Twilight Talk: The role of attachment and trauma in education for those with SEND
- Online
- 21 Oct 2026 (16:00 - 17:00)
The Twilight Talk will explore the role of attachment in education and how secure relationships can support regulation, engagement and learning. Jacqueline Smith will examine the differences between attachment-informed and trauma-informed practice, the relationship between attachment and SEND, and practical strategies that can be applied across mainstream and specialist settings.
You can read more about our Twilight Talks sessions on our dedicated page.
Online
Suitable for: A parent/carer, Administration Staff, Assistant Head Teacher, Consultant, Deputy Head Teacher, Early Years Practitioner, Inclusion Manager/Leader, Newly Qualified Teacher, SENCO, Student, Support staff, Teacher, Young person, Other
Meet your trainer
Jacqueline Smith
Jacqueline Smith is the National SENCO for Progress Schools, a senior education leader and doctoral researcher with more than 13 years’ experience across mainstream, specialist and post-16 education. She leads SEND strategy across 11 schools nationally and specialises in inclusive practice, complex needs and improving outcomes for learners with SEND.
Meet your trainer
Zoe Mather
Education Officer
From starting out her working life as a design engineer, Zoe re-trained and worked as a secondary maths teacher for over 20 years in the Northeast of England. Spending roughly half her career in mainstream and half in specialist settings, she has delivered the national curriculum from P-levels to A-levels to a wide variety of learners. Having worked for nasen (National Association for Special Educational Needs) for the past 4 and a half years, her specialism is supporting learners through recognising barriers, and she is passionate about learning being accessible for all. Since working with EdTech designers as part of the Lego® Accelerator Program, her interest in AI and its application for learners with SEND has been a personal focus for her work with nasen.
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