This meeting was chaired by Chris Baird, Independent Chair.
Overview
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Improvement and Assurance Board (SIAB) met on Thursday 4 September 2025, its first meeting after the school holidays.
Key discussions and decisions
A number of items were approved by the board including the one-way communication plan where items will be highlighted to all board members for further communication through their networks. This included Bracknell Forest Parent Carer Forum.
A bid for funding to the DfE to support SEND improvement work, and the SEND Strategic Action Plan Addendum were also approved. This action plan addresses areas set out in the Ofsted and CQC inspection report from the inspection in February 2025. Whilst not priority action areas, the plan sets out how Bracknell Forest as a SEND partnership will address the areas for improvement covered in the inspection report. This action plan addendum has been approved by DfE and NHS England colleagues and will form part of the board’s work going forward.
The board received important feedback from Bracknell Forest SEND Youth Group on how their voices can be heard and considered. I will be meeting them before the end of October.
As a board we were challenged by the Parent Carer Forum representatives to make sure that we are considering what is taking place for children with SEND across the whole system, rather than solely focusing on delivering the Priority Area Action Plan. This is actively being reviewed as our work continues.
The board reviewed progress and delivery across the subgroups of the board and in particular noted the increased activity of the Education Health and Care Plan subgroup who have met several times over the summer to make sure actions are being taken forward at pace.
The board is currently reviewing the first newsletter which will be circulated in September. Please do look out for it and provide feedback so that we understand what you find useful.
Chris Baird