This meeting was chaired by Chris Baird, Independent Chair.
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Improvement and Assurance Board (SIAB) met on Thursday 10 September 2026.
Chair’s reflections
The board considered Bracknell Forest’s stocktake report, prepared in advance of the formal meeting with the DfE and NHS England as part of the improvement meetings schedule to reflect on progress against the actions required following the SEND Local Area inspection in February 2025. The report included progress and evidence of actions taken across the priority action plan areas as well as the SEND Improvement plan areas. The board receives updates every board meeting with detailed information, as well as summaries of what is being achieved and what is delayed (including due to the work on the SEND Reforms). Further work is taking place to be clearer on quality of practice and impact for children and also the work of individual partners which will enable the board to get a greater level of assurance.
The board continues to receive reflections from children on their experiences and this meeting heard about what worked for children with SEND in Cranbury College in supporting them through education, therapeutic and pastoral support, family and school partnership working, to enable planned reintegration to school following exclusion. Members reflected on the young people’s self-perception and the need for careful use of language, alongside recognising the practice that was positively supporting the children.
The board also heard from Bracknell Forest’s Virtual School and the positive feedback from some parents on the work with their children improving confidence, engagement in education and wellbeing, good communication was also highlighted. Bracknell Forest Parent Carer Forum provided feedback from parents and carers on the aspirations for their children, including feeling included, belonging, participating and having opportunities, their needs recognised and having a positive future. The board has continued to have regular items on parent carer feedback, and these themes inform the work of improvement, as well as through individual services work with board members encouraged to take the feedback and presentations back into their own organisations and services. The board noted the improvement in survey results over time including a longer list of things taking place that families identify as helpful and reduced negative social media feedback.
The board considered the latest data provided through a data dashboard that board members have access to and can interrogate in detail. To provide an overview of some key areas of what is happening for children with SEND and services a highlight report is under development and the board made some recommendations to make sure the board can consider how Bracknell Forest is doing over the short and longer term, the trajectory of performance and how some of it compares to regional and national performance too. Data is a tool and making it available to partners across the various working groups adds to the developments and oversight taking place. The board asked for assurance that action to clarify what was taking place for some children waiting to be seen and assessed for neurodiversity needs is in hand, following on from the last meeting and this is an action being taken forward by the Executive Director for People, Bracknell Forest Council and the Director for Children, Mental Health and Learning Disability NHS Thames Valley Integrated Care Board.
Several “deep dives” have now been undertaken by the Department for Education’s SEND Adviser and NHS England Regional SEND Advisor. The responses to the work on governance and commissioning were endorsed by the board. The board also received a report on the quality of Education Health and Care Plans and related advice. A number of strengths were noted, including timeliness, stronger contributions from different services and amended plans following annual reviews. A number of recommendations were made, including the board receiving quality assurance information. A response from partners will be considered at the next board meeting.
The board affirmed its Terms of Reference, and its principles for board members with the explicit enhancement to make sure the board operates a “you said, we did” approach for feedback from children, young people, parents carers and families. The board was updated on action to put Experts at Hand in place, part of the national reforms to enhance the support and advice for schools in working with children with SEND. Good initial steps have been taken, including recruitment.