Purpose

Report relating to the local authority’s submission of its SEND Reform Plan to the Department for Education (DfE).

Decision

The government published the Schools White Paper earlier this year, setting out an ambitious plan to create an education system where every child and young person could achieve and thrive. This was published on Monday 23 February and included significant reform to the wider education system and SEND.

On Monday 9 March, the DFE then commissioned each Local Area Partnership to develop and submit a Local SEND Reform Plan by 19 June 2026. The expectation being that these documents be used to clearly set out how the Council would improve and further strengthen its system, tilting provision towards stronger inclusive practice and early intervention and ensuring that the conditions underpinning effective long term outcomes were in place. 

Buckinghamshire’s Local SEND Reform Plan had been developed at pace through extensive partnership working, quality assured by DfE advisers throughout May, and finalised and submitted by the 19 June deadline.

RESOLVED that the submission of the Local SEND Reform Plan to the DfE and the dependency on Secretary of State approval of same to secure the High Needs Stability Grant be noted.