currigan

Simon Currigan

As host of the School Behaviour Secrets podcast (with over 750,000 downloads), Simon's speciality is translating complex research into clear, practical frameworks that leaders can use to turn vision into reality.

He's spent over 18 years helping schools and staff turn SEMH challenges into opportunities for growth. A former mainstream teacher and PRU centre manager, he's worked with hundreds of schools to strengthen behaviour systems, boost staff confidence and build cultures where inclusion works in practice.

Your workshop facilitators

Ben Waterworth

Ben Waterworth

Ben leads Beacon's in-school support team, overseeing and quality assuring the support we provide to schools. With senior leadership experience and a strong background in SEMH, he works closely with schools to understand complex needs, strengthen practice and build more inclusive environments.

Amelia Webley

Amelia Webley

Amelia is an experienced SEMH consultant who has supported more than 50 schools, with particular expertise in designing and delivering staff training. A former outstanding mainstream teacher and Senior Mental Health Lead, she works with schools to build positive learning environments where staff respond confidently to need and pupils can thrive.

Remi Walker

Remi Walker

Remi is an experienced leader with a background in complex trauma, youth justice and school inclusion. She works with school leaders to develop whole-school approaches to SEMH that strengthen inclusion, reduce exclusion and improve outcomes for pupils.

Joe Staines

Joe Staines

Joe has more than 15 years of experience in primary education, including over a decade in senior leadership. Specialising in Early Years and KS1, he works with schools to build inclusive, positive cultures and use evidence-informed approaches that help young children thrive.

Stacey Walsh

Stacey Walsh

Stacey is an experienced educational consultant with a background in secondary senior leadership, including behaviour, safeguarding, attendance and wellbeing. She supports school leaders to strengthen systems, build staff confidence and create more positive, sustainable approaches to behaviour and wellbeing.

Join us at Millennium Point, Birmingham

The National SEMH Conference will take place at Millennium Point in Birmingham - a well-known city-centre venue with space for main-stage sessions, workshop sessions and a full day of learning in one place.

It offers excellent parking and is within walking distance of Birmingham New Street Station, making it an accessible choice for delegates travelling from across the country.

Want to stop over? Not a problem - as there are many hotels based near the venue itself.

As your ticket includes lunch and refreshments, you can settle in for the day and make the most of everything the conference has to offer.

The UK's biggest SEMH conversations - on an IMAX screen

Some ideas deserve more than a classroom projector.

That's why our keynote and main-stage sessions will take place in Millennium Point's IMAX auditorium - ensuring the day feels bigger, bolder and worthy of the conversations we're there to have.

Built by a team trusted by schools and teachers

The National SEMH Conference is led by Beacon School Support - the team behind School Behaviour Secrets and years of direct work with schools on SEMH, behaviour and inclusion.

That means the day is based on the real challenges leaders are facing right now, with practical ideas you can actually use in school.

Book your place

Tickets for the National SEMH Conference start from £249, with lunch and refreshments included.

Join us on Wednesday 7th October 2026 at Millennium Point, Birmingham for a full day of keynote sessions, workshop choice and practical takeaways for your school.

Your ticket includes:

  • Full-day access to the National SEMH Conference.
  • A choice of 2 workshops.
  • Lunch and refreshments.
  • Access to exhibitors and networking opportunities throughout the day.
  • Pay by card or invoice.

⭐️ Book early to benefit from discounted ticket prices!

ℹ️ Payments by invoice are subject to a £50 admin fee.

Ticket prices:

Super Early Bird
Until 30 April 2026
Early Bird
Until 31 July 2026
Standard
Final release

Individual bookings:

Super Early Bird

£249

Best price for early bookers.

Early Bird

£299

From 1st August 2026

Standard

£499

From 1st October 2026

Group bookings:

3 Seat Team Ticket

£679

£68 discount

Super Early Bird pricing

5 Seat Team Ticket

£1099

£146 discount

Super Early Bird pricing

10 Seat MAT Ticket

£2140

£350 discount

Super Early Bird pricing

Praise from school leaders for our previous events:

"Gave me clarity on strategic thinking"

"This session gave me clarity on the need for strategic thinking rather than firefighting - and an emphasis on accountability rather than 'life-saving'.”

Asquith Primary logo

Asquith Primary School

T. Southward

"Realistic and practical"

"I now have a clear picture of where we are and what we need to do. This session was realistic and practical and I have come away with lots of ideas.”

Morley Victoria logo

Morley Victoria School

J. Wood

"Real life and up to date"

"The key focus has been on finding solutions and knowing what we can do next to make a difference. Really great day - real life and up to date knowledge shared. You know what schools and leaders need!”

Pudsey Primrose logo

Pudsey Primrose School

K. Dickson

"Gave us a good base to spring forward from."

"Your explanation of why pupils are getting dysregulated was very useful - and I will plaguarise it to cascade to my staff! It's given us a good base to spring forward from. The presenters were welcoming, positive and inclusive. Thank you.”

Orchards logo

The Orchards School

M. Rumney

Directions

Millennium Point

Curzon St, Birmingham B4 7AP

See venue on Google Maps.

Book ticket

Frequently asked questions

Who is the National SEMH Conference for?

The conference is aimed primarily at headteachers, SENCOs, school leaders and inclusion leads. However, it will also be highly relevant for teachers and other school staff with responsibility for SEMH, behaviour, inclusion or SEND.

What is included in the ticket price?

Your ticket includes full-day access to the conference, your choice of workshop sessions, lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

When and where is the conference taking place?

The National SEMH Conference takes place on Wednesday 7th October 2026 at Millennium Point, Birmingham.

What time does the conference start and finish?

Registration opens at 9:00am and the conference finishes at 4:00pm.

Will there be time to network with other delegates?

Yes. There will be opportunities across the day to connect with other school leaders and delegates during breaks, lunch and between sessions.

Are workshop choices included in the ticket price?

Yes. Your ticket includes access to the workshop sessions, so you can choose the options most relevant to your role and setting.

Can schools book more than one place?

Yes. Schools are welcome to book multiple places if they want several colleagues to attend.

Can I transfer my ticket to another colleague?

Yes, just email or phone our customer support using this page to let us know.

There's no charge for transferring your ticket, but if you let us know less than 14 days before the event, we can't guarantee to take account of any new dietary preferences.

Can we pay by invoice?

Yes. If you choose to pay by invoice, be aware there's a £50 booking fee to cover the additional administration involved.

What's your cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel your booking more than 60 days before the event, we offer a full refund minus a £50 administration fee per ticket. For cancellations made between 30 and 60 days before the event, a 50% refund applies. We're unable to offer refunds for cancellations made less than 30 days before the event.

Are places limited?

Yes. Places are limited, so early booking is recommended - especially while lower ticket prices are still available.

Is the venue easy to get to?

Yes. Millennium Point is in central Birmingham, within walking distance of Birmingham New Street Station, making it a practical venue for delegates travelling from across the country, by road or rail.

What's the parking like at this venue?

Millennium Point has its own multi-storey car park right next to the venue.

Is there anywhere close by to stop overnight?

Yes. There are lots of hotels within walking distance of the venue.

Don't leave it too late:
Secure your place at the National SEMH Conference today

If SEMH, behaviour and inclusion are growing issues in your school, this is an event worth making time for.

Join us on Wednesday 7th October 2026 at Millennium Point, Birmingham for a full day of insight, strategies and ideas you can take back to your own setting.

Tickets start from £249, including lunch and refreshments.

Book ticket

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