Children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Swindon are set to benefit from improvements to local services and support after the Government approved the Borough Council’s SEND Reform Plan.
The plan, developed by the Council and local area partners across education, health and care, sets out how support for children and young people with SEND will be improved over the coming years.
It focuses on identifying needs earlier, providing the right support at the right time and helping more children and young people to learn and thrive within their local communities.
The plan has been shaped by the voices and experiences of children, young people, parents and carers.
Following approval by the Department for Education, partners will work together to:
- identify children’s and young people's needs earlier
- provide timely support before needs escalate
- strengthen inclusive practice in early years settings, schools and colleges
- improve access to specialist advice and support
- develop appropriate local provision
- make services easier for families to understand and navigate
- improve preparation for adulthood
- use resources effectively and sustainably
The approval also means the Council is eligible to receive a High Needs Stability Grant covering 90 per cent of its Dedicated Schools Grant deficit accrued up to the end of the 2025/26 financial year.
The grant will address historic expenditure already recorded within the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit, helping provide greater financial stability as the Council and its partners deliver the changes set out in the reform plan.
Councillor Kate Tomlinson, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: “We’re delighted that Swindon’s SEND Reform Plan has been approved by the Department for Education. This is an important milestone for Swindon and reflects the commitment of our partners across education, health and care, as well as the valuable contributions of children, young people, parents and carers who helped shape the plan.
“Our priority is to ensure children and young people receive the right support at the right time, as close to home as possible. By identifying needs earlier and strengthening inclusive practice across our schools and services, we can improve outcomes and experiences for families across the Borough.
“While approval of the plan is a significant step forward, we know families want to see real improvements in their day-to-day experiences. Our focus now is on delivering these changes and working with our partners to make a lasting difference for children and young people with SEND.”
The Council and its partners will now move forward with implementing the plan and will continue to engage with children, young people, families and schools as the programme develops.
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