In recent years, Birmingham has faced significant challenges in delivering effective Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services. However, since the appointment of a commissioner in 2021, the city has made remarkable progress. A SEND Improvement Board (SIB) was established to provide stable leadership and drive systemic change. The SIB has since played a pivotal role in coordinating efforts across the local authority, schools, and health services.

As part of the city’s renewed focus on literacy and learning engagement, Empowering Tech with the support of Scanning Pens are proud to have contributed meaningfully to the enhancement of SEND services in Birmingham.

Our Role in the Transformation

We’ve been at the forefront of implementing the Literacy Toolbox Approach —a city-wide supporting strategy, designed to enhance literacy development for learners with cognition and learning difficulties by providing a range of easy to implement tech tools, resources and techniques that teachers can easily master.

Key highlights of our involvement include:

• Delivering training on the Literacy Toolbox Approach to Pupil and School Support (PSS) and Consortium staff involved in SEND assessment and intervention.
• Supporting knowledge of how Reading Pens can be implemented and integrated into learning support pathways by scaffolding the expertise of the PSS team.
• Collaborating with Birmingham Local Authority’s Developing Learning Provision (DLP) teams to help improve literacy outcomes for children with SEND in mainstream settings and contributing to widening the range of supporting strategies available.

In the video linked, the North West DLP team demonstrates the use of Reciprocal Reading Strategies, Literacy Junction, and Scanning Pens at their intervention hubs. We worked closely with them to explore sustainable strategies for improving phonics, comprehension, and fluency.

Spotlight on Pupil and School Support (PSS)

PSS has been instrumental in working with schools and families to promote inclusive education. Their team has:

• Provided resources, training, and guidance to support SEND learners.
• Adapted and expanded the Toolkit Approach across the local authority to ensure consistency and impact.
• Helped to develop the knowledge of SENCOs, ensuring they are able to lead whole school improvement and promote inclusive practice.
• Championed the needs of young people in Birmingham with cognition, learning and language difficulties strategically, and facilitated the early identification of need and providing evidence-based intervention.  

Aligning with the SEND Sufficiency Strategy 2024–2030

Empowering Tech’s initiatives have align with the goals outlined in Birmingham’s SEND Sufficiency Strategy 2024–2030, which prioritises inclusion and improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Our literacy support model, as part of this broader vision, includes:

• The use of assistive technology, such as reading pens.
• The implementation of multisensory learning techniques.
• Ongoing professional development for educators and support staff.
• Modelling strategies for inclusive and adaptive practice through our CPD and resources.

Looking Ahead

Together, these efforts are helping Birmingham move beyond its SEND crisis by:

• Increasing access to learning tools and resources.
• Enhancing the skills and confidence of educators.
• Embedding inclusive practices across schools.

We’re proud to be part of this journey and remain committed to supporting every learner’s right to succeed.

Partnering for Progress

At Empowering Tech, we believe that every learner deserves the tools and support to thrive. Our work in Birmingham demonstrates what’s possible when innovation, collaboration, and commitment come together to transform SEND provision.

Let’s Unlock Potential Together

For more information on how we can support your Local Education Authority through assistive technology pathways and inclusive literacy strategies, please get in touch with our education team. We’re always ready to collaborate and share what’s working.

📩 Julia Clouter, Head of Education
📧 julia@empoweringtech.com