The Bracknell Forest Local SEND Reform Plan has been formally approved by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department of Health and Social Care.
This important milestone recognises the joint work of Bracknell Forest Council with schools, health services, parent carers, children and young people and other partners. Together, we developed a plan to improve special educational need and disabilities (SEND) services in the borough.
The approval demonstrates the Government’s confidence in the plan and local partnership, in improving support for children and young people with SEND.
For families, this means a continued focus on:
- improving experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND
- strengthening partnership working between education, health and social care services
- building a more inclusive, responsive and sustainable SEND system
- making sure that improvements are measured and monitored so they make a real difference to families
The approval comes with clear expectations from government who will work alongside the partnership through quarterly reviews and ongoing monitoring to help make sure improvements are delivered at pace and that progress is evidenced.
Grainne Siggins, executive director: people, said:
“The approval of our Local SEND Reform Plan is an important milestone for Bracknell Forest. The plan reflects the commitment, expertise and determination of partners across education, health, social care and the voluntary sector. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed to the development of the plan, particularly our parent carers, children and young people, whose experiences, insights and challenge have helped shape our priorities and ambitions for the future.
"Having an independent view of our plans gives us the confidence that we are on the right path. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and remain focused on delivering ongoing meaningful improvements that lead to better experiences, better support and better outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families over time."
Cllr Megan Wright, cabinet member for children, young people and health, said:
“Improving local SEND services remains a key priority for the council. We are pleased the DfE has formally approved our Local SEND Reform Plan. This approval recognises that our plan has met the required threshold and provides a solid foundation from which our local area partnership can move into the delivery stage.
“The DfE’s approval also acknowledges our commitment to strengthening the local SEND system and the positive steps we have made so far. Although our plan is still at an early stage of delivery, the local area is determined to ensure the agreed improvements are felt by children, young people and families in their day-to-day experiences.”
Nicky Clark, chair of Bracknell Forest Parent Carer Forum, said:
“The Bracknell Forest Parent Carer Forum welcomes the publication of the Local SEND Reform Plan. The real work now begins in turning the ambitions set out in the plan into meaningful improvements for children and young people with SEND and their families.
“We will continue to work alongside Bracknell Forest Council, health and care partners, education settings and wider stakeholders to support the delivery of the plan. Our role is to ensure that the lived experiences of parent carers remain at the heart of decision-making, providing both support and constructive challenge where needed.
“Genuine co-production means working together from the outset, valuing different perspectives and being honest about what needs to improve. We look forward to continuing this work with the local area partnership, focusing on making a real difference for children, young people and families across Bracknell Forest.”
The approval means that Bracknell Forest Council is eligible to receive a High Needs Stability Grant covering 90% of its Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit accrued up to the end of the 2025/26 financial year, with an indicative allocation of £29million, subject to final confirmation. This is in addition to payments of £9m that the council has previously received through the Government’s Safety Valve programme.
The grant relates to historic expenditure that has already been incurred through Bracknell Forest’s DSG deficit and the costs associated with financing it. It must be used to reduce the historic deficit and is not additional funding available for new SEND services or other council spending.
This approval marks the next phase of improvement, with Bracknell Forest Council, families and partners working together to deliver better support, stronger services and improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Read the Bracknell Forest Local SEND Reform Plan on the Local Offer web page.
More information
SEND services in the borough are provided by the local area partnership, made up of Bracknell Forest Council and NHS Thames Valley Integrated Care Board (ICB).
The Government has given a vote of confidence in Bracknell Forest’s progress on SEND, approving the Local SEND Reform Plan and announcing an indicative £29million grant to repay 90% of the council’s accumulated overspend on SEND up to the end of 2025/26.
The Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care said it recognised the progress made by partners across education, health and local government in developing a shared plan to improve support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
