Overview
We met as the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Improvement and Assurance Board (SIAB) on Thursday 18 December 2025. This was our last board meeting of the year. It gave us a chance to reflect on how we, as board members, have embodied the principles of being a member of the board through our work over the past 6 months.
Our progress working together
The board has been an active and lively board that has challenged each other, as well as celebrated and recognised the progress that has been achieved so far. Importantly the building blocks to enable effective board and partnership working have been put in place, tested and developed as we have progressed through the year.
So, as a board we feel confident in the monitoring tools, the highlight reports, the development of the data dashboard and importantly the regular focus at the start of each meeting on the experience of children with SEND in Bracknell Forest.
Reflecting on the principles of board membership, we are explicit in the requirement for all board members to take what has been discussed out to their peers and organisations and to actively use it.
AV1 telepresence robots
We heard of the significant work that has taken place in hearing the voice of children and the shift in some children’s education that has meant they are now accessing education in a way that they are happy with and is meaningful and timely.
A number of colleagues are going to explore the approach outside of the meeting to see how learning can be applied in their situations, including the use of AV1 telepresence robots.
A revised multi-agency audit template and guidance will be introduced in Spring 2026.
Priority actions
The focus on priority actions continues and it is evident that a number of milestones are being delivered on time. There is now monitoring in place to capture positive impact for children and families, though in a number of areas the impact of change is at an early stage and will take time to be felt.
Data dashboard
The data dashboard continues to evolve as well as being used by groups outside the board, which is important.
The board queried how ethnicity was considered within the performance reporting, and particularly focused on performance in relation to suspensions and exclusions. As well as reviewing the available data, the board was assured of the work to raise and address these matters with school leaders and leaders of academy trusts.
Wait times for speech and language therapy
The board queried wait times for speech and language therapy which will be reported back by the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Time frames for issuing Education, Health and Care Plans
Timeliness of the issuing of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) continues to be a strength in Bracknell Forest and has been throughout the year. The focus for EHCPs, overall, is on quality and a revised audit approach will begin in 2026.
Capital schemes and funding
The board discussed the impact of recent communications from the DfE on decisions taken by national government regarding capital schemes and funding for Bracknell Forest.
Communications from the council will follow.
Stocktake meeting
The board also reviewed preparations for the DfE and NHS England stocktake meeting taking place in January 2026, alongside the potential topics for deep dives through 2026 – part of the national system of DfE and NHS England oversight of the SEND system and progress against the last inspection for Bracknell Forest.
Engagement work
The board heard of the wide-ranging engagement work taking place, including a range of visits and meetings undertaken by the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People with children, parent carers, and with school staff and headteachers.
Feedback from RISE partnership training
The board also considered feedback from the recent RISE partnership training session and how things could be improved and more made of the training going forward. The involvement, challenge and support of Bracknell Forest Parent Carer Forum was recognised.
Recognition of achievement in response to challenges
The board also heard reflections on:
- the stresses throughout the system
- the pressure of delivering quality services on a day to day basis, alongside national reorganisations of NHS organisations
- 50% cuts in some areas
- impact of inspections
- review and monitoring requirements
- improvement work
This is real for partners across the board.
What was heartening was to hear from the DfE advisor and the recognition of the significant amount of work and change that has been achieved over the past 6 months.