Councils’ SEND reform plans published as approval process begins

According to Schools Week, around 40 draft plans had been identified and published by early September, with more expected to become available once they receive government approval. The plans outline how local partnerships, including education, health and social care services, intend to improve support for children and young people with SEND. The plans are a key condition of a major financial agreement between councils and the Department for Education (DfE). Councils that secure approval for their plans will be eligible for a government write-off of 90 per cent of their accumulated SEND deficits, with the overall bailout expected to cost around £5 billion. 

A national SEND delivery board, led by Tim Coulson, will review the proposals before final decisions are made by Education Secretary Lucy Powell. Plans will be assessed against a government quality assurance framework and monitored alongside area SEND inspection outcomes. 

For Leaders and SENCOs, the published documents offer a valuable opportunity to understand local priorities, identify proposed changes to provision and prepare for reforms that could shape SEND practice in schools in their area over the coming years.