Nottinghamshire begins delivery of ambitious SEND reform programme following Government approval

The three-year plan sets out how Nottinghamshire's local area partnership will transform support for children and young people with SEND, helping ensure they receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

The Department for Education approved Nottinghamshire's plan this month, describing it as a "compelling and well-developed vision aligned to SEND reform principles" which provides "a positive foundation from which to move into delivery". The DfE also recognised the partnership’s "good momentum and a willingness to work collectively across education, health and care”.

Delivery of the reforms is already underway, with recruitment progressing and partners across education, health, finance, transport and transformation working together to improve services and outcomes for families across the county.

The plan aims to strengthen inclusion in mainstream schools, improve access to specialist advice, reduce delays and deliver better outcomes for children, young people and families. It also supports the ambition for more children and young people to attend school closer to home and remain connected to education within their local communities.

As part of the reforms, Nottinghamshire will establish a new Multi-Agency Alternative Education Team to support children and young people who are out of school, attending very little or at risk of not being in education.

Families can expect to see:

• Earlier support before difficulties become more serious.

• Faster access to specialist advice for schools.

• More children able to learn and succeed in local schools where appropriate.

• Better communication and clearer support pathways.

• Improved attendance, inclusion and a stronger sense of belonging.

• More joined-up working between education, health and care services.

The plan is supported by £6 million of Government funding through the Experts at Hand Grant during the first year of delivery. The funding will enable recruitment of specialist professionals, including educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, specialist teachers and support staff working alongside mainstream schools and families across Nottinghamshire.

The approval also unlocks significant financial support through the Government's High Needs Stability Grant. As part of the agreed reform programme, £35.8 million of the council’s historic SEND-related deficit will be offset, providing financial relief while supporting long term service transformation and sustainability.

The reforms build on progress already recognised by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission, while addressing ongoing challenges experienced by families, including delays, uncertainty and inconsistent experiences when accessing support.

Councillor Simon Wright, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND at Nottinghamshire County Council, said:

"The Department for Education’s approval of our SEND Reform Plan is an important milestone for Nottinghamshire, and a strong endorsement of the hard work, commitment and collaboration of partners that have shaped it.

"Families have told us they want support sooner, clearer information and better coordination between services. We have listened, and this plan sets out how we will deliver on those priorities, helping children and young people with SEND get the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

"We're already beginning to put the foundations in place to deliver meaningful action, including recruiting additional specialist staff and strengthening support available to mainstream schools, so children, young people and families can get help earlier and closer to home wherever possible. We want every child and young person in Nottinghamshire to attend, belong, achieve and thrive."

Rosa Waddingham, Executive Director of Quality (Nursing) at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board, said:

“Families, children and young people have helped shape this plan and their experiences have been central to identifying where improvements are needed. From a health perspective, these reforms will strengthen access to specialist support such as speech and language therapy and occupational therapy, helping children receive support in mainstream settings. This will provide more joined-up support, reduce delays and help more children and young people with SEND to thrive in their local communities."

Georgina Palmer, Forum Lead, Notts Parent Carer Forum, said:

“Nottinghamshire Parent Carer Forum welcomes the ambition within the Local SEND Reform Plan. Parent carers have been very clear that support needs to come earlier, be more consistent and be easier for families to understand and navigate. The focus on strengthening inclusive mainstream practice, supported by improved access to specialist support through the Experts at Hand model, better communication, and building trust and accountability, is positive. We look forward to seeing this lead to real changes that families can feel in their day-to-day lives.”