Work is now underway to draft Somerset’s SEND Reform Plan. This is a requirement set by the Department for Education and must be completed by mid‑June 2026.
The SEND Reform Plan sets out how Somerset will improve outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The plan will explain:
- how the SEND system will become more sustainable and inclusive
- how partners will work together to provide support earlier and more effectively
- how schools, health services, care services and the council will work together to deliver long‑term improvements
This is not a council‑only plan. It is being developed and owned by the wider SEND Partnership, including education, health, care services and parent ‑carer representatives.
The plan is important in supporting improvements to the quality and timeliness of SEND services. It also has a significant funding impact. If the plan is approved by the Department for Education, up to 90% of Somerset’s historical Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit could be written off. This would help stabilise SEND services and support future improvements.
We want to hear from children and young people with SEND about their experiences. Their views will help us understand what needs to improve and how the reforms can make a real difference. If you know a young person with SEND, please encourage them to take part in our SEND Reform Plan Survey. The survey closes on Friday 15 May 2026.
Here is the link: https://tinyurl.com/SENDReformPlan.
Work is already underway to consult on the Government’s proposals, and all local areas must submit their SEND Reform Plans as part of a national process. Teams across Children’s Services are speaking with as many partners, families, and young people as possible ahead of the June deadline.
As part of this wider improvement work, an EHCP Standards Group shares scrutiny, oversight and improvement activity. This includes updates to medical advice requests and changes to Preparing for Adulthood in annual reviews, reflecting feedback from families about what needs to work better. You can find out more at Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Standards Group.
For more information about the SEND Reform Plan, please contact mailto:rowan.griffin@somerset.gov.uk.
Information about how we are working together to develop local SEND services is also available on the Somerset SEND Local Offer: Working together on our local offer.
