Overview
We publish documents that explain how we work together to support children and young people with additional needs. This includes support for education, health and care. These documents help everyone understand what we do and where we are heading. They also explain our local offer of services.
We are reviewing our SEND strategy, our self-evaluation work, and our wider plans. This includes creating a local SEND reform plan. We will share updates as this work continues. You can find more information about next steps on our SEND reform.
Local Area Self-Evaluation
A Self‑Evaluation Framework (SEF) is a shared review of how we are doing. It is completed together by education, health, social care and parent carers.
It brings together what we all know about children and young people with SEND. It helps us see what is working well, what needs to improve, and where to focus.
We use the SEF to be open about our strengths and challenges. We use evidence and feedback to plan changes that make a real difference. It helps us work as one system and get ready for inspections by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission. It also keeps families informed about our progress.
SEND Strategy for Somerset
We developed the SEND strategy with children, young people and families. It explains how services will work over three years (2023-26).
It builds upon the Written Statement of Action (2020-2022).
The strategy was created by the Somerset SEND Local Area Partnership. This includes:
- Somerset Council
- NHS Somerset
- Education: schools, early years, further education providers
- Somerset Parent Carer Forum
- The Unstoppables
- Voluntary, Community, Faith, Social Enterprise
The partnership works to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families. They do this by following the SEND charter.
Vision
We want to be able to move through the world without having to force our way through it.
My life – not a service
Themes
The strategy is based on feedback from families and regular discussions. It has four main areas:
- Working together: I can achieve my outcomes because I, my family and staff are working together.
- Getting help as early as possible: I and my family can access the right support at the right time.
- Access to the right support and provision: I understand the support and provision that is available to me, and I can access it, if I need it.
- Preparing for the future: I have the right skills and options, according to my individual needs, to take control of my future and to achieve the ambitions important to me.
Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
The SEND Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) was completed in 2025. It looks at data about children and young people with SEN and disabilities in Somerset.
The findings include:
- The number of children with SEND is going up every year. Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans have more than doubled in five years. This means more demand for services and schools.
- Social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) is the most common need in Somerset schools. Rates of mental health problems and hospital admissions for self-harm and substance misuse are higher than average. Services for mental health need strong focus.
- Children in the most deprived parts of Somerset are twice as likely to have SEND as those in the least deprived areas. SEMH and speech and language needs are most common in these areas. Services must reach families in these communities.
- There are delays in EHC plans and not enough specialist school places. Many families say this causes stress. Where plans are done well, they make a big difference. Improving timeliness and access is key.
- Children with SEND in Somerset do worse than the national average in school results and attendance. They are more likely to be suspended or excluded. Fewer go on to higher education. Support for learning and inclusion needs to improve.
Somerset's Graduated Response Tool
We oversee support to meet the needs of children and young people in education. Education support works alongside health and care services. Our work follows the SEND Code of Practice 2015.
Somerset’s Graduated Response Tool explains the support normally available in Somerset schools and settings.
Joint Commissioning
Somerset Council and NHS Somerset plan services together. This is called joint commissioning.
We review needs regularly. This helps us design and improve services and check they are working well.
Working together helps us:
- use resources well
- join up services
- give better support
It also gives a clear and simple framework for education, health and care partners.
Our SEND needs assessment shows where there are gaps and where services need to improve.