A plan to transform health, care and education provision for children and young people with SEND has today been approved by Cornwall Council’s Cabinet.
The Cornwall SEND Reform Plan outlines how the council and its partners intend to incorporate the government’s sweeping reforms to the SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) system.
It focuses on identifying and responding to children’s needs at the earliest opportunity meaning they are then less likely to require costly specialist intervention later in life.
In line with the new Education For All Bill, the plan also stresses the need to strengthen SEND support in mainstream schools. Research shows this approach gives young people the best chance of both academic success and social confidence.
The SEND Reform Plan has been developed jointly with partners across the education, health and care system following comprehensive engagement with relevant groups and organisations, including Cornwall Parent Carer Forum and Cornwall Youth Council.
It aims to bring education, health and family support into a more joined‑up approach, so families experience clearer and more consistent pathways to support.
Publication of the plan comes as Cornwall continues to experience a soaring demand for SEND services, which creates increased pressure on the education sector, NHS, Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services, community health and adult social care.
The government requires all local authorities to submit a SEND Reform Plan to secure the High Needs Stability Grant, which will pay off 90% of their historic SEND deficit.
Cllr Hilary Frank, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, said:
“Cabinet approval of Cornwall’s SEND Reform Action Plan marks a clear commitment to putting children and their families at the heart of everything we do. The plan is rooted in a simple but vital principle: children and families really matter, and their experiences must improve. It sets out how we will strengthen our ability to identify need earlier and more accurately, and how we will work with partners to ensure children are better supported within, and by, their local communities.
“By focusing on inclusive, community-based support alongside high-quality specialist provision where needed, we aim to create a system that feels more responsive, more joined-up, and more focused on helping every child.”
Read the draft Cornwall SEND Reform Plan here: The Local SEND Reform Plan