The nasen Awards
Celebrating Champions of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
nasen’s ninth annual Awards are in the making. Setting out to recognise settings and individuals who are working tirelessly to create a more inclusive future, specifically to those living with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and helping children and young people to reach their full potential.
Each year, hundreds of entries from the UK and beyond are judged by our panels of hand picked specialists working within the SEND sector.
The awards will open for entries on 14th March 2025 – £10 per entry*.
Have a question? Email us at nasenawards@nasen.org.uk and we’ll get back to you.
*£10 entry fee will be used by the charity, nasen to fund the event and to continue to support children and young people with SEND.
nasen Awards Winners 2024
On 4th October 2024, the winners of the nasen Awards 2024 were announced at the Grand Hotel Birmingham.
Find out more about our winners here.
Be the first to know when nominations are open for nasen Awards 2025!
nasen Awards 2025 Sponsors
There are a range of sponsorship options available for the nasen Awards. Find out about the 2025 sponsors here.
nasen Awards 2025 Judges
We’re currently assembling our expert panel for this year’s awards. If you’re passionate about inclusion and would like to be considered as a judge, please get in touch.
In the meantime, take a look at the incredible judges who joined us last year.
Key dates
- Open for entries: 14th March 2025
- Nominations close: 23rd May 2025
- Longlist announced: 2nd April 2025
- Nominees announced: 7th May 2025
- Awards ceremony: 3rd October 2025
Sponsorship Opportunities
Support the SEND sector and gain visibility among key influencers by sponsoring the nasen Awards 2025. Showcase your commitment to inclusion and celebrate those making a difference for children and young people with SEND. Explore sponsorship opportunities today!
Sponsor the nasen Awards!
Frequently Asked Questions
The nasen Awards celebrate excellence in the field of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They recognise individuals, teams, and organisations making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people with SEND.
Open to educators, support staff, local authorities, charities, businesses, and advocates, the awards highlight best practices, innovative approaches, and outstanding commitment to inclusion. Winners and finalists gain well-deserved recognition, helping to inspire change and promote inclusive education across the sector.
The nasen Awards celebrate the incredible work of individuals, teams, and organisations making a real difference for children and young people with SEND. By entering, you can:
Gain recognition – Showcase your achievements and highlight the impact of your work.
Inspire others – Share best practices and innovative approaches to inclusion.
Celebrate your team – Acknowledge the dedication and passion of those driving change.
Raise your profile – Winners and finalists receive publicity across our platforms, helping to amplify their reach. Many winners have gone on to speak at events, write for educational media and appear on SEND related podcasts.
Be part of a growing movement – Join a community committed to making education inclusive for all.
Entering the nasen Awards is an opportunity to celebrate success, connect with like-minded professionals, and continue shaping a more inclusive future.
This year, we are introducing a £10 fee per nomination to help fund the event as it grows. This allows us to add more award categories and recognise even more outstanding contributions. As the awards expand, the costs of running the event have increased, making it challenging to cover expenses solely as a charity.
The fee directly supports the event and nasen’s wider work, ensuring we can continue advocating for and championing children and young people with SEND while keeping our services accessible and affordable.
Applicants can submit as many entries as they like, however, each £10 fee is per entry.
If an entrant is shortlisted, they will receive an email with further details about the event. This email will include a form to confirm attendance and a request for photographs and/or logos, and a biography for use on social media, our website, and at the awards ceremony.
Tickets will go on sale to the public in May. Each nominee will receive two complimentary tickets.
Winners receive a trophy and nominees are given a certificate. All shortlisted entrants receive two attendee tickets to the Awards Ceremony in October.
All nominations are sense checked before sending to the judges. If your nomination seems more suited to a different category then a member of nasen may contact you and ask permission to move it.
Highlights of nasen Awards 2023