Children’s voices shape BCP Council’s SEND reform plans
Families and young people are helping to lead the way in shaping reforms to local support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with BCP Council saying its plans are making strong progress.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is preparing to submit its Local SEND Reform Plan to Government by 19 June, setting out how education, health and care partners will work together to improve experiences and outcomes for children and young people across the area.
What is SEND reform?
SEND reform is a national programme proposed by Government aimed at creating a more inclusive system that is easier for families to navigate. Councils are responsible for leading and delivering changes locally, working with partners across education, health and care.
BCP Council says its priority has been to develop the local plan alongside children, young people and families — who have told the council they want welcoming, supportive and inclusive schools and services where every child feels they belong.
Potential financial impact
If the plan is approved, Government could pay off 90% of the council’s historic SEND deficit, with BCP Council still expected to fund the remaining 10%.
“Their voices are shaping our decisions”
Councillor Richard Burton, Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People, said the council has listened closely to what children, parents, carers and practitioners have shared.
He said children want accepting and supportive schools, parents want their children to feel safe and understood, and practitioners want a needs-led system that works around the child.
He added that while the council is optimistic about its submission, it is important to be clear that funding alone will not fix the SEND system, which continues to face national workforce and demand pressures.
Building on inspection progress
The council says the plan builds on the recent Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspection, which recognised significant progress since the last inspection, while also being clear about where further improvement is needed.
Cathi Hadley, Corporate Director for Children’s Services at BCP Council, said SEND reform is a long-term programme rather than a quick fix, but the purpose is simple: to listen, learn and keep improving.
Increasing local specialist provision
Alongside developing the reform plan, BCP Council says it is already progressing its SEND sufficiency programme, which includes increasing and developing local specialist provision. The aim is to help more children access the right support earlier and closer to home, and to enable more inclusive school settings to meet growing demand.
Parents and carers helping shape the plan
Parents and carers continue to play a key role through ongoing work with BCP Council, helping ensure families are listened to and heard.
Louise Middleton, Chair of the Parent Carer Forum, said the forum has worked with partners to keep the experiences and priorities of parent carers central to the plan — and will continue to challenge and scrutinise implementation to ensure commitments lead to meaningful improvements.
Lucy Baker, Executive Lead for Children and Young People at NHS Dorset ICB, also thanked children, young people and families for their input, saying their insights are vital and that continued partnership working will help deliver more coordinated care so children and young people get the support they need, when and where they need it.
