East Midlands
Our East Midlands SEND leaders are passionate about supporting all provision across the region to be ambitious, aspirational and inclusive by design. Our connectivity and partnerships with LA's, MATs, Opportunity Areas, Teaching School Hubs, mainstream and specialist settings support the sharing of knowledge and expertise across the system.
Through CPD events, webinars, strategic support and our online resources we are passionate about supporting young people with additional needs to achieve their full potential and move onto aspirational long term outcomes.
A warm welcome into our regional community of practice and please connect with us via email.
Meet your Regional SEND Leads
Regional SEND Lead
Emily has over 20 years’ experience across mainstream and specialist education in both teaching and leadership roles. She is the Director of LEARN SEND Hub, the Regional Lead for Whole School SEND in the East Midlands, and an Advisor for the RISE Programme. Emily has the privilege of supporting schools and local authorities at national, regional, and local levels, as well as working directly with individual schools to strengthen inclusive practice.
Emily designs and leads a wide range of continuing professional development opportunities, supporting schools to reflect on and enhance their SEND, inclusion, and wider pedagogical practice. She develops evidence‑informed resources and works alongside school leaders to strengthen whole‑school improvement through high‑quality professional learning. A regular conference speaker and advocate for inclusive education, she is committed to ensuring every pupil has access to the support they need to thrive.
Emily Walker
Deputy Regional SEND Lead
Jane is the Director of Governance & Trust Development at the Community Inclusive Trust (CIT). She works with schools in a school development capacity and leads on creating a coordinated and consistent approach to growing the MAT. As a Director of Governance, she is working with Trustees and Leaders to ensure that SEND is a focus for their strategic work. Jane was a SENCO, a primary school Head Teacher and the Strategic Leader for Inclusion for a large partnership of schools. She also worked for Nottinghamshire County Council as a SEND Adviser. Jane is the Deputy Regional Lead for the East Midlands for Whole School SEND and has a particular interest in developing a strategic-based approach to SEND provision in schools. She has established effective collaborations between schools to develop specialist provision, alternative provision, training and sharing resources. Jane was also a lecturer on the National SENCO Award for Nottingham Trent University.
Jane Starbuck
Local authorities in this region
- Derby
- Derbyshire
- Leicester
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- North Northamptonshire
- Nottingham
- Nottinghamshire
- Rutland
- West Northamptonshire