Belonging is more than just inclusion, it’s about every pupil feeling respected, connected, supported and included at school. A strong sense of belonging can transform engagement, wellbeing, and outcomes for pupils with SEND, yet many schools struggle to embed it in daily practice. This session shares practical, research-backed strategies drawn from the Belonging Matters Programme, helping schools tackle common barriers, build a whole-school culture of belonging, and make small but powerful changes that have a lasting impact in classrooms, policies, and relationships.

By the end of this session you should be able to: 
•    Understand how belonging impacts attendance, behaviour, and academic success for pupils with SEND.
•    Identify common barriers to belonging in school policies, environments, and practices.
•    Explore a three-part framework for embedding belonging in schools and consider how it applies to their setting.
•    Use practical strategies to foster stronger relationships, inclusion, and pupil voice.
•    Identify key priorities and outline next steps to strengthen belonging in their setting.