This meeting was chaired by Chris Baird, Independent Chair.
Overview
The SEND Improvement and Assurance Board's (SIAB) first meeting took place on Monday 19 May 2025.
We discussed the:
- SEND priority action plan
- updated SEND strategy action plan
- the next steps to enhance SEND services in Bracknell Forest
The meeting was attended by representatives from:
- the council
- NHS Frimley ICB
- Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
- Bracknell Parent Carer Forum
- representatives from early years providers
- primary, secondary and special schools
- colleagues from the Department of Education
- NHS England
We have agreed as a board to meet every month to provide oversight and support to the improvements required for children with SEND in Bracknell Forest.
I will be providing summary points of board activity. The points below capture key discussions and decisions from both the first board meeting in May and our meeting in June.
Terms of reference and principles
The draft terms of reference for the board and principles for board members were discussed. There was a strong emphasis on making sure children with SEND are at the heart of the work of the board and that this is made explicit.
The board recognised that decision making takes place within each organisation represented at the board and it is important to understand how governance and accountability works. This is set out within the terms of reference which will be used as a working document.
The principles will include confidentiality, attendance and the need for a positive and constructively challenging environment, which all board members committed to.
A review will take place in 6 months to make they remain effective and relevant.
The board members will spend some time together in July as part of a development session on partnership working in Bracknell Forest.
SEND Priority Action Plan
An overview of the Priority Action Plan was provided, highlighting the desired outcomes and key actions. The plan was developed further and will be formally approved and submitted on Friday 23 May 2025 to the DfE and NHS England. This was reported as approved at the June meeting.
Updated SEND Strategy Action Plan
The decision to reformat and rework the SEND Strategy Action Plan was explained, taking on board advice from DfE officials, to create a new strategic plan that addresses the areas of improvement identified in the Ofsted report. The plan will be developed further following DfE and NHS England feedback.
Local area updates
The board received updates on the Frimley Neurodiversity Children's Transformation and Children's Mental Health programmes.
Enabling the board to add value
The meetings have reflected on the need to have clear and timely reporting from the subgroups on the actions they are charged to deliver from the Priority Action Plan and Strategic Plan. The board also considered the development of the performance dashboard, the need to have analysis and trend information and to be sighted on key issues across the partnership whilst the dashboard is being developed.
Work is taking place to enable the child’s voice to be heard regularly at board meetings. Children and young people will be consulted for their ideas on how to make this effective.
A communication and engagement plan is in development. This includes working closely with Bracknell Forest Parent Carer Forum. Work to affirm the Bracknell Forest approach to working together, consultation and co-production is being set out, dependent on partners coordinating their availability and work.
Next steps
The timeline for the next steps was outlined. This included:
- the submission of the Priority Action Plan
- issuance of the improvement notice
- upcoming stocktake
- deep dive meetings
It is envisaged that:
- the first DfE and NHS England stocktake meeting will take place in November 2025
- a deep dive meeting taking place in February 2026
- a joint Ofsted and CQC joint monitoring visit taking place in November 2026
The board will begin to get reports on the SEND partnership’s work to address the areas for priority action and areas for improvement from the next meeting in June. A reporting template to enable this to be done clearly and succinctly was agreed.
These meetings have been an important first step for Bracknell Forest in response to the area SEND full inspection in February 2025. A lot of work across partners has been taking place since then. This was evident at the first board meeting and recognised by a number of board members.
I hope this summary has been useful and I intend to provide updates of board meetings at regular intervals.
Chris Baird