SEND News

A new website for young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) has just been launched. The Unstoppables platform provides the run down on everything about the youth group; who they are, how often they meet, joining details, what…

The Leader of Somerset Council, Cllr Bill Revans, has expressed his frustration at news of delays to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform. A Schools White Paper was due to be published in the autumn. However the Government announced…

Parents, children, professionals, and the wider public are invited to have their say and help shape the future of children and family services in the county. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation to gain insights into what’s working well,…

If your child is due to start secondary school (Year 7) in September 2026, please note that applications are open. And Somerset parents and carers are being urged to apply online – and on time! Secondary school applications must be…

Plans to invest in improved data and artificial intelligence to help Somerset Council provide better services and reduce costs have been approved. Somerset Council’s Executive today (Wednesday, 1 October) agreed to invest £1.56 million in digital innovations as part of…

Here are some useful updates and resources for your setting – please keep these links on your desktop so that you have quick and easy access to them when you need them: Managing specific infectious diseases: A to Z –…

Somerset Council is inviting members of the community to attend a series of informal fostering information sessions this September. These events are open to anyone curious about fostering. Each session provides a relaxed setting to learn more about the realities…

The efforts and achievements of more than 430 Somerset children looked after and care leavers have been celebrated at this year’s Annual Achievement Awards. Children and young people were recognised for their efforts through nominations from social workers, foster carers,…

Somerset Council Leader, Bill Revans, has welcomed the findings of a new cross-party report calling for an overhaul of the “broken” funding model for local government. Cllr Revans joined local government leaders from across the country in March at Parliament…

The Somerset Parent Carer Forum are excited to announce that we’re bringing their Let’s Talk SEND & Inclusion Event to Minehead this September, so mark your diaries! Where: Minehead Community Hospital When: Monday 15th September Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM This friendly and…

As we continue to have a high volume of requests we believe the most effective way is to focus and respond to the online forms this means the phone line will remain temporarily closed. The Inclusion Advice Line remains busy…

Free online learning for all Somerset Residents and Professionals worth over £100! All Somerset residents can access the Free LearnForLove online learning following the steps below. Visit https://learn.inourplace.co.uk/online-learning/courses (LearnForLove) Enter access Code ‘dragon’ The modules support expected parents, parents, carers and teenagers…

Somerset has established a Pathfinder Programme with five schools—four primary schools from across different localities and one secondary school. These schools offer direct support and guidance to others seeking to implement relational policies and practices. Trauma-informed approaches acknowledge the widespread…

The local authority currently operates 4 Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) and 2 Behaviour Partnerships (BPs) in Somerset. These differ in terms of facilities, staffing, and funding, at times leading to varied outcomes for children and young people. To address these…

Somerset libraries, in partnership with the Somerset Wildlife Trust, National Trust and Exmoor National Park, have produced ten short films to help you get outside and enjoy beautiful nature sites. If you’re looking for ideas for free days out at…

NDTi (National Development Team For Inclusion) worked with Somerset Council to look at what supported internships achieve and why they matter. A new report by Dr. Victoria Mason-Angelow from NDTi looks at how Supported Internships are changing lives in Somerset. It focuses…

On Monday 16th June 2025 the Sen.se / Imagine the Possibilities team proudly hosted the third annual Learner Voice event at the Bridgwater & Taunton College Conference Centre, bringing together students from across Somerset’s special schools to explore the growing world…

The inclusive activities calendar for the Summer Holidays is live, and is full of fun activities for children and young people who have a disability and/or additional need. Activities include skiing, nature studies, campfire cooking, seasonal forest activities, tabletop games,…

In response to feedback from parent carers, Somerset’s SEND Local Offer website has launched a new feature. The new feature is “Information by age group.” This aims to make finding relevant services and information for children and young people with…

Children aged 8–11 took to the stage to share their campaigns under the theme “Making a Difference in Our Community.” On Monday, 16th June 2025, the Somerset Children’s Parliament brought together passionate and creative young minds from across the county…